**24TH** TAMOXIFEN thread !

[MaryAnnSingleton]

here we go...

next time I check I think it may be the Silver Jubilee of this thread.Heartfelt thanks To MAS for starting it and all the other long serving posters who have taken the time to support others even when things havent been going well for them.

argh ! can't keep up !
glad package has arrived kk - hope you'll find it interesting - dh's weight loss and anxiety does sound like depression,poor thing.
Hugs for ned because you're feeling low
Waving to greylady - yes,soon be Silver Jubilee of this thread

lime - meant to say,well done for getting through the scan- esp. with full bladder

well done for getting through the scan Lime, - wandering around with a full bladder is not fun! We have just got Wilkinson's here in the last few months, - I have to restrict my visits or I end up spending too much - I get over excited by the bargains It's right next to the QD store, which I'm also only allowed to go in occasionally.

Jennie - do you have any info. about reconstruction? - I've got some leaflets, if you'd like them PM me your address and I'll happily pop them in the post for you. - I think there are pros and cons for both immediate and delayed reconstruction - as with most things. So I think its a question of weighing them up and thinking about what suits you.

I'm having a delayed recon. next year sometime hopefully (I had my MX four years ago) and I go to meetings of this organisation, -it's a local charity in my area, but you might find the website useful - if you click on Breast reconstruction and Links at the top - there is info. you may find helpful

Jennie hope this is all helpful

Lime - fingers crossed for scan- glad it's out the way though.

Am feeling quite down and tired today. Am (naturally) apprehensive about chemo ESP The fatigue and also having another wobble about grimness of all this.. I have been feeling ok for last couple of weeks but I think going Into unit to see it made it seem real. Plus am having some quite disturbed nights thank to mini gig and my sore neck.

Dss waiting on his results today from uni and is very nervous.

Was just thinking about autumnsummers if you are lurking - any more news on op etc?

bound to feel apprehensive having been to unit-am sure that is very normal - hope you don't feel too fretful over the weekend.

oh and lots of good luck to dss x

Aw gigs it is normal to feel anxious. You will feel better once the chemo is started. Your lack of sleep probably isn't helping. I don't actually feel as tired as I thought I would, yes I do have tired days but I find after week one I feel more of less back to normal. How long will you be in hospital for? Good luck to dss.

Thanks all. Will be in tue-fri but then out after that . I was hoping would be as you said Gracie (nurse seemed to think most people found a pattern and were good weeks). But someone else saying how tired they were then made mistake of thinking too hard on long term (which is silly) and when you feel tired doesn't everything feel worse. Have offloaded on my therapist though and got more Cbt on Monday.

Dss very nervous bless him- it's getting really windy here and clouds look ominous so think could be yuck weekend.

Gigs, I can totally understand your feelings re chemo and I remember vividly crying just as the lovely nurse inserted the first of the potions - the reality of it all hit me at that precise moment. I found it really helpful to keep a tiny notebook handy where I jotted down how I was feeling each day, whether I was feeling icky, constipated, the opposite, hyper and then a bit more normal. It was really reassuring to see a pattern develop and the 'good' days were something to look forward to. It was easier to plan things too, like days out. I hope Dss gets the results he wanted.

Lime, good luck for the scan results. I remember that feeling of having a bladder full to bursting. Such a relief when you can have a pee.

Jennie, I had my mx last August but haven't opted for reconstruction (yet). I was in hospital for 5 days but up and about after 10 if I remember correctly and back to work after 4 weeks.

KK, sorry to hear your DH is feeling so down at the moment. I hope a short break at your mum's, keeping busy, will help him. It must be very hard for you trying to keep him on an even keel. Have you got a date for your driving test yet? A friend of mine passed yesterday and she's in her late 50s - she says she doesn't know why she didn't do it sooner.

Have got a batch of flapjacks in the oven (my boys' favourite snackeroo) but there's plenty for the FBS trolley and the kettle's on too.

Grabs some flapjack greedily - appetite coming back and feeling finally on the up. Definitely takes longer each cycle. Gigs - goodluck for next week - the thought of the first is definitely the worst. MJennie as others have said 1-2 weeks after mastectomy pretty much housebound but back to work by 4 weeks. It was the lymph node bit that botherered me more than the mastectomy so may be quicker if they do your lymph node bit first if I have interpretated your care plan correctly. I did not have a reconstruction though which again will probably affect recovery time as much bigger op.

flapjacks- yum !
Got results from mammo and all seems satisfactory it says

Mas, great news about your mammo result - must be huge relief.

I did a big message and lost it. Heave sighs of relief, all, i know my posts are far too long. DS has swimming lesson and I have no fancy phone so no chance of a a repeat. More sighs of relief. You are such an amazing bunch of women, dealing with the curved balls that life has chucked in your direction, with such grace and humour. I'll not use the 'brave' word. Nobody has a choice really.

Hugs and best wishes to all.

xxx

The notebook idea is a great one Figgy.

Waves for baskets- I like your posts.

But good news dss got a 2:2 - thought he would fail (he did)

Best go as big gig sticking party sparkle things in my head which is quite painful (although may form the basis of a new look when have chemo).

Gig huge hugs, - a wobble just before chemo is definitely very normal - it's a leap into the unknown, ao you're bound to be apprehensive, and you are right seeing the unit does bring it all home. Just make sure you tell them about any s/effects, because they will have something they can give you to help we'll all be thinking of you, - will you have internet access in hospital?

Figgy's suggestion of a notebook of s/e's is a very good one. Some people find it helpful to keep a journal too - it wasn't my thing, but I know people who have said it helped.

Well done to DSS - I also got a Desmond many years ago - all the best people do

MAS - good news about the mammo,

Eight - great that your appetite is coming back, and you can enjoy your food again. Figgy, I'll have a flapjack too please - good job it's a virtual one as my weight loss seems to have come to a complete standstill in the last 3 weeks.

Waving to Baskets - I love your posts too, and I throw your compliments right back at ya, - you have a lot on your plate , and are an amazing woman too xx

Thanks for kind comments about DH, - I hope the holiday will do him good, and he can relax, - we will go fossil hunting at Charmouth and Lyme Regis - he loves his fossils And we usually see lots of wildlife down in Dorset so he can enjoy taking photos.

part of the problem is that he can't stop working when he gets home - he keeps on doing stuff all evening, so never relaxes.

Great news re mammo MAS - what a relief.

Glad to hear your appetite's coming back, Oneineight. It's so important to eat well to keep your strength up but difficult to do when you really don't fancy food. I remember my diet consisted of jacket potatoes with cheese and coleslaw for quite a few weeks. Oh, and smoothie ice lollies.

Really jealous of Charmouth and Lyme Regis, KK. We've spent many a happy holiday when the boys were little fossil hunting. DS1 treasures his collection and has taken it into school to show his class and one or two have started their own. I think we need some of that duct tape for your DH - we'll stick him to the sofa, warn him.

yep,love basket's posts here too
gig sparkly head gear-that could be something ! Well done to dss - what was he studying ?
Back from T's piano lesson,so a quick bit more work,some ironing and then wine o'clock !

did someone say ?

I love Charmouth and Lyme, in fact all that coastline- Dorset is my favourite county. Righto, must get on,am procrastinating.

He was studying philosophy. we are very proud so may be a fizzy wine night.

kk agree with others that does sound like depression- hope weekend away helps.

And big thanks about knowing to wobble is normal. It's not just that chemo is so potentially draining (radio or surgery not a walk in the park) but has such emotional overtones. But will have net access so will be looking for distraction. I was thinking about bad wigs as just about exhausted orange men.
Talking of which [[http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/media_nonmember_requests/1495029-Ladies-Peter-Andre-would-like-to-hear-from-you in which universe is this a good programme
Idea]]

I was going to order this myself gigs but as you already have some sparkly hair accessories you can go ahead and order if you want. knitty.com/ISSUEfall04/PATThallowig.html Well done to DSS. I think on chemo you just do what you can and remember to rest (something I'm not great at) but now the sickness is sorted I don''t feel too bad.

Fantastic news about your mammo mas.

Glad you are feeling a bit better 1in8

Just enjoying a myself and we have friends coming for a Chinese tomorrow night so more

That's nice gracie . Am cutting my hair short tomorrow and then going to a wig consultation with my dsis.

Got some ideas from lovely make up artist who works at oncology clinic. I find her so encouraging as was showing me styles, ways to wear hats and wigs (also does make up). Basically encouraging me to think of this as just a different way to experiment with style when before it might have been a haircut. My dsis super stylish and quite adventurous so good person to take. Plus we will probably use it as an excuse to shop, gossip and have a sneaky .

And kk I really hope weekend helps your poor dh. It does sound like depression or stress.