***Tamoxigang - thread number 40!***

[GoodbyeRubyTuesday]

Hello all! New thread as we have almost filled the last one. Help yourself to chocolate chip muffins from the trolley! :)

look http:www.surfdome.com/Zoggs_Swimsuits_-Zoggs_Noosa_Legsuit_Swimsuit-Navy-118958?$ja=tsid:39151%7cprd%3a368901%7ccat%3aBikinis&utm_source=GoogleShopping&utm_medium=CSE&utm_campaign=CSE&utm_keyword=&adtype=pla&istCompanyId=6eb6b8f6-7dcb-4576-851b-e1dff2ebaf99&istItemId=xtmaipmax&istBid=tztx&_$$ja=cgid:2258246472%7Ctsid:13319%7Ccid:35240022%7Clid:21059251872%7Cnw:g%7Ccrid:16031170632%7Crnd:7867569661165210337%7Cdvc:c%7Cadp:1o1%7Cbku:1&gclid=COvg4u-W2bgCFXLItAodZAkAvQ

Hi Malt - sorry you feel so down, especially when you have done so well on your chemo. But I do think this is a hard part as it hits you how much longer it is all going to take and that you have to keep repeating the chemo for ages - however - I'm only a month or so ahead of you and I'm now thinking that by tomorrow evening I will be half-way through so stik with it.
I agree with the others about the ADs - you don't need to be this upset and struggling so much with your sleep. Remember - the cancer is out and gone - chemo is belt and braces - they have hormone meds to keep it away - you are going to be fine.

Oh I love that. Retro look practical as well as flattering.

Lovely cossie Mas very classy
Sorry to hear your news Jchoc x
I'm up and dressed and will be ok Im not going to the wig fitting though not today

Yes I like that. Get mine from bonmarche low leg with skirt... my mums 1950s halter neck costume is still in the airing cupboard. No stretch, with a zip...

Xpost malt
Phone and rearrange. We are all allowed off days.

Yes I like that. Get mine from bonmarche low leg with skirt... my mums 1950s halter neck costume is still in the airing cupboard. No stretch, with a zip...

How did that happen.

malt sorry you are feeling crap and ditto what everyone else said about contacting GP & BCN. Emotional side effects are just as important as physical ones. Remember they deal with this every day, nothing will shock/suprise them, including you being a bit weepy, they will know how to help. Also no matter how crap you feel do try and get out every day, even if it's just for a quick walk, it really helps.

topsy thinking about you today, everything crossed for your scan.
jchoc sorry to hear about your friend.

good morning to everyone else.

Malt, you poor thing. Sleep disturbance is terrible, it makes you depressed and then you can't sleep, a vicious circle.

Just for today, if you can't get to gps, try to spend as long as possible outside. The daylight will help you sleep later. Try to go for a walk.

When I have a head spinning with bad thoughts in the middle of the night I listen to radio programmes on listen again. I find the history of the world in 100 objects particularly soporific. Bracing pat on the back from me.

Don't get cross with yourself - you are full of poisonous medicine and it gets everywhere - even into your head. You have options, anti depressants, counselling, cbt, exercise and walking. It is normal to ask for help.

Back home already from scan !
I was actually home 20 mins ago , so blasé about CTs these days .
The radiographer and I added them all up , I've had 12 CTs , 2 MRIs , 1 bone scan , 4 chest X-rays !

Think I must be more radioactive than Sellafield

Malt I think today calls for a "be good to yourself" day .
Do whatever feels right . And if you feel up to it , call your GP .
You prob won't even have to go in , they'll prob leave a prescription for you .

Gigs I'm envious of you getting your nails done today . I'm always saying I will , but never do . I always find something else to spend the money on ! (Normally kids !)

Jane sorry to hear of your loss , it is a bastard disease indeed !

Mas I like that costume . Sports Direct have got some boy leg ones for really good prices !

Right , I need food .
I want Mexican .
Can someone whip me up a shredded beef burrito with sour cream , guacamole , and extra cheese please ?

That was quick topsy. Now trying to think how many scans I have had- 4 MRI, lost track of chest x ray but probably 10, 8 ct?. Haven't had bone or pet scan. Maybe I get a sticker on my file if I have a new one?

You have made me hungry now for Mexican tho.

Glad you are up and dressed now malt.

Waves to trice kitkat and betsy.

Better lug myself off sofa as have to brave Gp soon to get sack of meds for holiday and update them after yesterday. There will be blood on carpet tho if I get a head tilt ...

that was quick topsy, if only the results could be as quick...

you are braver than me amber, I fear the wrath of robogigs

I would be afraid. Am having very definite mood surge today as have upped my painkillers.

Off to go and jump around (in a slightly stiff way) in the Gp waiting room in my boiler suit robogig

Malt
I'm on 2nd round of chemo and my meds include:
1 x Omeprazole daily to relieve stomach irritation
up to 8 x Domperidone daily (instructions are to take regularly for 5 days after chemo then as needed) to relieve sickness.
I also have to take an antibiotic and antifungal for a week starting on Day 8 of treatment cycle and I have found I feel much better as soon as these kick in.
DH went to our local Maggies centre at our hospital yesterday (he had an out patients appointment at the hospital, so thought he would investigate) and they provide counselling sessions as well as massage, yoga ... etc, so worth contacting your nearest one so you can have the opportunity to talk it all through.

Dear malt ((((hugs)))) - I echo everything the others have said, feeling utterly crap and miserable is one of the side effects of having cancer and cancer treatment, and it is treatable just as the sickness or whatever is. And it is nothing to be embarrassed about, don't worry if you cry at HCP's - that's what they are there for, they will talk your through all this, and you can get some help with sleeping and mood, - I resisted anti-depressants at first after a couple of chemos I was feeling really low and started on a low dose - it made the world of difference, but they take a couple of weeks to kick in so you need to allow for that. I'm not trying to push AD's - but they are worth considering, I also had counselling which I found very helpful - ask for help my lovely if you are feeling dreadful, help is out there.

And as an afterthought - crying, feeling lousy, feeling depressed is a totally, totally normal reaction to the massive thing that has happened to you, breezing through happily without a care would be very abnormal - you are reacting to a real trauma, and the symptoms you have effects of going through that trauma, - anyone who is going through a big crap horrible event feels as you do, - so don;t be down on yourself, or think you aren't coping, - you are going through the normal stages that people go through when they are coming to grips with a trauma.
Take care darling, and ring your GP or BCN (or get him/her to ring you) xxxx

MAS - lovely cossie. topsy - good that scan was quick. Waving to all - esp. amber and jchoc - I feel as if I haven't 'spoken' to either of you for ages - much love

Loads of luck to Nonna for her appointment today.

I have a giant horsefly bite on my shoulder and it is very sore (slightly worried as it is on my no lymph node side so keeping an eye on it) - I've tried benedryl cream, and some savlon insect sting gel, - all no help at all - its been there about three days now and showing no signs of going down. Anyone recommend any magic cream that works on insect bites?

I meant to say earlier malt, I always got very tearful and abit snappy about a week after chemo, - it is the steroids that do it - make you feel shit, so that will definitely be adding to the way you feel.

has anyone suggested that you keep a little diary of how you feel each day during your cycle?, - so you just note down your indigestion, low mood, sickness or whatever, and the day it occurs. It is very helpful for next cycle, - you can see how you felt, and see also when you started to feel a bit better, and you will find there is a bit of a pattern probably. And it helps in dealing with things when you know what to expect.

Remember - this first cycle is a big learning experience, everything is an unknown quantity to you atm, - you are getting used to how your body deals with the chemo you are having, - everyone is a different, and your experience is unique to you, - you will become the expert!

Also if you have it written down, it is easy to look through and make a list of anything you might want to chat to the oncologist or nurses about next time.

Sorry to rabbit on -I am doing the housework, and things keep popping into my mind that I think might help you, - feel free to cherry pick advice and suggestions offered by me, and sling out anything you think is nonsense

eek about bite kk - witch hazel ?
Glad scan was quick - am very modest in my scans and x rays I think...
Glad you like the swimming costume- I have an unworn speedo which I bought about a yr before initial dx but as it doesn't have any bosom shelf or whatever they call it then my odd sizing might look more apparent- plus I like the idea of modest legs- would save a lot of topiary.
I also want nice googles ! Am very excited as GP reckons swimming would be fine too ! He feels my aches are arthritis,esp my poor index finger which is really not good - so I think I'll just accept that. He bent all my joints at different angles and movement is good. I just wanted some kind of label so I can put it away and not have to keep mentioning it-does that sound sensible ?

I always feel foolish trying to explain stuff that I can feel but isn't apparent to others..

KK piriton and a 5% steroid cream is what you need . I have dovobet for my psoriasis , and that's what I use for DH (he seems to give off horse fly attracting pheromones !)

brilliant - thank you, topsy I have some of that cream I was given it at the hospital when another bite I had went nasty and I had to go to a and e, - I'd completely forgotten it. Have applied it and am now waiting for bite to disappear

MAS - I think that swimsuit is a lovely flattering shape, - I'm totally with you on avoiding unnecessary topiary!
I think swimming will definitely help your arthritis, helps you to keep moving which is good, but hard if you are in pain, so water will be gentle and supportive for joints.
I know what you mean about labels - I think other people seem to need them - it's as if something hasn't got a title, then it's not real, - much handier if you can say 'I've got bubonic plague actually'!

I have read and listened to everything you've all said thank you
Not cried for a bit so that is progress and the weather is so rubbish feel justified in us all doing nothing today though ds will have square eyes

It's 5% steroid cream kk not flipping voodoo

Square eyes are fine malt
I've gone back to bed , both the DC are in their rooms (which have tvs and computers in them )
And I've told them they can eat whatever they can forage !