**tamoxifen** number 15 ****

[MaryAnnSingleton]

can you believe it ??!!

l4k, sorry it's not the all clear, but DCIS are v.good initials to hear amidst other options! Glad you're feeling a bit better. Does seem to swing that way, so once you know the whole picture, you can see what's ahead and stop being quiet so terrified by the uncertainty of it all.

Pink, glad to hear the elbow's a bit easier. Watch out for Topsy with the duct tape.

MAS, dry martini sounds a bit special. I do like the sound of your parents.

Jane, will be thinking of you tomorrow for first rads. Hope the unit's efficient and don't keep you waiting around for too long. What time's your appointment? x

Amber over emotional sounds necessary and normal to me. You've been so upbeat and energised through treatment, I reckon a good sob now there's just Herceptin to get through is essential. Hugs from me x

Kurri, does sound worrying about your poor Dad. Hope your mum had a good visit and has some news.

Butterflies, I'll be awake at 5.30 am sure . Will be sending lots and lots of good vibes.

Think I need one of MAS's martini's. Diwali outside, so bonkers fireworks which are lovely, but DS and the cat are hyper and rather cutely both watching from the window. Rather meanly am hoping they don't go on too late.

ps: TinTin was okay. Far from amazing, but great if you're a 7 year old.

thanks,I would feel lost without you all and this thread (thats the right term,isn't it?)
We are going to visit mil tomorrow and will be back on saturday but if I can get access while away to let you know about the phone call,I certainly will.
Please don't go away.

We are going no where 14k !

kk - I missed the post about your poor dad . Hope you get some more info tonight .

Still managing to stay awake

drift my biopsy bruise was there 2/3 weeks . I rarely bruise , so I have been quite surprised to see some of the corkers I have been given over the past 6 months !

smee - glad TinTin wasn't too bad . I am still getting over having to sit through Horrid Henry in the summer hols . Now THAT was a bad film !

I managed to avoid that one Topsy. To get out of it I told DS it was only on in America.

Drift, we're definitely going nowhere. We all need this thread/ one another. Makes a massive difference to me that's for sure.

14k..im really sorry about your news but like the others have said its one of the better ones to have.i know i felt much better once i got my treatment plan it made me feel much more in control.

topsy..but i so want to scratch but i promise to be good so hang on to that duct tape,found a new way to try to ease the itch by clutching my chest like im having a heart attack.

smee..lol you naughty mummy.last thing i went to see was harry potter but kept getting poked because i kept dozing off.

can one of you tell my dog that my new furry cushions are not animals,i have already threatened to turn him in to a giant cushion but hes not listening.

drift we are always here !!
smee my dad loves having people over and makes brilliant drinks !! this was incredibly strong -am quite squiffy. In W London there were constant fireworks at Diwali - not many Asian folk in our neck of Hampshire.
Will probably wake at 5.30 ish anyway,so will think of you Butterflies

14k I meant you- gah- too many dry martinis.

Thanks for the good thoughts re. Dad. he is comfortable apparently, he doesn't appear to have any infections, but his legs are very weak and he can't walk.
Not sure what the blockage is, but they think it could be an impaction, so have given him something to clear him out.

I've decided to go to Liverpool, its only for two days, and if I have to go down to my parents, it doesn't make much difference if I go from up north or East Anglia, mum will ring my mobile if there's any problems.

love to all, 14k I hope you get your path. results soon, but as others have said, if you have BC, DCIS is one of the better results to have.

Night night all, - see you in a couple of days xx

take care KK x

Gosh I've stayed up late tonight! Slept most of the morning though. Went to tai chi with my cousin, not sure if I'll go again. Cousin met an old school friend from 30 years ago... Hope you are all sleeping peacefully.

20 sessions of rads are coming my way. 15 + 5 boost because lump was so close to skin.

nighty night!

Hello all!

logged in to check how 14k was
so sorry to hear your possible diagnosis and another wait to find out for certain. There are some wonderful people on this thread who will know what you're going through so you know you can ask for support and information as and when you need it.

kurri sorry about the news about your dad - you must be so worried about him. Hope he's OK very soon

pink that itching sounds awful to put up with? Is it like a chickenpox itch?

drift my core biopsy bruise hung around for about 7-10 days and by then it was a dirty yellow colour. I did keep the dressing on for a day longer than they said cos I'm a wuss with plasters etc. Had to have a 15min shower to soak it off . I've still got the nick though where the radiographer slashed me with a scalpel to see if the anaesthetic worked!

I hope everything is OK for you butterflies and good luck for the rads jane

xx

Morning! In hospital, had fibroadenoma sucked out, plus 2 more that first ultrasound missed... Amazing technology. Have wire in, feel like porcupine, off to surgery in 15 mins.

Have a good day, lots of positive feelings xxx

Good luck Butterflies. Hope rest of day stays positive for you

Can I join in please?

So expecting results of biopsy yesterday, went in "Sorry, Mrs 1in8 biopsy didn't work so we'll need to repeat." Stunned reaction then "Oh, how do you mean it didn't work were there no cells (cell biologist in me coming out)". "No, there were cells but we think we missed the supicious area". Further stunned reaction "So,you mean the biopsy was clear, good news says d.h.". "Well yes but we still think it's a cancer so we want to repeat the biopsy with ultrasound to guide us". So another 7 days of agonizing wait. Can't help being a little optimistic that the first biopsy was negative balanced by if they're so sure its cancer why won't get on and do something especially as they think its in the lymph glands too.

We have told the kids I am having tests as one in particular was picking up on the high stress levels. Poor little soul is now worried he might have it too - I didn't anticipate that one. The other one thinks anything to do with boobs is hilarious so perhaps a more healthy reaction!

Thinking about whether I should tell other people now or wait till next week. At least my contract extension is in my hands now - I don't think my boss would have reneged on the deal but you never know. How long before you can expect to be back at work after surgery and it it realistic to think you can work through the chemotherapy (I only have a non-physical part-time job). Not looking forward to telling my parents either but will have to do so now the boys know as I am taking them to see them for a couple of days and they are not renowned for their ability to keep quiet.

Will stop now as this is getting long but will probably be back soon with more questions. Goodluck everyone with their treatments today.

Hi onein8 and welcome to the club noone wants to join. How annoying they didn't do ultrasound guided biopsy first time. The waiting is so hard, it does get easier once treatment starts. Have they said what they think it is? Did you find a lump or was it a screening recall? I didn't have chemo so can't answer that question but someone else will, I'm sure. With regards to getting back to work after surgery, I think it depends how extensive surgery is. Minimum of two weeks probably after lumpectomy.

Morning all! available.

Hi 1in8 Urk re all that waiting. In many ways it's the worst bit. I was diagnosed in Feb this year and have had sentinel node biopsy then chemo for 6 mths then (because chemo worked and shrunk the lump) lumpectomy, and now herceptin wonderdrug thingy with radiotherapy starting soon.

I also work full time and have done so throughout all of this, except for 2 days when I felt rough on chemo and 3 days after the lumpectomy. Mad, quite mad, but it shows that for some people it's possible. All depends how each person's body reacts to the stuff. It's certainly not bravery or superwoman attitude

Not sure about when to tell people. I told everyone everything straight away, but that's just me. People are already used to me being weird so they all coped!

Morning All

1in8 welcome to you , sorry you had to join us .
The waiting around is definitely the worst part , but stick around here and we will force feed you cake to get you through it !
Re the DC , I was advised to keep mine one step behind what I know . I have kept to that and it has worked really well for us .
Getting back to work depends on what surgery you need (lumpectomy , mastectomy , node removal etc) .
Chemo differs for each person as to whether you can work whilst having it .
Some people manage to work through it , others are wiped out . That doesn't mean you are a wimp if you don't work through it . Chemotherapy involves very strong drug cocktails and every persons body reacts very differently to it .

Best advice I can give you (given to me by these wonderful women when I got my initial diagnosis) is to take it one step at a time .
Deal with the biopsy and results first . Then you can think about surgery . Then you can think about chemo etc .

That was a bit of a waffle . Sorry about that , and again welcome .

butterflies good morning (or more likely afternoon where you are !) . You sound quite bright and breezy . Hoping the rest of your hospital visit goes as smoothly for you . Remember when you get out it's strictly sofa/bed , fat boy snacks , and being spoilt . Forget these rules and I shall be over there with my big roll of duct tape < Dr Topsys stern face >

Was so very tired yesterday . Don't know if it was the chemo or the release of pressure over the past couple of days . Getting the good news about rads and being my last chemo .
Got a headache today , might duct tape myself to the sofa once the last DC has left for school . I have half a tub of cheeslets left < note to self , retrieve cheeselets before duct tape application >
District nurse due mid morning to refill the syringe driver .

Hope everyone has a good day today . Any tests or hospital visits cracking off today < old fart memory emoticon >

Hi Jane,

I was referred because I spotted a dimple in my breast that had never been there before. The GP thought he could feel a lump but couln't decide whether I was just lumpy all over!!! The ultrasound guy the first time round mentioned the word 'large' which was a bit disconcerting. I expect the junior doctor was very relieved he had dragged the consultant in to do the biopsy so he couldn't be blamed for missing! They haven't said what they think it is other than cancer and probably in the lymph glands already.

off to mil's soon,hope butterflies surgery goes well today and she gets good results after.
Hello to 1 in 8.I'm quite new here too.this thread is helping me keep my sanity!.

morning to all

Thanks amberlight and topsyturner for posting. Have been reading this thread over the past couple of weeks but after yesterday finally needed a bit of hand-holding. Can't believe amberlight you have managed with only 5 days off work -very reassuring. I know everyone is different but that is grounds for optimism.

OneInEight -you are very welcome here,but sorry too that you are here- as topsy says,one step at a time- horrid for you to have to wait again and this bit is always the hardest because it's the unknown -once you get a diagnosis you can process it all and feel a bit more in control.
Butterflies I woke at about 1.30,which was too early,but thought of you then Hope everything has gone smoothly.

1in8 - It is all guesswork until the biopsy result but I guess they may have seen the nodes on the mamogram or ultrasound. However I am stunned that they have not given you more idea of what they think you are in for. If you have been following the thread you will know that it is treatable with pretty good results these days - and treatments are getting better all the time. Everyone is different re time off. I'm glad that I have pulled a sickie even though physically probably ok to work, mentally I am happy to be without work stress on top of everthing else! I had only had about 6 days off in 7 years and have in the past suffered with poor mental health on occasion so my gp thought it was the right decision for me...
.
Croissants and coffee anyone?