TAMOXIFEN ****20****

[KurriKurri]

Hello ladies, - just taking the plastic wrapper off a brand new thread

ooh yes she has some of those (from the same person, honestly I hardly ever have to buy anything, apart from footwear and undies). The bag also contains some of those flouncy, short tulle skirts that will go well with it. Rock chick chic!

Wish I had someone to hand down things - we used to have someone who gave us amazing stuff, but DS is such a skinny bean that he's taller than them now, even though he's 18 months younger..! Bet DD'll look amazing.

Afternoon all. . .

Still feeling a bit low and tearful today, but a bit better than yesterday, I suppose. Thanks for hugs. Still can't decide if some antidepressants or sleeping pills might be a good idea or not.. .

My sister is coming for weekend this evening, so am looking forward to seeing her. Sure I can distract myself and keep busy with her over the weekend.

holsten great news about getting back to work on Monday- well done you! Take it easy though, won't you!?

Hope everyone else has nice weekend plans? Hope everyone OK?

Ned re the anti depressant issue . I was prescribed Citalopram when I was first diagnosed . And my GP described their effect perfectly . He said that they wouldn't make me happy , but they would keep me on an even keel . So that I could concentrate on my treatment and keep going .
I think they have really helped me . But they are not a magic pill that will get rid of all your problems .

I haven't had anti depressants but have friend who has (for pnd) and says same as topsy.
Sleeping tablets ime can make depression worse as some of them make you feel groggy. Although sleep deprivation makes depression worse, I would think ad and counselling/therapy would help so hopefully you sleep better.
I think counselling as an outlet is helpful.

This is all a lot to deal with and adjust to and you are having major drugs to treat it.

Sending you lots of love and positive thoughts.

Re hand me downs, the bags of stuff in loft are going straight to charity or ebay to get my space back.

More hugs for ned - hope seeing your sis will be cheering for you (has she had her picture yet ?) I have been on anti depressants for the past 2 years and have found them very helpful in just taking the edges off anxiety- so I would recommend them (I'm on venlafaxine -no contraindications with tamoxifen) No real SEs - which is even better.
I always had hand me down clothes from older girls- loved them ! dd will look fab sometimes ! I love boys in skinny jeans and Converses - fab !
Am coughing annoyingly everywhere- I had to leave a shop because I couldn't stop - tsk.

Have you tried Manuka honey Mas? Seems to help when all else fails for tickly coughs and throats

no-that's an idea- I thought it'd have cleared up by now -I have ordinary honey in the cupboard - or maple syrup ?

Thanks for your views ladies - think I might go and chat to GP about antidepressants next week. Just can't really put my finger on what is making me tearful, except for dreading next chemo. Maybe as you say topsy need to just level out the bumps a bit. . .

MAS yes, she has had picture when we went to see her new house (in Alton!) and LOVED it! It was very emotional, and we both cried, so it helped me make her see how much she means to me. Framed it in a red mount to pick out the red of one of the letters that you had used, and a white frame. Will take pic once it's on her newly painted wall and send it to you!

am pleased it went down well -it was a pleasure to do. She lives in Alton you say ??? (tell me where,secretly !)
Good idea to talk to GP about anti depressants..I was a bit wary about having them,but I can see now that things much improved by them. Your tearfulness is completely understandable - this whole thing is scary,unknown,weird.

for Ned. Another one on citalopram here, and I totally concur with topsy, MAS and Gig.
I resisted and hummed and ha-ed when it was suggested for me when I was on chemo. My Onc. told me that I should view it like any other drug that would help me get through chemo - I wouldn't turn down something for sickness etc., so why not accept help for the emotional effects of cancer and the medication? (and some of it is down to the medication, esp. IMO the steroids - they made me feel lousy).

I think somewhere in my mind I thought I ought to be 'coping' somehow, and that anti-depressants were a sign of failure. - Totally daft, you have been thrown an enormous curve-ball to deal with, if you sailed through without any help, that would be peculiar!

Reminds me of that old joke about a man who is stuck up a tree in a flood, - he believes God will save him, day 1 - a boat comes past and he is urged by the owner to get in 'no I'm waiting for God to save me' he says, - day 2 a helicopter comes along and offers him a rope - 'No I'm waiting for God to save me'. On day 3 the man is washed away and drowns. 'Why didn't you save me Lord' he says at the Pearly Gates 'I sent you a boat and a helicopter' God replies 'What more did you want?'

So - apart from the excuse to retell an old joke I'm saying, cancer's a bugger, it hits you in many many ways, anything you think might help you get through the shitty treatment (which is the important thing) is certainly worth a go.

Have a good weekend seeing your DSIS lovey xx

(I take vitamin D every day. It seems to work wonders for improving my mood).
'evening all. Reading through. all round I think. Or hugs.

Any kind of vitamins ESP b good for mood.

And completely agree with your analysis and your onc on ad too kurri.

Ordinary honey will do (or gargling with dissolved aspirin) Mas but Manuka best. Can have it in honey and lemon if easier.

Hello everyone is a good idea, amber.

I find I need to swim to keep my mood level. My gp told me to go for a 20 min walk every lunchtime one winter when I was weepy and emotional... I don't take any pills at the moment, though I have in the past - I do need my sleep but do the warm baths, hot drink, read a boring book routine which usually works for me. I don't sleep much when I visit Mum as it is so draining and emotional...
Haven't caught up with all of today yet, work strikes again. Hope you all have plans for the weekend.

xpost gig. I take vit c the big fizzy ones to try and ward off colds. I think I get the b from marmite which I eat quite a lot of...

Ned, I do vitamins with iron and swim and cycle as I find it helps my mood too. Bit tough to exercise on chemo though. I never did the anti-depressants, though I should have looking back. Have been quite tempted this week due to Missy Paranoia lurking.

is definitely a good idea Amber, or hugs for those on treatment who don't feel like it. Hope everyone's alright out there. x

Evening everyone (although actually it's morning now).

Who's got the key to the Paranoia Box? Can mine be squeezed in there too, please? It needs locking away.

I can't remember who it was (Sometimes, maybe?) who mentioned about the Tesco vouchers being out of date. I had £70 worth and they went out of date because I was totally unable to think about anything like that when I was having my chemo. I phoned a lovely lady at Tesco's head office and explained about my dx and treatment and why I had overlooked the date and she let me return them and they were replaced - so it's worth a go. Good luck.

Holsten, great news from your oncologist

Ned, I was a bit of a teary wreck during chemo, especially once I knew there was the danger of being hospitalised each time for neutropenia and then having sickness to deal with too. I had time off work during the duration of chemo (too many germs in a school) and that helped enormously. I rested when I needed too, had good friends and amazing family to call on if I needed company and tried to treat myself with lovely things to bouoy my mood. Are you working at the moment? Maybe you need time off to rest.

MAS, DH's birthday pressies and treats sound lovely.

KK, driving lesson sounds fun. When I was learning to drive I used to go out with friends and we had a great time. That was when I had my little green Moggy Minor. How I miss that car.

I used to take St Johns Wort when I was going through a very stressy time a few years ago but I cant remember if it's okay to take in combination with hormone therapy drugs (I'm on letrozole). I have it in my head that there are some herbally medicines that are oestrogen based so obviously shouldnt take them but not sure which. I will do the Google tomorrow.

Off to bed now, my head hurts after a very taxing but fun quiz night. We came second.

Oh and forgot to say - re deodorants - my underarm hair has never grown back following chemo, even the none-operated side and I don't seem to be sweating under my armpits either - even when I feel I am everywhere else during a hot flush so I haven't used deodorants since the op. I've begged DH to tell me if he thinks I'm a bit whiffy but he always says I'm fragrant.

Morning all. I've still got the alu free but do sometimes have a squirt of my pre rads cos it smells nice. Bit of paranoia here too, am sure my left boob is lumpy again, its tom but I'm imagining a big lump again. I'll try and follow your good example and lock her in the box.

Time for a and then out for a run.

Hope everyone managed some sleep, cat got in our room so I had to get up at crack of dawn to let him out...

Creakily gets up to sit on paranoia box for
Jane. I seem to have strained my thighs (prob leaning down to change Mimi gig) so
Not at my best today.

We had fun and games here with mini gig (who wont settle in her cot) and midi gig popping in for a cuddle so lazy start here today.

Got acupuncture later whixh will be nice. What is everyone else up to?

sorry you are feeling fretful jane - hope a run helps.
Enjoy your acupuncture Gig
Am doing some pictures today, checking on my mum too as dad and brother have gone to the Boat Show - then we;re going to have Thai food later - extended dh birthday celebrations. Rubbed Vick on my chest to see if that feels better -smells nicely medicinal.

Morning all - the sun is shining in Dorset, and that is definitely helping my mood. I agree with what you said, kurri that I feel like I ought to be coping better than I am, and am maybe in a bit of denial that I am not coping so well. Will think over weekend, and maybe see GP next week. Thanks for positive stories of ADs. I love you all

figgy No, I am not working at all. Don't think I could physically do it! GP told me I was mad to even think about it, working in a bug farm school during chemo. I am signed off for the duration, basically. Makes it easier for school too, as they've got supply teacher in until July.

I am blessed with amazing friends and family who have rallied and are incredibly supportive. DSis here, brought DVDs, fbs and things to keep DS amused over weekend. Mum's been amazing, here lots and helping with practical stuff. All good really!

Big hugs for everyone, and thank you so much for all the support this week x x x

yay, good for you ned -have a lovely weekend x

Morning all. and bacon sarnies available

Enjoy your run Jchoc. It's a great mood enhancer, exercise. I just wish I could get motivated to do some apart from long walks with DH and our dawg.

Gigs, ouch re the strained thigh. Hope the acupuncture hits the spot. I have just heard of a local lady who is fully trained and will contact her during the week for a session.

MAS, enjoy your Thai tonight. I've never had it.

Well, we're off to collect DS2's dinner suit for his training centre prom tonight. He has chosen a gorgeous blue brocade waistcoat, plain blue dicky bowtie and a hankie for his top pocket. He will look amazing. I will probably post photos on FB later. The trainees are all meeting at the centre and being limo'd to the restaurant (only about 10 mins away) then the limo will turn round and pick up 12 more. He's so excited about it.

DH is giving me a Masterclass later on how to scan my old photos and transfer them to the computer then into Photobucket so I will have a record of them if anything should ever happen to the originals. I will feel relieved knowing they are 'stored' somewhere safe.

Hope you all have a lovely day. xx