***TAMOXIFEN number 19***

[MaryAnnSingleton]

ta daa !

arf @topsy and well done for all that teacher seeing (and to ds for being so clever !) Our parent consultations as they're called are very stressful - never seem to get to see the teachers we want to see and all very rushed,trying to get to each 5 min slot.
Loads of love today to Giogondas and to ned

Morning All

Very damp and misty start to the day here . I am slightly jealous of all the snow you are getting on the mainland , untill I remember last winter when we got snow so badly that our pipes froze and we had no water for a week over Christmas !

I am sure Gig is on her way to hossie now , but just to let you know I am lighting the candle for you today .

Ned best of luck with the Onc , hope you get a plan lined out . That will help you once you know what you are dealing with .

Aaaargh DD is very distracted this morning and taking ages to perform simple tasks . She is going to be late for school at this rate .
Can't keep count of the amount of times I have asked her to brush her hair !

Be back later when I have got her out the door to school .

Big love and luck to Ned and Gig today , positive vibes raining (or snowing) down on you both x
Got dd home today, no school. Have fingerpaints and gingerbread men to keep us amused.
Still waiting for my appt...not that I'm obsessed or anything! Getting used to my new body (downstairs) I can't wear pants most days so have got myself some extra long socks in an effort to keep warm!
Hi to all, any thing on Fbs today? Will put gingermen on later xx

keep warm holsten and gingerbread men sound delicious....

Chocolate suggestive and available?

I've been on the Herceptin for 15 weeks so far. The FinHer trial in Finland did indeed do a 9 week Herceptin and found it to be effective, but it was with chemo so we've not a clue if that is the case without the chemo at the same time. Pure guesswork, so I'm continuing with it anyway.

Chemo: Best tips from me...I took ginger supplements for three days before each chemo as science says it reduces nausea for most people.
I also took Lactoferrin each day, and a really good multivitamin with selenium and minerals in it, and extra vitamin D (not too much but a good bit), and ate blueberries and had manuka honey every day. I took their antisickness tablets whenever I felt even slightly queasy, and it worked pretty well.

I had to take diocalm and rennies a lot.

On the day - take plenty of good magazines or books and a really good trusted calm friend or partner. I didn't do the cold cap, but I did do frozen gloves and cold stuff for feet when I had Docetaxel and that stopped the nail problems that a heck of a lot of people get.

Take it easy, rest, you'll find good hours and bad ones, good days and bad ones. If you are at all worried about any side effects at all, tell them.

Hey ladies. Well, here is the plan. . .

Tumour was definitely grade 3. Having FEC-T treatment. Apparently one of the most aggressive treatments - slightly scared of pages of side effects I was given. Also bit worried about the numb fingers with the Docetaxel, as I am a musician by trade, and would find not being able to play very hard indeed.

Then 4 weeks of rads - 3 weeks as standard, and then an extra week's boost, because of my age.

Will definitely lose hair, even more so as decided against the cold cap. Any recommendations for nice scarf/ hat websites?? Am not going for wigs.

I am starting early week after half term - nice, calm oncologist said it was fine to delay a few days, and understood why I wanted to have holiday week with DS and DH.

Bit overwhelmed by it all - feeling a bit morbid and scared today

Hey Ned - it'll be OK.

The pages and pages of SEs are a bit of a straightener, but most of them won't apply. You get quite a long list with a pack of antiseptic cream these days, they are just covering off all the bases.

I haven't had the docetaxol, but have had FEC, and it is doable. truly.

Be good to yourself, and enjoy your week with the kids beforehand.

Top tips - make sure you are very well hydrated, eat/drink ginger to help with nausea, and pineapple is also good - for the stomach and for any mouth problems. if your hopsital is like mine they will recommend you wash your mouth out with salt water three or four times a day during the first week after each dose. It is worth doing. x

Much love to everyone else - sorry not to have been around for a few days: have been really busy. I checked in a few times but found it hard to keep up, and didn't want to say anything inappropriate. Sorry if I have missed big news, I suspect I have, but my thoughts are with you all. x

Ned, of course you're overwhelmed and scared - be very weird if you weren't. Remember the cancer's already gone and this next slog will be the end of it all. Keep saying that on a loop!

I had virtually the same treatment, though mastectomy and nodal clearance rather than lumpectomy and 5 weeks of rads rather than 4 as I had a lot of DCIS which they wanted to blitz. Fec-T was described to me at the time (2010) as the gold standard and most effective combo for my type of tumour. I remember hearing of women having to fight to get Taxotere as some health authorities wouldn't give it. The side effects are scary, but honestly not everyone gets them. You'll probably have some side effects, but I've not met anyone yet who had them all!

Chemotherapy is hard work, but for most of us it's doable. I'm not denying I felt lousy some of the time and was quite ill too at points, but basically life went on as normal. I worked throughout (easy for me as I work from home) and I had treats too. I even went camping on Hadrian's Wall and swimming in the North Sea . I never had any problems with my fingers and know a few women who've had Tax and can't remember any of them suffering with it in that way, so don't worry too much about that one.

Remember you can do this and now you know everything, so the end is in sight. By Christmas it will be already be a memory.

Hello Sometimes. Glad you're there. Was beginning to worry.

Waving to all - thinking a lot about Gigondas today too. Got so much work to do, so no time to post more now. Better go.. xx

Glad you are busy smee, always a plus when you work for yourself. Me too

Happy days here - have booked our annual Jools Holland Xmas concert already, so we are actually near the front this year, instead of virtually out in the foyer (woo hoo) - and also an extra cheeky one in May (though we are at the back again then (Boo hiss). On that note - ned - when you know how your treatment is going to go, and which days you are likely to be on good form, book yourself a treat or two. Absolutely bloody medicinal.

Ned at least you know your plan now. Hope you have a super holiday week. Hope Gig is getting on ok, op was this afternoon wasn't it?

Holsten, fingerpaints and gingerbread men sounds like fun. Hope you are healing and can wear pants soon.

Staying with Mum, at least the cleaner came Wednesday and everything is tidy. I dashed out for a run while the carers were here getting her up and a swim at Tudor Grange and shopping over lunch. Going to cook a treat tea now, Mum is not a fan of ready meals but carers don't have time to cook. Hope everyone is ok. I have aniseed balls and crystallised ginger in chocolate and fiz wizz popping candy. A new sweet shop opened across the road...

Hello ladies,

Someone suggested that I come over here for a bit of reassurance. I have been referred to the breast clinic and am in a right state over it. Panicking, wondering what will happen to my dd if its serious etc etc.

I know I need to get a grip.

Am thinking of going privately to see a breast specialist and have an ultrasound. They can fit me in tomorrow.

Any words of advice (or virtual slaps to help me get said grip) much appreciated

Hello from one Mum of just one to another.

If you really are in a bad state maybe you should go tomorrow, the waiting really is the worst part.

Just try not to get too far ahead of yourself, all that worry about what might happen further down the line is just exhausting, and statistically you are likely to be fine. I know that's easy for me to say, but it is still worth saying and repeating to yourself at regular intervals until you know for certain what you are dealing with. We have seen lots of women in your situation who have been for their referral and found themselves in the clear. Lots and lots.

Even if it does turn out to be breast cancer, bear in mind that most of us here have been through it, and we are still here. It's true that some of us are not as symmetrical as we were, but that really isn't the end of the world. Breast cancer honestly is very treatable these days. x

Oh good,you found us mumofjust1 We can certainly see you through the scary time.Chances are it will be nothing worrying but if it is the be reassured that it'll be seen to swiftly -treatment is really incredibly effective. Will the private breast specialist do a mammogram too ? Whatever makes it less of a fretful time for you is good. If you have a biopsy then these aren't painful,so don't worry about that. Stick with us and let us know how you get on.

ned - I reckon they just want to blast you with everything as you are young and the tumour was grade 3-to be absolutely sure everything is hoovered up- bound to feel daunting,but will soon seem less so I'm sure..I prescribe a trolley full of fbs.

smee any sign of your card ? oh i do hope so...
waves to sometimes xxx

I'm a mum of just 1 too !

Hi MAS

xx

Just popping in to say Hello and big hugs to everyone. Welcome to the newcomers. Even though I dont post often I have found these threads very supportive.

All is well, recovering slowly, physically still struggling but transplant seems to be going well. Bloods checked every day and whilst they are not normal, doctor is happy. Steroids causing a few problems, my face is like an elephant it is so huge and bright red.

Life isnt normal yet but its great to be back home. Trying to do a bit more each day.

Thinking of you all

Hi MAS and sometimesiwonder

Thanks for your messages.

I am swinging between thinking it can't be anything serious as the Dr said the dent is "discreet" that both breasts are lumpy, that nothing jumped out as an obvious single lump, that she thinks it's just lumpy boobs, and gave me the choice of waiting 2 weeks so I'm not on my period, or being referred straight away.

Then I'm thinking it must be something terrible because she's found something and not told me her suspicions. She did say I could afford to wait, that it felt similar to the other breast, the the fact my breasts both felt the same was reassuring and that she didn't think it was anything to worry about.

If I see the specialist privately tomorrow I will have a consultation and ultrasound and a mammogram if she feels it's necessary.

Sounds positive then mumofjust1 - I'd say go to the private one. Two weeks is a long time to worry. Stick here though. We get how scary it is.

MAS, sorry no card yet and we did have post today. Don't worry I'm sure it will get here.

Sometimes, I managed to wangle my way into one of the v.first Jools Holland Hootenanny shows. Think it was no.2. They filmed it in November at 6pm with no alcohol and expected us all to leap around like crazed loons.

Right, off to friends for a meal - walking there and back so that's not to be looked forward to. Might have to drink a few to insulate myself.

Thanks smee

Just been having a feel to try and work out what the dr could feel. I can feel a little bump now, seems to be just under the skin though. It moves and is quite tender, probably from poking and prodding.

I suppose no amount of poking or guesswork is going to help though, so will go to the private appointment tomorrow and see what happens.

Mumofjust1, welcome from me too
Here's some figures for you. 9 out of 10 lumps aren't cancer.
Even if they are cancer, 9 out of 10 of those are quite well behaved and can be reasoned with these days.
So the odds of it being cancer and rudely behaved are about 1 in 100. I know that might not help a lot, but it's something.
I'd go private if you can, yes. Saves missing out on two weeks of sleep.

Stars, good to see you back on here. Eek re the face but hooray that the transplant's going ok. Rest all you can?

Ned, they bunged me through 4 lots of FEC and 4 lots of Docetaxel which is as extreme as it gets, then that same 3 weeks of radio plus boost ones. Likewise I was a grade 3. For me, it worked. It converted all the cancer to scar tissue, which is actually more likely if you have a grade 3 type. The faster they grow, the faster they absorb the chemotherapy and die, y'see. So there are some advantages over the slower growing sorts.

all round.

Hi mumofjust1 I think we all agree waiting is the worst - its natural for your mind to go into overdrive. Statistically you are likely to be ok, either a benign lump or cyst or something well behaved and treatable. Fingers crossed.

Hi Stars. Good you are home. Are you allowed plenty of fbs? Steroids are a pain, but maybe they will sort soon.

With Mum here. Tea delayed as the carers had to call an ambulance for an earlier client. Fortunatly it didn't spoil. I've got a treat mini bottle of wine, wayhay

xpost amber :)

oh smee am so cross about the post-I feel like weeping-three cards now missing in transit - am re doing the ones I sent last Friday as I can't bear to let my customer down,but it'd be too late to do one for ds for valentine's day If it doesn't come I'll do him a birthday card instead (and I'd made him 2 special stickers) bugger.
mumofjust1 try to feel reassured by your GPs opinion, but it's not long until tomorrow when you'll have a better idea of what's what. Try to sleep tonight and we'll be thinking of you tomorrow.
stars always lovely to hear from you- it does sound as though you are doing wellx

Hi friends, I'm Gigondas' dh and am posting this for her as she's having posting issues from her hospital bed.

First piece of good news is that the surgeon told us earlier that the various scans in the opinion of his sarcoma team show nothing conclusive that's adverse, so in the team's opinion there's slim likelihood of any current spread. Of course it's early days.

Secondly The op has completed and according to the surgeon, it all went well, He's confident he's got good margins. Skin's ok, maybe a bit too much given its previous stretch. He's taken out some but not all of the gluteal, which may mean she has issues with squats but won't affect her walking.

She's weakened but in good spirits and massively grateful to you crew for all your support. As I am too...