**Tamoxifen** 27

[Gigondas]

New thread

Have new boob in a bag !
Now in waiting room for tissue viability nurse .
Have large latte and the Internet , what more could a girl want ?
(access to Waitrose would be a good start)

Topsy at 'booby bag'
My Dd's were only talking the other night about 'fanny bags' - I didn't get it and they had to explain (apparently they are what we used to call bum bags but aptly named now as you wear them at the front
I have all sorts of images in my head now

Sniggers at fanny bag

Bloody wound is infected again .
Swab taken , another appointment given for next Friday .
Sigh ... at least I have a new booby in a box to play with when I get home .
Don't think I should take it out in the bus

imagine dropping it on the bus topsy !! bah about pesky infection.
Fanny packs always makes me laugh ! We had a lovely neighbour who had a cat called Fanny anmd dh used to like saying that he could see P's fanny in the window

Don't leave it on the bus either as that will
Cause alarm.

Bloody wound infections- chocolate is only cure.

Ought to get up as using neutropenia as excuse to lie in bed but actually feel bit better than I did. That is going to change when big gigs little mate appears this afternoon isn't it to play barbie?

Hello again, thank you very much for your welcome back there ~points to the posting on 16th August~ - you have been so very kind.

I have been reading and following the thread but I get a bit anxious about posting a) because I still feel a bit of a fraud and b) I am sure I am going to stuff up my name changing stuff.

I wanted to visit my GP when the children were back at school but I just found out that my son will be delayed in his return due to building works at the school, this tipped me over and I broke down and told dh last night, he's been great and has supported me in making an appointment on Monday morning - it'll be with a locum but hopefully that won't matter.

Now I have made the appointment I have done a bit more research and seen the NHS referral guidelines, I'm not too sure if I am going to be referred or not, there is one distinct lump but it is in among general thickening and 'nodularity'. The guidelines recommend that with 'dominant asymmetrical nodularity' at my age (34) I get sent away and asked to come back in 6 weeks for re-assessment. I don't know if the fact I have had this over 6 weeks makes any difference, I guess they will need to have seen evidence. It does feel like the lumps are getting larger and harder but it is so hard to be objective.

Should I take any notes with me, the dates of my last few periods and when I felt it, maybe? Should I draw a diagram? I'll resist the urge to actually draw on my breast itself!

I know the odds of it being sinister are very slim and I will accept it if I'm sent away but I do hope I can find out one way or the other as soon as possible, I'm not normally one to keep 'secrets' but there is enough health worry in my family at the moment so I really do need to keep this to myself (and now dh) until I know for sure and I'm finding my nights sleepless and that I am comfort eating.

Sorry, I am rambling again but thank you for listening.

I would take some notes on last period etc- plus any questions as chances are you will forget. Also mention how long you have had this issue to see if can speed referral. Others will have more advice but I don't think they tend to make you wait that long.

topsy and mas I hold you responsible for fact big gig now loves sylvanian family.

Thinking of all those who are worried or have appointments today .

Hiya Lumpy .
I think they will probably refer you regardless of the guidelines .
GPs tend to take the "better safe than sorry" approach with breast referrals .

Managed to get booby in a box home safely . Was not left on bus to terrify anyone who picked it up

Have now been officially measured by the breast nurse . I have gone from a G cup to a C cup !
It's amazing !!!

Hi lumpynork,
Don't feel a fraud ( I too felt and feel the same way )
It's hard when u do not actually know what you are dealing with - the ladies on here are lovely and supportive and have made me smile and got me through the last few months ( I haven't always posted but have read and followed them along my journey )
I had a problem way back in march but ignored it until I could no longer.
I visited my doctor with a breast problem at the end of June and a week later I had an appt to see the breast nurse
Several various scans later and I am booked in for a small op to diagnose me with one of two options - I am relieved that it's now not far away
The waiting is the worst part but as these fair ladies point out we always assume the worst and the case is not always so
I have been so frightened but you do get through it and the mixture of emotions is unbelievable
I have been taught a very important lesson- its not a dress rehearsal - life is precious - grasp every part of it -
Most importantly you have made the first step by making your appt next week
X

Ooh Gigs , did you see you have been mentioned in the weekly round up ???

lumpy what gig says is good advice- any notes might be helpful ,periods especially- I always rather liked the little drawing of my breasts done by consultant on my notes with cartoon-style scar and stitches
Am sure they will refer you to be on the safe side so don't be alarmed -it really is best to be completely thorough. Well done for making the appointment-we'll be virtually hand holding.
Am glad you didn't lose your breast in a box on the way home topsy
Hooray for Sylvanians (or Ukrainians as mum calls them)

LumpyNork, it might also be worth makinga note of whether you've observed any significant changes over your cycle (as you've been concerned for a bit now i assume you've been through a couple of periods in the time) - it might stop dr suggesting you go away and come back later. As it's a while you've been worrying you'll probably just want to get a referral now and get it all sorted out, hopefully completely reassured. Uncertainty - also not feeling able to talk about it - is a dreadfullly streessful part of it, imo. I hope it all goes really well for you.
All the best, too, to jchoc. I hope your tests (?today) go okay with no further shocks/difficult news. Hope chemo ladies doing okay too. Everyone else too - I should put something on the trolley as I've been AWOL for so long. We're a poor hoose today though - the best I can do is Ryvita and jam, and a few apples. Dreadful, i know.

I am relieved to know very little about Sylvanians - was always pleased, when my boys were little, we didn't have to go down the PollyPocket trauma route - though it has to be said Lego and the like are horrid when you step on them. I think my total knowledge of Sylvanians comes from Kurri. You can blame her - she's away and won't know .

Topsy's boob in box dilemma reminds me of someone i knew who taught family planning and dropped her case of 'examples' on the bus - all those caps and condoms spilled all over floor of bus! no doubt the fake penis too!

I meant to say, you ladies have a lot to answer for - due to the thread earlier in week on islands and holidays in less grey and wet places, i've just given the Amazon pixies another little task!! Have ordered Rough Guides to Croatia and Slovenia. Before I got sick again (and before I was 50 which happened last year) I was planning an Interrail trip. It's all been on hold for a bit now, but I still want to go. It will be a bit more sedate than in my youf - no sleeping on trains overnight, a plan before I set off, and accomm booked in advance. Not sure when to go, much depends on money and time, and I waver from day to day in thinking whether I am physically up to it. But, hay, i may as well feel sick and tired when away as at home, and if I pace myself carefully it could be great fun ..... So, tell me, what's the weather likely to be like in November in southern Europe? More autumn sunlight and less rain than in scotland, or am I kidding myself?

Hi all, been reading and thinking of you all. Hope your results appointment has gone ok jchoc and that you are sitting enjoying a celebratory drink somewhere nice.

Glad to hear you have a new boob topsy but grr about your leaky wound.

lumpy will be thinking of you on Monday and hope it goes ok and that your doctor can either reassure you or refer you on to breast clinic.

I ended up phoning bcn today as I have been worried for a while about a lump. It could very well be scar tissue says she crossing everything but it feels deep in my breast. She said to try not to worry but I could either come to see the surgeon on Tuesday or as I'm seeing onc next Friday I could ask him. Would the onc know what a bc felt like? I am seriously considering deleting getting updates from Macmillan as between someone's lump not shrinking at all on FEC and someone else having a recurrence after only finishing chemo in April, I am scaring myself silly.

Hugs to everyone who needs it and be sure to take it easy gigs as you don't want to end up back in hospital.

Pink, grrr and heck re the current stuff.
If it's any use, the odds of success in beating recurrence can be as high as 80% with new treatments, as long as it's in a limited number of places and they whack it with targeted chemo and with surgery. And this week there's new stuff out that shows they have found out how to stop bodies becoming resistant to chemotherapy.
Meantime, for you, and for everyone else too.

grrr lost my post try again:

lumpy don't feel a fraud - I put off getting my lump checked for ages but it is better to go and find out what it is rather than worrying. Mine did need removing, but luckily was still quite small and only grade 2 so very treatable these days.

Mamo today wasn't as bad as feared, very efficient squashy lady and not much waiting about. Chocolate from Lidl near the hospital and back into town for a beer with a friend after work. didn't need such a debrief as I feared...

Music festival in the park behind us is shaking the house as expected, no free night this year either :(

Off to York tomorrow for dh's birthday. Booked nice hotel and running away together without the children for the first time in about 10 years!!

well done jane and enjoy your lovely trip away

jane well done and hope you are having a lovely weekend away.

gracie get off that Macmillan newsletter now. Aside from here my limited exposure to Internet support group (mainly related to when I lost my son) is that they definitely fall into the "picking at scabs" category . You tend to need them when low/paranoid (or in some cases desperate and
Mad )as do others so it tends to be focused on people being at their lowest, most worried or extreme. Unfortunatlely you don't hear so many of the "we found this but coped/it was ok " stories as people just don't post (and I am guilty of this so maybe I should go and help the people in bereavement group at some point). I like it here as we seem to get all

baskets I have certainly swum in Greece in November- it may not be hot but I would imagine 15-20 with a few hours of sun so should be pleasant. re Croatia .

Am doing ok but still low energy. Big gig had to be persuaded not to take sylvanian family to rugby (she is highly suggest able so leave it off you lot !) . I am taking it as easy as mini gig allows (she is currently asleep as spent all her waking time trying to get my glasses/phone /cup/the remote ... ) and cooking Tea. Slow roast pork , baked potatoes and chocolate cake later for the trolley.

slow roast pork sounds heavenly...don't wear yourself out. Let me know if big Gig gets the Sylvanian fridge- I would love that...
took dh to waitrose (his first visit to ours) and we bought lots of yummy things -stuff for making pizza tonight and other jolly things..
Righto, am going to wash the floors and then do some drawing.

Hi all sorry for disappearing. D ds now has control of the laptop! Damn. Hope all are ok.
Baskets. Oooh very jealous at idea of entertaining. Check weather on holidayweather or tripadvisor? And so what if it's slightly more sedate than the 20 year olds!?!?
Gig, you got a mention in talk roundup. Wow.
Still feel rubbish but have been able to get bloods moved to local hospital which is good. Peer off though to learn I could have had chemo.moved if I wasn't in a trial. Wish they'd told me, would have made me say no thanks.

I do bloods locally too.

Watching x factor and have had huge slab of chocolate cake so will offer it round.

Any idea how long it takes for neutrophil levels to start to climb- It is usually about 4 - 5 days?

Gig, yup.
Dilemma here. 1st yr results mid Sept and have no-one to go with me. Well, that's not true - there are people who would go with me, but they are the sort of people who panic. And that's no good for me. Deep in contemplation for whether it's wiser to go with people who panic or by myself. Not needing answers, but just wanted a safe space to say it.

Tricky one amber- the thing for me is how much do you take it in that they say to you. If you can listen or take notes so can think on what is said later or make sure your questions asked, I think you are almost better alone than with the wrong person.

Back to watching montalbano

Ah yes, we love that series....and you are wise in your thoughts. I'm fine with the science and practicalities on the day. I think I'll be ok in the meeting. It's the hour's wait beforehand and the drive back that worries me.

agree with gig - tricky isn't it ?
Watching paralympics mainly...