**TAMOXIFEN**22 !

[MaryAnnSingleton]

yikes- here we go...

Aw greylady how long have you had the cough for? There has been a coughing virus doing the rounds and it seems to take ages to clear. DH and I had it for about 8 weeks in fact I'm still coughing a bit. We have both had antibiotics. Have you been to your GP? Try not to worry too much.

Its a very phlegmy cough and not just at night,a couple of times it has been worse at night but usually it is at its best then.I also have a very stuffed up nose!I do have asthma and also take omeprazole- as well as inhalers.It has just gone on so long and I am on my second course of antibx.Gp says it doesnt sound sinister but says if these pills dont shift it he will recommend an xray which terrifies me.

about 10 weeks gracie and on second course of antibx my bc was in 2006/7 and I do think chemo/rads seem to have permanently compromised my immune system

Gracie-I have just read about your chemo delay-that is awful-you get psyched up for it then have to wait again.You make me ashamed of pratting on about my cough.Which chemo are you having?I had fec-t four of each.It wasnt fun but it does pass and you know you have done what you can to zap those rogue cells.

Grey I am not surprised X-ray terrifys you but it is probably innocent. Does dr think it's infectious (just thinking if it's a nasty virus which could take ages to shift ESP given what you say about immune system then anti bs wont touch it).

Gracie, that's a sod about the delay, but brilliant MRI was clear. I'd bet the CT will be too.

greylady, might be wrong, but I think it's a persistent dry cough that they worry about isn't it?? My v.healthy friend in his early 40's has had a cough for 2 months - his gp said he's seen a fair few similar, so I'd bet you're the same. totally get the paranoia though.

MAS will read your blog later if I can, or tomorrow if not. > Ninja was in his element and totally indulged by the various people who stayed. He looks most miffed when I refuse to give him second helpings. We returned to a spotless house and bottles of wine and chocs to say thanks, so definitely to be recommended.

Gig, will read that link later too. How are you and the mini-gigs? Hope okay and scar healing still. Have you started rads??

Topsy, that podcast is the work of the devil. I have done week one three times.

Waving to Amber and Figgy. Grabs a flapjack or two.

hello all.

or should I say 'Howdy' to Smee - NYC sounds wonderful, can't wait to see photos if you can manage to put some up. I bet they have good FBS there. You were very brave to go up the stairs of the Empire State Building - I'd have been quaking on jelly legs. So glad you had a fab time, but it's good to see you back

Gig - that link looks interesting - I've bookmarked it to read thoroughly later.

amber - well done on the gardening - 3 bags of weeds is pretty impressive! Hope Mr amber's wound is continuing to improve.

MAS - well done to T for his singing exam, he's got a lovely voice - so nice to hear of boys interested in singing, - my DS used to have lessons and sing with a school jazz band, but it seems to be something that lots of boys won't take up.

gracie - what a pain your chemo was postponed when you were all psyched up for it. Hopefully it will all go ahead without a hitch tomorrow. (Sorry to hear your line fitting was a bit of a nightmare, but it'll be worth it to avoid them digging about for a vein every time)

Greylady - coughs are always a bit panic making in our situation, but I'm sure the GP wouldn't say he didn't think it was sinister if he did. Being sent for x-rays after a couple of bouts of AB's is fairly standard IME - it doesn't mean that they are worried it is anything other than a chest infection. I once had four lots of AB's to get rid of a cough, - if they don't hit on the right one, it won't do any good, so a bit of trial and error involved

ned - topsy didn't slaughter me, - just jabbed me a bit with a spiky stick
If you do go out jogging in Dorset, you can stop at my mum's for a tea break half way through (she always has tea on the go, and plenty of FBS )

waving to everyone,

I spent most of the day trying to finish my book for bookclub - it's a huge 750 page tome, but a really good read. It's called 'This Thing of Darkness' and is a novel about the Voyage of the Beagle, and the friendship between Captain Fitzroy and Darwin, and discusses all the exciting new ideas of the Victorian age - in case anyone fancies an epic read!

Hello to any who remember me. Just thought I would tell all the wonderful ladies who have been so supportive DD1 got the ALL CLEAR!!!!!! We got the results of the last PET and MRI scans plus blood tests and there is not a trace of anything! So so soooooooooooooooo happy!

greylady gentle hugs for you- it's no fun having such a persistent cough and natural to fret- am sure it's lingering because of compromised immune system though. Try not to worry too much xxx
Thanks kk for nice words about ds and singing. He di dn't get home until 6 today because of after school rehearsals- they really are packing them in. Tomorrow there's a NY trip meeting,so we'll know his itinerary and everything.
Am trying to do a big A3 picture for my BIL's 60th - his life story so far - quite a challenge !

yay and triple yay for you ILGC !!!!!!!!!!! xxxxx

That's great news ilgc

Just in from work and finally get to sit down after ages on the phone. Mum's neighbour rang to say she had gone to hospital. Thought I may have to dash straight down but they say she is not in any immediate danger.

Yippee for ilgc's dd! such brilliant news

Hi Smee, we missed you. Glad you enjoyed your travels.

Will read through later

ILGC hurrah!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(waiting nervously for news of another lady with two small children who has been dx with stage 3 and is awaiting scan results today to find out how far beyond lymph nodes it might have spread...eek...)

Greylady, I had a cough that lasted more than two months - it was really annoying. It's gone now, so hoping yours does the same thing.

That's wonderful news ILGC, - I'm so, so pleased for DD, you and all your family - the way she has continued her studies whilst going through treatment is admirable, she is a remarkable young lady. You must be so relieved and so proud

MAS - that life story picture is a lovely idea, your BIL will be very chuffed. DS must be getting very excited about his trip now. I hope he gets plenty of time off between choir activities for sight seeing. - I can just imagine him taking photos of the NY buildings - he'll be in his element

Sorry about your friend amber, all the best to her.

I meant to say earlier, - a couple we are friends with have just heard they are to have a second baby. They adopted their little girl 4 years ago, and have now heard that in July they will have another little girl aged 7 months joining their family

Amber that is sad about your friend but it must be some comfort to her knowing someone else who had been through it.

Kurri that's lovely about your friend .

My back is killing me- I may have to order dh to get fbs (my own fault as have been keeping strain off wound so overdone it on one side).

Such a bitter sweet thread, my very best wishes to all.
Pompey won! PUP!!!!!!

hooray for your friends kk !
Grim here- raining and grey- and i have to get to the post office...grr.
Have written a bit more on my blog- have also done a bit of a worrying thing- while thinking of my treatment in hospital with OCD I looked up my therapist there and found his website - he is unlikely to remember me of copure as it was a long time ago, but I emailed him a short message to say hello and linked to my blog- is that mad ? I didn't say anything bad about him in the blog .
Hope chemo goes well today gracie

Hope no more false starts today Gracie ! Fingers crossed you can get going on the chemo today. Big Hugs x x x

ILGC YAY YAY AND YAY AGAIN! What fantastic news for you and DD. I am so pleased. You must be so proud of how she's coped with everything. Big hugs winging their way to you all x x x x x x x x x x x x x x

SMEE ! Welcome back! We missed you! Sounds like you and DS had a brilliant time. I have had another chemo, and am feeling OK now, so can officially say that I am half way through! Slightly dreading the docetaxol next time, but that's another story. . .

kurri Great news for your friends adopting another DD. They must be so excited!

gig take it easy with your back. My lower back is the only bit that still aches after chemo, and its very limiting. The language that came out of my mouth after bending over the clean the bath the other day was not laydee-like

MAS I don;t think that's worrying at all. I think the way I see it is its all about linking up the different bits for you: OCD, BC, bereavement, family relationships, your work, Catholicism even - and maybe getting in touch with people who fit in to that jigsaw is healthy. Maybe it makes the picture a bit clearer or a bit more complete. Sorry if I am wide of the mark - no offence meant x x

jchoc what news on your mum?

greylady sorry to hear that pesky cough is lingering. Definitely worth getting checked out properly.

Boooooooooored of the rain now. Want some more sun. . .

Gracie, best of luck for today - let us know??
for everyone.

ILGC - I am soo thrilled for you and your dd, how absolutely fantastic!

Kurri - another happy family in the making, such good news for your friend.

Gig - rest up that back honey!

MAS - your blog is inspirational, I am sure your old therapist will find it so too.

Amber - sorry to read about your friend, I hope so many positive stories will help her.

I would love a am feeling very very down. My MIL is being foul to me, as per usual, but she has upped the anti a bit and so it has really hit me. Dh is supportive to a point, but then he says things like you know what she is like don't let it affect you. This is true and logical, but sometimes I feel life is full up with me supporting ds, and dh, and my other lovely dc, as well as my family, and his sis and father...that there isn't enough of me left to just shrug off her comments...when you spend so long holding everyone else up, it is quite easy for someone to come along and knock you over.....does that make sense....sorry to be whittering, but I thought maybe if I got it off my chest I could let it rest in my mind and stop crying over it. Perhaps I need a special box to her and her comments in, then we could take turns in sitting on that too, so as not to let them or her out!

Gracie lots of luck today- thinking of you.

Ned - back bit Better (it's the bending and lifting to pick up change etc mini that Is doing it). Smee both gigs are fine although mini clingy today and woke up at 4am .

Also am I being precious ? Have "banned" mini from playgroups til has had her final set of jabs (and I have done radio) as Want to limit her contAxt with other kids and potentially germs. I know can't do this totally but IMe that kind of group was where big gig got her baby illnesses. Am I being ott? Don't mind trips Generally - just not ones where may put stuff in her mouth and be in close contact indoors with a load of kids (ESP as its chicken pox season here). Nanny a bit as its limiting what she can do with kids before pre school but my view is tough shit .

It's horrid weather here too.

Oh gig I am sorry mini gig woke so early...it is so hard to catch up on that missed sleep. I don't think you are being too precious about the jabs and reducing contact. I think it is almost certainly a good old site for infections, and I say that as a teacher who picked up everything my class shared with me. The last thing you want is to have a poorly mini, and catch things from her too!

You have reminded me that I need to book in my dd2's preschool boosters.

It is horrid weather here too, and I slipped on the wet hall floor, and badly bashed my shoulder so I have made myself a hot cross bun and to make myself feel better.

Thanks- am resigned that rads are going to coincide with the 4 month blip sleep period so will need loads of . Sorry about shoulder- ouch.

Big gig had hers in jan (must be about same age)- was fine with them but did need some bribery to go

Dd2 has been getting reminders since before easter...oops. Dd1 and ds both got mild symptoms after the jabs, so can't face doing them yet, until MIL family reunion is over in May, then will get them done so she is all fine before summer hols....still much book them in though! Think packet of choclate buttons may be needed to encourage her to do them!She hasn't forgotten her flu jab last sept yet!