*TAMOXIFEN* the 5th

[MaryAnnSingleton]

in case we forget and find ourselves at 1000 - here's a fresh new thread !

I'm not too good at mooching either- have spent much of the last year either really knocked out by chemo in which case I rested, or clearing out all sorts of cupboards/gardeing/walking/seeing people/getting jobs done. I think this distraction activity is better for me than mooching, but I agree moochging has its place!

My OBE (yes you should all be cursteying each time you greet me of course) was for services to the British Council. You might not know the British Council (another BC!) but its a large independent charity - part government funded but equally revenue earning - which promotes British interests overseas and seeks to promote a mutual understanding between the Uk and overseas via cultural, educational and development work. It has a lot of English language teaching centres, does development projects and also promotes the arts and provides information about the UK eg for students wishing to study here. Resources move depending on priorities eg when the Iron Curtian came down we moved a lot of resource into the Eastern Euopean countries to help them develop English language teaching in their state sectors, and more recently funding has been increased in the Middle East to support work with Islamic countries to try to build a better understanding between western and Arabic cultures.

My work was in HR over most of the 23 years I worked there. I really was very fortunate and enjoyed my career there a lot. I really enjoyed the HR work with English langauge centres and for about 5 years travlled abroad a lot. I was based in London for 10 years then relocated to Manchester. I only left because I'd got to a point where I had to commute weekly between London and Manchester and it was too much for my health and family. I knew I couldn't do that for another 10 years so I moved into local government which is different ball game altogether!

Thanks for advice re dark mark. Its a tiny area and more the colour of a mole than sunburn IYSWIM.
Hope everyone is Ok - I'm a bit whacked so having a quiet day and hoping some of these SEs will subside next week (in time for my trip to Pisa the following week!) I think I do actually need to mooch for a couple of days!

wow SR OBE (curtsying as I type)
Yes, hope the side effects wear off before Pisa.
Have dusted today,such a dull task...done laundry and will nip out to return book to library in a mo. Have written a list of paint colours for dh to get sample pots of (we're going to paint our sitting room,dining room and ds's bedroom- the utility needs doing but will get decorator to see to that as it's too dusty/cobwebby/tatty for us
Broke the glass flask of my Bodum coffee pot this morning - grr.
Hideously dull and wet here.

BTW I think MN'ing counts as mooching doesn't it?

Ah, am an expert then.

Congrats on OBE, SR. I got a couple of British Council grants way back. One for a theatre tour to Holland and the other to Ireland. Might have been more, but can't remember now. Great organisation though, so am not surprised you miss it. Am guessing Local Government is far from an easy place to be these days.

Congrats on the OBE SR, - sounds like a very interesting and rewarding job. The mole like area BTW sounds very similar to mine, - started as small dark patches and then covered a larger area, it is most likely dead skin that will peel off. But of course get it checked if you are worried in any way

Good luck with the decorating MAS, - Our house could do with it, last time was 13 yrs ago when we moved here, it's all a bit tired looking now.
Also last weekend our bathroom sink broke!!! (DS leaned on it and it basically split into several pieces ) so will be sink hunting this weekend.

It's hard to do nothing isn't it Smee? I always end up thinking 'I'll just get that done' - perhaps you need to train for mooching - build up your mooch-time gradually day by day

and awe over the OBE. [bows}

dark skin sounds familiar - it will peel off, I think, and turn out to be just burnt skin. But draw it to attention of radiographer, who may well have noticed anyway, they do keep a close eye on the skin.

Mooch time is invaluable, but agree with KK, can be hard to enjoy to the full. I used to be able to mooch all day, but can only manage a few minutes at a go at the moment.

Hope the move goes well RWU - congrats - both on completing and having so many family membersk een to help.

Report seems to be OK: not finished (but I knew that) but generally going in the right direction.

Awesome SR. Also MAS and KK's ds. What high achievers. Tho mooching takes some discipline too if you're not in the habit! I have got pretty good at that now, possibly too good, I stopped work at Easter and right now could not contemplate going back, the very thought makes me want to lie down.. But then I think of RWU moving house- glad ur getting plenty of help there RWU, and thnx for clarifying the laminating, I scratched my head for a sec :)

Tired Smee tired. But can't blame rads really, was like this before they started. Are u due last chemo around now? My lovely cape is not very superman nor indeed very AW10! It is similar to the flowery cotton ones handed out in the fearsome breast screening waiting room, tho I don't feel nearly as vulnerable as I did in that place. Don't have much time for songs actually, it takes

Aw, the pup has given the wig his seal of approval - don't despair though as it sounds to me like the hair is on the return. IIRC I abandoned the scarves about six weeks after the end of the chemo - with hindsight the hair was jaw droppingly short, but I was so pleased to have any at all that I didn't care. That was the end of last November: I think it was about mid February before it was long enough to ruffle in the breeze. So it won't be long before you can give the wig permanently to the dog: let me know if he'd like another (totally unused).

Brows and lashes seemed to pop up almost overnight. Also, I used that Loreal lash serum when they were on the return, and all of a sudden, they were long enough to waft doors shut, which is a pretty common post chemo experience, apparently, so look forward to that (warning- they go back to normal after a few weeks
)

I see there is another (possible) breast cancer thread going: good on you both MAS and KK. I can't add anything so have only lurked.

Hmm. yes I'm only 6 days post chemo - so not syrprising still tired and lash and brow-less. Look forward to their strong return! I feel impatient about my energy levels! I want to feel raring to go. My head hair is encouraging though and I love stroking the back of my head as it almost feels like proper hair! A definite covering. Its the top that still looks like Tintin on a bad hair day .

Smee- delighted the BC gave you a grant or two!

I am ooching today but also making soup and cooking a lot of apples for the freezer. Will pop out briefly to post a few letters but not up to a great deal today.

I can't WAIT to be able to waft a door shut with my eyelashes, oh how I miss them. Will invest in some Loreal serum without delay (or someone mentioned something Boots are selling, maybe it's the same stuff). SR am surprised to hear u r without brows n lashes but have some head hair? It is a great feeling having last chemo, isn't it. Smee, when is your last?

Anyone going to a McMillan coffee morning tomoro? I want to as I love buns, but do not feel like talking about BC all the time which will be inevitable so may have to give it a miss..

Think I need a Mooching coach, as have failed completely, Keep thinking about BC and accentuating every little ache into total body recurrence. Am doing my accounts to keep my mind busy. DS is at an after school club, so I can't even distract myself with him. Gaah...

Cupcaked, I didn't even know McMillan do coffee mornings, but go buy yourself a bun I say. Glad your Rads are ticking through. Soon be one week through. I have last chemo next Tuesday. Hip-hip-hooray for that. Wish it was today, as to be on the other side will be such a relief.

Cakes with wafting eyelashes - now that really is something. I want those too. Been getting better at drawing brows in, but can't wait to get some back.

Hi, I am not going to a coffee morning - might do next year but am a bit whacked and have lunch with friends booked tomorrow. Anyway I feel I've done my bit fund-raising for this year, with the Race for Life. I do value Macmillans though, don't gte me wrong. I have a veritable library of their brochures upstairs - hidden in a cupboard as otherwise they remind about cancer all the time - well I know they're there when required.

The Boots mention was me a while ago - Boots do a lovely eyebrow pencil that's a bit like a felt tip pen - works well for me!

Need a mooch coach as well, but perhaps also a personal trainer for 2011. They'r expensive I think

DD safely back from Sweden and had a good time BTW. AND she seems to like what the furniture fairy did to her room while she was away.

I might mooch tomorrow,after delivery of my work !
There's a Macmillan coffee thing in town tomorrow -might look in. Took my girl down to the charity shop and she bought her Me to You bear - it's huge-and shed it's fluff over her school uniform- but she was thrilled ! Think we might be going again next week in search of them !
Here's to wafting eyelashes
have asked my BCN if she would be there for me if I need any support during the mindfulness course - I always feel I am asking her for help, but it makes me feel better to know she's there -I probably will be fine.

Hello. Popping back in again tonight!

Been reading back and had to laugh at the Radiotherapy songs for cupcaked! Have you got Abba's classic "Gamma, Gamma, Gamma"? Or Queen's "Video killed the radiographer"? Maybe Sinatra's "Fry me to the Moon" might be more up your street?!

RWU - congrats on the new house! Bet you're pleased to be away from foul neighbour.

MAS - the new kitten sounds so sweet. I still remember Haggis' cat (I think it was) that sat on her head. Made me really laugh.

KK - you've been on a bit of a culture tour. I've never seen Hamlet which is shocking seeing as I studied English at uni as half of my degree .

Haggis - how was your DS' birthday trip? It sounded like quite a full on weekend!

Purplefish - I hope your mum is feeling better.

I've been away this week at the Penny Brohn Cancer Centre, which was formerly the Bristol Cancer Centre and was quite famous a while back. It was an interesting retreat, very intense with a lot of relaxation techniques, meditation, healing and counselling. It was really really good but it also did leave me feeling a little low and I found being there quite stressful. There was a lot of stuff talked about that I need to read more on e.g. spiritual healing, as I'm not a very spiritual person and I could see that what was being done was potentially powerful if you do subscribe to it, but I felt like I was watching through a window IYSWIM.

I have learnt a lot of interesting things about diet and nutrition though and have eaten very very healthily over the past few days. Came back home and scoffed a Bendicks Bittermint and a small glass of red very happily though!

OOh just to add that tomorrow I'm going to see Eddie Izzard do a stand up show! Can't wait.

Pennies !! how weird,I was just thinking of you while I was in my bath ! just passing by quickly as i have to be out early - but your visit to the Penny Brohn place sounds really interesting (but not surprised it'd be quite stressful too)
Also thinking of RWU today (is it moving day ? or am I ahead of myself ?) Anyway, I dreamed of you last night and you had eight children (and a very naughty dog too)-and there was a magnificent buffet in your garden.

MAS, have you delivered the puppies?? Must be a relief if you have. Go mooch if you have. Most definitely deserved!!

SR, what's the Boots eyebrow pencil? I have one from their range, but it's not like a felt tip. I know you mentioned it before, but I'd have to wade back through the thread. Glad to hear the Furniture Fairy met with approval.

Pennies, didn't your daughter start school this term, or have I remembered that wrong? If I'm right, I hope she's settled and enjoying herself. Can imagine I'd have similar feelings if I'd been on your retreat. Maybe once the dust's settled you'll gain a few more things from it. Let us know if you read anything that's useful. Eddie Izzard sounds like excellent therapy. .

Having failed at mooching, thought I'd have a go at lunching. Seems far harder to mess up, so am going to meet a friend in a bit.

I was thinking about Pennies yesterday too, how odd! good to see you back, Pennies, very brave of you to go to that retreat, I think I'd have felt like I was watching through a window too. I bet lots of it will be helpful, even so - and the chance to take stock a bit (as KK said) will be really useful. Eddie Izzard sounds like just the ticket.

So glad MAS's puppies have been handed in and the mindee got her big bear (and glad also that it isn't coming into our house). Go mooch, woman, much deserved.

It turns out that my dd is getting hit regularly by one little kid at school. There have been problems here before, which I was hoping would resolve themselves (even if only by my dd stopping being so bloody Buddhist and agreeing to hit her back, as I have repeatedly suggested) but it looks like it is escalating. Sigh. But at least the school seems to be on to it.

I am going off for a bit of a gloom about all this - but I'll bounce back, and in the meantime I really hope you all have a peaceful/lively/productive.and healthy weekend. xx

Smee - the eyebrow pen is called Collection 2000 Eye Definer. Comes in black and brown. Might be meant for eyelids but I use it for brows. Hope you can find it and that you like it.

Cakes- so sorry about your DD - that's horrible, and I hope the school sort it quickly.

My DD seems to like her room that we re-arranged while she was in Sweden - she says she though some kind of 'beingn KGB' had been at work!

Pennies - I'd heard about that centre. I agree it was brave of you to go. Would you recommend it overall? I guess this depends on how each individual feels and what their prognosis is, really. I'm not sure I'd want to be obliged to think about cancer for so long and so intensely - at the moment anyway. But developing the spiritual side could be helpful. Think I'm doing this to some extent through nature but the challenge will be when back at work, when I'm possibly couldn't to be knackered/irritable/have no time to do anything but the material essentials. Hmm.

Thank-you everyone re the brown marks. As a new issue, I've felt unbalanced/light-headed/unsteady on my feet when getting out of bed the last 2 mornings. Had to sit down for a while before I couod get going - anyone had this? Might be low blood pressure? Think will ring GP if same again at w/e.

Meanwhile I'me waiting for an apple cake to cook the out to lunch with my ladies who lunch friends.

Good mooching/house-organising/ general weekend stuff, everyone.

Glad your dd liked her room! I'd like the benign KGB to come in here once in a while.

Unbalanced, light headed thing - oh yes, i think I have had that quite frequently. I reckon it is just general knackeredness - but of course get it checked if worried

Smee - yes DD2 started this term. She's coping OK - very, very tired. They don't finish their school day until 4pm at their school which makes it a really long old day for them. Every evening she comes straight in, shoots upstairs and gets changed into her PJs without me even asking!

SR - the lightheadedness might be a touch of anaemia, which can be very common after going through chemo. You could try and eat some iron rich foods (most breakfast cereals are fortified with iron, green leafy veg, broccoli, beans, lentils, pumpkin seeds, figs, dried apricots and liver if you can face it) and also take a vit C supplement as it helps the absorption of iron and if you can reduce caffeine as that can inhibit iron absorption. See, I did learn something from the retreat!

Lovely to see you Pennies I also think you were very brave to go on the retreat. I had heard about the centre, and always wondered what it would be like, sorry you felt a bit low afterwards, but perhaps when you've had time to process the experience it will fall into place and be helpful for you.

I love Eddie Izzard, would love to see him live, he always seems such a nice person as well as being funny.

Well done on the Puppy front MAS, can't wait to see the book.

SR - so glad your DD liked her room makeover, what a nice idea. My DD has been going round second hand shops trying to find a few bits to spruce up her room. It's a nice house (victorian terrace with a lot of old features - including a cellar which none of the girls will venture into!) but needs a few cushions and rugs to cheer it up a bit.

With regard to feeling unbalanced - I had a few episodes of that, at the end of chemo and on herceptin. I had a few falls, so do be careful (mainly when I did stuff like bend over to tie a shoelace etc.) But it does improve.

Sorry your DD is having problems at school Cakes. It makes you feel so helpless - my DD was bullied at primary school by some nasty little beasts other girls, I made a total fool of myself by bursting into tears when I went in to speak to the head about it. But it's just horrible when your child is on the receiving end of that kind of thing. I hope it gets sorted soon at least the school are on to it.

Enjoy your lunch Smee and hope the moving is still going well RWU.

I've volunteered to give out info. and chat to people at a BC support groups open day at the hospital on 5th Oct. which I think will be quite fun (I go to a couple of exercise groups so will be representing them as it were).

We are looking at sinks this weekend, which I suspect will be very dull.

Hope everyone else has a good w/e

Ooh, useful food info (reaches for shopping list) - thanks!

Poor little dd, that does sound like a long day. When my dd started, by half term she was like a dead man walking (so we took her to the seaside and she soon chippered up again). Will she be learning to read with the dreaded Biff and Chip ORT books? If so you have my sympathy (I think the first one with actual words in goes something like "Oh Floppy, No Floppy, Oh floppy Floppy" - it's a riveting read )

am back from puppy delivery (via the shops where i mooched ) all well and editor seemed very pleased - she's hoping they do a cat book too (yes please !)
I love Cakes's dd being so buddhist about the hitting - how horrid though,hope the school sorts it quicksmart.
Light headedness might be anaemic,or simply low bp,esp after lying down,am thinkingf the blood might take a while to get back to your head.
4pm is very late Pennies - poor dd- she must be exhausted.

Yes, Biff and Chip are very much part of the family these days as DD2 is only in year 1 and brought one home last night as well.