**tamoxifen the 13th**

[MaryAnnSingleton]

here we are- anticipating halloween

smee, my dad was a scout leader so we had to help out with jumble sales and things - and the hut was set on fire twice so there was always work to do and it was where dad spent all his spare time...

I'm worried about radiotherapy - I burn even if it's cloudy - and then tamoxifen - taking it for 5 years and the big list of side effects in the leaflet. I know I should be grateful that my bc is small and they say it is treatable but it isn't easy coming to terms with it. :(

Oh well going to make cake for friends party later :)

janemacer- I think scout huts are always targets,sadly...
We seem to have similar diagnoses I suspect, but big or small,bc is still a life changing thing and hard to get your head around. I had 2.4cms invasive ductal carcinoma, no nodes. The rads probably will cause some burning -my skin was black afterwards and weepy and peely despite copious slatherings of aqueous cream and keeping it dry (important to do that-dry area with hairdryer after bathing)But it heals quite quickly - there are often hard areas afterwards and my poor breast has got much smaller than the other ! Tamoxifen has been ok (2 years so far) - not too many side effects,bit of hotness,periods all over the place (ie. scarce ) I ache, but I'm thinking it's age ! Try not to worry about the great long list of SEs and warnings-they have to cover absolutely everything to be on the safe side ! I've learned only this week to avoid grapefruit

Thanks everyone. Had an ok night with no leaking (yeayyyyyyy) so far. Started the AB's last night but feeling a bit queasy this morning, hope that passes.

Hope everyone has a good weekend

No way cupcaked !
Are you a Belfast Girl ?
Small world eh ?

earth - glad you had a better night , hope it keeps improving .

Waiting for district nurse to come out and restock my syringe driver . Then I am taking DD to yet another party . Swimming one this time .
Whilst she is there , a few of us mums are going out for lunch .
So should be a good day today . What are the rest of you up to ?

Hi there. Hope all is going well with you all.

Feeling much better now - finally - but still extremely tired. Have now had blood transfusion which has helped.

Have a question and hope someone knows the answer. When doctor talks about doing WORK-UPs for bloods, what does he mean?

Hi everyone, as far as I know Stars, a blood work up means they test for lots of different things in a sort of blanket manner, without a specific idea in mind but just to check everything is OK and there's nothing they are missing. As opposed to a specific blood test for white blood cell count or something. I'm not an expert though, but I think thats roughly what it means.

jane - I think the answer as MAS says is to slather the area in aqueous cream, start as soon as possible before you start your treatment so skin is in good condition. I did have a bit of burning, but I have a friend who had throat cancer and she had 6 weeks of rads concentrated on her throat, she absolutely slathered herself with cream many times a day and managed to avoid burns. So its possible

Also as MAS says (sorry - I'm just copying her! ) they list every possible side effect. The main ones I found were the menopausal type symptoms, flushes etc., and achiness esp. in the legs, but I've been on it 2 yrs now and the S/E's seem to be calming down a bit.

Well done for no leaking Earth - lets hope that continues

Have a good lunch topsy, - I'm of your DD's social life

So far I've spent my time today clearing up after the dog. She decided to be sick on the carpet, which she managed to also get all over her paws. The strain of vomiting made her wet herself as well. She's now staggered off to her bed. So a great deal of scrubbing with disinfectant has gone on, (and trying to persuade a sicky-pawed dog to let me wash her). Oh the joys of elderly pets!

Oh KurriKurri - I couldnt imagine having to clean up after a sick dog like that. It is bad enough looking after children. You poor thing.
Thank you for your answer re the bloods. Doctor keeps mentioning it but not explaining what it means and I havent wanted to ask.

I really hate reading about all the side effects you all keep suffering from with your treatment. When doctor has explained things to me, it is likely the treatment will kill me rather than the condition itself and i am starting to wonder if it will be worth it. I am a physical wreck now and keep being told I will be much worse after the transplant for many months after. Obviously doctors have to paint doom and gloom but it isnt encouraging me.

Cupcaked, thanks - helps to know one of us has had a close-to-the-wall thingy.
Iamseeingstars, it's all doable. Just a bit like being put through one of those Army Assault Courses really
Slept in till 9, dh brought me breakfast in bed (hooray!)
Not sure what to do next really. Think I'm supposed to be resting still after Thurs operation but I feel fine - no pain, nothing. Might risk a potter round a garden centre with my dsis later.
Meantime, anyone?

stars it all does sound very daunting but am sure it is worth it
Hooray for no leakage Earth
Might have to postpone my smear on Tuesday as period has started (2 months since the last- I wonder if that's why I was feeling unwell earlier this week ?)- what do you think,obviously it can't be done during,but if it was short? I don't want to have to go through it again if they can't get cells because of it. Gah !
Anyone care for birthday cake later ?

amber - intersting as I had no pain afterwards,just really sore under arm from the nodes,but no pain. I was child minding Miss S 2 days after ! Am not very good at not doing.

Many Happy returns MAS - and yes please, I'm always up for cake

I think I would ring up on Monday MAS and ask their advice, I'm not sure they would want to do it that close to the end of a period, even if you do have very short one.

amber - don't overdo it, but if you aren't feeling too bad, and you'd like a change of scene, I think its a good idea to go out and do a bit pf pottering.

I've just been out with DH to watch the Tour of Britain cycle race which came through our village, they really whizzed by. It was pouring with rain though so have had to change all my clothes.

thank you KK - cake coming your way...
I don't think I would like a smear done if I'm not completely sure it's over- ew.

Happy Birthday mas , what flavour cake are we having ?
And I would say it's probably a no to the smear test this week . They will want you mid cycle .

kk - had image of you taking part in Tour of Britain and that's why you had to change your clothes

Just back in from DDs party and my lunch date . Twas very nice , even though I am now wearing half my lunch down my top ! Was too busy laughing and talking and completely missed my mouth on numerous occaisions .

DH has done the shopping (butchers , petrol , pig/dog food) and the house work . And is now on his 3rd pile of ironing .
Does anyone want to know his weekend rates ? If he could cook he would be perfect !

topsy, the cyclists in the race did a route that takes me about 3/4 of an hour (on a good day) in about five mins! It was quite demoralising

Also somewhat off putting, there was man in cycle shorts standing near us to watch, and I don't exaggerate when I say it looked as if he had a badger in his pants. It was obscene.

Your DH sounds nicely domesticated, I have plenty of ironing here if he fancies popping over on the plane

he can iron my things ! glad you had a jolly lunch topsy !
Cake is coffee and walnut -big slice ?

Hm, mid cycle is best I guess- I'll see when their next free appointment might be.
at badger image- cycling shorts are very rude I think !

That is the 3rd time in 2 days I have laughed out loud at this thread (DSs and DH are starting to exchange concerned glances), Topsy's porn-viewing in front of district nurse, Earth's cartoon shot cowboy, and now KK and her badger-smuggler!!! You lot are such good value.

Can see why cyclists wear cycling shorts but watching a cycle race??? Hmmm. Maybe he really did have a badger down there, was keeping it warm. Was it moving about much or did you not stare that hard?

Topsy yes please do lend me DH, I live in Belfast and just back from butchers, had to go myself, pah. I can send him back again when he has all the housework done, no planes involved!

Janemacer, it is so difficult to get your head around no matter how small and treatable. As my bc nurse said on day to me, it is as much a head game as anything else. I didnt know what she meant then but I do now! And this thread is the best head therapy going.

Quickly skimmed through the last page or two. Feeling a bit more normal now, thank goodness.

Eek at Earth's leaking. I suppose it's better than staying in place and you ballooning. Glad to hear it's stopped. Phew, what a relief for you.

Sparkle, 6 hours is ridiculous. I hope you can get it sorted out soon.

Amber, glad to hear you're home and feeling okay, raring to go by the sounds of it. But remember to pace yourself for the first few days.

Hello to Janemacer.

Pink, hope the coughing and inflammation clear up soon.

Capcaked, I think my hair is growing a bit like yours AND it's coming through gray

MAS happy birthday to you. Hope you're having a lovely day. Interesting about the aqueaos cream. My skin is really taut and dry at the moment (around the scar area) and I will get hold of some to avoid burns - they're the last thing I want.

Hubby sounds a star, Topsy. Can I have him every third weekend?

KK, at badger man.

We're off to a quiz night in our village later. Only a 5 minute stagger walk. I will mainly be staring blankly into space. My brain seems to have gone on strike.

hey figgy ! have fun at the quiz. Aqueous is good stuff- I've carried on using it as a moisturiser on my face and neck as my usual stuff (really nice Dr Hauschka rose day cream) made me itch. I used to bathe ds with it when he was little and had very dry skin.
Am having a Sea Breeze before going over to my parents for supper !

No time to read all the posts or write anything sensible, as a glass of wine is calling me and there are some friends with it who I'm supposed to be cooking for.

Just wanted to say, HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAS!! Have a glorious time.

I will read and catch up tomorrow. x

Hello all, sorry to hear of other's struggles, it really does feel like one step forwards two steps back sometimes. DD had her first chemo and is fanatically catching up on missed lectures as we speak. I spent the day on Monday with her only to get a call to say OFSTED were coming in wed/thur so have been working non stop. Fortunately all went well so I can now sleep! Take care everyone

Can people (or more accurately people whose dm) who are taking arimidex rather than tamoxifen join? My mum has just been diagnosed with secondary bc and has just started back on it. I'm trying to understand how it affects you.

Of course you can join choufleur, so sorry to hear of your mum's DX.
I'm not on arimidex, but as far as I know the main problem is its effect on bone density. (increasing risk of osteoparosis) So they do regular bone density tests. I think some of the women on here are on arimidex so hopefully someone with more knowledge will be along soon

Enjoy your quiz Figgy - hope you win

CC - fortunately it was a sleeping badger

ILGC, - I'm glad your DD has her first chemo out of the way, how is she feeling? and when does she have her next one?

hello choufleur- sorry to hear about your mum- can't remember who is on arimidex,but someone'll be along.
Thanks smee- had a joyful birthday indeed.
Sleeping badger KK ? alarming images of lively badgers...
ILGC - love to you and dd- glad OFSTED was ok, poor dd though,having treatment and trying to keep up with her studies

Someone mentioned taking phosphates to help strengthen bones. Any of you lovely ladies take those too?

ILGC, good to hear that your dd has got through her first chemo.
Choufleur, hello from me too. Can't help re the question but wanted to say hi anyway.