**TAMOXIFEN 29**

[MaryAnnSingleton]

crikey !

Hi, hello to those I don't know. Just to explain I used to be a daily poster on here in 2009/2010 when I was having treatment but I'm only an occasional poster now.

Anyway I just thought I'd comment to OTM that I was 55 when diagnosed, and almost 56 when I went back to work. I had lumpectomy, chemo and radiotherapy which all took 9 months. I had a phased return and was worried about whether I'd be exhausted. However I'm very glad to say that I felt fine within 2 months of my last treatment. I had a phased return from that point, if you see what I mean, and after the phasing was normal in energy terms.

So I'm just suggesting it is possible to return to a demanding job if you wish to do. On the other hand if early retirement is on offer and you want to make that change, that's a lovely choice to have! Good luck with your recovery and making the decision.

I'm an HR Manager by the way, but I have also known a teacher who worked after treatment.

Ho to everyone else and I hope you're coping Ok with treatement - although I don't pop on here much I do think about you all!
x

I meant 'hi' not 'ho' to everyone else!!

at ho.
Waves to all - sorry you have had a bad spell baskets but nice to hear from you. Also sandripples that is positive about you working again.

justfab that is rubbish about dr but glad you stood up for yourself.
mas good luck tomorrow - I hope get some kind of reassurance over your qualms.

otmhow you doing?

kurri that sounds like a lovely party and happy birthday to dh.

I am doing ok but quite tired so been resting and doing household jobs this week.

topsy I noticed that Paul Hollywood was looking very orange on gbbo - does he count? Also what about the strictly lot?

And smee were they fancy biscuits at the conference? I think foxes only keep going cos of conference trade as its not something you buy for home.

I just wanted to say hello as I've been lurking on this thread for a while (on Smee's recommendation).

I was diagnosed with BC 2 months ago and am 43 with a 6 year old son.

Currently going through chemo and am managing the physical side of things ok (although all the prodding/poking and general indignities get a bit much sometimes!!) but the emotional stuff is much more difficult.

Its great to see such a lovely supportive (and laugh out loud funny) thread.

I was wondering if anyone had been fitted with a PICC line and any tips on how to manage it=eg showering etc? I have 2 arms that I'm not supposed to use much (also had sentinel node biopsy) and its not easy!

Welcome birdland - sorry but glad you are here.

I had a hate relationship with my picc (as did gracie who must surely have had every side effect going). Did hospital give you a sleeve for showering and bath in? It's like a plastic over sleeve that looks like Michelin man but it keeps the picc site dry. Also I think putting a bandage over it (tubigrip) to keep line bits in place helps.

I had 2 infections - which apparently is very unlucky () but I think managed to get away with it by keeping line still with bandage as I think too much unnecessary movement makes it more sore and awkward.

Thanks gigondas-no they didn't give me a sleeve but I'll ask. I currently hang my arm out of the bath-no more carefree reading for hours in a bubble bath for a while.

The chemo nurse last week dressed the line so tight I have big purple bruises and the nurse who changed the dressing today was tutting about it!

Can i ask how you knew you had an infection? for some reason I'm worried about the PICC line-much more so than the kick ass chemo drugs that I'm getting. Thanks x

Hello Birdland and welcome - lovely to have you on board, but sorry of course that you have been poorly.

You must still be reeling a bit from the impact if you were only DX a couple of months ago, and you've obviously been through a fair amount of treatment already. How is the chemo going? - hope you aren't feeling too rough - very hard when you've got a little one to look after.

I agree with you that the emotional stuff was much harder to get to grips with than the physical side of things - it's a hell of a big thing to deal with, so never beat yourself up if you find it all gets a bit overwhelming at times, all of us on here have our up and down moments. But this is a good place to vent or cry or laugh

How is your Breast care Nurse? - I found mine very supportive when I was first DX, and also its definitely worth chatting to your oncologist or chemo staff about coping emotionally - there are often things available to help you - support groups, helplines (MacMillan do one which is v,good) counselling, relaxation classes - all sorts. Cancer hits every one for six, so its perfectly normal to feel scared or sad or panicky - whatever, and there is help out there, - don't feel you have to battle on and deal with everything on your own

Sorry I can't help with your picc line question, - but I know several people on here have had one, so they will no doubt be along with tips

Fab - I'm sorry you had a horrid time, - that consultant sounds awful, they shouldn't make you feel like that, and not give you a chance to ask questions. Can you chat to your GP again - and say what happened?, at least your GP will be sent notes from the hospital and can give you more information and I hope reassure you better.

Ho to you to SR nice to see you again

Baskets -Arf at the PTA story, - I like a custard cream too, not to mention bourbons .
Hope you get the wart sorted - sounds painful ,

Gig - take it easy, and don't overdo things. Paul Hollywood is def. a candidate for the orange album, - I can practically hear topsy moaning gently to herself at the sound of his name

The classic picc infection sign is sudden spikes in fever (no other symptoms usually although sometimes you may get red/sore line site but tbh mine always looked a bit sore as its not that natural to have a plastic line in ). So I was fine then shivering like a loony for an hour or so then fine again. Second time I had no symptoms then had a fever spike minute they started to use the line. I would look out for feeling a bit crumby after they have used the line (my first infection kicked off after used the line for a scan ). And know what you mean about picc paranoia - I did ok on chemo but picc line drove me nuts . It's out though as finished my chemo last week (have sarcoma - which is a soft tissue cancer but treatment of op, radio and now chemo similar to bc).

kurri speaks sense about emotions - I think this is worst bit. I see a therapist twice a week but I know that there are lots of support groups out there. The other place is a maggies centre if any near you.

Hi (or should that be ho sr) to all.

Welcome birdland I had a picc but had nothing but trouble with mine. It blocked loads of times and had to be replaced as it moved internally. I also had a clot in my arm caused by the picc so I am probably not the best person to ask as I was glad to be shot of it. I was given lots of sleeves to wear in the shower which I dumped last week or I could have sent you them. Don't go by my experience I was just unlucky.

Nice to see you back baskets but sorry you are feeling poorly. Your GP could probably remove your wart with liquid nitrogen bit ouchy but pain over quickly.

gigs lots of resting required. My last chemo knocked me out more than any other.

fab sorry your appointment didn't go well. consultant sounds rude to be honest but glad they organised for you to have a mammogram and well done you for sticking up for yourself.

Right off to bed as have rads appointment for 8.10 am . I will have to leave the house about 7.15 am to get through the traffic.

Thanks Kurri

I've only seen my bc nurse once-at diagnosis and haven't heard from her since. My onc did say to me at my appointment last week that BC nurse wanted to come to the appointment too-but no phone call to ask if that was ok with me. I don't know whether thats standard practice. I think I would have assumed it was bad news again if I'd seen her sitting there.

I've had 2 FEC chemo's and seem to have come through with few side effects apart from v weird smell/taste changes ( after the first one everything smelt of onions and I kept screeching at my mum to get rid of the non existent onions that I thought were in my fridge!), acid reflux and short lived palpitations. I did feel very strange days 3-4 but have been working 2 weeks out of 3 so far.

I'm lucky that my family, friends, colleagues and even my ex have been very supportive. My son knows I'm ill and has been intoduced to my wig Victoria (which I can't really wear in daylight hours as its a short black bob and makes me look a tad dominatrix!).

I think I might make some enquiries re: counselling. I have been to a Maggies centre and they are great. However I think I'm still a bit in denial and going there is difficult

Ho to sand nice back to work post. Welcome to bird I didn't have chemo but did have a snb but that was a year ago now and I rarely think about it, a very little occasional swelling maybe.

kk I hold you responsible for the fudge cake I just made for tea, that tin of condensed milk had to do something once I'd thought of it!! and very scrummy too... :)

night night gracie no wonder they say rads is tiring!

Cross posted gigondas and gracie-thanks so much for the info and congrats on finishing chemo gigondas.

I hate the idea of a PICC and the fact that both my arms are now buggered but am trying to get on with it.

jchocc-I was lugging carrier bags the day after my snb as I didn't know that it was a big deal and the hospital didn't tell me (though my common sense isn't too well developed at times)

did they give you the exercise leaflet, bird? I did follow them for a week or two, cant really remember what the exercises were now though...

Nothing at all-just told me not to wash until I saw the surgeon post op! Otherwise the hospital has been pretty good.

My arms a bit achey but the scar has healed well if a bit lumpy with scar tissue. I'm more careful now but I have to remind myself constantly as I am the sort who lugs furniture around on my own

getting fitter feeling stronger leaflet link there are some easy exercises in there.

Thanks jchocc

Nipping in v.late to see how Fab got on. Grr for that doctor. How dare she be so dismissive. I think good decision to say yes to another mammo. Really hope you don't have to wait too long.

Great you made it across. Can't believe you've done two FECs already. I never had a Picc line, so can't help on that. Exercises crucial though. You have to do them every day and several times, otherwise you lose some mobility. (or that's what I found). My wig was called Erica. Made me look like a Russian spy from the cold war. Never used it in the end.

@ CustardCreamGate, Baskets. I love them too. Sorry you're feeling lousy.

Hope Mr Kurri had a lovely day.

Sandripples, how's DS?? Is he settling in okay? Must feel odd not having him there.

Gracie, how many more do you have to go? 8.10's very early

Right, no time for more now. Meant to have an early night.

hi guys! i'm up early cos i couldn't sleep.
hello to birdland well done for getting through so far, its so hard to start with but this is a great place to come!
justfab sounds like you didn't get a very good experience at hospital, what a shame, def try to see someone else.

re: early retirement. It's not specifically that I want to 'retire' its just that I have a frozen pension from old life that it is technically possible to get released early on grounds of ill health. It isn't huge by any means but getting it would ease our financial worries (because i will shortly stop getting paid by work) and having that cushion will mean I do not need to 'rush' back into work. I am nervous about my return i know probably unreasonably so but 2 family members who have had cancer took around a year to get fit enough to go back (both really fit pre cancer and very energetic committed people) and i worry. If I have even 3 months without any income we would not e able to afford to pay our mortgage.

Thank you for all saying I did the right thing. The doctor needs to improve her bedside manner as it was clear I was upset and she didn't say a thing. I just thought what is the point? I haven't got a lump but do have some things that the bc website say could mean a problem I don't think I have bc but as she didn't check for long I am not reassured so I feel more worried than I did before I went just becasue she did a 5 second check. Sorry to go on about it. I feel a fraud being here as I haven't been diagnosed with c yet and this just makes me sound a total hypochondriac.

What I missed off my other post was she basically said was as my mammogram a year ago was fine I couldn't have anything wrong now and procedures have changed to only mammogram 40 and above. I was 39 when I had the first one and I am 40 now .

welcome birdland - sorry too, but am glad you found us.
fab grr about your trip to b clinic- sounds very unhelpful and unsatisfactory. Hope you get a mammo. appointment soon to reassure.
Waves to smee - glad you are back !
Sorry for absence- had a nice day after my blood test and flu jab- met my best pal for lunch (halloumi parmiagana -yum- and a side order of the best chips,just like proper French frites)
Visited the 6th form college with ds and dh and v impressed by the size (huge and facilities - there's a Starbucks !) Enthusiastic students too- wish I was going.

Waves to everyone else -sorry haven't caught up properly.

Morning All

Hello to Birdland and welcome .
Loving the sound of your dominatrix wig .
I think you'll fit in here just fine

Mas will you be having a ct any time soon to check your progress ?
I think I had one after 3 rounds of chemo .
Do you have another apt today ?

Gracie you bored of the hospital run yet ?
We still haven't organised our coffee morning . What are you up to next week ?

Gigs you are quiet . All ok ?

Smeeeeeeeee welcome back from biscuit land conference .

Just Fab what a cow of a doctor !
I think given all the other medical things you are going through atm , it's no wonder you would be concerned about any breast changes .
You have every right to have your concerns taken seriously !
I am grrr on your behalf !

Right got DD to get out of the door to school .
It's freezing here today , but at least yesterday's rain has finally stopped !

Later Ladies !

Waves to OTM
So many decisions to be made after a cancer diagnosis aren't there ?

topsy hospital today, I guess CT would be after another couple of rounds ?
can ask today...
Bit brighter outside today- no rain (so far) ! Brother and niece coming later,staying overnight with parents- will be lovely to see them. Lalaa is doing her PGCE and will be still at school