**TAMOXIFEN**the 6th

[MaryAnnSingleton]

here we go !

SR, I'm all for hurling boys out the door too, but he's not eating, can hardly walk and is shivering non stop, so it was too brutal even for me..

But now look what you've done. You've mentioned a jacket potato that's what I want, but it's too late to do one properly now.

Just dropping in en route to scoop up the mess that is my bedroom. Me and DS have been camped up there all day and it's in an alarming state.

MAS, that must be annoying. I feel lucky that DS is still so young that I'm expected to rifle through bookbag and organise everything. Hope meditating calmed you.

Sparkles, hope you're okay tonight. Let us know when you can.

ps: has anyone else watched 'Miranda'? A friend told me to watch and it's a bit arch, and sometimes hit and miss, but very funny. First time I've laughed out loud in a long time.

I have seen Miranda before - I just really like her
Am feeling calmer about the boy now- he doesn't lose stuff,so that's a blessing- but he doesn't take care of things - not in the way I'd like,anyway.
Hope you are ok sparkle

I am just popping in briefly, have to get dc out to school soon. I am ok, it was fairly horrific, the local did work initially, but wore off very quickly. They took a few samples, and warned me that the pain and bruising were going to be quite severe as it is so close to the nipple. Still pales in significance next to all you guys have been through. Just have to wait for the results.

Lots going on with ds at the moment, had to make two complaints nhs and school, so sat and had a good cry about everything last night.

I will catch up with you properly later, thank you so much for all your good thoughts.

Sparkle- well done for getting through it. Actually I found the core biopsy to be one of the nasty bits, so if you've got through that you're doing pretty well. I think they do vary. My first local anaesthetic into boob was really sore but the next time (I had to have to another to ensure the wires were in the right place for my 'wire-guided wide excision') the Dr took it more slowly and allowed each bit of anaesthetic to work for a moment before going deeper IYSWIM. This meant it was not nearly so sore!

And by the way if you have to have the wires thing, they're a doddle! I had imagined coat-hangers, but they're very fine wires indeed!!

PS yes I like Miranda too - can't watch TV this week due to bulders tho.

Sparkles - well done. Like KK I found the biopsy to be really sore and actually one of the worst bits. So you have got a big hurdle over, really. Sending good vibes for the result, did they say how long?

I LOVE Miranda, and not just because it is my dd's name. It is laugh out loud funny, though I agree it can be patchy. This week's one was especially good, I thought.

MAS you do have my sympathies over the vagueness of your ds. DD is 7, as you know, and there seems to be far more emphasis on them doing things themselves without the school advising the parents. So I have to rummage through the bag on a regular basis.

I also often have to make up the instructions for the homework, as no written ones have been sent home and dd does not know. She is quite a bright button as well, and obsessed with doing well, so I dread to think how some of the more 'relaxed' members of her class get on. Most recently she was sent home with a homework book, which is a blank exercise book and looks like you should do the work in it, but as the homework is sent home on A4 sheets that would not fit into the book if stuck in, I have NO idea what it is for (we already have a book that seems to be designed for us to put comments in, but which is never examined so I have stopped filling it in). Dd doesn't know either, and i have asked a couple of parents who are similarly baffled. It is staying empty pending further advice

Really well baked potatoes, SR. Yum.....

Is anyone else here a little bit 'woo'?

because something really odd happened to me yesterday, it's of no importance but mildly interesting.

For years I often wore a real cheapy lipstick that I loved - suited me, always made me look chipper even if exhausted, went with everything..... But they stopped making it. I tried looking for it for a while, and then kept trying other brands to see if they had something the same. They never did - the colour wasn't the same, or if it was, the texture was different and made it look completely different on. So I haven't had it for years, and gave up looking a long time ago.

Yesterday I went into Boots, passed the counter of the company that originally made it, and something in my head said very clearly said to take a look.

It's back. The colour has a different name, but it is exactly the same as before. Weird or what? because I can't imagine that whatever usually gives us these sixth sense things is remotely interested in my lippy

Well done Sparkles for getting through yesterday. I cried when they did my biopsy, partly because as you say it is sore, and also there's a lot of built up emotion. And you've got all the other things going on too with the complaints. Honestly a good cry is essential at times, hope you are feeling a little better today

Oh the homework books, and the writing comments - that went on right into secondary school with us, we had to sign and write something each week. (I actually got a hand written (in fancy italics)certificate from DD's from tutor for my excellent filling in of homework book ) - she was a bit barking, I also got a certificate for 'making excellent parkin for the coffee morning' - DD used to find it hilarious.

DD phoned last night to say they have six inches thick ice in the alley leading to their house. She and one of her housemates spent yesterday bashing it with a hammer and salting it. They'd both fallen on it apparently, and DD hurt her hand (always a bit of a panic, given that she's a pianist). She's OK though.

Small shriek here - I have had three, yes three phone calls this morning from the people the bank failed to pay our direct debits to. So have had to explain repeatedly what has happened. I am going quietly insane.

oh poor Sparkle- the biopsy device is alarming,no one told me it'd make such a noise ! Well done for getting through that- hope the results don't take too long and that you aren't too bruised and sore.
I had the wire guide but that was painless- didn't enjoy the mammogram with the wire in or wandering about with the wire sticking out.I also had the sentinel node thing so an injection of radioactive stuff into the nipple -fortunately I was in such a daze I didn't feel it too much.
How baffling about dd's homework Cakes - they must expect you to be psychic !

Spooky Cakes! [twilight zone emoticon]

bah about bank KK
I like the idea of weird corner - how fab to find the lipstick (what make is/was it,out of interest ?) I am the same about Ms Make up matte making puffs- black velour puffs for face powder- totally brilliant but no longer made- I seem to have bought up all the supplies on ebay-I would be totally woo if I could fond them somewhere
Just had the very last Cruse session - hooray !

KK I would be incandescent with rage about the bank if I were you. What a bloody nuisance.

Indeed i think the school must think we are psychic. But it seems I am only psychic abut really important things, like lippy.

MAS - the lippy is a Rimmel one (they really do make lovely lipsticks for no money, hats off to them, only Guerlain comes close). It used to be called Mocha something or other, but now it is reborn as Undressed. Racy or what? And all for £4.99. I think I may buy a couple of spares in case it doesn't sell well and disappears again.

Bah from me about bank too KK

Cakes, bet you're glad it's lipstick that's calling you, not chocolate. How intriguing. On the homework front, we had similar problems, but crafty teachers have now found stickers. They print the homework on a small sticker and put that on the top of a page in the homework book. Huge sighs of relief all round.

Sparkle, that sounds painful. I hated the biopsy too and agree with the others, it's one of the worst parts. Not least because you're scared what they might find. You are allowed to find all this hard you know - you're at the worst point, where everything's so uncertain. It helps to let it out and it would be weird if you didn't have a cry or two. Sorry to hear you have things to sort for your son too. Really hope today looks a little brighter.

Not sure how appropriate this is,but poor Sparkle's triggered a memory. My biopsy turned into surreal comedy, largely due to my lovely friend wanting to be supportive. She couldn't get close enough to hold my hand, so held my foot instead. Made us both giggle hysterically - you know that way that you really can't stop - we were so beside ourselves that we set the Nurse off too. Definitely made the pain easier to bear as it was a good distraction. The Doctor wasn't very amused, but did say she'd never forget us..

Glad you all like 'Miranda'. The one I was laughing at was where she's worried what people will remember when she dies. Didn't see last night, so will look forward to it.

Kurri, your new name. My first record was by the Sweet - remember them? I had a bit of a crush on their lead singer. Amazing blond hair, which I wanted so much that I clipped a pic of him from 'Jackie' to take to the hairdressers. Obviously I walked out looking nothing like him.

MAS well done on getting to the end. Hooray for you!!

Hope everyone's DC's are good today. We're still a bit sick, so yet another day of being stuck indoors. Will try and be more productive than I was yesterday, which shouldn't be very hard..

at smee's biopsy tale!

Brian Connolly from Sweet. Did you know he died? drink related heart attack. He looked pretty much pickled by alcohol and not at all like his young, pretty self

My dd is much better. Sorry you and yours are still confined. DD was crawling the walls by last night and insisted on going to Tae Kwon Do, where she was made to do lots of press ups and sit ups, which were not helped by her cough.

The upshot is, she is going to attempt another belt this Friday (and I am another £20 poorer). What I want to know is, if 10 per cent of the marks are for her appearance, why is it me that has to wash and iron her outfit??

But the lessons are paying off. There is a kid who is absolutely foul to her, and always thumps her, then comes running to her Mum saying it was DD's fault. I have tried to be even handed and not jump automatically to dd's defence each time, but we know what is going on because we have had 8 (honestly) different people (including the school) tell us that the other girl is always vile to dd, But on the latest occasion DD give her a tae kwon do punch and followed up with three turning kicks up the backside

Dd was very proud, and frankly so were we - but, of course, the other kid's parents think we are now all three of us beyond the pale. But I can live with that if dd is going to stand up for herself effectively. I hope it never happens again but if it does, I will back dd all the way.

A big yeay from me for your DD, Cakes!! How utterly fab. Sounds like it was a last resort and I can't say I blame her in the least. Be interesting to see if the horrid girl stops attacking her now.

Sounds to me as though you need an Ironing Elf. Someone on here had one of those way back. Was so jealous, I've never forgotten. Wasn't it your son, Kurri?

I didn't know Brian Connolly had died - though from last pic I saw of him, am at all not surprised, as he looked pretty addled.

Here am feeling mighty smug, as have been sitting on the sofa next to DS writing Christmas cards, including all those long bits of catch up news that I feel obliged to put in about my health. Almost pleased we're both a bit ill now, as I haven't got many to do.

Eyebrow advice anyone?? Mine have decided to return, which is of course brilliant, but I hadn't quite anticipated how many there would be and how randomly cited.. So should I go somewhere and get them shaped? Have never ever done that before, but they're so short that I'm not sure anyone would be able to sort them.

{fenvy} We need to do ours but I hate writing Christmas cards. Makes me sound a bit like Scrooge, I know. But at least you can put some pretty positive health news in this time (sore boob apart).

I bet that kid doesn't stop attacking dd -I don't think she can help it, she seems to thump everyone sooner or later, although for some reason my dd gets it worst - I think there must be something wrong somewhere, some behaviour thing that has not been identified or addressed. But i am way happier about it from our side now I know our dd has found her mojo. I've told her that I will be very annoyed indeed if she starts a fight,ever, with anyone - but that she has my full permission to end one, if someone else starts it. She seems to understand

You're right, KK's ds was an ironing elf. Sigh.

Not sure what to advise ref eyebrows, I never really notice mine and never touch them really. Maybe threading would work? It's a guess though.

Mmm, threading. Now what exactly is that?

Oh I am more than a bit hazy on the details. But they get a thread and pull it tight between their hands, like dental floss, and sort of pull off the straggly hairs that way. You have it done at a salon, I think very often it is done in ethnic type places. Apparently it gets even the very short ones. I know a few people who say it is fab - but you are asking someone who only ever watched it done briefly. And felt a bit poorly because I imagine it stings a bit.

Lovely to read all your posts this morning. Was feeling quite positive until I just found a message on ansaphone from gp asking me to ring the surgery asap. They aren't open again until 2 so going to have a few horrid minutes, could be about ds, or results from swab which would be fine.....too soon for results from biopsy surely......?

I think too soon for biopsy. Also I imagine the hospital would call you direct about that, rather than adding the GP into the mix. Try not to worry.

Thank you, mind wanders to dark places too much.

Entirely understandable. How's the bruising?