Should I laugh or cry?

[lorraine71-Australia]

Hi Lovely ladies I looked in the mirror this morning and should I laugh or cry, I'm over weight since I've had steroids I hardly eat also because my teeth are lose, no hair to speak of and last night got out of bed to go to the bath room and next thing I passed out and was flat on my face in the hall way. Now one side is swollen and I have the biggest black eye,,, so this is the image over weight,hair less, toothless and and great black eye. my poor grandson on seeing me was devastated he's only 10 .Maybe I should go for the wig and I could always have dentures,,I leave you with this lovely image Cheers,,Lorraine 💙💙

[Sherrym]

Pretty much the same through chemo except I went the other way & looked like a prison camp wraith!!!

Yes, wear the wig to go out & about if it makes u look better. Pity from strangers not always welcome, is it? In Alderney one of my greatest joys was to hit one of our beaches (it's a quiet place) & rip it off!

18 months on I look fine again, praise God. I wish u all the best hon

[lorraine71-Australia in reply to Sherrym]

Hi Sheryn, Thank you replying the beach sound nice but what our you ripping off.

Cheers Lorraine 😎😎

[Sherrym in reply to lorraine71-Australia]

Haha! The wig! To whip off something so hot & occasionally uncomfortable-just great. Then icy cold seawater to reboot.... I don't know. Chemo really freaked me out to be honest, I probably should not have swam, but my prognosis was crap & I thought what the hell. Well , there u have it-just chucked body & soul at life cos it looked like nothing much was left.

Anti-depressants & sleeping pills never helped.

These days I am feeling ok, but I still feel reckless quite a lot...& I am not young. My next check up is in a week. Much luck with yours, stay fierce

[minard]

Oh Lorraine - I love your description, and your sense of humour. I tell you something - looking in the mirror is not for the faint-hearted these days is it? I too am waiting for the hair loss to set in having started my chemo, my much-needed dental treatment for misaligned lower front teeth due to a late wisdom tooth coming in has had to be put off for another 6 months due to my treatment, my groin hernia makes wearing anything other than denim jeans a little off-putting, and I stupidly managed to get a sun-burnt nose when I forgot about chemo-sensitivity and sat out in the garden for an hour or so. Lovely.

Let's go for the wigs. I dug out my two old ones from previous treatments and was surprised. They were both fuller and darker in colour than I remembered. Just shows you how things change. So I'm going to go blonder again. Just to show everyone!

Yoshbosh posted about joining the OC models. Perhaps we could join them as a reality check?!

Caroline x

[lorraine71-Australia in reply to minard]

HI Caroline, I'm going to lunch with my daughter and grandchildren to day we have the school holidays on at the moment ,so will try and look a bit more normal (what ever that is ) wig and make up on the eye

What chemo are you on? maybe you will keep your hair .Look after yourself best wishes Lorraine💙💙

[27-359]

Oh Lorraine. It's really not fair is it? Cancer changes everything, inside and out. I think the only way through it is to maintain a sense of humour (not easy when going through those dark times,) and remind oneself that the alternative is worse!

Jenny

[lorraine71-Australia in reply to 27-359]

Thank you Jenny, yes the alternative is not a good one ,this way I might look better one day. best wishes and hope all is well with your treatment. Cheers Lorraine xx

[GoldenGourd]

Lorraine your grandson loves you and it's that which showed when he saw you. You are facing so much and getting through it. We should be awarded recognition for bravery with all we deal with. I heard someone the other day on TV going on about how their chin was a little "out of line" and it really got her down. I know we all have our wolves in the woods but I just wanted to come up to her and tell her all the stuff we all deal with here, to put things in perspective, not to mention time ahead, health, yadayadayada.

So stand proud if you can, the battle scars show you are strong and a force to be reckoned with.

Take care, xx Netti

[lorraine71-Australia in reply to GoldenGourd]

Hi Netti, Sam my grandson is a lovely sole he rides his bike down to watch a movie with me, but t I think he is feeling it more then we think, as he would ring me after school ever Monday now I sometimes have to ring to see if he is coming.

As for the wolves in the woods I always had red hair was not in love with it but now red hair sound great. Take care also Netti.... Cheers Lorraine💙💙

[Hidden]

Hey maybe we could all earn a fortune as extras in zombie movies! Somehow you've just got to keep seeing the funny side.

All the very best to you Lorraine.

[Petrolhead in reply to Hidden]

Defo the zombie movies. With my periferal neuropathy in my feet I am that zombie when trying to walk.

Fay

[Cropcrop in reply to Petrolhead]

Me too especially 1st thing in the morning 😂

[lorraine71-Australia in reply to Cropcrop]

HI Jane , Instead of a movie you might able to start a new dance craze'

Take care ,,Lorraine xx 🙋🙆💁

[lorraine71-Australia in reply to Petrolhead]

Hi Fay, how lucky I don't have nephropathy in my feet looking like I do at the moment but last year took a break in chemo to go in for a knee replacement, which was booked in before I was diagnosed, so I just limp a bit.

As I write this I can't help but laugh😀😀 things just have to improve. Best wishes Lorraine xx

[lorraine71-Australia in reply to Hidden]

Hi, Thank you but I think I'll skip the zombie movie they give me nightmares ..Cheers look after your self..Lorraine xx

[Maryblackcat]

You've been through so much and I wish I could give you a big hug. I admire you. You get up and carry on - it's what we all do but it's even harder when we don't look quite as we wish but one thing I know for sure is those who love us don't care about any of that. They care about us and I'm sure your Grandson loves you just the way you are. xxxx

[lorraine71-Australia in reply to Maryblackcat]

Hi Mary, Yes it's true are family are there for us It's hard on them also to watch as we go through this, I'm lucky I have a very supportive family someone always comes with me for chemo or appointments, how hard it much be for some of our lovely ladies on this site who do not have that support, that is why I like this site in just a small way we are here for them. Take care Mary and best wishes for the second opinion..Lorraine💙💙

[Maryblackcat in reply to lorraine71-Australia]

Yes, Lorraine, I am lucky to have an amazing friend who comes with me for all my chemo appointments. I don't know what I'd do without her. It definitely must be a lot harder to go on your own and in that respect we are blessed. Take care too and wishing you all the best. xx

[Hidden]

Onward & upward Lorraine, what else can we do ??!! We just have to get over it & get on with it. I know you've been through a lot & my heart goes out to you. Keep those big girl knickers pulled right up tight. Good luck. Pauline xx

[lorraine71-Australia in reply to Hidden]

Hi Pauline, Nice to hear from you hope you a as well as can be, as for the big knickers that is all I can wear these days. take care Lorraine💙💙

[Greeningthegrey]

Fantastic mental picture thanks for seeing the funny side and sharing it!

Big hugs

[lorraine71-Australia in reply to Greeningthegrey]

Hi, I have a part time job one day a week and have manage to go all through my treatments , my boss is a very understanding person but I wonder when he sees me to morrow if he will ask me to go home. best wishes and look after yourself Lorraine xx

[Katmal-UK]

Hi Lorraine. Bit of both probably! Good job you can see the funny side, this disease and it's side effects etc are enough to drive you mad. As for your grandson he loves you no matter what you look like, it's YOU he loves, not the packaging. Stay strong xx Kathy xx

[lorraine71-Australia in reply to Katmal-UK]

Hi Kathy, I know I don't have any thing to worry about with my lovely family, Sam is my youngest of my grandchildren, the twins are 16 and a grandson 16.

The more I answer these posts the funnier I see it. Best wishes Lorraine xx 😀😀

[Cropcrop]

This was me when I had my chemo, things do improve and we move forward. I'm still getting teeth put right, doesn't chemo play havoc with them? But the rest does get much better quite quickly. Wear that wig and show the world you're still a strong beautiful woman. We're with you all the way. Thank you for such an amazing description, made me chortle, hope you feel better very soon ❤️Xx Jane.

[lorraine71-Australia in reply to Cropcrop]

Thank you Jane. Things will improve the black eye will will go hopefully my hair will also grow and will have to keep of the chocolate. Feeling a lot better to day .

Look after yourself best wishes ..Lorraine xx 😊

[Emsymits]

Definitely laugh! It's the only way to deal with this rubbish 😀

[lorraine71-Australia in reply to Emsymits]

HI Em, I have had a cackle to day reading and replying to the post, feeling a lot better to day ..Cheers and best wishes Lorraine xx😁😁

[CancerCarerChats]

Hi Lorraine, my mum is 70 and was diagnosed with stage 4 high grade serous OC in April. I think you're a trooper to have been going strong after 2.5 years and I'm really encouraged by your strength.

CancerCarerChats

cancercarerchats.blogspot.c...

[lorraine71-Australia in reply to CancerCarerChats]

Hi, Sorry about your mum but glad to hear that she has your support this is important I have a very supportive family, daughters and a husband I could not do this without them. My family were told I would not see 12 month, 2 1/2 years later I'm still here it's not been easy but I think you just do what is necessary to try and bet this beast, There will be hard times for your mum and she will need you, but I hope the good time over shadow the hard. Give my best wishes to your mum cheers Lorraine xx💙💙

[Hidden]

Hi Lorraine, sorry about your fall. Poor dear. I just spoke with my mom, going down to see her tomorrow. She is also concerned about her nighttime trips to the washroom. She doesn't wear a wig, just her little hats during the day. Has a wig, but it sits in its container. Does not want to wear it. Its your choice....

[lorraine71-Australia in reply to Hidden]

HI ,I can understand her concern that was the first time I had passed out and it came on that quick, I got out of bed then next thing I was on the floor in the hall way calling out to my husband for help. As for the wig in summer it's too hot to wear so I have hats. It's our winter here so I will wear it more but the hat can also look nice, so as long as your mum feels comfortable. Does she have someone in the house with her?. If not I know you can get a necklace with a button with phone numbers for assistance she may never need it but it might take some of that concern away. Cheers best wishes to you both Lorraine xx💙💙

[CancerCarerChats in reply to lorraine71-Australia]

Yes it's like a panic alarm but calls through to a call centre. I'm sure Ovacome would know the name of it. I looked into one for my mum.

[Hidden in reply to lorraine71-Australia]

Thanks for the reply. My dad is there and a great caregiver too. Just exhausting for both of them. They both nap a lot during the day too.

[PhillipandBettykid]

I was more like Gollum during chemo. Now with steroids and the loss of height due to steroid induced osteoporosis I am huge. Not overweight but undertall and the boobs - well don't ask. Actually I have 3 boobs because I also have a parastomal hernia. What are my chances of getting a 3 cup bra in M&S? Perhaps I should wear 2 one top and one bottom. 😂

[lorraine71-Australia in reply to PhillipandBettykid]

Hi, Maybe I'm not overweight maybe I'm just shorter ,I did notice my grandchildren seem to be a lot teller lately. Try google for the 3 cup bra if not then the 2on top and one on bottom could work, Hang in there thing will get better.. Cheers Lorraine xx💙

[Katsmum]

Good morning everyone . I have had such a chuckle reading all these comments so starting my day with a laugh at myself in the mirror too! Have as good a say as you all can. Love and hugs xx

[lorraine71-Australia in reply to Katsmum]

Hi, Glad you had a chuckle by the time I finished replying to the ladies I was also chuckling.. Best wishes Lorraine xx

[Lily-Anne]

Don't you just love this chemo lark. It's amazing what we go through and still come back up fighting.

I'm off to the dentist, front tooth broke yesterday morning just before my hospital appointment. So I know from experience it will be on the to remove list. Dentures rule lol!

Hope you've got a nice juicy steak on that eye

LA xx

[lorraine71-Australia in reply to Lily-Anne]

HI La, yes it never ending , and my front bottom teeth are lose makes it hard to eat I'll have to make appointment this week. Glad you had a good outcome with your second opinion,hope going forward is better still..Cheers Lorraine xx

[Hidden]

Bless you for your great sense of humour. I hope your face is recovering.

It's so tough and you feel like you'll never look the same again.

You will. And be stronger and prouder for it. Xxx

[lorraine71-Australia in reply to Hidden]

Hi Sarah, I went to work to day I have a small part time job, it's only one or two days a week, depend on how I feel I've manage to go through most of my treatment. The owner is great so today when i went in I said if he did not want me to stay looking the way I did I would go home ( it is one big black eye) he said Stay if you want. So when the customers asked I told them I had ask for a pay rise and Kevin said no. Most people saw the funny side. Cheers Sarah I hope you have found the joy of life again I know it's hard but you can do it.Cheers Lorraine xx