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

[MaryAnnSingleton]

here we go !

that's it: 'Getting fitter feeling stronger'

Dee I had paper strips over my stiches and remember having baths while they were still in place and patting dry. Depends what you feel comfortable with.

YEAY for Butterflies, that is brilliant!! Hope you're going to celebrate, even if cautiously. Keep with us for a while at least x

Dee, I had mx, so I don't know about exercises, though I'm pretty sure you need to do some or you'll stiffen up. MAS might know. Hope seroma sloshing isn't too icky. Lindt, DD and Jane Austin sounds mighty lovely.

Topsy eat what you want for now. Chemo's a sod to get through and the Oncs are right, just do what feels right. Buckets of coffee for me too please.

Pink, when's your last rads then? Is it next week?

Jane, that must have been hard to have to leave because of money. I was lucky to be in the Grammar school catchment. I have avoided all reunions so far, though bump into people from time to time. In fact you've reminded me, as I owe one of them a phone call.

Sunny, crisp day here. Got a mountain of work to do, so had better get on.

Drift, this is all I know about Rads. I'd guess you'll start rads about 3 weeks after op. Amount of Rads varies. Lots of women seem to go for 3 weeks (so each week day, making 15 sessions). I had 5 weeks (25 sessions) and I've heard of a couple of women who had 6. Mine was 5 as though they got clear margins, my tumour was close to the skin surface, so they wanted to really blast it. I had a thing called a Bolus placed over the skin, which is like a gel blanket which brings the rays closer to the skin surface. That meant I was more susceptible to burns, but even so I got to the very last week before my skin broke down. When you go to your session, the actual treatment takes minutes, though often you end up waiting as a machine's bust or some such faff. You'll have a teeny tattoo put on you at a Planning Session before you start. It's like a tiny black dot, but means they can accurately line the machine up quickly for each session. hth x

good rads description there smee ! I think the length of rads depends on the dosage they give-so 15 fractions would perhaps be bigger than going for more blasts..it all seems to vary.
I think you are meant to gently stretch from right after surgery (not same day,obviously) I think this is a v good idea,gradually getting everything back to normal. I showered the day after and washed over my scars and all was well.

That's a v.good point about the fractions, MAS. I know mine was a bit more than women normally get, but stretched over a longer period so I could tolerate it more easily (I think!).

The lady who had hospital transport with me seemed to have more fractions - she had much larger breasts-do you think this has a bearing ? or would it be perhaps how deep down the tumour was ? probably no point in trying to find reasons really !
smear test results normal !!** (that was very quick too) Am so relieved I don't have to go back

YEAY for you, MAS !! Very good news on a Friday.

good news butterflies,very pleased for you.
All the ringing round I did yesterday does seem to have worked,I have an appointment for 12pm at the big breast clinic (where I'm under the family history program).
They will do the stereotastic core biopsy and should have the results back before the end of the week.
The radiographer never did ring me as promised and I'm trying not to read bad news into that.(cons secretary said she might not want to tell me things over the phone)
hope everyone else is having a good day

just re read- appointment on monday-sorry
I'm really not functioning very well

butterflies sorry- I meant to say yay ! that all sounds like very good news to me

am sure the radiographer was caught up with something else,rather than not wanting to tell you things on the phone. Lots of good luck for Monday though,we'll be sending good vibes x

l4k, that's great - well not great, but at least it's soon iyswim. Paranoia definitely goes hand in hand with all this. We sometimes call her Miss Paranoia, as she's ever present for all of us. I'd bet MAS is right though and the radiographer was just caught up with other things.

Thanks all. You've all been such a great support and sounding board for the last week or so, I can't tell you how much I've appreciated it so far. I'll be sticking around until I get my results at least and hopefully help to circulate the good vibes.

14k great news that your apt is soon, hope the weekend flies by and your mind isn't working overtime. Radiographers are madly busy all the time it seems. Good luck for Monday, had to LOL at "big breast clinic" - just conjured up the most wonderful picture in my head!

Congrats MAS on your normal - great news.

I am close to giving up .
Just got todays post and had a lovely letter from the tax credits office .
They say that because I didnt claim any tax credits in the year 2009 to 2010 , they now are claiming an overpayment from 2008 to 2009 0f nearly £1400 .
I must admit to bursting into tears on the phone to them .
They are sending me out some forms to dispute the claim , but she was quite frank in saying she doesn't think I will win .

Just feels like yet another kick in the teeth .

Oh Topsy that's not fair. Is there an advocacy service at your local cancer support that can get involved? Big cyber hug coming your way...

What?! Ah Topsy, that's so cruel. Same thing happened to a friend of mine who's a single mum and she was on the floor with it, but ended up winning her appeal. I just e-d her and she sent this link for you

www.moneysavingexpert.com/family/tax-credit-child-working-overpaymen#over

I've had a v.quick skim and it tells you ground to appeal. You might have to be a bit creative, but maybe there's a way to win. xx

Mum seemed ok today knew there was only paint on the ceiling. Does have infection so will start antibees. Need to getback to Yorkshire but think will just pop into New Look in Solihull toget some new jeans... There are no shops in Bradford. Will have to do some retail therapy onway to rads appointments. Need to sort out son's grant before run out of money paying his rent...

Calm down topsy, it will be all right. Did you fill in the annual review which showed what you earnt in 2008 to 2009? If so they can not claim an overpayment. Just because one tax year income is wildly different from another is irrelevent...! Read through the dispute forms, as a self employed person you will have your tax return details for that year, so you will know what you earnt, and if by any small chance you have been "overpayed" you will need to ghet your gp, or BCN or consulatnt to confirm your dx and your inability to work at present, and then you will be able to negotiate a staged payment back. I have a funny story about the inland revenue and my dad....but I will share it with you another time when you feel less kicked about (needless to say my most excellent father came out the victor!)

Butterflies I am so happy to hear the positive inital dx you have had, I am sure it will all be fine, but completely understand why you want to know for sure. Sorry I have not been around to add my support.

14l I will be thinking of you on monday....good luck.

MAS, well done on your clear smear....now next up is flu jab

Hugs and cheeselets for Topsy. That's the last thing you need. Hope you get some good advice, ammunition and support.

Ringing for the result of my ovarian cancer blood test in half an hour.

That's a hard phone call to have to make, Dee. Did you have symptoms for that too then? Bloody hell. Am rooting for you. x

Am assuming its fiiiiiine. I just do not have the energy to get worried about it. Nearly forgot I needed to ring about it.

hope all is well dee
topsy- poor love,you don't need that-I am afraid of anything to do with money esp tax stuff -can I comfort you with some choccy ?
sparkle- I have booked my flu jab !!!

Ovaries and kidneys fine

Thought I was relaxed about it but waiting on the line while her computer ran slow gave me quite a wobble.

Thanks for reminder about flu jab MAS - asked about it and will get that done.

hooray for dee !!