Tamoxifen 34 *the power of Sauron*

[MaryAnnSingleton]

new thread !!!

My mums neck scar isn't really visible now (was a 5 inch incision from just below jaw). She used oils like bio and vitamin e and also acupuncture on scarring (I have done this too and also castor oil which has worked amazingly well on my scars). I would say it was 3/4 years to fade in If that makes sense.
I can do coffee cake too for those that like it. And yes to walnuts on it!

That is very sad about your friend but good you made up mas.

Morning all. Walk in the sunshine this morning which makes everything feel much more pleasant.

After my mother's thyroid operation (several years back) she treated herself to a string of fat pearls! So perhaps some lightweight but chunky costume jewellery? The problem with neck scarves is you might be mistaken for an flight attendant (coffee, tea or me?), or draw more attention to something that no one has actually noticed ...... But it's nt me, so I don't know how I'd feel in the same situation.

Landsend has some nice collared shirts - they might be useful

You are right coorong I don't want to draw attention to it or look like a transsexual trying to cover up my Adam's apple !

I think after the first couple of comments I will develop a hard stare and a suitable response.

arf @ transexual disguising scarves
I am thinking that my friend who is pretty strong minded and fully aware of her situation may well be choosing this path herself - I don't want to wade in saying you should do this etc etc as I am certain she will have thought it through. She has no partner and I would say I'm her closest friend probably. It seems so unfair though.
I have just painted my nails a colour called Hello Sailor- v dark blue -in an attempt to disguise their awfulness.

I'm elite, me (as in when mum's friend's daughter was asked on holiday by a wealthy family and asked how much the air fare was and the mother replied "Aw no, us has us own plane") I thought it was a strange survey, no allowing for regional differences etc. although I am obviously the crème de la crème

KK Glad to see you back and that OldLadyDog is enjoying her snacks. There is a man carries his very old doddery almost bald 17 year old poodle to the park nearby and stands with her in the river, she always has a new lease of life when he puts her in the water especially if goondog is around. Obviously not in this weather but I hope she'll be back when, if ever, it warms up.

Where shall we head with the hippy bus now? We could go visit Ned and nj. Don't they have a nuddy beach nearby, sounds our style, we could dance naked showing off all our scars

nj sounds like you have a strategy. I have forgotten my tit on occasion, trouble is by the time I realise why I was getting stared at the people have gone and I haven't had chance to come out with my rehearsed " Have you got a problem with it, because if you do don't inflict your issues on me. I've got other more worthwhile things to worry about"

mas gigs Friend and I thought we'd try and get in the Pompeii exhibition expecting to have no chance (last time she came we set off at 5am to try and get in the Leonardo exhibition and failed so we were feeling pessimistic) and at 11 they had tickets from 12.30 on. So it is nowhere near as busy as other exhibitions have been and wasn't that crowded. Perhaps everyone is assuming they have no chance as it is the school holidays?

It is amazing, the richest exhibition they have put on. Friend and I went in at 3 and were shocked when man announced it would be closing in 30 mins, we were so absorbed we had no idea 2 hours had passed. It is set out like a roman house room by room, a sort of roman ideal home exhibition, emphasising how like ours their lives were, so that by the time you come to the casts of the bodies it is all the more moving.

Then we got tickets at the half price ticket booth for A Chorus Line so we were on a roll. Chorus line was a bit dated, a sort of musical version of Columbo, with leotards and lots of staring into the distance talking about their dream, but then if you are into Howard's Way!

Glad to hear you are getting out gigs

coorong re London What do you like doing?

I am twice procrastinating as have some self assembly furniture waiting for me to botch up assemble

MAS I think that balancing life expectancy and rate of growth in a tumour is something that they do quite often in older people. I have a couple of friends whose mothers have / had tumours that were not treated on the basis that they were less of a threat to their lives than other problems. Something that should be discussed and challenged though and very difficult for you.

Morning all sunshine here, which is nice, but still pretty chilly. DS lasted about 10 minutes on his newly repaired trampoline before he came in and complained he was cold!

Had busy week so far - wedding anniversary on Wednesday - went to this place for supper. Twas very yum - I had souffle, roast duck and chocolatey thing.

Thursday/ Friday spent up north with friends (wife of couple was the one who didn't contact me for 13 months and I called her on it). It was a bit awkward the first day as it was not mentioned and it was like the elephant in the room, but she did apologise on day 2 and said that if she had known how I felt then she would have been better at staying in touch. Was lovely to see them and I remembered why we were friends in the first place.

KURRI welcome back, lovely. The place wasn't the same without you. Sending you big Dorset smoochies and treats for old lady dog x x x x x

Sometimes lovely to see you too. Hope you're not working too hard out there? x x x x x

NJ I would hope that not too many people would so presumptuous as to ask about your scar. I would be and on your behalf. . . I am sure that it will fade some more - my scar is barely noticeable after a year. Yours wasn't startlingly obvious when we met up, so I am sure it will fade into the realms of "well, you can see it if you know its there but its not the first thing you notice". Sending you big hugs.

ashokan yes, I am a primary teacher, working days a week in year 1. Started my career many moons ago teaching secondary and hated it, so I've come a long way! I've only been in year 1 for one term, having started back at work in January, but I didn't think I would love it as much as I do. Smaller ones make such progress that you can see happening in front of your eyes, its so satisfying. I'd say go for it! Maybe try and get some work experience in a school and get a feel for the different agegroups and see which feels best for you.

MAS maybe talk to your friend about how she made the decision about treatment? That way you can show her that you are taking an interest rather than telling her what to do. Such a difficult situation for you

Question - what should I do about travel insurance for France? Any tips for best company, or do I just list BC as an exclusion on the basis that nothing urgent is going to kick off in a week while I am away?

Epic post, and I can't go back a page to see what else I've missed. Will post this and read back further later on.

Lots of love and hugs to everyone - you are all amazing

Hi everyone, I'm here a bit more than usual as I have a horrid cold - have had it for over a week and I just don't feel like doing very much- so hope you don't mind if I join in for a little chat.

I had forgotten all about Clare Balding's op so even though I've watched her a lot over the past year I'd never noticed any scar at all.

Sympathies to Jchocchip - my mother had increasing dementia over 20 years and it was very hard. I found I just had to live in the moment with her and try to forget she wouldn't remember anything 5 minutes later.
Topsy - lets hope you remember where your bed is tomorrow!

Gigs - I hope you've been able to come off the codeine- I hate that stuff and think it makes me depressed. Not sure if that's usual. I hope you're OK.

Cold and very sunny here, and temp has crept up to 11 which is a record this year. I'm practising the art of indoor gardening - have ordered seeds and plants and have planted seeds on the trays in my DD's bedroom. The basil and cucumbers have germinated already
But I am so longing for some real warmth...

Navy nails sound exciting MAS!

KK - glad you're back!

Sometimes - are you Smee? Apologies if I've missed something.

Best wishes to all having treatment. I think I'm half way through my 5 years of Anastrozole now - I am very unfit though and need the spring to get moving again- I've done a few long walks in the past couple of months but feel sluggish. Still, I've got a week off in mid-Ap[ril sop hope my cold will have gone and that the temperature will be at least 15 degrees by then so that I can feel a spring in my step again....

Love to all xx

Boo at cold sandripples - there have been some horrid viruses around that won't go. And completely agree that codeine does for your mood- today have managed to go without which is good, just a dose at night.

Ned- I think eurotunnel does full cover and don't need to travel with them. But I go with your logic on excluding the bc- I did that except my cancer seems to hear the word holiday and then do something that stops it . From now on I am not holidaying , I am doing a very long trip to tescos (or that's what I will tell it).

I offer cholla bread from nice bakery and slightly overdone chocolate cake kids made.

Navy nails sound nice- I want to do mine but I am never sure on etiquette when you have an anaesthetic about it. Some places don't like it.

Hiya people. Yet again weekend lunch and tea calls nearly touching :(. We are.going to eat later but medication should be better spaced.
Mum better today slept quite well. Have watched mastermind and university challenge and the Grand National. All runners back safe and sound :)

Overdone chocolate cake sounds scrummy . anyone?

Ned, re travel insurance. I was already insured through my bank when I was dx'ed. I rang them and they will still insure me in Europe but for nothing to do with the BC. So I travel happily in Europe on the same basis as you ie nothing is likely to happen suddenly. I did also go to Turkey last year though I'm not sure whether I was strictly covered for that. I felt confident as I know the guide where we go, having been 3 times now and he's a friend.
I must say that even though I feel recovered (touch wood because you can never truly say that) I'd be nervous about going far afield - partly because I'd want to be insured even if BC excluded, and partly because I know my veins are so knackered and if I had to had to have a drip or an anaesthetic I'd be utterly terrified. Its does put me off some of the trips I might have fancied before - but as we can't afford them its all a bit if a fantasy at present, anyway.
I know I'm not really well just now as even though its a beautiful day I lack the enthusiasm to go for a walk. however I've brushed up in the front garden and planted a pack of marigolds, to show willing.

Gig - you're right about horrid bugs around. I know 2 people who've got pneumonia round here - both Dxed this week. Glad you're managing w/o much codeine!

ned well done about making things right with friend - hooray
Waving to SR - feel much better soon lovey.
Cholla and overdone choc cake sounds just the thing. Hope your next trip to Tesco is soon gig
Have asked my friend about the treatment she's been offered and gather that it's just tamoxifen. She herself has chosen not to have surgery but don't think they've let her know that rads might be a possibility, or even chemo.

Btw - did any one watch the very excellent NHS programme last week and week before ? This week's featured a woman caring for her husband with dementia- it was very touching and quite heart breaking.

Hi MAS, I didn't see either programme but must catch up with it. Its difficult to make sense of the NHS I find. You hear dreadful stories, but my experiences as a patient have been excellent. Its a good idea to do a sort of 'day in the life of..' in real hospitals. I was struck when I was in, for my few short times, at how appalling some of the patients are - so lacking in respect for the people trying to look after them!

Perhaps I'm mad but following BC I decided I wasn't going to put off seeing the things I wanted to see around the world any longer, so we have travelled to some places that didn't even really have a properly functioning health system, so far without incident. I suppose I was nervous at first but I couldn't let it win and limit my life. And actually I know from living in Hong Kong that there are places further afield where you would actually get better treatment in their public health systems than here, you could add Australia and New Zealand to Hong Kong. I was actually rather blasé when SARS hit Hong Kong, what? Only a 6% chance of dying, seemed quite inoffensive compared to my lump (helped that my GP was an epidemiologist and was saying, ignore all the hysteria, it is clearly very hard to catch unless you are going to snog someone who has it)

I think also re health insurance there is a time limit on how long they can exclude it? Although my health and travel insurance predated my BC so they couldn't exclude it we have had run ins with life insurers and they have had to concede the point after my Specialist sent them a letter outlining my up to date prognosis.

Hi, yes I wouldn't be worried about Oz or NZ, but would be less keen on India for example.

I've actually been vbery lucky in that I travelled widely when I was younger so its not a big deal really - I got a lot of it out of my system. And I love Europe - the variety and languages etc. Its just that I know I'm a bit more wary than I was before when these things never bothered me at all. (I did go to live in Yemen with a 12 week old in my hey dey - so I was pretty bold back then!)

Its a good philosophy not to let these problems put you off though, I agree.

Did someone say ? Yes please.

Or ?

Onc phoned and had long chat with her so feel quite reassured . Felt it was my most adult conversation yet with her as could ask what I want and listen.

Drink, chocolate and scandy crime on- I am

definitely time :) Mum in bed Going to have an early night myself, but may look at the computer upstairs...

that's good gig - glad you're feeling reassured.
Am stuffed with food - all rather rich -dinner out with parents and some nice American friends...

What Scandy Crime have I missed out on ???

Eventful day here .
DD goes horse riding every Saturday morning with her friend .
Friend got thrown , friend has broken shoulder !!!
Apparently only treatment the hospital offer for this is a sling and regular doses of calpol

Bedroom almost finished .
Got to attach hooks to side of wardrobe , for the hanging of handbags etc .
And have ordered some underbed storage containers for the leopard print shoe collection !

Hope everyone sleeps well tonight .
No bad dreams and no pain .
That's an order !

and ow at broken shoulder. Both my gran and Mum broke theirs a long time ago and I only remember them being strapped up. It wouldn't be possible to put a plaster cast on...

Morning. I've woken with a painful elbow, sorry topsy

Will go and put porridge and on :)

Glad you feel reassured gig hope you slept well last night.

jchop will the agency not space the weekend visits better especially as they affect medication timing ? Does you mum have a sw ? This sort of thing needs flagging up with them as some agencies are terrible for scheduling to suit themselves not the clients.

We went to Studland beach yesterday and had a walk. It was really warm out of the wind but the wind is still icy cold. We did not see any nudists fortunately. The children would have found that hysterical and I am not sure how giant hooligan puppy would react to a nudist but it would probably have involved inappropriate licking.

kk hope old lady dog is ok.

ned how are you fixed for lunch in the next couple of weeks ?

We are having a quiet day today as we have a busy week coming up. I may even stay in my pyjamas all day.