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

976 replies

MaryAnnSingleton · 27/06/2011 10:25

new thread here !

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KurriKurri · 27/07/2011 13:36

topsy good luck for chemo today,Smile

amber, - you are bound to feel daunted and frankly a bit fed up of it all, by the time you are nearing the end of chemo, it all gets pretty exhausting. But you will get there. Feet up, chin up and we will provide Brew, cake and distracting natterings Smile

Famey, - it good your mum has a bit more info now, and fingers crossed she won't need chemo, and can have her holiday, - bird watching on Islay sound idyllic, they gets some fantastic birds up there. Smile

SR, hope you have a great trip to London,I'm sure you will Smile

Sparkle, - how did the disco boy get on? - I hope he had fun Smile

I missed my yoga class this morning, was so tired I couldn't get up - makes me feel pathetic, but I'm sleeping badly at the moment during the night. Grrr to thyroid glands and all their evil ways.

KurriKurri · 27/07/2011 13:38

OOh x-posted and you got home Grin Have a good rest topsy Smile

Need you ask if I am interested in coffee and walnut cake?

MaryAnnSingleton · 27/07/2011 13:41

yay for topsy- have a nice rest now- and yes please to cake !
KK - bugger about not sleeping properly- am sorry...hope GP will sort it.
Am doing some work while ds potters about -I suggested her goes into town with his purse to buy something- magazines etc but he seems quite happy...

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smee · 27/07/2011 16:49

Hooray for Topsy: one more and you'll be half way through and honestly it's far more manageable once you get to that point. Cake sounds mmm.. Smile

Amber, hope you're feeling okay today. Kurri's right, natter, moan or witter and whatever you throw at us, we're here to distract and hold hands and drag you through. Smile

Kurri, sorry you're not sleeping. The hot flushes I'd bet aren't helping. Bet you'll sleep better once you've spoken to the GP though.

MAS, I do like the sound of your pottering boy. Smile Mine's been doing a bit of pottering too, though we both enjoyed a trawl round Oxfam and the library earlier for a hoard of holiday books.

Off out in a bit to see a play at Young Vic. Can't even remember the name. Blush I blame chemo drugs, though will have to stop doing that sometime soon as it's beginning to sound lame.. Grin

smee · 27/07/2011 16:58

SR, few more London thoughts for you.

On Sunday, take them to Brick Lane for bagels and trendy clothes stalls, plus lots of buskers and other endless fantastic street food. If you've got the time, a nice thing to do is to start at Columbia Road Flower Market, walk through to Brick Lane, then down to Spitalfields Market. All very vibrant and entertaining. Sort of alternative to Covent Garden in a way, though far more interesting imo.

Somerset House are doing evening film shows in the courtyard, but am not sure if they'll be sold out.

For the cooler version of that, google 'Films on Fridges' - haven't got time to search the link, but there are films being screened on a mountain of old fridges near the Olympic Park, which sound fun and rather extraordinary.

Now Parliament's on holiday, they do v.good tours with excellent guides, so that's worth trying to get in on.

  • if you go to Greenwich, it's worth taking the River boat up the Thames.

If I think of anything else, I'll post. Where in London are you staying, as there might be things local to there.

MaryAnnSingleton · 27/07/2011 17:49

Grin @smee not knowing what play she's going to !! hope you enjoy it though !

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KurriKurri · 27/07/2011 17:51

yes - enjoy your mystery play Smee - let us know what it turns out to be Grin

MaryAnnSingleton · 27/07/2011 18:19

it looks good !

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topsyturner · 27/07/2011 19:17

Ha ! Leenane is about 50 miles away from where we are going on our holidays !
We go to Galway every year .
Hope the play is good Grin

MaryAnnSingleton · 27/07/2011 19:35

Grin!

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smee · 28/07/2011 11:01

MAS wins the prize! And yes it was good. Honestly one of the best plays I have ever seen. In my defence, the ticket came via a friend who had a spare, so I hadn't taken a lot of notice. Definitely go see if you get the chance though.

Hope everyone on treatment's okay today. We haven't heard from Pink for a while. Topsy, is the driver working its magic? Really hope so. After seeing that play last night, am glad you're only visiting Galway, not living there...

KurriKurri · 28/07/2011 17:40

Hope everyone's OK today,especially topsy- hope you aren't feeling too shattered and sickness is being kept at bay.

I'm glad you enjoyed the play Smee - it looks good in MAS's link.

I went to yoga this morning, and art class this afternoon - I did a picture of Durdle Door with my new pastels Smile - I feel very relaxed.

love to all, if I suddenly disappear for a couple of days, it'll be because my computer has given up,- I think the battery needs replacing. Also the space bar isn't working properly so everythingcomesoutasonelongword. Grin

SparkleRainbow · 28/07/2011 17:48

Just a quick visit, school hols for you Grin Topsy well done on ghettinghalf way, I will make you a Brew before i pop off.

I am glad the play was good smee.

SR I think you have got some good ideas for london activities there! Well done smee.

Hope you are ok amber, and famey I hbope your mum enjoys the break.

Ds loved the disco, dd1 was invited by the school and had a lovely time too, I came to get them they were dancing away to country and western tracks. Grin Good news to report too. I found out on the last day that the local authority has granted the school permission to accept dd1, even though it pushes them over numbers. Which means both in the same school, together, no double school runs, no late arrival every day for ds....fab!

SparkleRainbow · 28/07/2011 17:49

Grin atkurrisverylongwords. i am glad you are all relaxed, what a lovely day.

pinkstarlight · 28/07/2011 18:04

just thought i would update you all last chemo was cancelled because of my side effects,the second option was to have my op then go back for 2 more chemo that also has been cancelled cant have any more chemo at all at this stage not even fec.

will see the sugeon again on the 2nd of august its now looking like i will need to have a mastectomy after all,plan all the way through has been to have a lumpectomy and at the same time have a reduction on the other side.gutted especially after all the talk of nip and tucks.

lost most of my fingernails now and still have aches and pains from the tax,does anyone know how long they will go on for after chemo stops?

MaryAnnSingleton · 28/07/2011 18:12

pink- how horrid for you- bugger - I have a friend who had to stop her chemo as she had appalling reactions to it - more allergy related than side effects..
lots of good thoughts whizzing to you.
Smee- am glad you enjoyed the play !
Sparkle- excellent news about dd1 and school -Grin
Hope topsy is ok

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KurriKurri · 28/07/2011 18:24

pink - how difficult for you Sad, I am sorry, you've had such a rough time. And very tough to have your op. changed and give you something new to get your head round.
I didn't have tax. so can't answer your question I'm afraid, but am sure Smee can fill you in. Take care, and I hope you have a good meeting with the surgeon next week and feel a bit better about things afterwards Smile

Sparkle - great news about DD going to the school Smile And lovely that the children enjoyed their disco, and danced the night away Grin

topsyturner · 28/07/2011 19:32

sparkle - great news about DDs school .

pink - you are having an awful time aren't you ? One of my sister in laws had awful reactions to chemo and wasn't allowed any further treatment . Not sure what hers was though . Will ask for you when next we speak .

I am feeling ok today . Very sleepy , but thats the anti sickness drugs in my driver . Had a bit of a panic today . 10 O clock came and went , and no district nurses came to refill my driver .
By 11.30 it was beeping as it had run out of drugs , so I phoned the office and I hadn't been put on the list for today !
But they were very good and had a nurse out with me by 12pm !

Slept for 3 hours yesterday afternoon , then went back to bed at 10pm and slept through till 8am today .
Managed to get through the day today with out a nap , so I reckon I will sleep well again tonight !

Hope everyone has had a good day today and is getting plenty of cake .

smee · 28/07/2011 21:25

Topsy, hooray for drugs, even if they were a bit late. Sleepy's most definitely better than feeling sick.

Sparkle, that's brilliant about DD getting a school place too. I'd bet DS is thrilled, isn't he? Hope you're celebrating. Smile

Pink, big g'ah to Tax then. Glad you're through though, as at least that's the end of chemo. I'd love to say different, but Tax does seem to stick with you for a while. I was completely wiped out when I'd finished, but being honest was never sure if it was psychological as much as physical. I think you put so much into getting to the end of chemo that you can easily collapse once you're through. And now you have an operation to face too. I was the other way round, so had had my op and went straight onto Rads. All of which makes it hard to say how long Tax stays with you, as you're onto whatever's next before you've recovered. Exhaustion lasts a long while, but the aches do ease I promise. And your nails will grow back before you know it. Hair too, so look forward to that at least. By Christmas you'll be gorgeous again!

On operations, I was similar, so had my op changed from lumpectomy to mastectomy. Hth, but it was honestly nowhere near as bad as I expected. Without it you've got a better chance of no recurrence. I think that's what I tried to hold onto and it did help make it manageable somehow. Ask as many questions as you want and let us help get you through. You're doing brilliantly to be on the other side of chemo. All else now is genuinely easier!

Gentle day here today. Bit of gardening and pottering with DS, then we joined up with a friend and her son for a swim. Well when I say swim, more of a splash. Lovely day in London, so hope it is where you all are. I am plotting a feta and broad bean salad. Better go make - hadn't realised it was so late..

KurriKurri · 28/07/2011 21:40

I'm glad the drugs arrived at last topsy! hope you're firmly on the list now Smile

I am envious of your broad bean and feta salad Smee, - I hardly ever have broad beans because no one else in the family likes them, - I love them. My dad used to grow them and I loved podding them, because the pods were so white and fluffy inside Smile

sandripples · 28/07/2011 21:58

Pink - so sorry you've got to have the bigger op and that you've had a rough time. It must be difficult to have to swerve onto a different course at this point. Sending supportive vibes to you.

Topsy - your district nurses sound similar to the ones I had - they were sooooooooooooooo disorganised but very nice and professional when they did eventually appear!! Sympathy on this from me! You have to organise them IME.

Yes hooray for Sparkel's DD .

Smee thank-you for all these tips - you're an inspiration. I'm looking forward to our trip though we won't have time to do all the lovely things you've mentioned so will have to return before long! We're staying at a friend's in Croydon which is handy for going to my brother's party in Redhill - I might not have mentioned that his + SIL's 40th anniversary is the actual reason for the trip. It takes up all of Sunday though so we won't be able to do brick Lane - I have made notes for the future though!

Have worked 10.5 hours today trying to get work done before hols - same again tomorrow so better go. (You see, those of you on chemo - I felt dreadful this time last year but can do all this again now. Do I want to though?! Have to as can't retire till 66......)

MaryAnnSingleton · 28/07/2011 22:02

broad beans and feta- delicious ! Was watching Rick Stein's Spanish food thing and there were broad beans (and butter beans which I adore) Last week we saw it and it made us crave chorizo,so dh made a chicken and chorizo thing at the weekend.

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amberlight · 29/07/2011 08:22

Pink, grr and arrgh re all of your news...not sure how long se's last after the chemo. Think most tend to tail off after a few months.
Morning all. Brain still not entirely functioning so I'm reading and taking it all in, but not very good at responding at the mo - apologies.
They tried offering me an MRI scan and Ultrasound on the same day as my final Chemo. Er, no. No way. Absolutely not. Not in a million years.

Off on hols today for a week ...much needed...

FrameyMcFrame · 29/07/2011 21:12

Just popping in to say hi, and reading everyone's updates.

I have so much admiration for you all going through this and my Mum too. I wish she could use computers so she could have access to support like this. I wonder if there is local groups she could get involved in. I really think talking to other people who have gone through or are going through the same thing really helps.

Just gearing up for Sunday now, had to get some more Tramadol for Mum from the GP today as she'd nearly run out and her Seroma is quite big and painful. She was adamant that she didn't want to go to the doctors or back to hospital before Sunday but thankfully they were ok with me going in and wrote her up a prescription straight away. I think this time we will be more prepared for what it will be like and I think Mum will be less anxious about the anesthetic as she's done it before and she found it all ok. With it being school holidays I will have to bring the kids in to visit her but hopefully that will be ok. Ill be staying with her on the first few nights at home after the op, also we have the inlaws with us from tomorrow for a week so it's going to be a crazy week!

MaryAnnSingleton · 29/07/2011 21:35

aw,bless your mum- there are bound to be local groups that might be helpful - also does the hospital have a Macmillan centre-there was one at Southampton where I had radiotherapy-I didn't use it,but it had all kinds of complementary therapies and counselling. Will be thinking of her and you- take care of yourself as it's hard for you to go through this.

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