the 16th ***TAMOXIFEN***thread

[MaryAnnSingleton]

...here we go again

I have had tummy pains with tamoxifen, usually made better by making sure I have stuffed my face before taking it. Worth a try.

Bugger, amber, that is the pits. Try not to worry, but make your disgruntlement known so they are keen not to shunt you back any more next week, for any reason. How can the planning machine have different dimensions to the treatment machine? What would be the point of that? And how would they not know?

You had hot chocolate, MAS?

No, not fetching at all, MAS. I was even embarrassing myself

it's quite nice now, though....

Grrrr, Amber, am furious on your behalf. I know you have trouble coping with upsets but you've had more than your fair share. You would think they'd squeeze you in somewhere afterall it's their fault.

Eek about the baby rat. I'd have run a mile, the last thing on my mind would be a photo.

Having a snuggle on the sofa now as I'm feeling sorry for myself - sore throat and headache although ear seems better. I'm exhausted after country dancing at school this morning - we were a boy short so I had to stand in. All that skipping's knackered me.

I'll be drinking non-stop this afternoon and there's apple cake for those who fancy a slice.

So annoying Amber, they will get it right next time.

Dh has made me a hot chocolate with mini marshmallows. He has his uses :)

Was ages in Leeds today, first rads, then waiting for dressings then I decided to check out the alternative theraphy centre, then did some shopping, so whole morning gone!

Will look for some chocolate soon. Medicinal purposes, honest ;)

Ah, Amber. That's horrible, not to mention incompetent. Am growling on your behalf. Think you need more than a

MAS, I've had pains like that this week too. How intriguing..

Am off in a bit for extraordinarily delicious cake with friend and her v.gorgeous baby. He's only a couple of months old and v.cuddly.

Amber - that is so annoying and upsetting. How incompetent of them Sit down and I will make you a and cake.

Poor DD ILGC, - sickness is horrible, hope she's feeling a bit better now. Ob the good side, a car hasn't really been Christened until someone's thrown up in it

Eek at rat under carpet Smee. The babies are sweet though. We've had a rat coming into the roof we think, DH has put poison down, - I feel a bit guilty but the big fat brown ones we get here aren't very pleasant house guests!

Dee - I found that s/e's of tamoxifen did settle down eventually, I take mine just before bed now, - jiggling about with the timing can help. But it is worth discussing with your consultant if it doesn't get any better, there's other drugs they can use if one doesn't suit you - as you say you'll be on it for a while so you don't want to feel yuk all the time.

Hope you managed to get an appointment Figgy - ear ache is horrible.

Cakes -Flock of Seagulls hair made me - do you think your hair grows quicker since chemo? - I have mine done every 6 weeks, but by 4 weeks it has always got really thick and wild. It doesn't grow long, just thick. Weird

Waving to everyone else, of hot chocolate MAS.

My sister just phoned to wish me luck for my radioactive malarky. She suggested I stay in my bedroom with a heap of books and my computer, and hang a large bag outside on the doorhandle. Said bag would then be kept filled up with treats by passing family members. - She knows me so well

Figgy, once they do Planning measurements in the linear accelerator, it takes days to get them checked, so Monday is the earliest they can re-do it now.

Yes, why don't they take into account the fact that the machines are different sizes and compensate for it It's not like it's a new machine every day...they use them all the time! But they didn't. So I have to have all of mine with one arm down so I line up ok in the other machine.

All this talk of choc and cake is making me hungry...

I did 3 days doing the tourist things in Marrakech in March (even the camel ride!) As I had 'done' Rabat the year before didn't really do many touristy sites this time. However going shopping is an experience as most of the chickens at the chicken shop are still running about outside with feathers on...

kk :) at the treat bag on the door handle! Are you allowed out for meals or will they leave them on a tray outside your door?

Amber, really for you about that. Beyond belief. Obvious question, can't they find a treatment machine that matches the planning machine they used, or am I missing something? I'm having rads just under 7 weeks post-op, but personally I'm glad to be feeling pretty normal and recovered, rather than to have had it after say one month.

Cakes and Kurri, thanks, I will take the Tamoxfen with my evening meal from now on and hope my body acclimatises. Reassuring to hear that SEs can settle down.

Boiler man has just said, "You've got a mouse in your gas meter box." We had a look and I explained that actually the moss there is from a old nest from two years ago! His family have just got a new hamster so he was a bit sensitive about disturbing said mouse (ah, bless!) so I hope I have reassured him!

DeeScent - sorry to hear you're feeling unwell on the Tamoxifen, fingers cross it will pass. Possibly a good suggestion to take it on a full stomach? I also remember someone suggesting here to take it a night, worth a try if you're not doing that already. Congratulations on the new boiler! jchocchip-hope your trip is everything you want it to be and check for stowaways in your luggage in anycase! Amber - Sorry to hear about your delayed treatment/rads, especially after the emotional engery you must have gone through to prepare. I was wondering about there being some time frame, try not to worry, they must still expect you to have the full benefits of the treatment. Have you talked to the bcn about your concerns? Thanks all for your continued encouragement.

Drift I hope you are coming to terms with teh idea of rads now. Given that it can stop recurrance by up to 50% I felt it was a no brainer for me.

I've been reading the forums on Breastcancercare re rads soreness and some ladies use manuka honey when their skin peels - and some had dressings from their bcn that had mauka on them as well! Anyone come across this?

Also what other cream/oil other than aqueous would you recommend?

Ooh, er!

Link from the forum to a DM article this week (admittedly about eczema but relevant to rads skin):

'However, aqueous cream will not really help - not least because it does not contain much actual moisturiser.

'In fact, aqueous cream contains a detergent - although not as much as conventional soap - which is why it's good as an alternative to shower gels or soap if you have dry skin or eczema.

'But this makes the cream alkaline - and because the skin is naturally slightly acidic, this breaks down its natural barrier.

On top of that, some aqueous creams contain sodium lauryl sulphate, a detergent that further breaks down the skin barrier, which makes the skin more sensitive and the eczema worse."

more: www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1254715/Eczema-cream-making-skin-worse.html#ixzz1eRhHCs3I

I think I'd stick with acqueous if you can, you have to be so careful. The only other thing I'd go for is Aloe Vera gel if you get burns. But as well as, not instead of.

I had dressings but they didn't have honey in them.

Yes, I know you have to get an approved alternative otherwise it can interfere with the radiation beams. I've also read that some aloe vera has a percentage of alcohol in which is obviously drying so you have to get a pure form.

I guess pre-treatment I can use whatever I like, so will stop the aqueous and try to get a hosp approved alternative for the treatment period.

Sorry, forgot to answer the question - my hair, tragically, is no different to how it was pre-chemo. Same colour, same texture, same wayward curliness. No it isn't growing any differently KK. That's an opportunity missed.

mmm,unless they recommend otherwise I'd stick to aqueous.
Well,I 've done no work as such, will go and meditate then I'm off to collect my mindee for our long walk home.

Amber that's really poor isn't it ? I hope they get you back in the treatment plan sharpish .

I still haven't recieved any appointments from the hospital for my rads . Had the planning appointment on the 10th , should I call them ?

I have a small layer of fuzz frowing on my head . Looks pretty much like Phil Mitchell !
Hoping it gets better than that sharpish

Is tomorrow the day for your glow treatment kk ? I presume you are out shopping for FBS this afternoon ?

I still have curly grey hair, which is a heck of a shock after straight dyed-blonde hair!! Very short on top, longer on the sides. I'm getting brave this week and letting my hairdresser see it and recommend something. (Smelling salts for her, for example )

Topsy and Amber - hair of any kind is actually pretty fab after none: hope it grows more soon (which it will)

Yay for Topsy and Amber's hair growing back! :)

I've got a box of mepilex dressings this morning to cover the skin where it is breaking and been told to hold off the aqueous cream from the broken skin.

My Mum had the Manuka cream when she had an ulcer on her heel. Took about 2 years to heal, ouch.

Ouch

Mepilex are very good. You'll see some improvement pretty soon.

jane keep it as dry as poss- after showering dry with a hairdryer.
kk wanted to wish you much luck tomorrow with radioactivity - hope you are well stocked with fbs and treats.

KK - I like your sister's suggestion, hope your preparations are going well. My top tip if you are confined to a bedroom, and do not enjoy an internal telephone system is to have a walking stick to bang on the bedroom floor. It has worked for generations

Yes - tomorrow at 2pm,

FBS - tick
Stick to bang on door - tick
Treat bag - tick

I'm all set

Hair growing back is good, - I think it often returns in a tight curly style, then relaxes to a bit more like it used to be. My hair's always been a bit mad though, so it was never going to get any better!

Hope the mepilex do the trick jane