TAMOXIFEN**33**

[MaryAnnSingleton]

new thread - bring the trolley over here....

Ha ha KK, my dog used to do that with clothes, for comfort when we went out. Used to specialise in taking dirty clothes out of the laundry basket. It used to make bringing friends home a bit interesting, they needed to be the sort of people who didn't mind stepping over a trail of dirty pants. Arf!

Hi all, hope everyone has had a decent day, and that everyone who didn't sleep last night have better luck tonight. I'm off the Pilates in a bit to stretch out all my achy bits.

Cheered myself up a lot today by buying a new cardi - it's bright orange. Yum!

Official hospital letter today - op planned for the 25th march - 3 more weeks with my left breast - do I throw a going away party? - I'm really not in the mood.
I have nothing to offer on chloesterol amber - but hope it improves, and gig, your pain doesn't sound much fun - I really hope you find the way out.

I'm at the beginning of this journey and its reassuring to see fellow travellers doing well despite the, we'll despite everything really.

Sorry for lack of cheer, I thin its seeing your name in black and white next to theatre plans (and I'm not talking mama Mia)

((((hugs for coorong))). Three weeks must seem like an age. I had a wake for my breast. Big party, but after all treatment done and dusted and was to say thank you to the lovely friends who helped me through. Be as fragile and grumpy on here as you want. We all understand.

Saying hi to Sparkle, as I haven't yet. I was diagnosed 3 years ago this month and v.much still here. Sounds v.similar to yours. Stick around, as this place has really kept me sane(ish).

Ashoken, so glad you came back. Sorry you were sick, but latest chemo sounds like it's going okay, which is great.

I've never had my cholesterol tested, Amber. Though maybe I have and nobody's told me the results. Not good on heart being a bit older than you. How extraordinary, but am guessing Herceptin's the culprit. What fitness regime are you heading into? Can we cheer from the stands?

at Kurri's hound.

Sometimes, I read that as 'new card'. Thought you'd lost the plot for a second or two.

Gig, hope horse pills work. Night time pain's the worst. More so when you have little ones to wake you too am sure.

MAS, I have seen Bob the cat a fair few times, though not for ages. Was extraordinary, as he used to walk up and down the High Street with the cat curled round his shoulders. Lovely man too.

Have missed loads, so can't possibly keep up. Mwwahh to all though. I might be a bit more about this week, so will try to be here a bit more.

Am a bit fed up tonight - have broken a crown so have to go to the dentist tomorrow instead of having lunch with the lovely pen. Boo and double boo. . .

however, cheered up a bit after phone call from choir conductor to say that I got the big solo for the choir concert in April Will attempt to stay away from scary rude woman from last term who also auditioned. . .

coornong 3 weeks is a long time to wait. If you feel like having party for your boob, then I think you should. I strongly believe that we do anything we feel like to get through this whole shitty process. Do whatever feels right, that is the most important thing. Oh, and hang out here. Its about as good as it gets when it comes to support

One of my dogs has an irritating habit of climbing into the ironing basket to snooze. Looks quite cute all curled up though. . .

Hope new pills have some positive effect gig Fingers crossed for a better night for you x x

amber have you been given some suggestions of possible exercise activities? Hope we can support you with your new regime x x x

Waves to smee hope you have a slightly more chilled out week. Take it easy, won't you?

Bath and bed for me. Lots of love to everyone x x x x x x x x x x x x x

Never mind ned there will be other lunches.

My dogs do the dirty washing thing too and there is nothing like being presented with a gusset on your return home.

I am planning a hedonistic lunch out with my friends after my all clear scan. I can't wait.
I was too scared before the op to do anything coornong and felt like it was all surreal and not actually happening to me. I still have to remind myself I am officially a sick person now or I forget my pills. I did spend time before the op rubbing my neck and I had a facial with shoulder and neck massage as I knew my neck would never feel the same again. I could not stand a neck massage now.
Hope you get a better night gig. I have tennis elbow that is hugely aggravated by typing / general ipad ing.

waiting for something like an op is awful - I guess you need to do nice things to focus your mind somewhere else but i think it's a kind of pre-mourning state for what once was - if that doesn't sound too weird.
ned poor tooth -hope it is fixed quickly and painlessly and that you can reschedule lunch with pen soon. I have 2 teeth with broken bits but not very bothersome,unless something else falls off - am going to dentist soon anyway.
Waves to smee We have a blurry picture Theo took of Bob in Shelton st - was very exciting to see him.

they've no clue what did it re cholesterol and heart thingy - probably total burden of 8 lots of chemo and the herceptin and etc yes. Doc happy with me doing my gardening and walking, plus the gentle decline in calories. Can't do much more with fitness due to the other challenges I have. Hey ho, all part of the rich tapestry of post-bc life.

Today was a big day!! Last Herceptin woop woop, I can't believe that this day has finally come - no more cannulas, and it's oh's birthday. So sitting here feeling pretty smug, and glad it's not this time last year:)

Yay for last herceptin snails

amber walking is good for weight loss, as long as you watch your calories. Have you thought of a pedometer so you can see how active you are each day?

coorong thinking of you (())

mas I wanted to teach my cat to walk on a harness but dh thought I was mad and cat wasn't keen so didn't persevere. But we could have walked to the vets across the park rather than invoking the cat basket which he hates...
ned about tooth.

Should all mners get orange cardis, then we'd recognise each other!

Morning all! Time for a ?

I wanted to get a pedometer - i should,would make sure I walked enough ! Am sure your activities will do the trick amber
jane bet cat much prefers to walk than go in horrid cat basket.
Hooray for snails !!
More drawing today and posting my bartered picture to Hong kong.

the tamoxifen orange cardi -now there's an idea

Amber- they were ravings about walking being great post cancer treatment on my course. You know that iPod minis have pedometers on so you could use one of those. Not sure if music while you exercise is your thing but it is good for that.

Horse tablets worked and I had 6 hours sleep straight!!!

Coorong- wait will go quickly I hope.

Grr about teeth ned .

Working today so back later - am so to be pain free.

thanks all for the kind messages - appointment today to plan the first attack on the left breast - and hear all the gory details about how they're going to shift various parts of my body about to create a new, improved version.

am keeping busy doing block B of my PGCE (secondary science) very useful for distracting me, I have a load of year x books to mark ... and my first lesson observation on the 22nd of March - only a few days before the op. Not sure when the second observation will be - I guess that depends on what they find and what sort of follow up. Hopefully I'll be able to knock it on the head in June / July>>>> probably dreaming on this front.

I saw a FERRET being walked on our local high street ..... same day I saw someone walking their pet pony???? I'm sure you won't look out of place with a cat ..

Wow, Snails that's a major cause for celebration. Hooray for you! Must be a massive relief.

And hooray for Gig's and horse pills. 6 hours must have felt weird after all the deprivation you've had.

Ned, well done on winning solo, though bugger about the tooth. Hope dentist is gentle and gets it fixed pronto. Lunch is far more important.

If you've got an iPhone or similar Amber, get the 'Moves' app - it's free. DS made me download it and it's like a pedometer. Somehow works out if you're cycling and tells you that too.

Coorong, a ferret on a lead?! That's just weird.. Glad you're keeping busy, but hope appointment today goes well too.

Hope you're keeping busy too, Sparkle. Come natter and let us distract you.

MAS, what's your bartered picture? I must have missed that somehow.

Better get on. Lots of work on as ever. on for those who want one.

I have a pedometer :-) But have lost it so that's something to look for later

did I congratulate ned on her solo ?? hooray for ned if not- what a star !
smee bartered picture is exchange for an adorable needle felted Bob the streetcat made to order for my bf's birthday -it's a profile picture of the needlefelter herself with her creations.
Am glad that walking is a top cancer thing as that's about my only exercise

I did a chair workout from a Rosemary Conley DVD. I couldn't even manage to sit up straight in the chair for the whole 15 minutes but it's definitely a step in the right direction :)

After loads of hassle getting a doctors letter for HR it turns out they need a special note called a "fit note" but they hadn't told me or my line manager that until I'd sent in the wrong one

amber and smee I have the Map My Fitness app. It gives you a map of where you've walked/cycled/run and your distance, speed, time etc. It's quite good for motivation as you can compare previous ones.

snails that's fantastic, well done for getting through it all! And happy birthday to your oh as well. I hope you're both having a lovely day

gig brilliant news about the sleep, I hope you are feeling more refreshed!

ned brilliant about the solo, well done, I hope the other lady is gracious about it. Shame about your tooth and the lunch though! :(

coorong glad you are keeping busy and I hope the appointment goes well

I have some muffins today and I'm planning to make a beetroot chocolate cake at some point!

Hello everyone - does anyone know anything about blue badges after a cancer diagnosis ? I have reapplied for my blue badge due to pre-existing disability but they seem t be dragging their feet about renewing it (I am one of the people who may need an assessment to qualify). I have read things which seems to suggest a cancer diagnosis is grounds to qualify. Without it I am going to find it very difficult to get to oncology department unless I get a taxi - hospital shuttle bus stop is a mile away!

hello spero I don't know, but was quite surprised to find that some of my secondary bc support group had them - it hadn't occurred to me ! I suppose I'd be reluctant to get one if eligible as that seems a bit of an acknowledgement of illness when I feel very well.

It depends on area but it is grounds to apply - they will usually assess you on mobility etc (cousin with secondary's has one but re applies when you need it). I am with you on why I don't ask mas.

It sounds like it is one extra factor you can add on your application spero.

I find I am very breathless now after walking just a short way, but I guess that will resolve itself once chemo and radiotherapy are over. I will give the council another ring and see what's happening, its just sp frustrating when I applied in January and my app seems to have just been sitting on someone's desk this whole time.

Waving hello to Spero. Glad you made it over here.

Ash, did you say chocolate cake?! Mmm..

Are you anaemic spero? I know that was why I was breathless and knackered on chemo- was horrid as felt like someone pushing on my chest.

That's horrid that has been sitting on someone's desk .

It is so lovely and sunny today - and I have had my first caramel egg of the year.

Hi Spero
Cancer doesn't entitle you to a blue badge automatically .
If you are disabled through your cancer or the treatment for it , then it's grounds to apply .
Added to your disability you already have , you should stand a good chance .
Phone and nag !!!

Will phone and nag, that is one of my special skills.

Not sure if I am anaemic but I find I definitely can't walk very far without needing to stop and take deep breaths. My oncologist was full of stories about people cycling into hospital for their chemo, so now feeling inadequate.

Presumably if I am otherwise feeling ok, this is nothing to worry about?