TAMOXIFEN 9 *********

[MaryAnnSingleton]

Starts here !

sparkle- well done for today - you sounded amazing !! let's hope something positive happens- sorry so rushed,am off to my bed v shortly. Hope all went smoothl;y today pink x

Sparkle your ds's mummy rocks well done!

Sparkle I am sooo proud of you! I could never in a million years have done what you did today. I don't see how they can not do something now, but understand your scepticism xx

Figgy hope you are OK. Fingers crossed for best case scenario for you: they tell you to monitor, temp goes down xx

Really must go to bed now, night night all xx

thanks everyone for your kind words all in all the chemo didnt go to bad when i left hospital i felt a little wobbly and kind of drunk.

but im suffering now with feeling sick they did give me tablets to stop this but keeps coming back very suddenly,i did try some ginger tea but omg i wont be trying that again as it made me so much worse.

my friend came round earlier to help me out and give me some hugs,bless her shes decided to shave her hair off for charity and already has a number of sponsors we did have a giggle at the thought of us both having bald heads.

well done for getting through that pink-hope the sickness abates v soon and you find something to soothe it...what a lovely friend you have take care

Pink what a fantastic friend! Please tell her from me what a great thing she's doing

What anti-sickness drugs have they given you? Some are more effective than others - if the ones you have aren't working, there might be something else they can give you. You should tell them if you're still feeling/being sick despite the meds. Having said that, hope you are feeling better today, take it easy x

Figgy hope your temp came down last night and you didn't have to go in xx

Wow for Sparkle. You are amazing!! Surely they've got to do something now. [drums fingers on desk, waiting for LA to shift themselves ]

Figgy, the tummy thing sounds horrible. Really hope your temp stayed down and you got a good night's sleep. I second what the others have said. If in doubt, just call. They never seemed to mind when I did. Are you feeling a bit better today?

Pink, great that your through to the other side, though sickness isn't good - unlucky there if that's your thing. Was mine too, so I have only sympathy. If it keeps going, definitely call them, as there are a whole raft of other drugs. They tend to start you on the lowest one, then ratchet it up if it hits you. I love the sound of your friend. That is truly amazing of her.

LGF, hope you're okay today too.

Just went for results and my mammogram was clear Had a good long chat with Surgeon about Genetic testing and what to do next too. All incredibly interesting. Went out with friend for coffee and cake to celebrate. Scoffed the biggest piece of carrot cake I have ever seen.

Hooray for clear mammogram Smee And great you were able to chat with the surgeon. And you have made me want cake now!

Pink - well done for getting through the first one, I agree with Smee about asking for something stronger/different for the sickness - different drugs work for different people because they work in different ways, - I went through about 3 before I got one which was effective. Also I was told to try to pre- empt the sickness, by taking the drugs before I felt sick rather than wait until I did. (That way you can try to plan it a bit so you don't feel too bad when it's time for a meal, or bedtime etc.)

Your friend sounds great, supportive friends make the world of difference.

I hope you are feeling better today Figgy and the temperature settled down. It is hard when you are thinking 'should I phone or not' but definitely err on the side of caution.

How are you today LGF - I hope the tiredness is easing off a bit

LJ - I have got in a muddle as usual remembering who is having treatment when when is your next chemo?, I am thinking I have missed your second one somehow and not wished you good luck, I have jelly brain too

Sparkle - fingers crossed for arse-kicking of LA bods being successful.

Cakes are you OK? - I'm guessing you are bogged down in work atm. Don't overdo it, and make sure you treat yourself with cake breaks

hooray for smee - that deserves an enormous amount of cake !
Am drawing but am so sleepy- I find afternoon working very hard- much better late afternoon- maybe I should have siestas like my parents.

Mn we need cake emoticon.....well done smee!

Figgy and Pink hope you are doing ok, and LGF and LJ

Still haven't caught up yet guys, sorry, will try harder am letting the side down

Thank you for worrying about me, I am fine, but you are right I am totally bogged down in work. It wouldn't be so bad if I felt I was making money but I am beginning to suspect I just work dead slow these days. I have quickly read all posts and am most impressed by sparkles, and all the chemo ladies. I hope that your shoulder gets sorted soon KK, ongoing pain is really horrible.

I have taken a break today to get hypnotised again so feel a bit laid back - am off out shortly to man the school book fair and then take dd to extra Tae Kwon Do - she is going for her next belt on Friday. If there is any time left after that I'll try to find time to eat.

Sometimes life feels so full you could almost forget to breathe. DH is in the same boat so I confiscated his computer at the weekend and made him go with me to Bourton on the Water for a couple of days. It was heaven.

I will be back later in the week: love to all in the meantime. x

You sound run off your feet, I'm glad the hypnotism helped. And good you had a lovely break at the w/e.

Good luck manning (womanning?) the book fair, and to DD with getting her new belt - she's really taken to the Tae Kwon Do hasn't she? [smile}

hi just updating you i didnt sleep well last night ended up being sick twice during the night even with taking the sickness tablets,finally l got to sleep then got woke up about 5 ish with acid burning my throat. managed to go back sleep for a hour woke up feeling so much better not brilliant but at least the sickness had eased.this afternoon im very tired and that acid problem has come back.

mas... your right i have got a very good friend.

ljf...the tablets i have are
ondanssetron one twice a day(for one day only)
metoclopramide up to 6 can be taken daily
dexamethasone two twice daily(for 3 days)

smee...wonderful news that your mammogram was clear

kurrifruit...the tablets seem to work sometimes but there isnt much warning the sickness comes on very fast

sparkle... thankyou

cakes...you sound very busy so glad hypnotism works for you.

oh forgot to say im so pleased smee introduced me to this thread its so refreshing to find such a loverly group of caring supporting women...thankyou to you all .

Sorry the sickness and acid is affecting you Pink - it is horrible. I didn't find ondanssetron worked very well for me, the one that helped eventually was cyclizine. It can be a bit of trial and error to find what works for you.

I meant to say before - its quite useful to keep a little notebook to write down what side effects you get, so you can get something for them before your next cycle (or on the day you have your chemo). This first cycle will give you an idea of how its going to affect you.

I hope you get a better night's sleep tonight. And I'm glad you're finding the thread supportive - there are so many questions you want to ask when its all so unknown.

Cakes, am glad you're just busy. Was starting to get worried. Bourton in the Water does sound wonderful. Where did you stay?? And which cupboard did you lock DD in.

Pink, sorry you're feeling so rough. The Metoclopramide are the anti sickness. They're relatively low level, so definitely get them to bump you up a level or two for next time. The gold standard seems to be Emend, which is also called Aprepitant. That seems to sort it for the majority, so you could always ask for that. Ask anything you want about all of that - I went through probably all of the anti-sickness drugs, so will definitely have a view! Really hope you have a better night tonight.

This might cheer you up a bit though. I had 3xFEC and then 3x Docetaxol, which is I think the same as you? The Docetaxol has other effects, but doesn't make you nearly as sick. So odds are you've only got two more to go before you're through on that front. Not great, but better than all 6.

I think LJ's Thursday for chemo 2 - am I right LJ?

Hope everyone else is alright.

Well done on 2 counts Smee - yes my next chemo is this Thursday - bloods and Onc tomorrow (9.30 and 11am at 2 different hospitals in opposite directions ), and well done on your excellent advice re the anti-sickness meds for Pink! I knew if Pink told us what she was having, then one of you that has been through it all would know about them! Sounds like you are, unfortunately for you, a bit of an expert on the sicky side of things

Pink - the dexamethasone are the steroids, which can keep you awake. I was told take them no later than 2pm, but they affected me strongly so was told even earlier may be better, and they may have to cut my dose.

I have ondansetron but for 3 days (twice a day). I also have the Emend that Smee mentioned.

Oh Pink that sounds like such a miserable night. I do hope you fare better tonight. I am thinking of you.

LJ Are the bloods first, and so likely to be over with quickly, cos that is going to be a bit of a challenge getting to both of thoise appointments?!

Sorry I am out of sync, Figgy where are you in your treatment? and LGF how are you doing?

Glad you are ok cakes, hope you are not working too hard.

Kurri , how is your shoulder doing? Still no improvement?

Smee is that cockerel still "visiting", perhaps they are hoping for eggs and have got a bit confused!

I had a quieter day today. I finally rang DWP and asked for reasons DLA was turned down. had to have a cry afterwards, just don't think I can face that fight too. Will talk to dh about it tonight, maybe. Had call from GP to say he had chased ortho referral, and it was refused due to "local resource", which means, Consultant thinks that local PCT should be able to do it....which is frankly bollocks - 'cuse my language. Now have fired off email to Rheumatologists copied to PALS saying "do something now", refer him to GOSH. Why oh why do I have to fight for everything. I spend all day doing this every day, and it is pants. Oh hum at least I am not bored!

Two loads of washing dried on the line today ......Spring!
Killed a baby rabbit on the road today...... side of Spring.....

I hope tonight is a good night for all.

What great news Smee on your clear mammogram. That is great news :) I am also interested to hear that sickness is not a main side effect of Docetaxol. I'm not sure if I want to know what they are though :)

Pink - sorry to hear that you had a rough time with sickness, I think I got off lightly the first time but suffered this time, so I can sympathise. I am going to mention in to the Oncologist and hope he can change tablets for something stronger. What a fabulous friend you have though ...its people like that who will get you through.

LJ - good luck for Thursday if I don't say it before, although it sounds like a bit of a marathon? My oncologist is apparently infamous for running very late...hours ..luckily I had a 9.30am appt this time, so I was only half an hour late going in :)

I hope everyone else is ok too?

I have had a rubbish day :( Very tired. A combination of chemo and DP waking me up early this morning I reckon. I have hardly done anything all day,and was counting the hours until DP got home to take over. My DD (7) has been very helpful bless her. Tidying up, playing with DS2 and helping me get boys ready for their bath. I have also felt quite tearful today but I think thats what happens when I'm tired and I think about things too much ;(

sorry to hear that you have been so sick pink -hope things improve soon. Will be thinking of you on Thurs LJ
Don't work too hard Cakes - your break does sound a very good idea.
Result !! Celeste managed to get in through her cat door
Am sad about baby rabbit- these things can't be helped .

Smee I completely forgot to say how fantastic it is your mammogram was clear - I was delighted for you when I read it, should have posted straight away. Great news

LGF so sorry you have not faired so well this time, hope you can get some different drugs that work better for you for next time. The tiredness has been the biggest thing for me I think - had to go to bed at 9pm last Wednesday, and that was 2 weeks after chemo, took me by surprise. Very tired, emotional, dizzy and shaky the first few days too. How lovely your DD has been, what a star .

The blood tests are first so shouldn't take long then I shall have to zoom straight off to the Onc where I shall probably arrive on time only to hang about for an hour or so! There is only about 5 or 6 miles between the two hospitals so should be OK.

Figgy I am thinking of you, hope things are OK xx

MAS I was just wondering about Celeste and the catflap as I posted! Result!

MAS, yeay for Celeste. There'll be no stopping her now.

LGF (and others!), don't worry too much about Tax/ Docetaxol SE's. Everyone's different, but I found Tax easier than FEC, simply because it was so fantastic not to feel so sick.

Not sure if this helps or not, but I found chemo 2 the hardest - apparently with other women it's chemo 3 - either way it's a common pattern. Logical really in that adrenaline gets you through the first, but by the second you know how it hits you, but also can see there's a fair way to go. Also it's probably the first time you've had without back to back hospital appointments/ biopsies/ operations/ or whatever you've had up to now, so the shock of diagnosis starts to seep in. In other words, you'd be weird if you weren't both tired and weepy. I think it helped me to know it was normal iyswim. Still hard though.

LJ, hope you whizz through the blood tests / appt today.

The Cockerel's long gone Sparkle - I know you're a chicken lover, but the residents on our street have all breathed a huge sigh of relief. On your referral to GOSH, I had a mad thought which is probably wrong, but when I was stuck in NHS waiting list hell with my back problems, I paid to see a Neurosurgeon privately. Was the same man who I'd been told I'd have to wait 4 months to see on the NHS. Cost me £190, but he instantly agreed I needed urgent treatment and referred me under his NHS care straightaway. So is that something you could do for your son?? I know £200 isn't cheap, but if it's maybe worth investigating. Am still so for you though.

That was all a bit long, wasn't it?! Hope Figgy and Pink are feeling okay.
Better do some work, but thanks for all being so pleased about my mammogram yesterday.

smee - I am glad you are sleep easily in the morning, with no cockeral waking you all up. I do like my chickens, but I refused to let dh have any when we lived in the city, it is entirely appropriate to have them here, we basically have smallholding in the middle of nowhere! Five eggs a day at the moment, good job the dc like them!

I don't think I sent you a or to say fab news about the clear mamm, I am so thrilled for you. Well done smee

Well done celeste too......that will be it not, in and out all the time, bless.

LJ I hope the appointments go all right today.

Figgy, Pink and LGF hope you are coping today.

meant that will be it now....she will be in and out all the time , Celeste that is. Poor poor typing