First Chemo cycle done!

Well, that wasn’t so bad 8-). My vein still hurts from the cannula but I’m guessing from the state of my veins I’m going to end up getting a line fitted eventually anyway. Just wish they’d do it sooner than later before my vein gives out.

I used the anti-nausea meds for the dew days I had them prescribed for and then a few that they gave me to take as and when for another few days. Had to go back to get some antacids as my gut was so burny!!!! I also had to get some special mouth wash as I got a couple of mouth ulcers as well. I tried to nap as much as possible, but that’s not so easy when you have one near teenage boy and another one about to hit 18 who inhales the contents of the fried when he opens the door. So I’ve been relying on ready meals and frozen pizza delivered by Ocado. Both of them know how to nuke a meal and cook a pizza. I’ve been relying on that old standby: toast!  I have been eating heaps of fruit and drinking juices as well though, but sometimes hot toast is the only thing that works. Helped with morning sickness back in the day and it helps now as well J

I have to say thank you to a myriad of ladies from a Facebook group that I’m a member of – Battle of the boxes. I really hope I haven’t missed anyone off here:

Carrie and Gaynor J,  Jenny TW , Melissa K, Louise H, Suzanne L, Rebecca B,  Lesley B, Debbie C, Helen B, Margaret MD, Alison C, (Full Names protected) 

There will be little thank you’s going out this week and I’ve pm’d you for your address on FB, so don’t disappoint me.

I can’t list everything I got as I would be here for about a zillion blogs so here is a picture:

So thank you very much ladies, the parcel came on a day when I was feeling extremely low, I did cry when I read the note but the next day  I was almost 100% better so it worked!

Onto more blog-ey stuff and I’ve had a few freebies this week. First one from Viktor & Rolf :  I signed up to the Secret Service here http://www.secretservice.viktor-rolf.com/#/gb_GB/introh a code from the bottle of Flowerbomb that Col got me for Xmas and they sent me some shower gel and body lotion samples. It’s so lovely and smells gorgeous.

And so it begins…. Chemo time!

First off, apologies for not posting for about 36 weeks. I just haven’t had the inclination, motivation or energy TBH. I had my appointment with the oncologist a little while ago and it was a lot to take in!

I’m having FEC-T and it’s quite toxic apparently especially the E (Epirubicin) bit. I won’t give you a science lesson as there’s heaps of info out there on the web especially here: http://www.macmillan.org.uk

Apparently I WILL lose all my hair as well so it’s bye bye long hair:

 Hello crop (ick)

Lots of very nice people have said that it suits me and that it looks nice, but I can't see it myself - meh! Also no fringe to hide my wrinkles now! It's very unforgiving.

I’ve ordered some bandanas, scarfs and a turban from http://www.annabandana.co.uk/ to stop me looking even more like a fatter, drag version of my brother. Thanks for pointing out the likeness Jakey :(

Anyway, today was the first dose and it’s not fun. I have really crappy veins apparently but luckily the Sister managed to get a line in straight away (but it hurt like buggery). I’m going to get some emla cream from Boots tomorrow!!! They use a weird machine to administer the drugs now – a sort of infusing drip and it kept playing up so I was only supposed to be there for few hours which was just over 3 in the end so I didn’t get home until after 7pm. Basically the Epirubicin has to go in at a really low pressure but the dressing was too tight on my cannula so it wasn’t going in and the machine kept shutting down. Eventually it started to work and then there was another 15 minutes to flush it through and then the other 2 drugs had to be administered. In between there was a hilarious loo incident as I was busting after several cups of tea but I couldn’t pull down my leggings with one hand so Col had to come in with me to assist me!!! Major embarrassment. Even after 10 years he’s never seen me on the loo!!! That’s not ever changing so I booted him out and struggled to get myself sorted one handed! There are some losses of intimacy that I’m not giving up and the toilet is sacrosanct!

I also have to have the district nurse come in to give me a bone marrow boosting injection every day for 7 days. I’d never heard about that previously! More research has now scared me off google forever, but apparently I’m going to have bone crushing agony: Yeay!!! More fun :)

I’ve taken my first lot of prescribed anti-nausea meds and also one of the optional extra ones as I’m starting to feel a little ick. Also drinking heaps of water so I don’t get irritated into going to the loo more than I already do. But then I figured if I’m drinking loads of water I’m going to go more anyway, so how will I know?

My vein is pretty sore so I’ve been using Just4Mums Nipple cream on it. The chemo nurses said not to use Arnica cream on it until approved by my oncologist and this stuff is just coconut oil, aloe vera and allantoin. I’m pretty sure if it’s safe for babies, then it’s probably safe for bruising.  My mum got this for me so I’m not sure where to buy it from yet, but if it works, then I’ll invest in more. I’m also stretching my hand to keep the vein flexible as some of the Macmillan forumites report the vein going hard and itchy(eep).

Nothing else beauty related as I’m not feeling very beautiful at the mo’: more sick, tired and fat!

I’ll try and update when I have more energy.

Elise

XX

Finally an appointment to see the oncologist!

So I finally, after some chasing, have an appointment to see my oncologist to discuss treatment. 23^rd Jan is the decision day and hopefully I can start to move forward again. It seems like I’ve been left in Limbo since the surgeon signed me off. The pain is now manageable, meaning that I only really take painkillers at bedtime. I’m still not sleeping though and my sleep pattern is well and truly fudged. I’m pacing at 4am and then dozing off at 7pm. I’ve tried staying away until normal bedtime to get myself back on track but I can’t help it; one minute I’m watching Big Bang Theory, the next; I’m staring blearily at Big Brother. Ah well.

I had a lovely day today though. I booked myself into the chiropodist that I’ve been using for the last few years. It’s called Footworks and you can read more about them here.  I know it seems to be odd to going to a chiropodist so young but my feet really do take a beating, seeing as I don’t drive.  I love the babysoft feeling when I come out and my nails are all trimmed neatly with no bits starting to grow in.

Before that though, I had a wonderful few hours browsing through the Bullring. Believe it or not, all I came home with was this: 

2 packs of Muji cotton pads, a pair of Muji Tweezers and a HUGE sample of Tom Ford Noir de Noir. I also have stacks of little sprayed on cards but they’re scattered through my undie drawers now. I’m actually sticking quite well to this no spend malarkey. I hadn’t seen the Tom Ford counter at Selfridge's before and it is amazing. It is so expensive and chic but the SA there was really friendly. The perfumes are out of my price range at the moment (being as I can’t do overtime)with prices starting at £135 for 50ml up to  £300 for 250ml. You can see them here.

These are my 2 favourites 

 

The sample is in the picture above. It’s about 5-10mls; so probably £20 worth!!! And it is so yummy; it’s like being enveloped in a rose tinted hug of milk chocolatey goodness and it really lingers for an absolute age.
 I also tried the Jo Malone Velvet Rose and Oud Intense,  which is £95 for 100ml, but the SA was a bit pushy so I wandered of pretty sharpish. 

Again this is rose scent (d’uh) but this also has a vague nutty feel to it with some spice wandering around. I have no idea what oud wood is though – One for the books? 

I did my nails again the other night, using a win from a Revlon Twitter Xmas competition. 

This is Mischievous and I did a little nail art, zebra thing using a MUA eyeliner and then topping off with Seche Vite. Really easy to do; just a little press and flick of the eyeliner wand.

Face of the Day; My shopping face ;) It's a bit scowly, sorry.The shadows are really bad under my eyes. I do have some Boing(3) on its way (sorry 'no-spend' but it's a real necessity now)

Products used:

Murad Skin Perfecting Primer for Acne and Shine control (sample)

Benefit Porefessional (sample)

Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation in Ivory Beige

Estee Lauder Concealer in light medium

Vapour Multi Use Blush in Impulse (sample) from Naturissimo  

Boots 17 Miracle Matte powder

Estee Lauder Eye Shadow Compact with 5 shades of Pure Colour EyeShadow (in Sugar Cube, Sepia Sand, Silver Bell, Lavish Mink and Amazing Grey.)

Estee Lauder Sumptuous Extreme Lash Multiplying Volume Mascara in Extreme Black

Model Co Eyeliner in Black

Lipstick Queen in Cha Cha Cha

So that's about it for this week, Hopefully I'll have more updates, nails and products next week

See you soon
Elise XXX

Liebster Award

Thank you to Sam from Polished Art  for nominating me for a Liebster Award!

First off the rules:

• Post 11 facts about yourself
• Answer the 11 questions asked by the person who nominated you
• Ask 11 questions
• Nominate 11 bloggers with less than 200 followers
• No tag backs

So 11 facts about myself:

1.      I’m not 50 yet 
2.   I just got married in October 2012  
3.   I have 2 boys and my OH has 2 boys and 2 girls, so that’s 6 between us!!
4.   I need to lose about 2.5 stone!  
5.   I’m a teacher of Event Management at a FE college and also a Personal Learning Advisor (like a tutor/mentor) to about 180 students
6.   I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer last November   
7.  I had a mastectomy in December
8.   I love home-made guacamole
   9.    I’m a shopaholic, but currently on a spending ban
   10. I love shoes, bags, make-up and nail stuff.
   11. My favourite TV show is The Big Bang Theory

Here are Sam’s questions:

1.Why did you start your blog?

I felt that I needed a hobby and I started to read more and more blogs and it seemed like a fun thing to do.

2. How did you get in to nail art?

I started doing my nails just before I started my blog and I was reading more and more interesting things to do with them, then I started playing with them and it just became a habit to do them on a Sunday night.

3. What's your go to manicure when you're feeling uninspired?

Plain red, hopefully the blank canvas will inspire me to stamp them or draw on them.

4. What polish are you lusting after at the moment?

Currently all of them as I’m on a ban :’(

5. What is your favourite brand of nail polish?

I love OPI and China Glaze and some of the Ninja Polishes

6. Are you a fan of indie polishes, and why or why not?

I’m not really into Indie polishes, I’m kind of vanilla?

7. What's your favourite thing about the festive season?

Time off to do pretty things with my nails, go shopping, and the sales!

8. Where in the world would you most like to visit?

I want to do a cruise so I can see loads of places in one holiday such as go around the Med.

9. What other hobbies do you have?

I read for England. I have a new Kindle Fire HD and am currently reading 1 book a day!

10. Do you have any strange fears?

I hate crowds when I’m shopping. I know most people do, but I get this weird panic attack thing going on and I start blinking really fast and I HAVE to get out and into an open space! I also hate going down escalators; that first step freaks me out!

12. If you were an animal, what would you be and why?

Oh dear, I hate these sort of questions!! Ummm…..Probably a cat, because they’re the most independent ones and just bugger off if they don’t like you and adopt someone else to own.

I’m not being imaginative at all tonight so I’m going to nick and adapt the questions that Sam answered and pose them to you;

  

1. Where did you grow up and was it a nice area?   
2. What are the best and worst parts about where you grew up?  
3. Where do you live now and it is a good, bad or indifferent place to live, and why? 
4. Why do you blog and how did you start?  
5. What is your all-time favourite blog and why?  
6. If you had to move and live in another country, where would you love to go?  
7. Why are you interested in blogging about beauty/nails/insert your subject here?  
8. Do you have a party trick and if so, what is it?  
9. What is your proudest achievement to date? 
10. What is your biggest and most humorous fail?  
11. Do you have a favourite TV program, and what is it?

Blogs I’m nominating are

·         Beauty and the Boxes

·         Sweet Elyse

·         Boxed, Bagged and Bidded

·         Kazzii 

          Looking Like a Million

·         Itzybitzy's Beauty Musings

·        Beauty Box Swaps

·         Penny for Them

·         Beauty by Theresa

·         nuthin' but a nailthing.

·         caz n polish

·