*** TAMOXIFEN * 12 ***

[KurriKurri]

Tada! A shiney new thread - get me with my fancy asterisks

sparkle - minute did that to me this morning , poured my little heart out and pouf - it was gone

earth - wobbles are allowed , come and have em on here . Whatever (and I really do mean whatever) you are thinking or fearing , someone on here will be able to either tell you the answer or tell you that you are not mad for thinking these things !

I still think (in the 5 mins before) that at every appointment , they are going to tell me that they made a mistake and I don't have cancer !

What day next week is your surgery ? Have you got all your hospital bag sorted ? I found that helped me - something to take my mind off the waiting . I was whirling round M&S like a mad woman shrieking "no , pjs must open down the front so the doctors can examine me"

Worn out now . Thought I would have a peaceful day with DD being at school . But instead I hoovered and washed the floors , made DS a fry up for lunch , unloaded then reloaded the dishwasher , did some ironing , 2 school runs , covered 2 school books in wrapping paper , dodged sympathy looks , had a friend call round with eyebrow pencils and bronzers from Clinique (nice friend !) .
I am now lying down on the sofa !
Oh and did I tell you ?
My sodding eyebrows started departing today !

Aw guys, thank you, every one of you I feel exactly as you say topsy, that they will tell me it's been a dreadful mix up.

My operation is scheduled for Wednesday 7th September. Tomorrow is my pre-op check up, bloods taken I know of but what else they do I don't know. Anyone know???

I told Dh that I couldn't go through with it and poor man looked terrified. I may take you all up on the invite to spill it on MN

pre op check up is mainly paperwork Earth, bloods, possibly a urine sample, listing any medication you may be on, medical history, maybe an MRSA check (a cotton bud thing you rub wipe along your groin and stick up your nose - they'll let you do it yourself), blood pressure, heart rate. And they'll explain what the operation involves, and probably give you a hospital info leaflet.

I can't think of anything else they do - but my memory's not great, so someone else may have to fill in any gaps

Hi everyone, wondering if anyone can explain something for me. Mum has just had an appointment sent through for a CT scan tomorrow and we're just wondering what it's about? Do you think it could be to do with the radiotherapy planning or is it to check the cancer hadn't spread anywhere else before they start radio? Mum is worried as she's had a pain in her hip and thinks they're checking it...

Hi Framey, - they generally do CT scans and sometimes bone scans to check whether the cancer has spread. But they do it for everyone, - it doesn't mean they think her cancer has spread iyswim.

They may well be checking the pain in her hip as well, - but again hip pain can be caused by lots of things, other than cancer. They check everything, which is good, but also quite difficult to cope with.

She's bound to be worried, all these tests are scary, and waiting for results is hard, but it is fairly routine to have a CT and a bone scan.

She may be at the hospital a little while because IIRC you have to drink some stuff over the course of an hour or so before you have the scan. (someone who's had one more recently will come along with better details )

Thanks Kurri, I think my mum is of the opinion that she'd rather not know if it's spread! Oh dear, what does she have to drink? Is it radioactive stuff?

It's something that makes the image show up - not quite sure what (barium perhaps - wild guess!), - its usually "flavoured" with peach or raspberry or something - its not exactly yummy, but its drinkable.

I know how she feels, it is horrible and frightening, but it sounds as if she has lots of support from you to help her through.

I could give reasons why knowing what is happening with the cancer is a good thing, but having felt exactly as she did, I'd be a bit hypocritical.
Lots of luck to her tomorrow.

Hello -am back ! not sure if I saw ILGC in Gunwharf Quays - we had a cracking time- lunch at Wagamama -v nice but uncharacteristically slow service as they seemed to be very understaffed. Then up the Spinnaker Tower which was fab- brilliant views-ds very excited and taking millions of photographs...walked across the glass floor too,which is a little unnerving.Had a fab ice cream from an old Citroen van outside the Jamie Oliver italian restaurant (salted caramel and a cherry ice cream)
Earth waiting for the op is hard - the pre-op is easy so don't fret -avoid body lotion as the monitor things slide off.The also measure your legs for the very lovely surgical stockings. Really though -it'll all be ok- keep with us and just say whatever is worrying you -better than bottling it up
Framey hope all goes well with your mum's CT scan- they will just be being very thorough in checking everything.

earth - pre op for me was bloods , a short ECG , height , weight (eek) . I think that was all . Amazing how it seems so damn long ago ! It was only June 2nd that I had my mastectomy .

framey - my oncs sent me for CT , MRI and bone scans . And they DIDN'T have an inkling that anything had spread . They told me they do it to get a baseline of how you are before treatment starts . Because they try and keep your body at the same level all the way through .

mas - I saw your pic of that glass floor on facebook , and I like it NOT

Hi had a good day, I am afraid spent most of my time in Jack Wills, or so it seemed! Unfortunately my dc's were less about the view and more about the shopping! As usual had lunch at Loch Fyne and am now all shopped out! But at least it is all sorted for next term. MAS, I was the shattered looking woman walking behind the two extras from Bondi Rescue!!!
But Paperchase is bought out so DD2 is ready for 6th Form, notice no book purchases, I think all that is important is that she looks right and has the cool notebook!!! What it is to be 16, blonde and pretty! Having said that she has dealt with more than enough 'serious' issues in the last 18 months so it is nice, although expensive, to see her being a teenager!

Hi All Had a busy day, walking the dog, running a few errands and entertaining DS2. I've had a phone call from the hospital and they want to see me to discuss my rads treatment so going in tomorrow at 2. Do they tattoo me? I'm hoping my friend was joking. I also had to visit my doctor. I noticed some stains on my bra and nightie (yuk) - my scar has a little bit of infection so I'm on antibees for a week. I've still got a bit of swelling, in fact with my softie in place, it looks like I've got a bit of cleavage. I hope it goes down soon though - I don't like the sound of it being drained.

earth - I had my pre-op tests recently and they consisted of bloods, urine, height and weight and an ECG. I also saw a nurse and a doctor. I took a good book along as they tend to keep you hanging around inbetween each test. I know exactly what you mean about wanting to run away. I had moments when the urge to get on a train, anywhere, completely overwhelmed me. I remember even feeling like running away as I was being wheeled to the theatre. That would have been a sight - bare bum being exposed whilst running along in a hospital nightgown. .

Topsy, well done on booking yourself on that pampering session. They do them here too and I am 'saving' mine till I've finished rads. I've had hugs from people I barely know too which was a bit disconcerting during chemo when I didn't want to 'catch' anything. But they were most welcome in the main. What I find most irritating is people trying to take a good old peek at my wig and, now I've had the op, trying to slyly look at my boobs.

Framey, it's standard, I think, to do scans. I had several during treatment.

MAS, I saw that photo too. I wouldn't be able to walk on a glass floor. . Very brave.

I'm not sure whether you'll be having your planning for rads at this session figgy - usually they discuss the length of rads and any particulars relating to it (boosters for example) The planning session maps you out with xrays for the correct positioning and that's when you get your tats ! (they are tiny and don't hurt) Hope antibiotics do the trick with infection.
ILGC - I noticed the Jack Wills - avoided it as ds not needing anything (a friend has bought him a Hollister hoody from California where she was on holiday at my request- much cheaper !) Went into Paperchase but ds said he didn't need any stationery/pens etc..I hanker after the little melamine bowls and bento boxes and am always buying cards ! Am so glad to hear about your dd being a more carefree teenager -am sure she deserves to be spoiled !

I think it is a girl thing both my dd used to feel a tripto Staples was as good as going to a theme park! DS is a bit "well I've got a biro, what more do I want", such a dude, my little man!!

think you're right there - how I looked forward to my new pencil case and shiny new felt pens !

Yep that difference between the sexes explains so much

Have just joined this thread, but for anyone on Tamoxifen or other cancer drugs, the website www.after-cancer.com was set up by cancer patients to give info about clinically-trialled products, medically and cancer approved ways of helping with side effects from these drugs.

To anyone on these drugs - we should be brave and TELL doctors about side effects not just 'grin and bear' them! Good luck!

good luck with it, figgy. You'll be fine!

New felt pens and lots of paper were the best thing about going back to school!

dh was away last night. I swear the spider in our living room was as big as my hand

wowie- thanks for that link- looks interesting ! My hip really hurts but I tend to put up with it -am very much of that mind anyway -so maybe I should be a bit more pro-active !

Hello wowie, I will bookmark that link for later. Thank you.

I'm another stationery addict. I've got a wonderful collection of beautiful notebooks and pens. We haven't got a Paperchase shop near us but there are lots of gift shops that sell a selection of notebooks and I find it difficult to resist.

Cakes, have you got a spider-catcher? They're very good. I can't bear to kill them even though I loathe them.

Just returned from a manic visit to the vets. Dawg needed his Advocat flea/mange drops and, because he hadn't been to the vet for over a year (a good thing) he had to get weighed and checked over. Luckily I wasn't charged for that part, just the drops. But there were 5 dogs and 3 cats in there and it's only a titchy waiting room. The noise was amazing. I think dawg needs a lie-down now.

I'm off to have another before hospital. There's apple pie too, if anyone fancies a slice?

spider catchers are great -we have one- I can also apprehend pesky wasps or catch bumblebees to release outside.
Apple pie would be most welcome- and good luck at the hosp.

Hi all, just back from pre-op checks. DD2 came with me, I had chat about medical history, blood pressure taken, ECG done, bloods taken as well as swabs. I have to be at hospital for 7.45am next Wednesday for my operation.

A doctor also came in to check out my thyroid swelling, still don't know what thats all about but he's concerned about getting a tube in during surgery

We got home collapsed onto the sofa then both jumped up yelling "X-Rays"

I was supposed to go for a chest x-ray and totally forgot and came home

I'll ring them and see if they want me straight back or if it'll keep until tomorrow. I'm so embarrassed though

Poor Earth! easily done

Explain this spider catcher thing to me, please....

Cakes - a lovely parcel arrived for me this morning - thank you so much, I'm really looking forward to reading it, and I love the label, - you are very artistic

Talking of spiders, - DD found one in the hall the other night when she got up to go to the loo, so she put a bowl over it and went back to bed - cue me getting up in the morning, and thinking 'what's this bowl doing on the hall carpet', lifting it up and nearly dying of fright.

Its easy to forget these things Earth - hope you can do it tomorrow, so you don't have to trail back again. But it's good to get the pre op out of the way.

Good luck at the hospital Figgy, - you might get your tats today, - but they are only little dots so you will be fine I have trouble getting my dog into the vets, as soon as she sees the door she sits down and digs her heels in - its not her favourite place!

I had a lift to yoga this morning with an elderly lady who also goes, all went well until we got to the car park, when she tried to park in a space that already had a car in it she kept saying 'I don't know if I can get in here it's not a very big space' (referring to the small gap between two parked cars. I was saying (in my panic voice) 'that's not a space, the space is up there' (several cars along!) She's had a mini stroke, - not sure she should be driving tbh.

well done Earth for getting through pre-op- never mind about forgetting chest x ray- you were probably eager to get home again !
My spider catcher is a long pole with a little ring you pull up which operates the lid (clear plastic) of a sort of scoop - you get the spider to walk on to the scoop and close the lid..there are lots of other kinds about though (mine is old) I can catch wasps in flight now,or pesky flies (years of practice !)

eek about spider under the bowl kk !!

Had to at your driver though !! No,doesn't sound as though she should be driving. !!