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

[MaryAnnSingleton]

here we go !

Hi all!

Good to see you both back, Smee and KK (I am sure I can out-bum all of you, no matter what KK's forthright Dad says).

I have read all of your posts and I am feeling a bit guilty now that I have not done more on the book. I should have some time to get started late this week, early next, and I will. If anyone wants to PM me or MAS anything they'd like to see included, or any incidents/anecdotes that might be helpful or fun, please do.

I am sending hugs and best wishes to all though too much has gone on for me to answer anything that has happened over the last 3 days.

I disappeared because of a very busy weekend - dh took part in the Great Eastern Run, dressed as Snow White. He is 6ft tall and chunky well built so he looked a riot. It's a shame I chucked away my chemo wig really, we had to get a new one The local radio guys couldn't take their eyes off him (it's as well it wasn't TV) so he was interviewed both before the run and also for an update this morning. If any of you listen to BBC Radio Cambridgeshire, that was my DH. I'm not sure which local paper was covering it, but I think he'll be in there too. I will post a picture at some point, but DH is keen no-one sees him for some reason

Well done your DH Cakes (would definitely like to see photos, ignore his protests )

What sort of things are you interested in for the book? - is it mostly related to things for teenagers and children? (Think my two might have been a bit old for me to have anything very relevant, but will def. have a think if you point me in the right direction)

I've got an onc. appointment at 4p.m. today, oh I hate them, boo, hiss. (I'm going to ask him about reconstruction, but he was a bit dismissive last time I asked)

Also tried to make an appointment for my wrist injections - first available is in November! so will have to put up with it for a bit longer.

Little dog was very sprightly on her holiday, enjoyed a few paddles in the sea, and caught a mouse (the highlight of her week). I have decided not to treat her like a poorly old dog, she loves her walks, so I'd rather she enjoyed herself.

Mind you she has cost so much in vets bills this month, that we will probably have to cut our trip to Liverpool down to there and back on the same day. My Beatles nostalgiafest of the city will have to wait for another time

Hope everyone is having a good day today. topsy - I would go with a shepherd's pie type option also (with cabbage on the side )

DH has lost my Special K breakfast bar I had been saving for a treat, - I am finding this hard to forgive

Wave to Kurri and Smee!!

I love the name change Jane

I have read all the posts, but it is one of those days, but blue, bit stressed, so not quite up to responding very well.....sorry

Kittens lovely though ,. if a little sharp clawed, they keep climbing up my legs for cuddles.

Hi KK - Hope the appointment is OK: I hate them too

As for the wrist injections - well, it could be worse. November will soon be here, and it will be worth it. Horrid to be in pain though. I hope you get on better talking about reconstruction today. It's a bit of the doc to be dismissive: it's hardly surprising that you might be thinking of recon as an option, I bet he would want a choice if he'd had his nuts brutalised

Sparkles - don't be blue. Tickle the kittens instead. x

As regards the book, i think it has morphed a bit into a hand holding guide through a bad time - ie what to expect, what to ask, how to deal with things as they arise, certainly how to talk to kids/friends/work about it, keeping sane, that sort of stuff. Everything we go through on here (except with less cake). We'd like it to be human and personal, so funny stories would be good too. Also because MAS and I are both lumpectomy girls, anything specifically detailing What You Need To Know About Mastectomy would be very gratefully received.

PS As regards the dog, KK, I'd be the same in your shoes. Quality of life is all - if she wants to have her walks, that'd be the way I'd go.

helloo !

Please don't feel blue sparkle -am sure the kitties will cheer you-I remember spending hours just playing with Celeste when she was new and little
I too feel guilty for not having done anything about the book- it's on my list but everything seems to jump in the way- I am thinking about it though-and as Cakes says,anything you want to contribute is really welcome- I have something from smee from ages ago in a folder.
Would love to see pics of Mr cakes !!
KK - I think you are right to do as much as your little dog likes to do,rather than treating her like an ill dog-better to have some fun !
Dh is home poorly (man cold) but is usefully hoovering...
Ds has gone on a field trip for Geography to Hengistbury Head - he is funny-they are to wear sensible clothes,not uniform,so I suggested his Hollister hoody,which is snuggly and warm and will make him look cool and like the other boys who all seem to live in Hollister or Super Dry - he got in a tizzy about it-think he's afraid of making a statement with clothes ! I know the tyranny of labels etc is a bad thing, but in his case,where he is shy and quite a loner he would fit in and be accepted ,if that makes sense ?
We got it brought over from the USA by a friend so it was miles cheaper than in the UK which is quite satisfying.
Oh and Smog is feeling much more himself -I did my third injection yesterday and it was much easier,phew !

Well done on doing smogs injections.
Gosh it is so hard to fit in and be comfortable as a teenager, but you are a lovely mum MAS.

aw thanks sparkle

It really is hard to help them fit on. A Mum I know was agonising about the same thing for her (slightly younger son). Kids can really break your heart, can't they? I am sure he is happy though, MAS, and you are a GREAT Mum.

I have got to take 4 (including dd) 8 year olds out for the evening tonight. Sigh.

Dd has got so rude just recently (only to me and DH, it seems she is angelic to everyone else, because I have asked ) I have decided to have a zero tolerance policy. So I expect some stormy times ahead

I managed to miss your post saying you are back Smee (I wondered why everyone was saying hello Smee - I am so dim ) I'm glad the op went well, take things easy, - have you got some good DVD's lined up and assorted treats? - I hope so

Life is very hard when you are a teenager MAS, - I can remember angsting about clothes for hours when going on trips - it seems so important at the time. I hope he has a great day and enjoys his trip. Well done on Smog's injections, - hopefully he'll be back to his old self soon, - does he mind jabs? (my dog never notices when she has one)

Sparkle, sorry you are feeling blue today, is it something specific, or just things in general? I hope you feel better soon have a , and a .

Cakes, IME (as mum and in work) girls (and often boys) definitely go through a rude stage at 8/9 - so though intensely annoying, it is completely normal {small comfort }.

oo would be nice thank you

I don't think spending all morning on comparision websites trying to find a better car insurance price really has helped today, but generally it is just reality. I am off to hospital tomorrow for a CT scan of my chest to find out what is causing my chest pain, ds was very achy this morning, dh is having to reapply for his new job! Yes this makes 4times in the last 4 years having to reapply for his job, with the same company....they keep using a reorg as an excuse to get rid of people and not sack people, he is not too worried, having survived the process 3 times before, but I feel worried because it is just this kind of thing that pushes him over the edge at home. Of course most if not all work colleagues would be oblivious to the real dh, as they only see the "best" side of him, if you know what mean. Gosh that sounds negative I don't mean it like that, but out there he has a different persona from the real him at home. I am just fearful of what lies ahead.

Ds ha gone through the rude stage, zero tolerance and me shouting at him worked a treat to get him out of that!

Have the purriest little tabby kitten on my knee, have to get up really but don't want him to get down, he is really warm.

welcome back to smee and kurri,sorry kurri had to laugh at what your dad said he sounds such a character.

jane..hope your cat comes back soon.

sparkle..heres hoping it was just monday morning blues and your feeling better now.

topsy...you made me laugh reminded me of when i came out of hospital with drains i kept doing that or just getting up and forgetting i had them in no wonder one fell out then the other sprung a leak. im another one that votes for sheperds pie with cabbage.

cakes...its really good to hear your doing so well,when your having treatment it seems to just go on and on and you start to wonder if you will ever be the same again.

mas...so chuffed that smogs doing much better.

waves hi to everyone else.

had another rads today got told off for wearing to much cream,came home and realised in my rush to get out of there i was completely lobsided i hope no one noticed .

oh dear, that does sound pretty stressful Sparkle, - a lot on your plate. Make sure you give yourself a break, a cuppa, and try not to get overwhelmed (easily said I know) lots of (((hugs)))

I guess I'd better iron something to wear and have a quick shower - don't want to stink up the joint when I go to the hospital

oops x-posted pink, - one more rad out of the way, well done (I'm sure no one noticed the lopsidedness )

kurri

sparkle...i can see why your feeling stressed theres alot going on,make sure you take care of yourself amongst everything thats going on.

kurri..good job i had a coat on,yep only 11 more to go and im done.

cakes - well done to snow white :-)

ds can be horribly rude to us (but I'm sure really polite to anyone else) -it's just a phase they go through from time to time- asserting themselves I suppose.He can be very sweet too but teenage years are hard work for everyone I guess.
Well done to pink- soon be done !
KK- Smog seems not to mind the jabs- he sometimes tries to move but a firm hand will hold him until it's safely in...
Have been doing a rough for a picture and had to close my eyes over my desk- just really tired-I'd made a cup of very strong coffee too.

i need to go upstairs and use a real keyboard but dh has beaten me to it.
pink way to go with the rads.
I've had my tatoos today and it wasn't so bad. took ages driving home, will probably get train next time and do some retail therapy at the same time.

Cat still missing, time for a walk shaking the box of crunchies again :-(

Come on puss puss (sparkle shakes cat biscuit box) come back to Jane, we won't have any missing cats round here......

must be in the air my ds has been rude and cheeky over the weekend not like him at all,everytime i tried to talk to him all i got from him was the phase "save it" what the hell is that all about lol i ended up threatening to save all the time he was grounded if he carried on.hes back to his normal self today thank goodness all bright smiles and chatty.phew.

jane ...i also act like the mad cat lady when i want my cat to come in,only i tap a can of cat food.my cat never leaves the front or back garden so shes usually spying on me somewhere.

I whistle my cat, and she comes straight in! , have begun training the kittens to come when I whistle too. I did veto dc choices of names for the kittens based on how much of a numpty I would feel calling their names from the doorstep!

hope cat comes back soon- Celeste usually comes if I rattle the katzinis, but she sometimes sits there in the dark where I can't see her -her eyes glint and that gives her position away..
Ds back and very cheery-he took lots of really good photos as well as photos of his singing lesson !