**TAMOXIFEN TEN***

[MaryAnnSingleton]

brand new shiny thread....our tenth !

Topsy I used pain relief for about two weeks I think, I was on paracetamol and voltorol initially, then I just took paracetamol (and the odd co codamol at night time - but anything with codeine on will cause constipation, so you need to go easy on it),

Are you still in a lot of pain? - how long is it since your op? - if its very sore still get it checked, you can sometimes get an infection (I got an infection in the skin because the stitches didn't dissolve properly).

Its been 2 1/2 weeks kk .
I wasn't sore much to begin with , mainly because everything was so numb I think .
Now I am staring to get a bit more feeling back , I am feeling more pain .
The Onc had a good grope about yesterday , and even he said I was still really heavily bruised . And that I had a fair amount of fluid build up under my arm .
He was going to be starting chemo this week , but has decided to put it off for 2 weeks to wait for the bruising to go down .

I'm not normally wimpy about pain , rarely take painkillers . But I must admit to doing the old lady groan when I am getting out of bed or my chair at the minute !

Was given Kapake (co codamol I think) by my gp , but as you say , it made me highly constipated !
Is ibuprofen ok to take do you know ?
Maybe I should just "woman up" and get on with it

I should think ibuprofen is OK - its an anti inflamm. which is what voltorol is.

I think apart from the skin infection I got off quite lightly - it's a big op, and probably some of the bruising is still coming out. Are you able to do the exercises yet?, they can sometimes help with the healing process.

But don't put up with anything you don't have to, - don't feel shy of nagging your GP for a different painkiller.

If you take one co codamol + one paracetamol as a dose, it reduces the constipating effects a bit. - Oh the joys!

I know ! I was kind of thinking "as if I didn't have enough shite on my plate right now" ???

I was only taking half the dose of the co codamol anyway , they made me feel kind of spacey when I took the full dose .
Ah well , what doesn't kill you blah , blah , blah

And yes , have been doing my exercises .
My sis in law (oncology nurse and ironically ex breast cancer patient !) has been hammering it home every time she sees me .
Might help my bingo wings !

Topsy, 2 1/2 weeks isn't v.long, so take the drugs woman - no point being miserable. I can't remember what I took or when, but I take Co-codomol for back pain if it's bad and just one at night really helps me sleep. Two's really too strong for me [wimp], but one's good and it's not enough to make you constipated. A glass of wine helps too - replace your cocoa.

I have commenced grape therapy tonight

Also , you are going to laugh now , has anyone ever had "phantom boob" pains ?
Sometimes the only precise position of the pain I feel can be described as where my nipple would be !!!

Maybe too much grape therapy tonight .......

Yup, I had the phantom boob pains - it is a very very odd feeling, and exactly as you describe.
Carry on with the grape therapy - it wouldn't be wise to stop now that its taking effect

Thank God !
I posted that last one and promptly though I wouldn't be allowed back on this thread again .......

Run out of grape therapy .
Probably a good thing

I get it too!! v. reassuring to hear I'm not alone. Grape therapy!

Pink - I too would be remonstrating pretty strongly with the neighbour. Seems to be one of those 'give 'em an inch and they take a mile' types. Inconsiderate git!

Keeping up the grape therapy sounds an excellent plan, topsy. I did not have a mastectomy, but I doubt that the right approach is to 'woman up' any more than you have. You have been amazing. Get the pain relief you need (whether grape, tablet or both ) and don't be shy about doing it!

I think for some people, in any operation, the bruising is worse than for others, and takes ages to come out fully. Give it time, it hasn't been long. And enjoy the respite from the start of chemo.

grape therapy is my kind of therapy ! fwiw topsy have been totally impressed by your stoicism and jollyness throughout -and there's me bleating about a few blood tests

When do you get the results, MAS?

Thanks Ladies .

A sober Topsy this morning !
MAS - I saw the pic of your blood test wound on facebook . That's not "nothing" ! Did they use a javelin ???

feeling ill now....

me too. MAS

We just got Olympics Tickets. Only applied for the cheapest, but we got some for Athletics qualifiers. We'll probably be on the back row, but still v.excited to have actually got some.

oh well done smee !
@ javelin ! it did feel like a javelin.
In my distress i forgot to ask about the results

Feeling ill ?
You need cake .
Can offer you a slice of lemon drizzle .......

Elbows her way in for Lemon Drizzle.

Extra large lemony slices all round .
Mug of tea ?

Just had phone call from hospital , going in for my CT scan on the 1st July .
Do I need to do anything in prep ?
Is the CT the one where I just lie there and they slide me into a tube ?

I am so well informed , it's scarey

Just lie there and relax, topsy. No prep needed at all.

Only feeling ill at the thought of a javelin wound, am fine really.

Ooh , lie back and think of England eh ?
I can do that ......... [Grin]

Oh me too

lordy- we are heading for 1000 posts again !!