**24TH** TAMOXIFEN thread !

[MaryAnnSingleton]

here we go...

Sorry that you find yourself here fluffy hope you find some reassurance /comfort from the ladies here. x

Can I just ask something? Onc said i was ER negative ,starting to think that's not so good and am too scared to read too much. I know it's not receptive to hormone treatment (is that right?). Does it mean it's worse than other types? I didn't actually ask what type of BC it was. I think I read that I will not be having Herceptin. Just getting a bit scared ...

Snoopy ER (oestrogen receptor) negative status means your bc won't respond to hormone therapy e.g. Tamoxifen. HER2 negative status means your bc won't respond to Herceptin. No better or worse, as I understand it, only different. greylady was like this, I think. I think it's called triple negative bc, although not sure what the third element is. . . Could possibly be progesterone receptor??

Invasive ductal carcinoma or invasive lobular carcinoma are the most common sorts of bc, I think. Do either of those sound familiar? Worth asking, just so you have the complete picture, and you're not worrying about the "what ifs". Could you ring our BCN and have a chat with her and get the information?

Sorry, that could all be misleading and wrong please correct or confirm ladies!

that sounds right to me ned- snoopy you might feel easier just knowing a few facts and it'll help us to know how to be helpful to you. greylady is our only other triple neg person (so ER-,PR- and HER2-)

Marks spot and waves to everyone - long day visiting ils

Hi thanks nedandmas

She def said er neg and that I woudn't need to be on Herceptin. so does that cover both? Would the BC Nurse give me that information. Or I am down for pre chemo meet at 10am in morning so maybe I could ask them. They are the ones dishing out drugs at end of day. God I think tomorrow morning it's going to become all so real. It's full on for next few days and then who knows what state I'll be in.

Thank-you for your comments about my project. I realise not everyone can contribute as everyone's in different circs, but thanks to those who have or are going to PM me!

I've just signed up to do another Race For life, mainly inspired by a very dear friend who has been a huge support for me and is now seriously ill. She beat the breast cancer but then developed a new primary last year and has now got a recurrence.

sandripples have PMed you!

oh SR that's sad about your friend x

SR, about your friend. Bloody cancer. I've PM'd you too.

MAS, queen of threads. Number 24's awesome - though obviously using that word shows I've spent today with 7 year olds trying to appear cool and failing.

Hello again Fluffy. Glad you're through your op, though I know it's tough waiting for full pathology. Lurk away and join us when you can. This place helps lots.

Waving to Columbia too. Sorry you've had to have more chemo, but glad you're keeping going regardless. Singing on stage is hugely impressive.

Snoopy, I think with kids reassuring facts and tempered honesty is the way to go. I know my ds was fine so long as he wasn't kept in the dark. He liked the fact that 1 in 8 women got breast cancer at some point in their life and also the notion that I was 'lucky' (ha!), as we'd found the rogue cells, so the doctors could get rid of them before they made me ill. And don't worry too much about morning sickness correlation - I remember Sometimes saying she had it badly when pregnant, but wasn't too bad on chemo, so there's hope.

No time for more now, but where is Sometimes??? Hope she's back soon.

Topsy, good to see you even if you are in a heap. We're missing you lots. xx

Ned, really good luck for tomorrow.

Sorry if I've missed lots. Will read and catch up tomorrow.

Good luck ned today for your chemo. I'm sure it will all be fine.

snoopy thinking of you today at your pre-chemo appointment. Whilst I was naturally apprehensive I felt I just wanted to get it all started. If you are sick, which you may not be I am a big baby with regard to sickness so ignore me when I complain your team will try everything to keep it at bay. My oncologist has told me I can have a syringe driver this time.

Hi fluffy sorry you find yourself here but these girls will keep you sane. Amber is the queen of all stats and has stopped me at times from throwing myself off a bridge major meltdown.

sr that is so sad about your friend. This disease is so very cruel.

Absolutely gorgeous day here, so washing is on the line and I am trying to do a bit of a clear out - I may be gone some time!!

good morning ! Lots of good luck to ned and snoopy and gracie with clearing out !

Hi Smee
Good luck with the chemo Ned!
Gracie, I'm with you on the big baby front, I'd do anything to avoid hurling!
Well I managed to survive my first weekend on chemo without any noticeable ill effects, so there's hope for me yet!

Hiya
Yes I am triple neg-it is er- and pr- (progesterone) and Herceptin-
It can be more aggressive in first couple of years but recurrence risk virtually disappears after 5 years post dx.
I am getting over the pneumonia now and looking forward to getting back to normal especially as the weather is picking up.
I just ate two small but yummy jam doughnuts so will offer the rest of the bag for the trolley :-)

Snoopy if you need any help/info re tnbc either ask on here or pm me. I was dx at the end of 2006. It can be scary if you Google too much but in fact the latest ( third generation) chemos are especially effective for TN.
Good luck and I am always around even if not posting so will respond asap.

I'm still reading and learning but not much chance to post.
I wondered what your thoughts are on diet influencing recovery but understand some of you are having a job to keep anything down atm

mil has decided the internet is worsethan previously thought not that I've been ramdomly searching for info,she just doesn't like me being on it!!
So I feel safe in saying on here something me and dh are worried about,her diet is truly shocking-mostly refined carbs and hours with nothing,then chocolate,a trifle and bread and butter all at once ! not that I dare mention it,she bit dh's head off when he did.
love to all,come home topsy!

Ned - good luck with today's chemo.

Hope Topsy and Sometimes are OK and are out of hospital.

Welcome to Fluffy, hope we can help you through this.

Waves to everyone else.

Had my pre-chemo appt this morning. No surprises really, so apart from scan next week, just waiting for chemo to start on 6 June. Also popped in to talk to the Macmillan nurse for further advice regarding the kids. Got some good advice and leaflets, etc so that might be something that could help you snoopy. As everyone says honesty does seem to be the best policy.

hello all, Good luck for chemo today Ned, hope all goes well

Columbia - pleased you have had no ill effects over the weekend, fingers crossed this particular chemo is going to be one you tolerate well.

Snoopy, good luck with your pre chemo appointment, - I'm sure they'll be able to answer your concerns. Don't be freaked out if they give yo a booklet of possible side effects, - they cover every possible thing - it doesn't mean you'll get them all. If its any consolation I had terrible sickness in both my pregnancies, but wasn't too badly affected during chemo (it was well controlled by pills)

Nice to see you feeling a bit better and eating doughnuts Grey lady, don't overdo things though, weather supposed to be nicer this week, so maybe you can sit out in the garden and soak up the sunshine

SR - so sorry to hear about your friend xx

Sometimes - are you home yet? - how are you?, we miss you.

I didn't go to yoga this morning because my shoulder is too sore. I suppose I should go to the doctor, but don't think there's much they can do. I'm doing my physio exercises from when I last had this problem.

Going to be at least Wednesday now till discharge .
They keep saying that I was so septic when I came in that I'm lucky to be getting out at all .
So I guess I'll just stay put for now .

There's some minty aero for the fbs trolley !

Oh topsy you poor old thing, but thank godness you are on the mend and they are erring on the side of caution.

I have something that will cheer you up immensely though,

- it starts slowly, but it's worth waiting for it all to kick off at about 1.18

Topsy have you checked out the thread on alex reid and Chantelle? There is a link on there that may amuse/appal you.

Waiting to get my sore bits checked out- let's just say radiotherapy doing me no favours in certain areas

Oh ouch! Oh bugger. Have had to click that clip off, KK, the laughing (post 1.18) was too sore.

Hi all. Got bavck Friday night and just got online but am going again because the chair's not comfy. So I'm not caught up, though I take my hat off to poor Topsy and send a warm wave of welcome to Fluffy. For the rest, can it wait?

Have had a bone graft and my spine fused: apparently it was all a bit worse than it looked on the MRI )they are fab at spotting stuff, of course, but obviously can't detect things like movement which shouldn't be there. And apparently there was a LOT of movement going on, which was 'not healthy' to quote sainted surgeon.

Boy, do I walk funny

Will come back tomorrow. Love to all x

welcome home Sometimes xx

welcome home from me too sometimes you were badly missed !! take it easy now.
topsy yikes ! septic sounds scary. Come home soon xxxx
gig radiotherapy can be very sore making - but specially so I should imagine where it is, poor lamb.
kk sorry you've had to miss yoga . I have been doing Mindful yoga which I haven't done for ages (was part of my course) and I have to say I really like it,much easier to be Mindful when actually doing something- am so busy focussing on moving myself into positions,which is the whole point of mindfulness. The only thing is it takes 45 mins and I am having trouble making time for it.

sometimes good to see you back. Hope you pain eases soon.

My goodness topsy you are having a time of it. Better to be fully recovered before discharge though. I am definitely not going to be looking at any Tom Jones in action as the sickness from chemo has disappeared and I definitely don't want a relapse

gig According to a lot of girls on the Macmillan site Holland & Barratt Aloe Vera gel is the very best things when having radiotherapy. I am no expert as haven't had rads yet but I am stocking up now. The purer the Aloe Vera the better.

kurri that is such a shame about your shoulder. There is a green lipped mussel rub which I can't remember the name of which I find good when my neck and shoulder pain flares up. Think it may be called Pernaton.

14k unfortunately your mil eating habits sound a bit like mine before dx. I am trying to slowly change my diet and have definitely cut out quite a lot of the rubbish I ate before. It won't be easy for her but you might find once her treatment is under way and you are looking after her it might be a bit easier.