Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Tamoxigang -the 39th thread ***

996 replies

MaryAnnSingleton · 04/07/2013 10:53

cooee ! we're over here - just in case the current thread hit 1000 without our noticing Grin Bring the trolley !

OP posts:
MaryAnnSingleton · 21/07/2013 09:09

Oh and happy birthday to topsy granny - fig tree sounds v nice present.

OP posts:
kitkat1967 · 21/07/2013 09:36

Hi Betsy - it sounds like you have done much better this cyle - didn't you have to call out your GP last time? Is that just due to them giving you the Emend at the right time?

Lily - I'm amazed (jealous) at how well you are tolerating your chemo - I was much better this cycle but still spent the first 5 days sleeping most of the time. On the hair front I'm doing the cold cap but like you am limiting any brushing/washing so not sure if the hair is just 'balanced' on my head!! I have a wig ready and got it out to show the kids yesterday and remebered how nice it is Smile

Enjoyed a cooler night here last night and it looks cloudy this morning which is a relief as none of us like it really hot.

Lilymaid · 21/07/2013 10:03

Never ever say you seem to be feeling much better this cycle! I was OK until later yesterday evening but now feel washed out! That'll teach me!

malteserzz · 21/07/2013 10:22

Morning all
Mas glad it's cooler for you
Lily that's sods law isn't it, hope it doesn't last too long
Kitkat glad this cycles bit better for you how do you cope with the kids when you're feeling rough?
In laws are taking my 2 away wed and thurs night so they won't be here when I have my 1st chemo on thurs which is kind of them, how long does it take for side effects to kick in?

kitkat1967 · 21/07/2013 10:39

hi Malt - the first cycle (when I was sick) - the SE started asap - so as soon as I was home.

But with the the sickness controlled the triedness doesn't hit me for about 2 days. So my Chemo is a Thursday and DH is home on Fri, Sat, Sun and my Mum has the kids on the Monday. Both times Sun and Mon have been awful for me - literally unable to get out of bed before midday - and then really shakey. That's why chemo in the school hols is better for me as my 2 are not early risers so DH goes to work and we all stay in bed until my Mum comes round Grin. I have learnt to allow 5 days before committing to doing anything. I am trying to avoid driving for those days as well as I really don't feeel safe.

On the other (hand touch wood) - so far once the tiredness goes I have not had any other SE that have bothered me except a bit of chemo brain.

malteserzz · 21/07/2013 10:51

Thanks Kitkat :) That's really useful
My mums back from holiday on Friday so she will be able to help next week, I guess it's a little easier after the 1st because at least you know what to expect

Lilymaid · 21/07/2013 11:17

My very limited experience is that the tiredness really hits on Day 3 of the cycle. But if you are having antibiotics from Day 8 you will find that you pick up a bit when these take effect. I've not had too much nausea so far but the metal mouth really bugs me.
Be prepared to languish on sofa for days watching day time TV and if you have DCs to look after get someone to help at least for Week 1.

Gigondas · 21/07/2013 11:50

I agree with lily and betsy as that was my experience of chemo . Also my taste in tv was very low.Grin

Topsy- scan is tomorrow lunch . Will light my candle on 31 for you.

Pain not great (watching re run of old er - George clooney was lovely). Will ring dr lovely and also seeing specialist nurse tomorrow as fed up with this.

Mas hope you are enjoying the relative cool on the beach.

Copthallresident · 21/07/2013 12:02

trice glad you are feeling so much better and the rabble of racoons romped home whilst demonstrating that not everything about BC has to be wrapped in pink candy floss. Well done to them!

A lot of scary scans coming up, going to need a bigger paranoia box and for us all to get comfy sitting on it, and holding hands and giving group hugs.

The FEC chemo gang seem to be getting the cycles ticked off, every tired sickly day means you are closer to getting back to being healthy again.

gigs hope you have pain meds sorted, shame not to make concert.

Parent's wrinkles bash went very well, once I'd got Mum out of her nighty (her answer to the heat, don't even want to speculate if pants are involved) and Dad to put a shirt on Grin . They are all in late seventies / eighties and really are making the most of life, talking parties, travelling, grandchildren, dogs, horses. It makes me a little sad as I don't really see me getting to that age, at least not still dancing. However, can we have a new maudlin box? Definitely no point in those sorts of thoughts.

It's a bit cooler here too thankfully.

mas thought of you yesterday as was in posh supermarket where they had a counter of herbs being bathed in cold steam and a ridiculously full range of veg, five different types of aubergine, and not just fresh ginger but turmeric and galangal, and it wasn't Waitrose Shock it was morrisons Shock Shock one is opening in gigs and I's high street, hoping for similar level of poshness but probably not for High Street of estate agents and charity shops. Have a lovely holiday.

Today we are off to a "vintage" fair, suspect a jumble sale.......and beach on Monday.

Copthallresident · 21/07/2013 12:05

gigs x posted, George Clooney in ER Smile you can't get more sexy than a gorgeous man being nice to small children......

Sorry pain still a problem, Dr Lovely will do a George and get you sorted out in one hour.

topsyturner · 21/07/2013 13:10

Oooh I've heard tales of those Mystical Morrisons , with their veg misters !
We don't have Morrisons over here ...

Shall light a candle for you tomorrow Gigs , for both a good ct and some nice pain relief from Dr Lovely !

Lunch time !

Gigondas · 21/07/2013 13:43

Thanks topsy.

Copt party sounds fun. I hope we get the gushing fountains at the Morrison (I wasn't sure if we were getting an aldi).

snailsontour · 21/07/2013 16:24

What a busy lot you've all been!

BBB, I've had a double mx with immediate DIEP recon (using the tummy). This is one of the longer recon ops, but it does give very good results, and the beauty is that once it's done, that's pretty much it for life. They look, feel, and move like real breasts, and I couldn't be more pleased.
I chose not to retain my 'healthy' nipple, the nipple on the bc side had to go as a matter of course, and I've now had both nipples reconstructed.
But it is a huge op, and whilst recovery is quick, we are still talking of months being unable to lift etc. Not easy I'd guess with little ones in the house.

malteserzz · 21/07/2013 17:51

Copt party sounds lovely, maudlin thoughts quite normal I'm sure I know I share them. My parents and dhs both have a lovely life, lots of holidays etc I thought we would be the same Hmm
Gigs good luck with your scan tomorrow
Can't believe how cool it's been today, even had a bit of rain. We've been out for a nice walk and I'm cooking lamb lagoto for tea, lots of tomato lemon and garlic smells lovely but quite depressed that this is the last normal weekend we will have for a while

BetsyBoop · 21/07/2013 18:04

gigs will be thinking of you tomorrow and crossing everything
topsy same for you on the 31st

malt - I feel kinda weird straight after chemo - I think that is mostly due to the C bit - feels a bit like getting off a waltzer to me, the world is all a bit wobbly and I feel a bit sick (I hate waltzers!) Both times the actual sickness has kicked in about 6 hours after final drugs went in. This time was much better (with Emend at right time) I was only sick about 6 times over a few hours - but will ask if they can do any more to stop this for next time as during this time I can't even keep water down, and I'm sure that doesn't help. After that it has been low level nausea and just really tired wiped out for 5 or so days. (Remember I am always sick, lots of folks have good sickness control from the off and you said you didn't get morning sickness, so that is a good omen for you :) ) My chemo is Thu and DH works from home Fri then around at the weekend to sort out DC. I think he's planning on working from home for a couple of hours in the morning just until I'm up and about (nausea is worst in the morning) and then go into work (we don't have any family around to help out and I think everyone we know is either at work on on holiday!) If I'm struggling DS can be placated with a film and DD will take herself off somewhere with a book! while I nanna nap on the sofa Last time the second week I was aware of being a bit more tired than usual, but otherwise ok, and pretty much back to normal by the third week.

amberlight · 21/07/2013 18:08

Waving from the beach at Weston SM. Keeping everything crossed for upcoming week for people.

graciesmall09 · 21/07/2013 18:14

Good luck with your scan tomorrow gigs and hope dr lovely gets the pain sorted.

malt first cycle my SE started by the time the nurse had left and I was pretty sick. Still managed to go to DD GB display the next night but sat at the door and went in and out to be sick. Second cycle sickness didn't start for a few hours as they had upped my anti-sickness but I still ended up in hospital but by the 3rd they had my anti-sickness meds sorted and I wasn't sick again. I felt ok until about Day 5 when I usually had a really down day (probably due to stopping steroids) by end of week 2 felt pretty much back to normal.

Happy birthday to grannytopsy. Fig tree sounds lovely and good luck for 31st.

mas hope you are having a good time. I may have spent a fortune wandered into my first Waitrose when on holiday. Feel very deprived now.

malteserzz · 21/07/2013 19:26

Thanks all for sharing, I hope I get all the info I need tomorrow too as so far all I've been told is the type of chemo and that it starts on Thursday. Not had a blood test yet they said I will have to have one 2 days before each cycle but I could get it done at the gp if it's easier- it is as its at the end of the road v driving into town and queuing for ages for the car park !

I know I'm a bit doom and gloom. The day before my op I thought that's it this is the last day I will ever feel like me, a few days later I was physically fine ! Though obviously chemo is worse than an op.

Upset today as the inlaws have offered to take the kids abroad for a few days in October half term which is lovely of them and they will have a great time but feeling sad that if I wasn't ill we would have been going away as a family

Moan moan moan!

kitkat1967 · 21/07/2013 20:18

Betsy you def need to ask for more meds. My nurse told me that after Emend they still have 2 or 3 more levels to go to and onc says no-one needs to be sick on chemo these days.

Malt I know what you mean - my mum said she woudl take the DCs away this summer but I just though ' they're my kids I want them on holiday with me' Sad. Anyway we have compromised on a holiday booked for when I should feel well but somewhere where mum can manage them on her own if necessary.
My chemo should be all done for Oct half term but that may be when I will have my Op (DS b/day always in half term) and I think rads will be in December so I can't see any foreign holidays on the horizon for me.

kitkat1967 · 21/07/2013 20:19

Amber - are you on holiday in Weston or do you live near there?

MaryAnnSingleton · 21/07/2013 20:22

Scan tomorrow gig ? Thinking of you xxxx
Morrisons eh ? The height of fancy was finding edible flowers for salads in new Waitrose the day it opened - obv. No call for it in Alton as have not seen them since Grin
malt I go to my GPs for blood test a day before my chemo appointment, it's also down my road which is very handy!
Went to beach today, nice lunch in favourite cafe and looked in the shops.Tomorrow Southwold I think.
Xxx

OP posts:
amberlight · 21/07/2013 21:09

Kitkat, on 25th anniv weekend away here

malteserzz · 21/07/2013 22:18

Amber and Mas looks like you're both having a great time Smile
Kitkat we will have to make up for holidays next year though I don't think I'll ever book ahead again feels too much like tempting fate

This may seem like a daft question but are rads normally daily or weekly and how many do people usually have ?

graciesmall09 · 21/07/2013 22:33

Rads are usually daily (excluding weekends) and the quantity could be anything from about 3 - 6 weeks. I had 25 sessions (5 weeks). Rads really isn't bad you just have to be careful to moisturise A LOT but they will keep a good eye on you. You aren't allowed to use any perfumed products. My hospital only allowed me to use Simple Soap, no deodorant and the only moisturiser I was allowed was Diprobase.

malteserzz · 21/07/2013 22:53

Thanks Gracie I have a lot to learn
I just see it all stretching in front of me, chemo, node clearance, rads just seems never ending ! Need to not think ahead I suppose

Night all hope everyone sleeps well x