TAMOXIFEN thread number 8 ********

[MaryAnnSingleton]

just in case we run out of space !

As this all seems uncommonly cautious, I shall probably take it all with a pinch of salt and rely on my lovely cast-iron stomach. It's so good to have you all here to provide a balanced consensus!

My DS won't eat mash either - why I haven't a clue. All sounds mmm, MAS. Your DH is very lucky.

LGF, yes drink a fair bit, but also because mouth problems are common, I'd start gargling now at least twice a day, then build to 4 on treatment day. You can never start too early imo.

• I second the eat anything - whatever gets you through really. Even if it's a huge bag of monster munch.

I second (third? fourth?) eat whatever you fancy, I completely lost my appetite and I found that if I had very small portions it helped - too much on the plate and I felt overwhelmed and couldn't even start on it. So it's a question of finding out how you feel.

I usually kept a stock of peppermints to counteract the odd taste in the mouth. Your sense of taste changes so you may fancy different things from usual, but a stock of dried fruit also useful to nibble - helps ward off constipation.

What to get? the things I used a lot were moisturizing cream - I used a baby one. A child's soft toothbrush and toothpaste for if your mouth feels a bit tender. The hospital should provide you with mouthwash, but if you get any for yourself make sure it's alcohol free.

I listened to a lot of audiobooks, - sometimes you feel a bit too tired to read. Lightweight DVD's mostly borrowed from friends or the library. I also had anti bacterial handwash, just to be on the safe side.

My mind's gone a bit blank - but if I think of anything else - I'll post it.

Figgy - well done for getting through chemo no.1. I hope you're feeling ok.

Eyebrows - I recommend Brow Zings (Amazon) and also Boots do a good range of pencils and (my preference) a sort of pointed felt tip which I like a lot.

KK - most unfair that no-one offered you a wig. I only wore mine about 3 times but felt it was important to have it

Have lost another 2lb this week but am tired now and am going for a glass of bubbly for DH's birthday. We had veggie curry for tea and we'll go out at the w/e. Don't laugh - I gave him a pair of gaiters!! He needs them for our rambling as he insists on wearing cream trousers for muddy walks We also gave him lots and lots of

SR you are doing brilliantly to lose 2lb again this week! Well done and enjoy that glass of bubbly! I promise not to laugh at the gaiters (much ).

oh well done SR !! hope the bubbly was nice. Gaiters sound very quaint.
Dh liked his presents and his supper and I helped him with his very yummy chocs.

Sounds like good birthdays were had all round

I like the sound of gaiters - they would go well with my walking boots.

I like the sound of gaiters too! I bought DH a pair years ago when we had a big dog who needed a lot of wet walks, and they were great (if a little giggle making).

Well done on the weight loss SR. Still trying and failing here.

In terms of what else to get in readiness for chemo I'd say very light books, comfy clothes and lots of nice drinks. And some perfume, so you feel nice and feminine even in slouchy clothes and no make-up (obviously you can wear the make-up, this is just if you can't be fagged to put it on).

Just been to the doctors with my intermittently runny eye. Apparently i am allergic to chlorine. Great. Swimming is the only exercise I can claim to enjoy. I shall have to invest in a pair of vile goggles now.

I am of your weight loss SR. I know I am responsible for eating on the run, and not really putting my back into losing weight, but it doesn't seem quite fair that I keep putting it on..... ho hum.

The pasta bake was scrummy, and as I prepared it when the dc were eating I just got to sit and chat to dh whlst it was cooking, which is lovely, and a very rare these days.

LGF sounds like you are getting sorted with what you need. I am useless at remembering things like that, and as I haven't had chemo I am even more useless to you, sorry. Hope you are ok.

LJ how are you feeling, have you planned out some treats for the next week yet?

Pasta bake. I am starving. I would LURVE a big plate of pasta bake right now, especially if I hadn't made it myself.

mmm,me too.

Am just looking at my World Book Night stash - can you remind me who would like a copy of 'Toast' - Cakes and KK ? and was it smee ?
Can you just pm me with your addresses (I know I have Cakes address but can't find it !) and I'll post them next week I hope...can't give them away until after the big night !

Hi MAS

I've PM-ed you. Thanks!

Oh yes PM me to with addresses if you want Seamus Heaney.

Sorry to hear about your sore eye Cakes - goggles can be cool if worn with the right attitude

I had a slightly embarrassing moment this morning. I went to my post cancer yoga and aquafit. At yoga a new woman had joined and she was someone I knew years ago - our sons were great friends at middle school then we moved away from the area, lost touch etc.
Anyway - lovely to see her and catch up and so on, then I ask

' how is your husband?'

answer

'he left me, the rotten git' Aaaah I felt awful.

Oh well - she seemed to be enjoying life without him (apart from getting BC obviously). And it was really nice to see her.

MAS I'm just about to Pm you my address

Hope everyone is OK today.

It sounds like she is handling it with aplomb and guts, so I wouldn't worry. He probably was a git. Nice to see her, though.

Thanks very much for the offer KK - but I never seem to read poetry (and me an English graduate too ). it is disgraceful but, that being so, I'll leave a copy for someone who will make good use of it.

Glad you think goggles have some redeeming features: I will see if i can find a jaunty-looking pair . It being an allergy makes sense, I guess - dd says she has the same symptoms and she is always at the pool. It is pretty chlorine-heavy over there, lots of people have complained of symptoms....

Cakes, I have goggles. Yes I look daft, but there's something soothing about watching others swim from underwater, as I duck up and down. Though obviously I am weird.

SR, gaiters are an excellent present. As are daffodils. I got a bike stand from DH for Christmas. What makes it worse is I asked for it.

Kurri, I'd bet your friend's used to the foot-in-mouth husband thing. Must have been good to catch up though. Are your classes organised by the hospital? I haven't found anything similar yet.

Hope Figgy's okay today. Still wishing you few side effects.

LGF, do you start tomorrow?? Am a bit confused, but if you do let us know. Will be thinking of you anyway.

I'd love both 'Toast' and the Seamus Heaney. Will e-mail my address later - have to work out how to do it first..

Have got sick boy here today. Another sleepless night and several meltdowns this morning meant even I had to cave in. He's had a somewhat remarkable recovery this afternoon, so I'm about to drag him out to do some shopping. Payback time.

Poor little ds [ wink]

To send your address to whoever, just click on 'Message Poster' in the blue band where your name is (far right, above)

LOVING the bike stand

Thanks Cakes - done. I think.. Have never even noticed that bit of blue before.

Smee - got your PM (can you send me your last name? - don't if you don't want to though, I'll just put first name then address - am sure it will get there )

Sorry your DS is poorly - but good he's perked up a bit.

The class I go to was started by a woman from this area who had BC and was also a badminton coach. So she started out doing badminton, then got someone to do swimming classes and then yoga. Its really good and all designed to keep the post surgery body moving. It's been extended to include women with all types of cancer, not just BC. And we all have a coffee and a natter between classes - I've made some good friends there.

There may well be something similar near you - but again its searching around for it - anyone would think these things were a state secret, the hospital never tells you anything, I found out about it purely by accident. There might be leaflets up in your Dr's surgery.

LGF - good luck for tomorrow from me too, and Figgy, I hope you are feeling OK today as well.

I do think my friend is handling things well - she's taken early retirement, and seems to be enjoying her new found freedom which is great.

Early retirement How nice to be in a position to!

Still, she's clearly had her downs, as well as her ups, so I suppose I should be more generous-spirited

Well I'm back from the MRI and it wasn't that bad after all :) The tunnel wasn't as long as I thought it would be and I had to lie face down so it didn't make much difference. They let my OH in with me to hold my foot . I think it was just noise that makes it scary. Someone said on here that it sounded like bad rap music and I have to agree . The hardest part was trying not to move.

Smee - yes my chemo starts tomorrow. Not too worried about that yet. I am going to try and have a nice evening tonight with OH and kids. Will deal with chemo tomorrow!

My wig arrived today...haha. The colour is good but the cut?? I look like a heavy metal fan I'm sure it will be fine once I get it cut.

I hope Figgy is ok? Would love to hear from you once you feel up to it?

I think you are all lovely, and so supportive and helpful. Shame we had to 'meet' like this. Thanks again.

I am having my retirement now, when the dc are old enough, and/or ds stable enough I shall have to go back to work until my grave Shan't be able to afford to retire ever, so mental note to make the best of it now!

total whirl here- just rushing off to piano with ds,then visiting mum-
LGF - have a nice evening and lots of good wishes for tomorrow -thinking of you ! xx

D'oh. I have pm'd you both with my last surname, Kurri and MAS. Must be brain dead after a day with a mighty mardy DS. Slight aside here, but how on earth do people home school?! I know DS isn't too well, but we had a gentle go at his spelling homework. Cue massive meltdown over how impossible it was, how mean I was to make him, etc, etc. I was only asking him to try and spell 'people'.

Kurri, that class of yours sounds perfect. I must dig around a bit and see if I can find something similar. You're right, they get you through treatment really well, but aren't so good on the aftercare.

LGF, huge amounts of good vibes for tomorrow. Good to hear you're through the MRI too. If it makes you feel any better, I look like a member of Status Quo in my wig.

Wishing everyone a good evening and for all. Nice to use them before they disappear.

Thanks Smee - will send it off after the weekend

LFG - good luck tomorrow, and I'm pleased you have got the MRI out of the way, because I know you were feeling a bit nervous of it, so great that it's done - Nice that they let your DH in for foot holding

Good news (sort of) my GP just phoned with my blood results. My thyroid medication dose is too high. So I've been having symptoms of overactive thyroid (racing heart, shakiness, dizziness,insomnia, thirst etc.) so he's lowering the dose and checking again in six weeks. It's a relief to find out why I was feeling so odd - I was beginning to think I was going bonkers.