Tamoxifen 34 *the power of Sauron*

[MaryAnnSingleton]

new thread !!!

On way home now .
DD went mental in paperchase .
She loves their journals .

I think I need to go see my GP though , as once again my bladder failed me
What treatments would a GP suggest for a woman who pisses herself in public ?
apart from locking up ?

Blimeys, that was a bit lively, ladies!
No-one is going anywhere.

It's ok to be cheery, sad, scared, or anything else about the cancer and the way it takes us. Everyone has their own way of coping.
And the great thing is that people here can switch fast and expertly between joke and caring and back again.

Topsy, not sure. Docs have cunning plans for those things involving exercises and medications etc I think.

?

I have some in continence pants left over from when my seroma burst topsy.

Agree with amber- it is a very common issue and think there are specialist physios that deal with it.

topsy I don't have bladder problems, but my pelvic floor is incredibly weak from my surgery and I have a pelvic toner. It's available on prescription here but I bought mine online because my GP was very slow and I really wanted to get to work. Is yours likely to be a pelvic floor thing do you think? If so, I highly recommend it. I haven't had it long and I'm still on the lowest setting but it definitely feels like a little workout while I'm using it! If you've had any surgery or ongoing problems down there then probably best to ask your GP about it before using, I had to wait a while after my surgery before I was allowed to use it. Anyway that was all a bit rambly but just to say there are things out there to help and that do work [busmile]

I'm seeing the physiotherapist in a couple of weeks to discuss my pelvic floor as well, yippee [bugrin]

Physio is going to have to rebuild me - does anyone elSe get seriously achy and slow when have been laid up in bed awhile.

Big gig is trying to build a domino run- it is not going well and it is making her quite cross . Particularly when Mini gig helps .

Also can I balance out all my moans about my old nanny- new nannies are wondrous, even making me lunch, which has made it nice and easy to flop out.

Topsy It is incredibly common, it's just people don't tend to let on. Just don't make me laugh, or cough. When I was in hospital in the early stages of being pregnant with Little Copt I was put on the gynae ward in what must have been tighten up the bladders week, about ten having them sewn back into place. And they weren't all old by any means, there were a couple of young athletes whose careers were being compromised, one runs our local Netball Club. I am sure it is all that athletic jumping that is at the root of my problem. However they were having the surgery because the exercises hadn't worked and it did motivate me to keep up the exercises goes off to google pelvic floor exercises. I seem to remember one was controlling the flow of wee, stopping it and letting it go again and the other is the one where you clench your

I've been doing my own pelvic floor exercises but it doesn't seem to be making a difference . Infact it's getting worse !
But how do you know if its pelvic floor or not ?
And if its not pelvic floor related , then what might it be ?

gigs Yes lying in bed does definitely accentuate all your aches, that is the problem with my sleeplessness, do I stay in bed until I have managed six plus hours, in which case I spend about 12 in bed, or do I just make do with the sleep I get in 8 hours and then be too tired to do anything anyway, either way my hips cease up. Currently motivating myself to do physio exercises and stretches alongside nagging Little Copt and being manipulated by Big Copt into making her lunch. How can two sisters be so different, I worry one works too hard and how the hell I motivate the other without being a fishwive

Loved the picture of little gig at the zoo. Just don't take her to the empty seal enclosure, big Copt spent her entire third year worrying where the seal had gone and was it alright, and still tears up when she thinks about it She had her last birthday party at the silent disco at the zoo but we caught her googling the seal at London Zoo beforehand just to see......

topsy your bladder has been playing up recently and yes I should see your GP .... Just make sure is it not one of DS' friends dads !!!!

We have come to the seaside for a ' 'family' day .... We are at an indoor play centre. DS (9) is very happy and DS(4) is coughing constantly and DH has gone for a browse round the charity shops ..... Some bloody family day .... Me sat alone with the background noise like a thousand shrieking cats !!!!

I am feeling a bit low about my home life to be honest. I have a great DH who has pampered me and really taken care of me when i was really struggling physicslly. I now think that he thinks that because I look and feel good and like to socialise with friends for coffee and lunch (which is resting in my book) that I am game to re take over the whole she-bang of things I used to do ..... I just feel like he is biting his tongue and wants to let rip and tell me I am a lazy cow. I have asked him if there is anything wrong and told him the things I still struggle with and that the nurses think I should rest more and he just does one of those "yeeeeeessss" things whilst looking elsewhere. Anyone else had this and what did you do ?

gigs I am incredibly achy and move around like my dearly departed arthritic mum at the moment .... Ask topsy about the old lady noises when getting off her sofa ! I have also suffered what I think is a permanent nerve damage on my outer thigh since lying in hospital for a 15 day stretch.

Topsy, 'overactive bladder', I guess. Sometimes the nerves get sulky. Or it could be a minor infection.

HND, grr re superhubby turning into sulkyhubby. You need that rest. Is the BCN able to have a quiet word with him and stress why you need support, still?

Seriously achey - yup. I was struggling to get out of chairs when on Herceptin. And now have worse problems with stiffness if I don't get up and move about every few mins.

Yup hnd I can definitely relate to hubby wanting everything to go back to what it was before. He was fantastic when I was ill but now thinks that because he goes to work (and he does work long hours) I have to do everything else regardless of sleep deprivation, lymphedema prevention guidelines, creakiness. It does really annoy me but I think it was just the way he was brought up, default mode as it were, just haven't yet worked out what to click on to get it back into caring mode, Sorry. Not much help.....

Hnd- dh is good in terms of not Moaning but i can see it taking a toll on him stress wise (the holiday he went on last summer without me but with all dc/dsc being a case in point). I feel guilty as he wasn't meant to be my carer and at times like this we don't feel much dh/dw. Which is shame as had bunch of normal stuff like holiday planned .
And I think people massively underestimate how long it takes to recover and that you aren't the same again (nodding at your description Copt as i get very stiff hip and knee from lieing or sitting too long).

gigs I'm like a 90 year old at times. I blame the chemo as I definitely wasn't as bad before it or maybe it is because we tend to sit more (well I know I certainly do).

topsy best to get it checked out. If it is irritable bladder I think that can be sorted with medication. There is a helpline number you can phone for advice but I think it would need to be dx first.

hnd Hope your ears hold up to the noise. You really do need to be resting though if you want your wound to heal. Amber made a good point, maybe if he is around when district nurse is dressing your wound she could stress how important it is for you to take it easy.

I have a severe case of CBA (can't be a**ed) at the moment. Even making the kids lunch is a chore and I am feeding myself full of sugar which isn't good. Swift kick up backside required.

Chemo does stiffen muscles - remember when I couldn't walk post George Michael Concert?

I know what you mean about CBa... I haven't left house in days. Got more painkillers on way tho which should help.

I will post nam photo on fb for topsy when I steroid up

hnd gigs Yes this illness is hard on DHs, in our support group several were on anti depressants. Whilst I was ill my DH went off for a break with his best friend (who I won't normally have in the house, patronising sod ) which did him a world of good not least because his bf annoyed the hell out of him and it made him appreciate me, bald, one titted, vomiting, and weak waste of space though I was! You can't help but feel a bit guilty but just remember they are lucky to have us, whatever our baggage.

Oh and mas have you read Tracey thorns book-it's awesome!

I do feel bad moaning as he is very good and has always done a lot around the house ..... Ironing though (and hoovering) is a big no no for me but because the leaflet said abstain fir 12 weeks, he seems to imply I can do it now by making a big drama
Of getting out the ironing board and sighing .... He never says anything ...... I am way behind the 12 weeks as healing is proving tiresome ..... I ramble ..... Somebody slap me !

oh grr about dh hnd - as others have said, it takes time to recover fully -but as you are looking healthy and bright (from seeing your pics) and lunching with friends etc-he must think all is back to normal- can't win really
ginger agree with what ashokan said earlier - do stick around if you can- I don't like the other forums I've visited,I must say.
Goig - have read the first bits of the Tracey Thorn book- was waiting until dh had read it- it was R4's book of the week a while ago and really liked wht I heard.
topsy am sorry you're having wee probs - sounds horrid. No practical advice I'm afraid.
Bracing walk done, am knackered - going out to shops in a sec and might need a takeaway coffee. This pesky period is now on week 3 -will it ever end ?

HND sorry you're feeling down, have you tried asking him to do specific things to help rather than just generally saying you need him to help? Certainly my ex wasn't very good at knowing what needed doing but if I asked him to something specific he would do it. I definitely recognise the huffy, melodramatic technique, he used that for washing up! In the end what killed our relationship was that I didn't feel feminine or attractive, and felt more like a patient than his girlfriend, but I did still need the help too and I didn't spring back into sexy girlfriend fast enough! It must be hard to go from partner to carer, even temporarily, but it's equally as hard to go from partner to patient! :) hmph, stupid cancer. I hope DH starts helping out more so you are able to get the rest you need. Also agree perhaps get your nurse to speak to him? :) and don't feel bad for moaning!

I'm just packing my bag for my little outing tomorrow. I'm taking overnight stuff just in case they decide to keep me in. I spoke to the GP earlier who thinks I have a fungal infection which is why I'm in so much pain, so I've got a prescription and hopefully that will clear up, and not affect the procedure tomorrow! :)

gracie and gigs another CBA sufferer here, went out for the first time since Friday earlier, just for a quick shopping trip, and then had to get back in bed for a rest! :)

I have a friend coming over later which will be nice :) I'm hoping the pouch will be on its best behaviour so I don't have to spend the whole evening in the loo.

Did anyone watch Jonathan Creek last night? I'm a massive fan and I have the whole box set so was thrilled it was on, but didn't think it was quite as good as the others.

Hi everyone! Busy on here today. I've escaped from work and found some cream eggs in wilkinsons and malteeser Bunnies 5 for a £1 in no 10 so I'm happy! Eek about pelvic floors and 3 week periods. My pelvic floor isn't what it was [bublush] massive bag of mini scream eggs for the trolley...

Bollocks bollocks bollocks. Missed Jonathan Creek - will have to catch on iplayer.

Got another period yesterday, so phoned BCN. She said not to worry, am can't get an appointment to see my oncologist before my appointment on 9th May anyway. Hard not to stress that Tamoxifen not doing its job properly. . .

Been for a lovely walk with DH and DS and dogs this afternoon. Breezy but blew a few cobwebs away. Had a productive morning in school setting stuff up for next term - we are doing minibeasts, so lots of science-y stuff and investigations. Taking them to the common to do a minibeast hunt and write their own version of The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Quite looking forward to it.

HND My DH was the same. Thought that because I was not at work I could clean the house and dash around doing jobs. Just stand your ground and do what you can, but don't let him guilttrip you into doing more than you can manage.

Ashokan good call on hiding FB posts!Hope you are OK today. Did I miss what you've got scheduled for tomorrow? Sorry lovely. Can you remind me? Hope the pouch behaves tonight for evening with your friend.

Must take potato waffle out of oven for DS. LAters lovelies x x x x

Feeling very drained - yippee!

But disappointed I was fussing about a grand total of 95ml - apparently it's not much in the scheme of things ....... I gues it's all relative. All the results will be back next Tuesday, but somehow I feel ready for anything. The surgery has been so life altering that further treatment will seem lime just another step, rather than an enormous leap.

However, I have lost fluid today and so dangerously dehydrated - taking steps to avoid serious consequences - via Dr Peroni! (Beer emoticon)

ginger dear do sticK around- we are all in the same boat and we will help you through if we can.
I had my dx in 2006 but had a biggish triple negative tumour, a wle, chemo [4xfec and 4xtaxotere] and rads.
I really thought I would die-especially with the horrid side effects of chemo.
This is a place where you can be who you need to be at any given time and you will find yourself accepted,supported and helped if you need it.
The only gentle criticism I would make is to ask you to accept others as they are too even if sometimes the mood of the thread seems inappropriate I promise you it isn't.We will always be here for you if you need us.
The other forums you might like as well as [not instead of] this one are the Breast Cancer Care site and bcpals.
Good Luck

It may not have been as good as the earlier series, but I enjoyed Jonathon Creek, well worth a watch!

Have done the bladder/pelvic floor training. It might have improved a bit as a result. Well can confirm that the speculum didn't fall out today during my smear test, nor did they have to crank out a bigger some like last time!

No one answered about the fbs trolley....am seriously worried you guys left it behind in a previous thread! Shocking shocking