**24TH** TAMOXIFEN thread !

[MaryAnnSingleton]

here we go...

Oh MAS- that is annoying, - and it's not as if you can tell them to get lost when you want your tap fixed!

quite - oh well...we do have to be about tomorrow morning as new dyson is arriving (dh managed to blow up the old hoover -it was quite temperamental anyway and would stop working if it felt too hot)

mas hope your stupid plumber gets things sorted and turns up quickly.

I probably shouldn't have had all co-codamol but paracetamol wasn't touching it and I can't take brufen as I have a dodgy tummy.

kurri I'm having 8 x FEC, I've had 3, 5 to go which at this moment in time seems unobtainable .

What sort of temperature should I be watching for? My temp is usually about 36.2, it is 37.4 but I have had paracetamol which should have reduced it. Surely the mega penicillin I'm on should sort out any infections.

I would think the penicillin would sort anything out gracie, someone with more recent knowledge than me might be more accurate on the temp. - but IIRC I think if it goes up to 38 ring then unit and they will guide you from there. (When I had this problem they told me to wait an hour take it again, and because it had increased I had to go in,) but they will monitor you.

I would always err on the side of caution though, - if your temp. is over 37 and not reducing with paracetamol, then I would call and ask for advice, - at least they can reassure you.

Sorry if I've worried you, I didn't intend to do that, - I'm sure everything is fine, a bit of a raised temp is not uncommon and not anything to be concerned about, but take it every hour or so and ring if it doesn't settle.

I've just had to remove another tick from the dog's neck - I've never known her have so many - poor thing she gets a big sore place where they have attached

Wot kurri just said, gracie, plus be aware if you've been taking codeine based stuff for a few days and stop abruptly your head might get worse before it gets better. Plus you're almost at half way mark with chemo, though i'm sure it must feel like a long haul just now. A few thoughts I've been having, just ignore if it suits better. I don't take offence easily (though something on AIBU has riled me and I'm trying very hard to sit on hands and not contribute something very caustic and me me me!!) Why are you having headaches? is it that you are trying to achieve too much in a very stressful episode of your life? When are you due back at work? Can you postpone it now till you've finishe dthe penicillin? and no longer have symptoms of tonsillititis, and have got through next chemo? I do totally get your desire to work - I've been sitting here shedding tears of self pity at thought that i might never work again for money (i feel i do work, but at mo earn nothing more than Carers Allowance - and of course govt thinks that isn't 'real' work ...), but maybe it's a bit too much too soon for you. Just a thought or tow. like I said, please ignore if that's better for you. You know best what works for you.

Sorry mas is still waiting for new tap. V frustrating but glad your DH there to support. My ds3 has called our Dyson Donald!! he loves using 'him', which is good as I am no domestic goddess.

Weird boy, my lovely ds. Now doing his last Higher for now. Due to do an HNC in Applied Sciences next year AND A level maths (under Englsih system as there was ablip with timetabling this year for Higher maths), so he'll not be idle for long.

Anyway, back to you lot. As ever I've read all posts but forgotten details already. BUT really pleased Topsy's surgeon pleased with progress. Hope torch seeing venture is going well. I think Tuesday is our day here.

I'm off now to do some light laundry folding, and general tidying, as we are out tonight and I'm very concerned about my ability to get very tired very quickly. And the next few days are busy in a nice way.

Best wishes to all. I have read all your words.

xxxx

Oh, kurri, your poor little lady dog. BTW I read your gym 'report' and am glad it went so well. I was amused by some of your concerns (in a nice and supportive frm the distance way of course! )and remembered asking my boys a couple of years ago, when they went, Was there anyone fatter/older than me? and feeling quite disconcerted by the long thoughtful silence frm my son.

I'll be near Scone Palace tomorrow, all going well. It's quite a trek by public transport from this end of the county, as DH and I are going to college prize giving at race course. DS2 is getting 'Communications Cup' - I suggested cos he is chattiest (and nosiest!) student in the dept, but apparently it's because he's good at passing on messages etc despite having quite big problems with speech. So a really nice, happy event. I must check weather forecast as unsure what i should wear to this .....

BTW, Topsy, have you tried John Frieda anti frizz serums? Not sure how useful they are for you as I have no experience of post chemo frizz, but I know people who swear by them for frizzy hair.

topsy glad gangrenous nipple came to nothing and surgeon pleased with you. Rest up and crack on with the minty aero regime.

gracie does sound as if you're doing a bit too much. Definitely keen an eye on your temperature - anything over 38 needs checking, I have been told. Anything over 37.5 needs keeping an eye on. I know it feels like you have lots more chemo to go, once you get beyond half way it does seem to go quicker. My last 2 have gone so much more quickly that the first 3. Once you've got the next one out of the way it will feel like such a landmark and being half way is definitely worthy of celebration! Sorry if I've been insensitive going on about my last one. . .

ned you are not insensitive at all. Getting to last chemo is a huge landmark and trust me I will be shouting from the rooftops and boring you all silly when (if) I get to my last one.

baskets you are certainly not speaking out of turn. I have most definitely overdone things and I am really struggling now. I am finding it hard to not carry on as if nothing is wrong. I suppose I have been very fortunate in that my health has always been good and I think I am trying to prove to myself that nothing is wrong, when obviously it is. I am feeling as bad as I was after my first chemo which sort of defeats the purpose of having the syringe driver. Sorry for prattling on. Well done to your DS, my DS needs to get his act together as GCSEs next year but he is so lazy. Makes me mad, he has the brains just no interest.

Waves from holiday- limited access so haven't caught up properly. topsy glad surgeon was ok with wound . gracie how you doing? Feeling better? nedlast chemo

mas sounds like the boy having a great trip.

autumn how you doing?

How is everyone else?

French france lovely- am sunburned and have been over dosing on Rose , Pâté and
Chocolate so will offer some for fbs.

Waves to everyone - long day at work today in prep for day off tomorrow. Started to get worried about getting locked in, we are supposed to finish at 6 and I left at 6.45! Jolly soggy here. Will make some scones for the trolley and have runny jam and clotted cream too :)

:( at plumber but hurray for non gangrenous nipple and chemo milestones. Feeling much happier this week, even B at work remarked on it! Must get back to gp though and get the ads sorted soon.

Yay for Topsy's nipple.

Hello Gig - glad you're having a fab time in French France. Sounds as if you're having a lovely time - sun and yummy food.

Jchoc, scones and jam and clotted cream - yes please!!!!! Thank goodness you weren't locked in. It's great that you're feeling happier, maybe you won't need the ads after all?

KK, ours gets ticks too, it's the long grass he runs in I think. DH has made a super little tick remover out of a piece of plastic card with a V groove in it. Robbie gets little sores too, poor thing.

Gracie, hope you're feeling a bit better?

MAS, boo to the plumber's no-show today. I hope they get the job done in double quick time tomorrow.

They are horrible aren't they Figgy, - we have a little plastic gizmo from the vet for getting them out. Ours always seems to pick them up after she's been out in the fields and as you say long grass. - Fortunately her coat is relatively short at the moment so they are fairly easily spotted.

Jchoc - scones, jam and clotted cream - mmm heaven. Good that you are feeling more chipper this week.

Gig - save some of that rose and choc. for us

Morning All

Think I must have the most celebrated nipple in the world

Hope you are feeling well on this lovely wet Friday .
Any appointments today ?

Mas hope the plumbing goes smoothly for you today .

Gracie have you done any resting ?

Oops , gotta go and kick the DS out to school . Be back later !

Argh re plumber, MAS.
Hurrah re celebrationary nipple, Topsy!

Hmm, optician reckons chemo may have caused early onset of glaucoma (family history of this). It's a gift that keeps on giving, isn't it....

bugger amber I suppose pressures and whatnot in the bod are messed up with chemo ?
Plumber on his way (allegedly) Had nice outing yesterday to mooch about in shops - bought a new door mat with hearts on in Paperchase and some cute little pumps- in a kind of purply blue with an ankle strap. Early supper at Ed's Easy D iner with the most delicious butterscotch milkshake.
More photos coming from NY from the teachers ! There was an ex school pupil who now lives in NY in the audience yesterday (taught by Mr G one of the teachers on the tour) !
Bah about ticks

oh and it's T's actual birthday today - aww,my baby is 15 !

Happy, happy birthday to T mas. I have a 15 year old and he is still my baby. Fingers crossed that plumber arrives soon. Must be the season for it as both my neighbours at the back are having plumbing works done, they seem to be re-organising all their outside downpipes.

Glad you are having a fab time gigs.

amber hugs to you. Chemo really is the pits.

Still not feeling great. I'm beginning to think its all in my mind. If I even visualise the syringes for chemo I retch and to me I can smell it. I know I have probably lost the plot but I'm beginning to think chemo at home wasn't such a good idea. I can't bear to be in the room where I get my chemo and stupidly it was my favourite room in the house. Now I feel sick just going in as the smell in the room makes me think of chemo. I have dumped all candles, smelly things but I still smell it .

Morning all. Horrible squally weather here, a couple of huge terracotta pots have already blown over. Don't think we'll be venturing far. I blame this awful weather on DH - he bought two huge water butts before we went away, put them together on Wednesday and they are filled up already.

Happy birthday to T, MAS. You will have to celebrate in his absence (and again when he gets home).

Amber, sorry to hear about the glaucoma. Hopefully they've got it early and you can start treatment for it straight away.

Morning Gracie, we x-posted.

I don't think you're silly at all. When I had the pink part of the FEC combo it made me think of cranberry juice, one of my favourite drinks and I can't bear to even look at it now as it makes me feel like retching. Likewise with egg sandwiches - they always used to serve them at the chemo unit and I associate them with the treatment so haven't been able to eat them since. My chemo finished in July last year. Shame about your favourite room being a trigger though. Maybe when it's all over you can think about changing it around or even redecorating?

Thanks Figgy I have already thought about redecorating it. In fact if I can afford it a lot of this house will be being redecorated. I really do feel awful as people have a much worse time than me but I just don't feel as if I'm coping at all.

It is miserable weather-wise here as well. I will be doing the school run and that's about it. Think I will hibernate.

oh gracie that's tough- redecorating favourite room, or just rearranging might help. We once had friends living with us,a couple, who had almighty rows and I had to ask them to leave- I felt the room was tainted and my mum did a Buddhist blessing on it and we put in a small Buddha statue.
I can't bear the thought of Ribena or Lucozade as I had those when I was little in hospital having an op.
Hooray the tap has been fitted- nice jolly and very apologetic plumber,who said it was the easiest tap he'd ever fitted ! Phew.
Am thoroughly beside myself too as dh has secretly bought us an iPad

Awful weather here too, - I must get a water butt, - brilliant idea MrFiggy

amber - about glaucoma, - hopefully they have it early, my Dad had it for over thirty years and used drops everyday, and his sight was still good at the end of his life (91). But it is a nuisance and yes, chemo has a lot to answer for.

gracie - sorry you are feeling so awful, can you chat to your BCN or oncologist about this? - maybe you could have chemo at the hospital if it would suit you better? - I sympathise greatly with the ghastly smell/taste business, it is truely horrible, and worse always found when your WBC are at their lowest.

Happy birthday T, - he is really growing up, but he will always be your baby MAS

morning topsy-supernipple

We have police in the village atm, - my next door neighbour came round this morning very distraught, their sheds had been broken into and lots of expensive stuff stolen - new lawn mower etc., and she wanted to know if we'd heard anything.
I'm just going to check our garage - it looks as if they came round the back and targetted the neighbour, and we have very little worth stealing anyway. But not nice to think of burglars roaming around in the middle of the night.

Oh no kk that is very unnerving poor neighbours. Hope your shed is ok

I can't see anything missing here, - DH is coming home at lunch time, as he probably has more idea what's in the garage and shed. My greenhouse is OK (had visions of it being smashed or something)

Neighbour asked if the dog barked - but she is so deaf a burglar would have to come and shout in her face, and she'd probably still ignore him!