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Original poster

**TAMOXIFEN 17 **

995 replies

MaryAnnSingleton · 02/12/2011 12:28

blimey- we're almost up to our limit...so brand new shiny,sparkling thread.

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marmitesandwiches · 27/12/2011 20:24

Hi again. Hope all doing well.

Smee - great news that your dad has been released! Can imagine was v scarey, but as you say, good that he had a warning and they can now take action.

Our visiting rellies have just left so all quiet again. Has been a v strange time here. We decided to delay telling people our news until after Christmas - as difficult for all particularly with DCs around - with the result that I managed to forget about it for a little while on Xmas Day, which was lovely. Still feel v nauseous with worry sometimes - and this is the first time I'll come out of Xmas lighter than when I went in - but with the help of Kalms, lots of camomile tea and Rescue Remedy I am finally coming to terms with my DX (amber - I recognise your new normal!). Have decided I may actually cope with the whole thing better if v few people know about it - but am having a bit of a battle with DH's family on this point.

Have my appt with the Consultant tomorrow to discuss surgery. I want to ask hime about the possibility of having a skin-saving mastectomy (though I'm doubtful whether this is a possiblity in my case - all my info is from google!) - and also to check how much I'll know once they've done the op. Do you get info re staging pretty much immediately?? Think will start list of questions so I don't forget - have quite a lot!

KurriKurri · 27/12/2011 20:31

marmite - I got the info about staging, size, margins etc at my post op consultation - in my case about two weeks after my mastectomy.
I totally understand where you are coming from with telling a few people as possible - I felt like that too, - I think you have to get your head round it yourself, before you can start discussing it with others and dealing with their reactions, and that's easier when you know all the details about staging, treatment etc.

Poor DS Smee, hope he's settled now.

Figgyroll · 27/12/2011 22:53

Evening everyone. Smee, sorry to hear about your poor dad. I'm glad he's home now though. What a worry for you all. And poor DS too. Scary for him to see all that blood even though the actual cut was probably really tiny. I hope he's okay now.

Topsy, I'm full of admiration at how you carry on and have managed to retain your sense of humour but it's only natural you will have down days too so be kind to yourself - you will bounce back, I know you will. (((((((((((((Topsy)))))))))))))

Marmite, good luck for tomorrow. I hope your consultant reassures you regarding surgery. Good idea to make a list of questions. I wish I'd done that.

Dig, hello. I think the waiting is one the hardest things. Hang in there and come and join in whenever you feel the need.

Fallon, hello to you too. You've been through the mill. Sad Shame that tamoxifen didn't agree with you - I've read that some people suffer dreadfully from side effects.

Well, we've had a lovely day here. Both my brothers and their families came for the day and we had great fun, all the nephews and neices playing happily on the Wii and all the grownups chattering away and catching up. My brothers had a jolly good laugh at my chemo curl. I have to say it's very funny. Almost an affro. I'm hoping, as it grows and gets heavier, it will straighten out but it's taking it's time. Xmas Smile

When everyone went home we watched The Inbetweeners film with DS1. Rude but very funny and even poignant in parts.

smee · 27/12/2011 23:26

marmite, I had a skin saving mastectomy. Surgeon suggested it and actually talked me into it, as I was quite happy to think about reconstruction later. I think on balance she was right, as it was good to have some immediate shape and not as shocking for my DS either, as I still had a breast iyswim. I took my time telling people. You have to do what's best for you I think. Good luck tomorrow. Will be thinking of you.

Figgy your day sounds fun. Chemo curl is a bugger, isn't it. Final insult I thought. Mine's nearly gone now Smile

DS curled up asleep. He was over tired which didn't help. His tooth's v.wobbly so with a bit of luck it will fall out easily tomorrow.

Night all x Xmas Smile

jchocchip · 28/12/2011 00:21

It CANNOT be after midnight! Up well past my bedtime. Had a lovely evening with 3 cousins and an Aunt and Uncle - lots of reminiscences and some board games for cousin's dd. Coffee cake I made earlier was soon polished off. Booked train tickets to airport for Friday, must pack tomorrow!

It is a babytooth that is falling out, Smee. For a moment I thought it was an adult one Xmas Smile
Hope you are all having sweet dreams in the land of nod. Night night!

topsytinselturner · 28/12/2011 07:26

Poor baby smee , hope it falls out painlessly for him .

Figgy I have about 1/2 an inch of hair now . So far no curl , but bizarrely I appear to have a thinner patch on the top of my head . Looks a little monkish Grin

Marmite best of luck for today . Hope you get a date for surgery that is soonish , so you have as little waiting around as possible .

Back to the rads routine this morning , 8.30am appointment . Luckily DH is off for the rest of the week , so I am being chauffered there and back .

See you later ladies x

topsytinselturner · 28/12/2011 07:27

Jane - dirty stop up Grin

jchocchip · 28/12/2011 09:39

Hope all the machines are working today Topsy and you are already out with your chauffer :)

Didn't sleep well last night due to two phone calls from america trying to sell me something!

jchocchip · 28/12/2011 09:39

Time for a Brew Xmas Smile

topsytinselturner · 28/12/2011 09:52

Back and eating toast already !
And that included a trip to the treatment room nurse . Am a bit swollen and red , so they wanted to check me and give me some new cream .

What were the Americans trying to sell you jane ?

It's very windy here today . And wet . And now the sun is shining . I get the feeling Mother Nature is trying to send us all the different types of weather in one morning !

jchocchip · 28/12/2011 11:01

I don't know. At 4am they rang off before I got there, at 6 something I told them it was the middle of the night, which they denied, and asked where they were calling from. When I told them I was in England they rang off!

jchocchip · 28/12/2011 11:05

Topsy, I think swollen and red is about par for the course. I did find that the worst sore bits started to improve once I started the week boost.

Hope Marmite is getting on ok.

Original poster
MaryAnnSingleton · 28/12/2011 12:27

hello all- MIL is on her way home- think she had an excellent time,which is good. I had a break from them all to bake and make trifle and meditate -so that's good. Friends came at suppertime so we all had a jolly evening with more eating and drinking. Friends coming by later for a cup of tea and cake but that should be nice and not stressful as it's here and we are feeling a bit calmer.
marmite really hope all is going well today
topsy hooray for speedy rads but pesky about soreness. You are amazing in every way and it's bound to feel a bit overwhelming at poignant times - you are doing brilliantly though.
fallon yes,that is a pretty tough time you've been having. Side effects of tamoxifen do seem to vary hugely from person to person it seems.
smee poor junior smee's tooth - he'll look very cute with the gap though ! Am so pleased your dad's been lucky and hope he recovers quickly- have a good time with them and hope they like their picture !!

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Original poster
MaryAnnSingleton · 28/12/2011 12:28

oh -forgot to wave to jane and figgy !

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amberlight · 28/12/2011 12:29

Hi all

Figgy, has yes, I have chemo curl too.
Topsy, are you using Aloe Vera gel at all? No guarantees, but it worked a treat for me.

Off to S's funeral (friend) this afternoon Xmas Confused

topsytinselturner · 28/12/2011 14:20

Amber , hope this afternoon is painless for you .
Haven't got any aloe vera , must pick some up next time I am at the shops .

MAS am glad mil had a good time , does she have far to go to get home ?

I got a letter this morning from my surgeon . It's an appointment for the 20th of Jan to discuss reconstruction !
Eeeek . What do I need to ask ?

Original poster
MaryAnnSingleton · 28/12/2011 14:42

that's good topsy - I hope ! MIL has to go back to near Mansfield in Notts- so quite a way..BIL collected her.
amber hope the funeral is ok Sad

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SparkleRainbow · 28/12/2011 15:37

Quick call in to say Merry Christmas, hope all the festivities are going well. Sorry to here about your Dad smee, hope he is feeling much better now he is home. Topsy, try not to let it get you down, and big hugs whilst you are feeling low, hopefully you are much better today. Hope you are OK amber.
Much love to all.

Ilovegeorgeclooney · 28/12/2011 15:48

Hello all
Marmite I hope today went well, I found it easier once I knew what and when. Smee I hope your father is getting better and mini smee's tooth recovers. Figgy I wouldn't hope worry too much about the chemo curl, all the kids at school think my 'fro is 'way cool'! I will be interested in replies to topsy's question, I see my surgeon about reconstruction in Jan. MAS,kurri hope you had a great Christmas.
We had a quiet one, quite sad, on Christmas morning we went to the beach where we sprinkled DH's ashes and wrote messages to him in the wet sand, that was probably the highlight of the day. I think because he died last January it is difficult to avoid thinking about it, doesn't seem like nearly a year. However DC had the most beautiful necklace made for me by a local silversmith which I will treasure.
Wishing everyone a New Year full of health, happiness and wine.

Original poster
MaryAnnSingleton · 28/12/2011 16:44

ILGC how very poignant that sounds-writing in the sand for dh. Necklace sounds lovely Smile I hope the next year is good for you and your family,especially dd.

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Original poster
MaryAnnSingleton · 28/12/2011 16:45

waves too to sparkle xx

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amberlight · 28/12/2011 17:46

ILGC, blimey, wish I knew what to say...hugs....

Topsy, I'm guessing you need to have a good think about what sort to go for. And what the success rate is for each sort from that surgeon? There's loads. Apart from that, I'm no use to you at all.

Funeral was...healing. Funny word to use, but it was...

Driftwood999 · 28/12/2011 20:38

Hi all - Topsy, just want to say that you and others here, are in my thoughts, you have come so far, and please believe that you will be fine for a long time to come... The weather is dark and gloomy at this time of year, and that surely does not help, I have had some really dark thoughts but sharing them does help.

Iamseeingstars · 28/12/2011 22:35

Belated christmas wishes to everyone, I hope you all had a good one. Havent read all the posts but hugs to you all, so much is going on.

Been in hospital for quite a few weeks now and will remain here for a few more. Had lots of things go wrong so been very poorly. I hate being in hospital. Transplant itself went well but its just all the after effects that are going wrong.

Take care, and thank you again to the person that nominated me to Santa's elves. I really appreciated the thought and kindness and the presents were amazing.

xxx

Original poster
MaryAnnSingleton · 28/12/2011 23:12

stars hello and very lovely to see you,had been thinking of you - so sorry that things have been so tough- it's a long stretch for you in hospital and must be dismal.

Am glad the elves brought you nice things, you deserved some treats.

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