**TAMOXIFEN**the 6th

[MaryAnnSingleton]

here we go !

Thank you all for the birthday wishes, I don't feel any older - but of course I am much wiser

Diversity sound wonderful Cakes - I would love to see them. - will look out for them coming here. You might be OK to go ahead with your op. - DH had his surgery when he was coughing his head off. If you do have it, very good luck and fingers crossed for a speedy recovery from the OP. (do you have to stay in, or is it a day procedure)

Sparkles - poor DC, viruses really knock them out don't they? and you will be run off your feet looking after them. Hope they are all feeling better soon. Also hope your new AB's are working. Lovely to hear you are getting into the Christmas spirit - I can hear your singing from my house

SR - can't remember if I said well done to your DS for his money raising, but if I didn't I'm saying it now - he really is a resourceful lad isn't he?, you must be very proud of him.

MAS, I hope there's some improvement for your mum soon. I know what you mean about the patronising brochures. My mum gets very annoyed - 'I'm 89, not stupid' is her catch phrase - she finds meetings with health professionals particularly irritating, they assume she won't understand anything, in fact she has a science degree and is very on the ball.

When is the funeral? it will be sad if you can't make it, but unavoidable in the circumstances.

Smee, glad you had a good day shopping, how are you feeling now - are those AB's kicking in?

My DD spent the weekend in Liverpool, (at a friends 21st) they went to the Beatles Museum which she loved - she is a big Beatles fan. And they went on that Duck Bus (I think it's called - it goes in the river) and her friend was allowed to have a go at driving it because it was her birthday!
I had forgotten she was going, so spent the whole weekend skyping 'where are you????' messages to her - fool

Love to everyone else, drop in if you have a moment, and let us know how you are

Phew - bit of a long post - sorry!

KK - that's heartening about the op, here's hoping then! It's only a day procedure, I'm told it's very routine. But because my elbow is a bit of a disaster area these days the big cheese is supposed to be doing it. I've never quite understood why it is so awful: but one of the surgical team said I had had 'a quite terrible injury' and I have been too squeamish ever since to ask why . All I know is that it broke into many pieces, most of which were plated together, except for one which went walkabout and is still going solo somewhere in my lower arm. it can be seen on a scan, but not pulled out.

The duck bus and beatles tour sound wonderful. I'll bet you were frantic at not being able to find dd though.

Ouch Cakes I know elbow injuries can be very nasty, I hope yours gets sorted out this time. (bit of bone floating around sounds interesting!) At least it is a day procedure, - much nicer to be able to come home soon afterwards.

Just been out to buy a decent nightie - mine had all become more than a bit a bit bum-skimming in the tumble drier

Calling smee, calling smee - how's the sore boob doing now?

Oh yes remember to take a good book (in case you are last on the list, like I was )

I've got a cracker - 720 pages long

Happy Birthday from me too, Kurri. Have you decided on cake yet..? I will most definitely be having a slice for you, as it would be rude not to. I do like the sound of your feisty mum.

Sparkle, sorry to hear all the DC's are ill. Must be hard work to have them all with it. When I read you had 'an episode of M.A.S.H' going on', I read it literally. Was musing that it was maybe a bit adult before I clicked...

SR, glad to hear at least one of us is feeling postive. Does that mean I can have your Chocolate Buttons?! I'm in awe of your grown up job too. Sounds mighty stressful. I think there's a lot to be said for keeping busy through all this cancer stuff. Hard when you're feeling lousy, but I have made a plan to be dynamic in 2011. Will blame you if it all goes wrong.

MAS, hope your mum's a bit easier today. Be a shame if you can't all go to the funeral - when is it? And how's Celeste? Is she any better? Have you put up any decorations yet? Kittens are so funny when the boxes come out.

Cakes, really hope it does happen tomorrow. Is it under local, I can't remember? Great that you have the Head Honcho - you'll be treated like minor royalty am sure, as nobody will want him/ her upset. There's something so bizarrely feudal about Surgery. Mostly though I hope you don't have to wear those paper pants. Not sure why that annoyed me so much, but last time I went I was the end of the list, so had to sit for hours in rustling paper. Take a cardigan too, as I got very cold.

Thanks all for concern; here is my Breast Report. It's now mostly reddish brown not puce, so I think that counts as improvement! Still got sections of raw wound, but no infection and have just taken last of the antibiotics, which were making me feel pretty sick, so hip, hip hooray for that. Now just have to kick this blardy cold that DS gave me. Am determined to be jolly this week though, so you might have to kick me from time to time if I slip into a moan. Onwards..!

Reddish brown is MUCH better than puce. If I'm honest, mine still is reddish brown. Once it stops being so sore and you get off the ABs it is easier to be jolly, so fingers crossed. Whisky and dark chocolate, taken together, help a sore throat. Official (well according to my neighbour's GP)

Aaaaargh, paper pants. I'd forgotten them. I do hope not. The cardie is a good shout, the wards are cold now, aren't they? I'll go and put one in now - thanks. I was told that the low temperature keeps bugs at bay: I suspect cost-cutting. I work on a freelance basis for a different hospital trust sometimes, and their place is absolutely BOILING hot. I can literally hardly breathe when I go in there, they all laugh at me

It's not a local anaesthetic - the full knockout, but I don't think it is a long or very complex business, just a bit fiddly.

Reddish brown definitely better than puce Smee - it sounds as if it is starting to heal, which is good news (have a celebratory slice of cake on me - yes I am having cake )

Oh I forgotten the paper pants I was issued with some when I had my hernia op. (and a gown with no ties, so I had to hold it closed - not a good look.)

my mum is a feisty character - she loves a good argument debate, - I think she really mises being able to chat about politics, world affairs etc. with dad. She rings me a couple of times a week to talk about the news, medical advances (she reads everything on BC since I was DX - I don't always want to know but she's a mine of information) and how Arsenal are doing (she is a big Arsenal fan, and used to go and watch them every weekend as a child)

I've just opened my presents - I got my swimsuit from DH (the black one with a turquoise panel -v. nice), a book, a camisole and matching knicks and some smellies - lovely. My mum sent me a cheque so I'm planning what to buy all in all an excellent b'day, - DS is bringing pres. over on Friday, but phoned to say happy birthday. And I got a lovely card signed by all the yoga and swimming ladies

sounds as though you've had a fab bday so far KK - lovely presents ! Oh yes,had forgotten too about paper knickers and surgical stockings - what joy.
What is your book Cakes ?
Funeral is on thursday- Dad definitely going to represent us..in a way I'm kind of relieved a bit, though it would be really nice to see lots of the family again. If I don't go I will be thinking of her. Maybe I can light a candle in the church which is about 5 mins away- mum can be left for a little while. I'd checked out loos in the vicinity and had found one in local hotel (they have a community loo thing going where anyone can use the facilities)
Off to childmind for an hour-then later taking ds to his carol service as he is singing.

lots of love Cakes for tomorrow -will be thinking of you

Whispers through fear - as part of a drive to be positive, I have just booked an 'eyebrow shape' for tomorrow. Next to Cakes and her proper op I know I'm being trivial, but still it's a Smee-first and am strangely nervous.

Cakes, I know I said take a cardie, but if you have one take one of those portable fans too. Hospitals are usually one of either extreme. How are you on GA's then? Okay I hope..?

Kurri, pressies sound fab and am liking your mum more and more. Have a lovely day.

MAS, candle lighting's a good thought. A lovely way to say goodbye. Enjoy the Carol service later.

Candle lighting is a lovely idea and, as it is going to be such a private thing, will be very meaningful for you, I imagine. Go for it.

KK - gifts sound lovely. make sure you keep up the cake intake. I think that swimming costume sounds lovely.

I love the sound of your Mum. She sounds like a battler. Good for her.

Smee - eyebrows sound like a great thing to do, I'll bet you get such a lift out of it. Hope so, anyway.

I'm not good on GAs to be honest. I tend to throw up. I always make them give me extra anti sickness meds.I'm better than dh though - he gets all teary and emotional and thinks no-one loves him, it can be quite a challenge

The book is The Distant Hours by Kate someone (Morton, I think). It looks sort of mysterious and worth getting my teeth into. There is every chance I'll hate it I suppose, but what with the throwing up and all, I imagine my day will just fly anyway.

Hark at me. Until I broke my elbow I'd never been in hospital in my life. Now I've been so often I have my own strategy for dealing with surgery.

eye brows will be great smee- don't be nervous !

Thanks MAS. I know I'm ridiculous - after all the operations and treatment this year and I'm stressed about going to a Salon..

Cakes, hope the anti-nausea drugs work then. I'm like that too, and last time they managed if not exactly to get rid of it, to make it a lot better. Exaggerate how badly you're affected. Apparently that's the only way to get the strongest drugs.

Good luck for the op Cakes! I throw up after a GA as well. As long as your stomach is empty I don't find it too bad!! The nurse got a bit (slightly cross the first time I did this. It was after my 1st op, I couldn't move and just fountained all over the bed!

I got a bit better at it by the next op!

Seriously I hope all goes well and they sort your elbow out.

The more people who eat my chocoltae buttons and keep them out of my sight the better

Yes work is a bit challenging at the moment, so I guess it does stop me thinking about other things.

Horray about the swim-suit KK.

sleep well Cakes -thinking of you tomorrow and smee's eyebrows. Carol service was very nice- choir sounded lovely- not a huge amount of people there.

Loads of luck tomorrow Cakes - will be thinking of you, hope you are first on the list and don't have to wait around xx

Hello all, hope everyone is feeling well today, and that Cakes' operation has gone ahead as planned.

Glad you enjoyed the carol service MAS - I love to hear a choir singing Hope your mum is feeling more recovered today.

Spent the morning fighting my way round the shops (and having the odd hot flush ).

Just giving us a bump as we were dropping down the board!

hello KK ! bumping us a bit...
hope Cakes is snuggled up and comfy...
have been wrapping presents ! Have put the washing on for dad,must go and take it out in a sec. Mum still very stiff and unable to get downstairs.
Ds is bringing home vegetable samosas today- made in food tech.

are you back Cakes ?

MAS wrapping presents?! 'eck you're making me panic. I still have lots to buy let alone wrap.

Kurri, you're doing it too - all this rushing.. Tomorrow I will endeavour to do better. First day without the horse pills though and am feeling lots better, so maybe energy will zoom back soon. Hope so, or Christmas might have to be cancelled..

Cakes must have had her op by now. Hopefully she's safely snuggled up, floating on some lovely drugs. At the very least Cakes, I hope you're comfy.

Had my eyebrows done (eek emoticon). Friend who I met for coffee afterwards, says they look 'mighty chic', but seeing as I've never before managed even vague chic, to me they just look odd. DH hasn't noticed yet, which I've decided to find reassuring.

Bumping and wanting news of Cakes! You're probably all drugged up or you would of course be talking on here. You see, without me at home all day, and without RWU and Cakes keeping us amused, the thread starts to slip downhill - or at least down the list in quantity of posts - not quality of course.

Really busy day at work. One of my colleagues who helped to cover for me desperately needs leave so I am picking up quite a bit from her and getting busy myself now. I'm so glad I did my Christmas parcels and Sainsbury order weeks ago [extremely smug emoticon]as I knew this would happen!! Have to work up to 23rd so so very little time left - oh I do miss my time at home, though not the reason for being off work!

Did I mention I made lovely ice cream for Christmas last week-end. Well my DS and I have eaten it now So much for early cooking.

hooray for chic eyebrows smee !
Am only wrapping a few bits as am hoping to see my brother on Monday and can send him away with their presents- also,no drawing,so a bit more time on my hands !
Ice cream must've been yum SR