**TAMOXIFEN**22 !

[MaryAnnSingleton]

yikes- here we go...

I missed the fact that we had a poorly dog to worry about Sparkles I am glad things are looking better now.

Gracie - we would have been just the same. Our dog never had to stay overnight at the vet's but he always went in with a t-shirt that one of us had worn, for the sake of having something comforting to sniff

hello Tim - I'm so sorry to hear about your GF, - it's hard thing for both of you to go through, especially when you are far apart atm. Others have given you advice on the fertility front (sorry I don't know much about this, - I was well past the age of that being a factor when I was diagnosed). But my general tips are for your GF if possible to have someone with her when she goes for appointments (its hard to take everything in sometimes on your own). Write down anything she wants to ask before she goes, - including questions about fertility, and don't feel hurried by the consultant - ask everything you want to.

I think your gf needs to know the percentages before she makes her decision about treatment. For some people chemo only makes a couple of percent difference to outcomes, - and is often then offered as something you can take or leave. For others the percentage is big - 15% + - and you'll be strongly advised to go for it.

I suggest Breast Cancer Care and MacMillan as two relevant cancer charities - both do publications (most downloadable) and I think its very likely they will have info. on treatment and fertility. They also do booklets on cancer and couples, and talking to people with cancer - which are very good for partners I think. (You can always ring MacMillan if you want to chat with someone, or talk to your gf's breast care nurse - they are both there to help families as well as patients

Nice things to have - cosy pyjamas and bedsocks, hand cream (skin can get very dry), books/kindle, audiobooks, and the things I loved most - letters and cards - just with ordinary news in, but it really helps to know someone's thinking of you. (My DH also bought me a little teddy which I kept by my bedside through treatment - but I realise not everyone is as soppy as us )

I wish the two of you all the very best

SOMETIMES !!! missed you- lovely to have you back - and hooray that back op is on, will be great to get it over and done with.
gracie v nice to see you too- well done for getting the first one done x
sparkle poor Nikki dog - hope she is feeling even better soon.
My mum is just suffering a fair bit because the drugs she was trialling were stopped as she had awful SEs but being on nothing at the moment means she is practically immobile.
Have been to Boots and Superdrug and bought a few mini toiletries - no point in thinking he'll bother to buy any once out there
I have digestive biscs which I'm about to smear chocolate Philadelphia on...

Thought I'd better have two posts - or it would turn into another of my epics

gracie - hello and - sicky feeling and retching is horrible, but it should improve a little bit between now and your next cycle. One down is the thing to remember - you are doing well

Oh and well done on the Roses, - I don't know what that topsy's on today

Lime - sorry you are feeling anxious, - your mum being poorly must be a worry for you, -'The Fear' is a horrible feeling and we all know what you mean, the only comfort I can offer is that often these things come in waves, and it will pass. xx

Sometimes - lovely to see you back, and it sounds as if you had a great holiday. Good news about your Op being on again - but it must be a bit of a shock to the system that it's so soon - but as Smee says I'm sure you will be glad you had it done in the long run.

Good thoughts and candles lit for Gig and topsy this week

jane - I hope your mum got home today, and that she is a little better and less confused.

MAS - love to your mum too, must be awfully hard for her and your dad atm.

Sparkle - poor Nikki dog - she must be a bit bemused by it all, hope she's back to herself very soon.

Smee - hope the work isn't overwhelming you, - take lots of breaks, eat lots of cake

Ned - hope your mouth is healed now, - try not to worry too much about the change to new chemo drug once you've had the first one, you'll be on the home straight

love to all xx p.s. - could someone learn the highway code for me? - it's so dull it makes me want to cry.

Gracie, so glad you're back. Poor you though. First one's bound to be tough. Apart from anything else, the uncertainty's exhausting. Keep a diary of each day and remember to tell the Oncs how wiped out / sick you were before the next one. They'll change your drugs to make you get through more easily.

Sparkle, was wondering about poor old dog. Hope she's better soon.

MAS, your mum doesn't sound too good - must be tough on your dad too. I saw my parents yesterday and dad was suffering lots with his arthritis. So hard to see them getting so old.

Sometimes, I think I had a different op to you - mine was a single pin which was actually screwed up into my spine (eek!). Bone then fuses round the pin. It's a new-ish procedure and I was one of the first to have it in UK More conventional way is to have four pins that surround the spine, like scaffolding. For me mine was fantastic, as I was walking same day, and recovered quite quickly. That's because the pin's just gone through bone iyswim, so there's minimal nerve/ tissue/ damage. See what they say you're having. Might be same, who knows.

Gig, keep baking. It'll distract you and we'll eat whatever you cook

x-posted, so am waving to Kurri. I have just been for a walk in the rain, and took some work to a cafe. Nice treat.

Have just started to stop being in denial over my next op - it's next week (3rd May). Only cosmetic, as it's to have the expander implant removed and silicon one swapped in, but still a GA. Not looking forward to it, though I know it's trivial in the scheme of things.

waves to kk and sends a comforting hug to smee for next week..
Do you think a Bill Bryson book might be a good plane read for the boy ?

3rd May? Yikes, smee They have a way of creeping up, don't they?

Perhaps we'll both be fighting fit for summer

The Highway Code is the work of the devil inhuman bureaucrats. Utter torment. I would love to help out KK, but fear i may fall asleep before page 3. DH told me we are all supposed to review it regularly. Fat chance.

Cross post. Hi MAS Bill Bryson would get my vote but I am not a 14 year old so may not mean much

ah, yes- that might be true..

MAS DH has 'Notes From a Small Island as his world book night book to distribute - would you like me to send T a copy?

I can't seem to remember any of the Highway code I've tried to learn, - my brain doesn't have a big enough Dull Bucket to retain it in

oh that'd be lovely kk, if dh has a spare - how kind ! xxx
Before my driving test I recorded the Highwy Code on to a cassette and played it as I slept on my walkman- hoping it'd go in that way

Hi gracie the sickness is the pits isn't it ?
But always tell your team if you feel awful because there is so much they can do for you .

I am going to see Legally Blonde this weekend courtesy of a local Breast Cancer charity .
They are treating us to dinner first , then on to the Opera House for the show .
Quite looking forward to that !

You're welcome MAS - I'll pop one in the post

topsy - that sound like a lovely outing -have fun

'Notes from a Small Island' is very excellent, MAS, am sure ds will love it.
Alan Bennet's Smut is also a laugh (though am not recommending it for ds, I think it is more of a middle-aged person's thing) - if anyone wants my copy, just let me know.

Topsy - Legally Blonde AND dinner? Sounds brilliant, how exciting!

oh me !! I love Alan Bennett

Easy peasy then, have got your address. Will send it tomorrow

how very kind ! can I swap anything in return ? Am just finishing my Patrick Gale which is v good.

Gracie, do they need to change your antisickness meds? Sounds like you need stronger ones for nausea. Good to see you back!

Afternoon all. About half way through a 14 hr day here

sometimes I probably shouldn't give my Patrick Gale away as it's a signed copy,just remembered that ! but would happily lend it to you x

Signed copies....you are well connected MAS!

I am so sorry your mum is having such a rough time of it. When are they going to find alternative drugs for her, with fewer se? I do hope your dad is coping too, he must be so worried. Chocolate Philly should just be wrong...but somehow it isn't!

Sometimes - nice to have you back. I am glad you had a good break. When is the op scheduled for?
Our vets were very understanding about dh calling in unannouced just to check on Nikki Dog after her op and before she came home! We are such a sentimental crew aren't we.

Kurri - there is no way round it, the Highway code is a guaranteed insominia curer. You will be fine though.

Gig - I will be thinking of you, try and leave your worries in the box, and I will sit on it for you.
Gracie - Hope you are feeling a little better, and make sure you keep your feet up.

Thank you for all your kind thoughts, and fbs for our Nikki girl. The eye (well the socket anyway) is looking a little less inflamed this afternoon, so hopefully she is on the mend. Dd2 keeps asking me when the vets are going to put the eye back in. Told her Nikki will be pirate dog from now on!

arf- he is one of my favourite authors and I went to a book reading and had to buy a book and get it signed
No idea really when mum will be put on some medication- but hope it's very soon.
Pig-dog and Piratedog

Oh dear, missed loads of posts today. Smee, your back op sounds fascinating. Topsy your weekend is going to be great :)

Hope nikki the pirate dog is feeling better soon.

Mum was confused today, so still in hospital. My other brother will visit her tonight.

I'm still tired and emo. Went looking for a bra that fitted and that didn't help. Couldn't find one.

dd2 at guides, and has a violin exam this week. Ds has a job (just for the one night, counting for the election) and dd1 is sewing furiosly in prep for art exam on Friday.

Oh and I bought mini lindt bunnies for fbs's. Mmmmm