**tamoxifen the 13th**

[MaryAnnSingleton]

here we are- anticipating halloween

oh phew earth what a relief for you...
KK take care and have a good time - I confess to falling asleep during Strictly,so have no clue about how they did,apart from Holly...
There might be a new thread when you get back (we're creeping towards the limit) but will link of course- love to dog xx

Just flying visit to say two photos of Max and Ginger on my profile! Tell me if you want to see them and can't and I will change to settings so you can.....they are very cute and very gorgeous!

Sorry I haven't read any posts...will catch up on Monday. Sorry.

have seen them on fb - soo cute !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Smog update- it is diabetes- he's still on a drip and has a urinary infection- home tomorrow or Monday-he'll need daily injections from now on,something dad or I will have to do as mum's unable to manage-she couldn't do the syringe because of arthritis really,plus holding him. Poor lovely boy.

Here again with yet another question, my surgeon told me after my op that as far as he could tell he had removed everything suspect or cancerous. This being the case why do I need chemo and radio-therapy? I mean if it isn't broke why fix it?

If I decide to not have either of these would my surgeon still be prepared to do my reconstruction. Thats more than one question, sorry

earth - as i understand it there may be stray cells nearby that need 'mopping up' before they cause any problems. I sort of asked this question about rads given the margins were clear but I'm not brave enough to refuse it.

I know that they assess very carefully with clever calculations whether or not chemotherapy is recommended - if they recommend it (and it depends on size/stage/grade/nodes as well as your age and general health) then it's for a good reason and will blast out any stray cancer which has gone walkabout- same with rads- so although the cancer is removed they want to be absolutely sure there's nothing left to cause trouble !

I echo the others earth . The Oncs say it is just incase of any stray buggers floating around anywhere . Belts and braces and all that .
But speak to them , they would much rather answer any queries now and put your mind to rest .

AAw mas , poor Smog . Will you be able to treat him from home for the diabetes ? Tabs or jabs ?

And the kitties are beautiful , want some of my own now .

DH and I are contemplating another puppy ... someone tell me we are mad for even thinking of it ?

Still really , really miffed at the weather you are all getting . My Darling Sister phoned this afternoon , purely to wind me up about the sunshine in London she has .
Guess what we have ?
Rain .
Again !

it's been v hot here in Hampshire, but I've been in working...
Smoggy will need jabs unfortunately- every day - so we shall have to master that skill !

oh and a puppy - awww-would love a puppy....

Missed waving you off KK, but I hope you have a lovely time.

Off to see if I can look at Max and Ginger, Sparkle. Love the names, did you choose them or did they come with them?

Poor old Smog, MAS, fingers crossed with his daily injections he'll live a long and normal life. Lots of diabetic animals do.

Earth, I agree with wot the others have said. As I understand it, it's to catch any stray buggers and zap them. Are you still having leakages? I hope it's stopped by now.

Topsy, sorry you're having more rain. I won't mention that it's been 29 here . As for a puppy, you're the only one who can answer that but a lot of friends I know have two dogs and say that two are no different than one, once you've got past the training stage.

DS2 was taken to lunch by a group of his old TAs from his secondary school, they all keep in touch with him and love seeing him to catch up. They're remarkable ladies and I'm so grateful he was lucky enough to have had them in his life. So whilst he was out DH and I found a lovely pub and had lunch. I was so full I ended up having a snooze this afternoon. I don't know if it's the heat or the rads that's wearing me out.

Ooh, Sparkle - just seen the photos. They're gorgeous. Max reminds me of our old cat Sooty and Ginger looks exactly like our next cat, Sammy. Your children are beautiful too - lovely looking children.

Aw, Sparkles. So, so cute..

Sorry to hear about Smog, MAS. Bit of a pain to have to inject every day.

Topsy, was worried, so am glad you're back with us. Feel free to rant here you know. New puppy sounds like a great idea to me. Insane, but great.

Earth, that scan sounded scary. Hooray for clear Thyroid though!! I think the others are right about other treatments, as it's a mopping up thing probably. Definitely talk it through with your Oncs - they should be able to give you stats/ reasons.

Figgy, those TA's sound so lovely, as does pub lunch.

Waving farewell to Kurri. Too late I know, but still am wishing her a sunny time.

Jane mercer, how are you today? Feeling good I hope.

Hope Pink and Amber are okay too x

Had a lovely time out with DH last night. Been such a long time since just the two of us went out. Meanwhile DS and the tame teenager ate the entire contents of our fridge.

sorry about the rain, topsy. So not fair.
lol about the tame teenager and the fridge, smee. Makes me think of DS who has stayed at uni this weekend. There are biscuits in the house...
Feeling much better today. Cough nearly gone. Month since op (wle and snb) and scars are pretty much healed and bruising gone although aparently blue stain can stay for months. Bit lumpy now and smaller one side but ok with bra on. And managed to dive into pool without incident although will leave off that during rads whenever they start...

Baked a stuffed marrow today. dh enjoyed it, so did i but dd1 refused to try it and with dd2 out and ds at uni we have lots left!

'morning all. available.
Still coughing so back to the docs tomorrow for improved antibiotics I think. Feel ok apart from that, I think.
Will catch up properly later...

grr,that's annoying amber. would be nice.
jane the blue stain was on the inside of my arm for a bit,like a little bruise.
Lovely sunny day here again (sorry topsy) but am going to be working and cleaning..lunch outside though.

Hope the cough gets better soon amber , sounds horrible for you .

jane you sound like you are doing really well . What did you stuff your marrow with ? Was it veggie or meat ? (always think of Dierdre from Corrie when someone talks about stuffing marrows , and part of the teenager inside me sniggers )

It's wet , again , here .
You can take your wonderful sunny days and stuff them . < not bitter at all >

Off to Grannys for lunch today .
Got my pre chemo bloods tomorrow , then chemo on Wednesday .
Been having some pain in my armpit and along my mx scar .
Anybody else experienced this ? Am 4 months post surgery .

my mum used to do stuffed marrow (fnarr) or with cheese sauce- yum !
Sorry to hear about pain topsy -expect that mastectomy ladies will advise...
So hot here -sigh...
Smoggy still in vets-on his drip,but a bit chirpier. He'll need 2 injections a day- mum rang me in a panic as she is so worried because she can't do them,but have reassured her that between dad and I we'll manage. The alternative is not to be considered.
Hope Ginger and Max are settling in !

we have had rain this morning... marrow was stuffed with spicy mince, bit like a bolognese sause but with leeks. a cheese sauce on the side is a good idea. we used to do a veggie version sometimes. glad to hear smoggy improving.

Thanks for your replies everyone, pretty much what I thought but I'm still very nervous about chemo/radiotherapy. I have a feeling that as surgeon is recommending these he wouldn't be thrilled or eager to do reconstruction if I said no.

I guess if I'm honest I don't feel physically strong enough to take anymore punishment to my poor body.

I'm not actually leaking anymore but still need draining 2-3 times a week.

Earth, I remember feeling like that. The shock of diagnosis alone is enough to send you crashing but you've had a major op too. Only you can decide if you want to trog through the rest of the treatment. Everyone's decision's different. Talk to the Oncs, talk to us too if it would help.

JaneM, you sound like you're doing well. Am still mighty impressed that you dive into the pool. I sort of sit and slide - not v.elegant...

MAS, hope Smog's home tomorrow, though I'd bet having to inject him every day could be tricky. D'you think he'll let you?

Sorry Topsy, but it's still glorious weather here. We've just cycled though the parks to the Olympic site. There's a funky cafe in some old container trucks at the end of the cycle route. Didn't indulge in cakes, as we'd already had bagels en route.

Waving to all others. Hope everyone's had a lovely weekend.

Hi all, hope you are all ok, pretty ghastly here but I am sure it will get better. Thinking of you all.

for ILGC. Would that help dim the grimness?

Forgot to say to Topsy that I remember getting aches under arm, around scars and got totally paranoid about it. My team just used to say it was normal, but it's still worth checking with your lot. Hope pre-bloods are sound tomorrow.

Hello all-just popped in to look for a fellow traveller or two-the 6th is my 5 year anniversary since dx and I have mammo etc on 10th.I am flipping terrified-I cant allow myself to believe it will be all right-why does this go on and on?My bc was triple negative so no tamoxifen for me-no nothing when chemo/rads were finished.I am so worried that it will come back :(