**T*A*M*O*X*I*F*E*N 11 **

[MaryAnnSingleton]

new thread here !

Cakes, I know I shouldn't laugh...but even so!!

I've written to my oncologist about the weird goings-on last week, where I had the rapid heart rate thingy for several days, rang up the team at the hospital and was told they couldn't help me with any side effects and I was always to go to my GP. I'm a private patient, and the onc had said she wanted her own team dealing with things so she had accurate records. Decided she'd better be the one to sort this out. My GP was very confused about why he was supposed to know about chemo side effects - they don't get trained on technical chemo stuff. And suppose it happens next time too? No-one seems to care, which isn't what I was expecting. we have a really good local hospital and they do care - and now I wish I'd not used the health insurance and gone through them

Good for you topsy, actually in a odd sort of way, having no hair is quite freeing I found

MAS - I would go back, they ought to be able to come up with something other than nurofen, my mum is on naproxen for her knee, - but there's loads they could try which might help. It might also be worth inquiring about physio. When I went to see one about my shoulder, - she had a far better idea that the GP what was going on, and managed to sort it in just a few weeks.

Good luck with the surgery Cakes, stay clear of your friend and her permanent marker , they will probably leave the groovy paper pants on to preserve your dignity.

I've decided I definitely want a reconstruction, but can't quite bring myself to say it out loud yet.

oh amber and
But very amused by cakes on all fours !

oh amber - that's very difficult for you. One plan might be to get your GP to ring them, mine was uncertain about something to do with my treatment so he rang the oncologist and asked. Would s/he do that for you?

KK - be brave and say it- am sure it'd be really helpful to have,kind of get you back symmetrically which is bound to be of psychological benefit.
Am just afraid of being thought of as a middle aged neurotic- am not neurotic ( at least in that way) truly...middle aged yes. Actually-the asking is the hard bit for me.
Righto- really am off to town - anyone want anything from shops ?

Cakes, that's exactly what they do. Totally cringe making. I always think of that when I see my surgeon.

Kurri, could you ask for a second opinion, or a referral to a skin specialist? Does sound grim - too grim to put up with if Cake's cream doesn't work.

MAS, I hate to say it, but do you think it could be menopause? I looked it up a while ago as that's what I think is causing my aches. From what I read oestrogen depletion can cause all manner of aching and hips/ legs are common places to feel pain. I've been trying a few dietary things to help. All a bit random, but increasing fruit and veg, trying to decrease refined carbohydrates, and taking an omega 3 fatty acid supplement. Apparently the Omega 3 is an anti inflammatory.

Amber, sorry you're having such shoddy treatment. I think private can work against you sometimes. Go shout at your Onc before the next round. Tax can affect your heart, so you need some reassurance that it's within normal se's.

x-posted, go for it Kurri. New breasts on the NHS. Here's to being perky.

MAS, lemon sponge and raspberries for me please.

amber, that is awful. Would the local hospital step into the breach? You are still paying into the health service, after all. It really does sound awful. well done for writing. Sometimes these people have to be called to account.

Do you really think the paper pants might stay in place? That is a positive thought. Really, I have very few pretensions to dignity at all, but the thought of my bum waving around in the air is not to be borne.

KK - good for you. What is the process? Can you just tell them you want it and get put on the list?

MAS - rifle through a copy of The Sun and let us know. I was going out for a look but have got held up...

oops, lots of cross posts. Smee - you have confirmed my worst fears. Oh heck.

Cake's paper pants will hold for sure. My op was a bit different from yours, so they went in from my coccyx. They didn't even give me paper pants.

Oh the shame

yikes ! paper pants and probably those stockings too...
help yourself to cakes... had a look through the Sun in the Co-op and then again in the newsagents- nothing there. Kept my raincoat hood up.
Smee- I suspect you are right about menopause or ageing generally-am curious to know if it could be arthritis though,particularly as mum is very badly affected.

Hahahahaaaaaa !!!
Got an image of poor surgeon unveiling your arse to be greeted by a smiley face

Hahahahaaaaaa !!!
Got an image of poor surgeon unveiling your arse to be greeted by a smiley face

Stockings? Stockings???? Oh shit.

Chomp! Thanks for the cake MAS.

If you think it could be arthritis I'd def go back to the GP. Although my money is still on tamoxifen and menopause.

The sparrowhawk must have just swooped through here again. There's a sad little pile of feathers right next to my washing line and I'm sure it wasn't there half an hour ago

poor birdy...

Shitting Nora !!!
It's coming out in great big handfuls .
At this rate I'll be bald by the time DH gets home from work !!!

Wow , I thought it would be a lot more subtle than that .

oh lovey- be brave

Topsy, I suggest a very large . Or something stronger if permitted. Even though I've been ok about being a baldie in a wig, the way my hair fell out was and and left me needing all the same.

I've almost filled a carrier bag with hair now .
I do have a spectacularly thick head of hair though , so I dont even look remotely bald yet .

Maybe I should sell my hair on ebay ?

Oh dear - I nodded off - now that is old age creeping up, last time I looked it was 2 o'clock!

tospy - yes definitely time for a or a and a treat. I was also OK about baldness, but its still pretty disconcerting when it comes out. And, - how can I put it? - once it starts coming out of your head, - it will fall out elsewhere too, so don't be alarmed I have no cake to offer, but I've got a chocolate hobnob and a slightly fluffy sherbet lemon, - they are yours

My next onc appointment is not until cotober Cakes, but I'd rather get on a list before then, so I'm going to ring my BCN when she gets back from holiday next week. And hopefully I can get to see someone sooner. I am assuming that since my belly has several scars on it, they'll fashion something out of my fat back/bum

I think I read that there are about 100,000 hairs on the human head, so that's a lot to drop out.

if there's loads you could have a wig made out of it (I hope that wasn't tasteless). My cousin from Canada had bleached blonde extensions made out of Thai girls hair- the poor things had obviously had to sell it -made me sad (also would have looked nicer it's own colour I daresay)

Stockings are a definite, Cakes. Think you should draw that smiley face. Be a test to see if they keep the paper pants over your dignity or not. You'll be able to tell from how the Surgeon greets you when they do their rounds. If they're guffawing you know the pants dropped.

Topsy, you need treats and large glasses of tonight. Hard moment to get through. Might not feel like it now, but it'll soon be back. Mine looks like a dodgy football managers, but all that matters is that it's hair.

MAS, they can do a blood test for Arthritis can't they? Maybe you should ask GP for that. At least that would narrow it down. I know you hate blood tests though.

Kurri you might find you don't have to wait too long. I was amazed as when I saw my Surgeon and she'd have been happy to operate a few weeks later. We delayed it as I wanted to get through the school holidays first, but still quite interesting as I thought I'd have to wait months.