**t*a*m*o*x*i*f*e*n** number 14

[MaryAnnSingleton]

here we go !

cakes and smee thanks for those comments - that's encouraged me to stick with for now and delay/avoid aspiration. Reminds me of the sloshing on my feet as I padded around the labour ward after having dd!

headache better thank you- must be the restorative herbs- really want some coffee as I'm going to be working shortly...my neck has been aching for ages too,sometimes my collar bone- am not wanting to get paranoid though.
Clothes shopping sounds fun jane and I'd love to go the the gallery in Birmingham (my friend's sister is curator of fine art there).
My cheeselets are almost running out,so may have to replenish !
Take care all xxx

dee my feet and ankles swelled after ds was born- was alarming. No seroma for me,but very swollen armpit for ages.
Ds isn't allowed a coat at school because there's nowhere to hang them (am not sure if this is an actual rule- ds wouldn't wear one probably) but they only have tiny lockers which are stuffed with their PE kits.

omg smee i'm 45 too! Did A levels in 1984! Small world...

the cheeselets have arrived

takes first bite

chews

Ooooh, yummy, definitely a rival to Hula Hoops and definitely possible addiction alert.

I feel like I've joined this thread properly now

Seeingstars, I meant to say - I am sorry you are going through the mill so much: hugs and positive thoughts and prayers coming your way, for speedy answers and effective treatment. x

MAS I may be speaking way out of turn, but it sounds to me like you grind your teeth (or maybe clench your jaw) in your sleep. I do this when under pressure and always get sore neck, vague unpleasant headache and often pain around the ears also. A horizontal ridge on the inside of your cheek can be an indicator of this. The dentist can make you a gum shield though you feel a twit wearing it and I find it too awful to wear, as mine rubs but I am sure they can make them a better fit if they try. Just a thought.

Jane and smee - I bet we have all passed each other in the Central Library trying to be cool and 80s. I am 49, but I spent a lot of my Uni days in there....

I really, really am going now. See you next week. xxxx [cheeslets] [cheeselets] [cheeselets]

Topsy - speak to your BCN or breast surgeon in the first instance. Some breast surgeons carry out reconstructive surgery, but if they don't they will be able to refer you to a specialist plastic surgeon. I was referred to a plastic surgeon because I had a bilateral mastectomy and the breast surgeon who carries out reconstructions at my local hospital didn't feel that the surgery he performs would be suitable for reconstructing both sides.

Smee - thanks for the reassuring words. Rationally, I know that the risks are very small and that it's normal to have anxieties. I'm 99% certain that I will go ahead with the surgery. I'm 38 and while I'm quite happy being single, I'm also young enough to think that it might be nice to have a relationship at some point in the future. But I can't contemplate starting seeing anyone with my body looking the way it does. I mean, at what stage do you have the conversation? And how do you have that converstaion? Oh, by the way, are you a boob man? Because if you are, you might be a tad disappointed.... I guess having an actual date for the surgery has just brought the fears to the surface. I'm curious, what is it like to have no nipples? Weird question, I know, but that is one of the aspects that I find quite strange. I'll wake up with breasts (after 21 months of a completely flat chest) but they'll be nippleless to start with! Not sure which is the oddest of those two looks!

can't type now ontrain to Brumigham:)

cakes think you might be right- though dentist hasn't mentioned any signs- but I would imagine it's likely !
Hooray for cheeselets !

I think I've found something to help but my heart's sore for everyone going through the Big C mill. Its no picnic. I'm at the end of another session with the so-and-so!! Recovering well. Here's the info. On Vogue's Beauty blog for Breast Cancer? they've featured this company www.physicaromatherapy.com that has essential oil blends to help post rad. and chemo and if Vogues approved it I think it should be good, theres a link to the website which I clicked and its worth reading as theres lots of girly helpful stuff (PMT etc) and comments about them.

hello everyone,
I'm waiting for the phone call from the breast clinic still.Had a blocked call,thought it was them,but no-was the other hospital to tell me my appointment has come up for the hysterectomy and prolapse repairs has come up.I've been waiting for 6 months,its on the 22 nd nov.
breast unit just rang to say deffinately need biopsy bust cant sort appointment cos all on lunch shit son broke his wrist so got to arrange someone to take him to fracture clinic at dif hospital if its tomorrow
I'm not feeling this is going well

Sorry, still not caught up, and estined not to at this rate. I can't even find my last post to know eher to read from . Hope everone is doing ok, and is able to enjoy some of this lovely autumn sunshine.

Migraine has begun to fade...plus side is that after not being able to eat or drink wine for over 4 days now, I must have lost weight surely....?! Need good news as my car has just failed its MOT (only 5 years old) and now has to go back tomorrow and have suspension dismantled to replace 2 parts, both only costing £10 each to buy, but due to fitting labour will cost me £500 (including MOT cost) Plus electricians have not turned up as promised at home....DH having interview for being able to keep his own job today, and ds in lots of pain in his shoulders. I am going to remain positive though, as is a year next week since I went feeling green to the Breast clinic to be told I had a mass, have been through surgery and I am still here.

Feel bad that I have not caught up, can anyone give me a quick synopsis of news, treatment news...and how everyone is?

14k I do hope you hear soon. How is your ds?

14k I do feel for you. It never rains but it pours, does it. Try and find time for a treat in between it all.

Can't be in three places at once. Husband and dcs have to fend for self while I visit Mum. My time out this lunchtime in Edwardian Tea Room eating scrummy steak and kidney pie and anticipating lemon and mascapone desert. Wander through galleries and then train to Solihull , a quick swim and then visit Mum before tea.

14k I know you want your mind taken off things but that's ridiculous.

Was thinking a lot today about treatment (before diagnosis but hey, cart before horse every time). When my mum died (at 43 from bc) I wasn't married and had no kids. My plan was to wait til I'd had my children, then undergo a bilateral preventative mastectomy and reconstruction / implants etc. Since then, my family is complete, youngest DD is just 3 and I'm wondering if my "way out there" reaction to my mum's illness was so "way out there".

The consultant I'm seeing tomorrow is really big on saving breasts wherever possible but I'm wondering (after all the stress so far which is nothing compared to what some of you are undergoing, and have come through) if this could be a serious option.

I guess what I want to ask is have any of you opted for more radical surgery (or treatment) than may have been absolutely necessary? Sorry for being so nosey but the more I think about it, with reconstructive techniques these days, the more it seems to become an option in my head.

Ooops, my mum died at 53, not 43. Very strange mistake to make....

14k - poor boy, hope it gets fixed up quickly and that he's ok- you really are going through it -hope you get phone call v soon.
butterflies -in my opinion,given family history,then preventative surgery sounds really sensible option.

cheeselets for butterflies

(sigh) the removal van has just gone

nurse phoned back.she was sorry but biopsy will not be till next week.when the radiographer has appointment she will ring me
i cant stand waiting much longer,have the trots.feel sick.I know you've all had to do this but its hell.
ds is 16 and was playing football,he is really pissed off and I'm trying to stay calm with him

oh 14k that is shit

14k God the wait must be hell. I'm waiting too but have found a shred of comfort in the fact that I've not had any confirmed bad news yet - does that help? Probably not.

Can you speak to the radiographer and see if they can squeeze you in sooner? I know that so many people are probably waiting for the same reason as you but if it's making you ill.... can your gp help at all?

We're all here for you

thank you
what can I do?can I ring consultants secretary?I am actually under the family history clinic at another bigger hospital,do I ring them?
I am steroid dependant and take them as a replacement dose(pituitary problem)and the dhiorea (ffs cant spell!!!) is really a problem cos I keep haveing to take more when they go through.
not really bothered about going private but could cos have health insurance but I bet it wouldn't be much quicker.do you think?

anything is worth a try I think 14k