******The 36th TAMOXIFEN thread******

[NedSchneebly]

You all out there? Pop this way!

[coorong]

Morning all - lovely lie - I do like Saturdays -
malt my BC recommended magic bras from Eden house which may be overkill, but I'm still wearing them and they're incredibly comfortable.

The pre-op check was interesting. I saw a nurse and house officer - both nice. They did all the usual checks - including the pulse in my foot! Ask them what to expect when you wake up, whether there'll be any tubes coming out, where it might hurt etc and how long they usually keep you in for. lumpectomires on my ward were day / overnightnpatients depending on time of op, nature of op etc. but for me knowing what to expect made a huge difference.

I just took an iPod with dozens of old radio 4 podcasts on it - but I was in 5 days. I've since used the podcasts to help me sleep - particularly "in our time" Melvyn bragg's voice is so sophoripic

Hope You get sorted ash and that min gigs is better.

My daughters are in the bath (yes we do morning ablutions) singing we will rock you and soaking the bathroom floor - looks like cross mummy is about to rear her. Ugly head

[Gigondas]

Another vote for mindfulness , sleep apps and tranquil reading/podcasts. doubt you will get addicted In a week.

Mas-get it checked out or ask. Am a bit about bone mets and ct as track mine just fine on ct . plus you have to have a fairly hearty met for it to hurt so should see it (unless they don't scan that bit like on my neck so worth asking).

Big gig not been sick but asleep now and washed out- i am going to have rest too before my sis arrives. Had hair cut to tidy it- it looks very short so was bit about it.may try and grow it a little more so not quite so boyish. That said I don't think tiredness does much for any judgment.

Have nice cheese (incl Brie) for trolley.

[sandripples]

Gracie - my DS chose Biology A-level (along with maths and 2 other sciences) ONLY because that course had run an exotic trip in the final summer, for the last few years -it was research and connected with a university department and would be to Vietnam, or Central America.... well guess what his was the first year they didn't offer the trip - what a disappointment. However he got an A* in it so no harm done. (Except he now finds further maths would have been helpful for his degree)
I was rather relived financially....

MAS - get that ache checked out please, if only to put your mind at rest. I can certainly imagine that every ache or even niggle will be a worry.
Hugs.

[Gigondas]

That was meant to reassure mas. I think more likely an ache but it is hard not to worry.

[malteserzz]

Truce glad you slept better x

Coorong thanks for the link they look like just the kind of thing I need. Will I need front fastening tops to wear for a bit afterwards too? I'm thinking it might hurt to pull things over your head ?

[MaryAnnSingleton]

gig boyish suits you,meaning that you don't look like a boy,but are v gamine so it's looks intentional.
I used to think the hip pain was tamoxifen connected (so it's been round a while) but bcn said not. I will keep an eye and ask next time, but am not unduly fretting. I think my scan went as far as uterus,so that should include hips I'd think.

[MaryAnnSingleton]

I just had M&S sports bras,though not the hefty multi sport serious ones...
I think carefully putting clothes on and returning to regular movements,such as stretching to reach things, cleaning the shower etc asap was the very best exercise as it got everything back to normal really quickly - I suspect I am reasonably tolerant of pain as I wasn't very aware of it, just sore more than anything.

[sandripples]

I made the mistake of buying one of those hefty sports bras - still got it- ghastly!

[smee]

How did you get to page 3 you gossipy lot?!

Ash, hope you called GP?? Sounds grim, go get checked.

NotJ, hormones probably are all over the place. Bed and croissants sounds mighty sensible.

Malt, whatever gets you through now, go for. Hope Primark comes up with the goods for DD. You could look in Primary for those gym type crop tops - sort of like boob tubes - that's what I wore after my op. Still got my Primark one, v.comfy. You'll definitely need button up pyjamas for hospital - v.important, as you don't want to have to take anything off over your head and buttons make it v.easy for medics to check wound, etc.

MAS, I think you should mention hip pain to them too. Pain in the night's never good. I'd bet it's arthritis, but they might be able to help get rid of the pain if they know what it is.

Hope big-Gig sleeping now doesn't mean she'll be up all night, Gig. Have fun with your sis.

DH has taken DS and one of his friends out, so yay I have the house to myself. anyone?

[Copthallresident]

Big Copt chose Maths and Sciences because she is a geek only trip was counting worms on a rainy welsh hillside . Little Copt is dyslexic and chose History, English , Philosophy and Psychology . She has been a little essay factory this year 5 or 6 a week. She is in full panic mode now as she struggles to learn it all, she has worked hard but up at 2am with full panic attack. Off to see hypnotherapist who has helped her relax before. Of course they are so much easier than in our day NOT. If she had stayed at old school she would have gone to China with History trip but lots left because of group of attention seeking madams in year, and trip isn't running this year probably at prospect of being responsible for gang of binge drinking drug taking sluts (factual not bitchy, more shocking tales for meet up) in Beijing though Communist jail probably what they need.

Ash hope you have got some help, don't hold back from making a fuss,it is really important they check it out. Friend had several during chemo.

mas put it into paranoia box until can get it checked out?

malt I have experience of the addictive ness of those sleeping pills as Dh given them to get over crisis at work ( a previous one) and when they refused him more he stole mine it took him a while to re establish his sleep patterns. I did find the visioning helpful with my 4am demons, imagining what I'd be doing after treatment, or a gang of very handsome heroes , not necessarily orange racing around my body wiping out the mindless idiots ugly misshapen cancer cells. Think of something meaningful for you, that makes you feel good and imagine your way into that space, don't let cancer put you into a horrible place. I also did the relaxation exercise where you clench everything up tight from the tips of your fingers and toes to your jaw and then slowly relax each bit of your body in turn really focusing on making that part of your body totally relaxed.

Have to go but will bring back cake .

[Copthallresident]

Gigs hope big gigs better

[graciesmall09]

hope there is no more sickness in the house of gigs.

mas not sure if you remember the problems I had after CT scans as they had showed up the query of bone mets on my spine so not sure why dr says CTs don't show up bones. I would certainly mention it, if only to satisfy yourself.

malt my nurses always suggest Zopiclone (sp) as they are non-addictive. I'm on Amitriptylline for nerve pain which seems to help me sleep as well.

sand at the moment DS's A level choices are Biology, Geography and RE which he hopes will keep his option open. A* wow - we are just hoping for a pass at the moment

Going out tonight to see some friends and have a Chinese. I would rather curl up on the sofa.

[AshokanFarewell]

Have read but can't reply to all now. Am back in A&E. Had painkillers and fluids now feeling a bit better but still painful, waiting for X-ray I think, eek. Trying to not think about possibility of it being the cancer hoping just a standard complication of the surgery :) have a lovely day everyone x

[Copthallresident]

Big hug ash Back in the cupboard? Given they have removed the Cancer and you are having chemo it sounds far far more likely to be a side effect of the surgery. Hope they sort you out soon.

[smee]

Oh no, Ash.. Agree with Copt, v.v.unlikely to be cancer. Hope they can help and you're home soon. xx

Gracie, what will DS do if he doesn't get the grades. Will he re-sit? I'm out tonight and would prefer the sofa too..

[Copthallresident]

Gracie Little Copt enjoyed Religion and ethics at GCSE and thought she would want to do it at uni but is going to drop it at AS, it is called Philosophy of Religion? because it isn't what she thought it was, too much regurgitating of philosophical approaches and very little chance to develop your own opinions, may be the way she has been taught but has DS had taster lessons to make sure it is what he thinks it is? Or is RE a different A level? in which case ignore me

Big Copts friends enjoyed Geography, several doing it at uni, and Biology definitely the Science that was easiest to do well in for the ones who were mixing it with humanities (a lot of unis count Geography as a Science as well )

[Copthallresident]

My sleeping pills are zoplicone and they have big warning in capital letters on packet that they are additive I might not be so reluctant to take them if they really aren't. Just googled "initially thought to be less addictive and/or habit forming than benzodiazepines. However, this appraisal has shifted somewhat in the last few years as cases of addiction and habituation have been presented. It is recommended that zopiclone be taken on a short-term basis, usually a week or less.[2] Daily or continuous use of the drug is not usually advised.[3]"


Just throwing Reuben's special today on the trolley, blueberry and hazelnut tea loaf. YUM. Get down there quick gigs was big queue at lunchtime, and he now seems to have two more mad looking Italians working there, six staff baking and serving

[MaryAnnSingleton]

I'll add a Waitrose Victoria sponge to the trolley...
Oh ash you poor love- am sure it's surgical stuff rather than anything more sinister, but horrid for you xxx
I will speak to onc next time -I should have him -they seem to do alternate appts.,sometimes understudy 2 times,then onc himself - she is very good but I suppose I feel I find him more direct. Really am not worrying too much.
Am baby bird minding tomorrow- neighbours have rescued a baby rook and he needs feeding every 2 hours but they have to go out tomorrow,so I shall be feeding him with a teaspoon and cat food - he relly shrieks for food and then goes to sleep when he's had enough.

[topsyturner]

Afternoon All

Just a quick update from tesco car park .
Was mental in there !
Off to another fecking garden centre now , think DH has an addiction ...

Hugs to Ash for being back in the cupboard
It's going to be side effects , not cancer . But I will sit on the box for you till they tell you so .

Right , off on my travels I go .
Later Lovelies x

[trice]

Garden centre will be packed today, I don't envy you Topsy.

[malteserzz]

Hugs ash hope you get sorted out quickly
Had a lovely afternoon shopping with dd, think we had the best deal as its pouring and freezing and dh and ds are at a football tournament !
Got her shoes and bag for the prom she's just tried it all on together with her dress and she looks lovely
Today is a good day
Maybe I ought to try harder to get to sleep without the pills then will try the apps tonight though I have a feeling dh and I might just lie there laughing !
Xx

[graciesmall09]

ash hope you get seen quickly. Hopefully it is another delightful side effect of the chemo. I will park my large posterior on the box beside topsy for you.

Oops copt shows what my nurse knows. Glad I didn't get Zopiclone now. DH has always suffered insomnia, more so since my dx and the GP gave him one week's supply of sleeping tablets (not sure what) but even those haven't worked. Is A level RE completely different from GCSE then? He is enjoying his GCSE course but not sure if he realises what is involved in the A level.

smee We are really hoping for no re-sits but going by his mock results we may have to go down that route. He was always an A/B, mock results were B/C with a few Ds for good measure. Hoping that was just a blip.

malt glad you are having a better day.

Aw I just love baby birds mas we always have a couple of nests in our garden, unfortunately this also means we have to lift some dead baby birds that haven't made it. We have to ban the dog from the garden as he would probably think it was lunch.

Waving to trice, kurri, ned and anyone else lurking.

[malteserzz]

Just seen the most beautiful rainbow

[MrGigs]

Best wishes to Ash, she's a gem.
In the meantime I've been dealing with Gigs on her one pub pub crawl, ok she drank lemonade but we didn't and we still had to look after her... And she did more than nine pints for a free one for her sis, bil and I...
Julio Iglesias on the stereo, he could teach your various DH's so much...waltzes off around the kitchen ...as Gigs sorts the cheese...

[MaryAnnSingleton]

mrgigs are you a bit tipsy ? I saw evidence of pub crawl on fb...