**the 7th Tamoxifen Thread **

[MaryAnnSingleton]

here we are...

you are endlessly talented RWU !! they are fantastic

Why oh why is it that my dh (not so much of the d this morning) makes plans one night, changes them the next morning without telling me or dc, and throws a tantrum (rather like my ds, know where he gets it from) when I don't know the change of plan? The stomps off in a huff, and goes and calls colleagues and is LOVELY to them laughing and joking and actually sounding like a nice person. Every year, every christmas for the last 18 years I have been hoping this year will be a nice one......still waiting. Arghhhh

Sorry about that needed to vent.

Morning all.

RWU those cakes are fantastic, they look wonderful, you are so clever.

MAS one speed stair lift would still be enough for my and smee's ds s to use it to "take over the world/ defeat enemy spies etc!" You could all sleep safe in your beds at night knowing they were on the case.

Cakes how is your arm doing?

Hi all

I am so very pleased for you sparkles. It is the best possible news - and I think absolutely right to get a benign lump out before it becomes unpleasant. You can have a fab Christmas now, and even having poorly dcs can't distract you from that. The monitoring will be terrific from now on, and that should put your mind properly at rest.

Glad the panto was ace, the stairlift is in, but I am just appalled at all these central heating horror stories. It seems it only works well in warm weather, then Good news about the oil tank KK - press for topsoil (and possibly compensatory plants also)

DD is in my bed watching TV at the moment. As I have yet to wrap her Santa presents, and they are mostly under my side of the bed, she is literally 6 inches from finding out the terrible truth about Santa. Only a hastily thrown towel between me and disaster.

Cakes can you distract her with a promise of biscuits or chocolate downstairs......?

I would be very reassured knowing Sparkle and smee dss are patrolling on the stairlift

Tee hee!

Just imagine 2 six year olds in weird outfits saving the world from a Stannah stairlift

DD is safely distracted making reindeer tree ornaments. breathe easy.

The arm is very sore, but thank you for asking. I get the stitches out later so that should help a bit but it is just on the bit of elbow you lean on, so I have been told to expect pain for a few weeks. The main problem is the upper arm for some reason, it aches like nothing on earth in the wee small hours. Cold getting better though.

Sorry Xmas is getting a bit fraught sparkles - try to rise serenely above it and enjoy yourself however awkward the family.

MAS, that's sad about your ex. Lovely that you can still keep in touch though. Glad stairlift is sedate. Can you imagine how embarrassing that would be if you turned up at A&E..

Cakes, sorry to hear your arm's not pain free yet. Must be annoying to have it nagging on. Glad FC crisis averted though. DS is very sceptical about the bearded one, but is currently building an alarm to detect him, so obviously there's a teeny bit of him which still believes. Though maybe the alarm's just to trip us up.

Just iced my cake, but will not put a photo up, for fear of RWU collapsing with laughter. How do you do that RWU?? Am honestly ridiculously impressed. Possibly DS and I went a bit overboard with the decorations. There's a Mary and Joseph, two Father Christmas, a snowman, several trees, a mutant robin and for some reason I've already forgotten, a zebra..

The cake sounds fab (and much like ours)!

RWU's makes are legendary, I wouldn't try to compete.

We are trying to keep dd occupied so we can work - we have had making decorations and painting festive scenes, but it's not easy, she can't shut up and wants input the whole time. i reckon I get 20 minutes work for every hour spent. DH is going to take her out before murder is committed as I really want to get the first instalment of this job sent off today.

She has written a play in which we all take a part, for my Mum to see on Christmas Day. Today is the dress rehearsal but I am being frowned on because I don't yet know all my lines -there are quite a lot (she says defensively)

Hope things are less fraught sparkles: keep consoling yourself with your (all things considered) pretty decent news.

MAS - how terrific you have kept in touch with ex and his family - it's too easy to lose touch with lovely people.

Lots of posts to read through

We've just had DS and his DP over for lunch, and she has gone back now to spend Christmas with her parents. DS has got a bad cold and has fallen asleep on my bed

Oh and they told us they are moving in together at the end of January - which is lovely news .

MAS - I'm sorry to hear about your ex's mum. how sad, but as Cakes says - it's great you keep in touch.

Cakes sorry the arm is still so sore,-are you having the stitches out today? Thank goodness DD didn't find Santa's hoard!

Sparkles - I think all men go a bit loopy at Christmas - my DH is being even more irritating than usual
Rise above it all and ignore. Bet the little ones are getting excited now.

Smee - love the FC detector . And your cake sounds a bit like mine - overflowing with decorations, (except that mine isn't iced yet - doing it tonight.)

RWU -as usual I'm stunned by your cakes - so beautiful, you are a very talented woman - the star one is an absolute knock out

I got a massive twinge where I had my op. last night - so feeling a bit delicate today - I don't think I've done any damage, maybe pulled a muscle or something. It's OK unless I bend or turn at the waist.

Ouch, KK! I think ops do twinge a bit as things move back into place over time. Take care though.

Stitches came out today, apparently it is healing well, but still flipping sore.

Good news about DS and his girlfriend (not the cold, obviously). Nice to see him settled and happy.

My DH is a bit grumpy too, if it is a consolation:in fairness i think the first Christmas without his Dad is going to be tough.

Smee - mind you don't fall foul of the Santa detector: speaking as someone who trips over/into everything it is a real possibility that you'll go flying or end up upside down in a sack.

I have been completely unable to work all week. I have a deadline today (not a critical one, fortunately, just an opportunity to deliver in a bit of the project to prove I am onto it) and have sat at the desk dutifully trying but have missed the deadline. I just can't think straight. I hope it is my cold bug and not the shape of things to come I am definitely more than a bit tired - got up early yesterday morning unable to breathe, and took a Lemsip into the bath - when it kicked in I fell asleep in the bath

Kk- take it easy, i know it's the wrong time of year to be restful, but you don't want to make it worse!

Cakes, glad you are healing, it takes time, remeber that the effects of treatment can take years to leave your system, so slower healing can occur

hope everyone is ok on the ice and snow front- it's lethal here!

We've just had christmas disaster no 1, ds1 is away up at his gp's at the farm, ds3 (who has no nintendo ds, but is getting one for christmas) was playing on ds1's ds, dropped it... 'tis screwed! usually not a problem BUT all of his main christmas pressies revolve around said ds, games, cases and the like. Had a discussion about what to do, give ds1 ds3's new console... leaving ds3 without a pressie, tell ds1 tough and have it repaired asap, or run out and replace... i took option 3, but do you have any idea how hard it is on christmas eve eve, in a small market town to find a games console!

I am delivering the family cake to sil tonight (told her it had to arrive in the dark ). This is the first year of family christmas cake making for me, i have taken over the mantle from MIL who made one for anyone who said hello to her in the street SIL declared that she wanted something 'totally different... no santas and shit' as MIL used to unfailingly do a terrible snowscene on a hexagonal cake. I think i managed it

Blimey Cakes, your DD sounds more intense than my son - am in awe. Sorry you're feeling so run down, but that flu bug is quite something. If it's any consolation, I feel about as energetic as a slug. Everything aches, and this is after the flu bug's gone - I think Tamoxifen might be kicking in. Does anyone else get incredibly achy feet and thighs??

Kurri, whatever you do, don't let DS give you that cold..! How great that you like his DP though. Can't imagine what it must be like if your children bring back undesirable others. Not good on pulled whatever it is - take it easy and fingers crossed it will go away. (I could be medically trained dishing out wisdom like that..!)

RWU, good save. Last thing you need is a grumpy DS. Hope the family adore the cake. Can't believe they won't.

Off to a party in a bit. I feel in need of my sofa, but will doubtless enjoy it when I get there. Ho, ho, ho (says she hopefully..)

SR, you finished work yet? I know it was all a bit hairy, so hope you got through it all.

KK - take carer of yourself and you too Cakes
Had to laugh at RWU's dear MIL's cakes with terrible 'santas and shit' snowscenes !! SIL will be amazed by yours Hope the DS problem can be sorted.
Mum has managed to get over the road to their favourite neighbour's house for a drink - dad assisting of course- am so pleased -dad will feel so much happier that she is doing stuff again. Very sadly,and in fact shockingly the nice neighbour has been diagnosed as terminal,very shockingly discovered too late-not bc-but something nasty inside- they had no idea-they came to my Strawberry Tea and she was fine and dandy

Oh, no - how awful about the neighbour MAS - it is really terrifying, isn't it? Just not to know anything, and then find out something like that.

I am glad your Mum has got out though, you'll all feel so much better for it.

I hope the family love the magnificent illuminated cake RWU - it looks too beautiful to cut, really. Good call on the new console for ds - kids don't really get delayed gratification.

How was the party, smee? All I managed last night was 2 small beers on the sofa and the movie 'Juno' - I didn't hold out a lot of hope for it but it was excellent.

Am having a mammoth clean up session and have just wrapped up the Santa pressies while dd is temporarily out. Then I'd better learn my lines for the play pronto (it has been cunningly constructed both to give a rendition of the nativity story and to be an elaborate way to give my Mum her pressies - you've guessed it, the gifts from the kings turn out to be Nan's gifts after all - nothing's ever straightforward with dd)

have a fab time, one and all! xxx

break a leg with yours and dd's p;lay - brilliant plot

Great updating of the nativity Cakes, you will need to be word perfect - has DH learnt his lines yet?

That's very sad about you mum's neighbour MAS, gosh you never know what's round the corner do you?

I'm pleased your mum has managed to go out though - and hopefully she's recovering well from her fall.

I hope everyone else is having a reasonably calm day! - it's not too hectic round here thank goodness. DH and I popped into the local little town to get something for Scruffy from Santa.(she did have something that DS had bought and wrapped, but she found it and opened it yesterday) she has to have something to keep her occupied while we open presents otherwise she gets a bit over excited!

I think the achiness is from the tamoxifen Smee - I get it too in my legs, it's a bit of a pain. I'm not sure what you can do about it, - I've tried rubbing massage oil into my legs, but generally I just fall back on paracetamol if it gets too bothersome.

RWU - glad you got the games thing sorted out, I would have done exactly the same as you, thank goodness you were able to find one.

Sparkles hope you are having a good day and getting some time to put your feet up. Hope the children are better now, (and your DH - mine is moaning about the traffic and the busy shops - answer 'don't leave your shopping until Christmas Eve then )

love to everyone, and all the DC's for Christmas xx

Smee -I agree with KK, sorry had meant to say that the achey legs does seem to be the tamoxifen. I don't think there is an answer.

Our jack Russell was just the same KK - i can remember him going right through a sack of presents until he found his squeaky glove at the bottom. They have a nose for it (as well as for rats)

Your dh needs to come round here - the shops have been manic all week but seem deserted today. maybe all getting cosy ready for the predicted -12 we can look forward to tonight

Still struggling with the lines - have tried to add something in but have been told 'no' by the director

Smee, hope the aches aren't too bad today. I am sure a large glass or two of something today and tomorrow will help.

Cakes - have you had the peformance yet or are you at dress rehearsal stage? Can't let the sdie down you know, so break a leg!

MAS I am so sorry to hear about your neighbour, can't help thinking your mum is having a really rough time at the moment. I hope she is all right after that shock.

Kurri - congratulations to your ds,a big but happy step. I hope he manages to keep his cold to himself though.

RWU - I hope that your cake goes down a storm. I am so impressed that you managed to get out and find another console. That would have been a disaster.

Very snowy here still, I went flying yesterday flat on my face. I am all right, no visible damage, I have obviously hurt my right shoulder though, it is all right some of the time, but certain actions are very painful, and does feel slightly numb down my right arm, ho hum. I got my appointment for suregry through today, 24th January, just before my birthday on 28th so happy birthday to me I think

Anyway very excited dc here as xmas starts today for us, they are counting down until 3.30. Some presents have already appeared under the tree and they are being very reserved so far. The baby is dressed in a cute xmas pudding dress, and found a santa hat earlier and was walking around saying "ho ho ho". Then the hat fell off and she declared "Oh no, I lost mine ho ho" Must try and catch that on film later...very cute. Have a fab xmas, grumpy dh's aside.

at director stopping your improvisation cakes!

wooop it's chriiiiistmas! all the boys are home from the hills, dsd is home and stropping, and i've just had to go to the farm supplies place to top up on pony nuts and get a bag of road grit/salt... to put on the path incase santa slips

I am in now and all the festivities can commence. I am being seranaded by the young farmers tonight, carol singing to raise funds, they aren't coming to the house though, i'll be at sil's getting pissed helping her to get everything finished!

Mas, awful about the neighbours, tragic to think that it's gone undetected. I guess i should count myself lucky that i am able to prolong my life with treatment because it was caught earlyish.

I am impressed with the nativity play cakes, i hope you've learnt your lines.

Finally i hope EVERYONE has a fab christmas, it is a time to enjoy spending time with those close to us. I hope everyone's dc's are spoilt rotten and have some great pressies, i also hope that all the dh's pull their weight and realise how lucky they are to have ...US!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS from all the RWU's xx

forgot to say what nice news that is about KK's son and girlfriend - awww
Have been shopping with dh -town quite calm and Sainsbury's very quiet. Puppy Poems has arrived in the post,hot off the press -not published until January,but nice timing- I can give a copy to small niece and my mindee (it is dedicated to both of them !) and mum will want a copy.
I wish you all a really happy Christmas and wanted to say thanks so much for being so great on this thread - I so look forward to reading posts on it and feel very privileged to have the benefit of such fab online friends- for advice, comfort and jollity and for making me laugh- love to all and dcs xxxxx

Hi. Sorry I can't keep up with all the posts just now due to work being hectic (even after I was supposed to be on leave ) and trying to get festivally ready.

But I'd like to wish you all a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS and thank-you so much for all your support over the past year. Have a wonderful celebration with your families and friends.
Lots of love.

I'd like to add my thanks as well to all of you, you are all truly lovely women - and I feel very lucky and grateful to have found you Merry Christmas to everyone, including all our friends who don't post so often now, but are still in our thoughts.

love Kate xx

Dashing in from festivities to say HAPPY CHRISTMAS! Am a bit miffed, as SR and Kurri got there first, but I'll say it anyway - been a lousy year, but you've made it so much more doable. You've made me smile a heck of a lot more than someone being treated for cancer would normally do. Go eat, drink and be absurdly merry. You all most definitely deserve it

• SR, stop working, woman!!

Hi all, can I interrupt to ask a very practical question. Do you have to take off all your clothes to have needle biopsies?

Kind of hoping i will be allowed to leave on my knickers and jeans, but I will need to sort out my hairy legs if I have to strip off and put on just a paper gown!

thanks.