***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! :)

Hope copt and gigs had a nice non coffee bet you've put the worlds to rights together
Kitkat shame you can't get in till then but it's something to look forward to

Good job I feel ok got a garden full of 10 year olds thing I'm too soft they always end up round here

hi Malt - yes I don't really mind waiting - wierd thing is my chemo will be all done by then - how exciting is that!!

Off to orthodontist in a mo - they are going to decide if DD's train tracks are ready to come off - very exciting as she has had 2 yrs of treatment, including the awful twin blocks and her teeth have been totally transformed (and she had been a star through it all).

Good luck with the ten year olds malt - hope they are the kind that just get on with things by themselves and you can put your feet up!

Kitkat - I seem to remember having to book a couple of months ahead of my look good session. The good thing about it is that its because they keep the numbers for each session limited, so you get plenty of individual attention - it will be something nice to look forward to after your chemo

My DD had those blocks on her teeth - bet your DD is looking forward to being block and metal free (mine was a bit of a bugger about wearing hers, - I had to bribe her with promise of a trip to the London Eye if she wore them!) she thanks me now as her teeth are lovely (unlike my crooked ones)

Thank you amber that circle of care thing is great. At the moment very few people know of my diagnosis but I will be roping people in to support mum when I'm ready to go public.

I'm counting down in hours now until I get more info (46.5 as of now).

I keep re-reading the thread trying to get to grips with your stories. You all sound so knowledgable. I hope you won't mind the barrage of questions I will probably post on Wednesday.

Nonna ask anything I'm sure someone will be able to answer
Bear in mind you might have to have more tests before you know the whole picture

The 10 year olds have gone to the park but it's raining so suspect they will be back! I have feet up while I can

ask anything nonna !
I can remember my brother and I being referred to as 'delinquents' by a sailing club acquaintance of my dad -we weren't doing anything particularly delinquenty, just playing. Horrid man.

yes do ask anything you want to nonna - we've got a fairly wide range of experience amongst us, - and nothing is off limits or TMI on here

We've just had a really heavy hail/thunder storm. It was amazing 0 only lasted a few minutes, but in that time it has knocked over all my tomato plants in tubs on the patio, and my bird table. - Just going outside to sort everything out!

MAS - I'm sure you were never a delinquent of any description!

Can we all keep fingers crossed for my mum's house sale going through this week - she should be exchanging contracts any day now.

back from orthodontist - they did a load of tiny tweaks and we have an appointment in 10 weeks for a final check and set the date to take the things off . She had an over-jet of 11mm at the start of this and her front teeth week so far apart she could put a pound coin between them. They have agree to put a fixed retainer on the back of her front top teeth as they are likely to 'drift' otherwise.

DS has been at holiday club playing football in the rain so he is a happy boy.

I've got onc appointment and bloods tomorrow. As you all know I don't like the onc appt as we will have to have a feel of the lump (which always traumatises me) and I do not believe it has changed - then I will be disappointed/worried . This time though I am going to remember to ask what he plans to do if no change continues. I will have to take a list as I also need to remember to ask about my mirena coil and some of my meds.

Kurri fingers firmly crossed for your mum
Kitkat sounds like the orthodontist went well and hope the onc does too

I've been told I can get my blood test done just before my next chemo at the gp but must arrange something so I'm not sitting in the waiting room with all of the germs, how do other people manage this ?

Malt - do you not have to see the onc before your next cycle?

I get my bloods done at home or at oncology place so can't help with advice about 'germy' GPs but if you have an apt booked with a nurse you shouldn't have to wait too long I'd hope.

Yes but got to have the blood test Monday, onc Tuesday then chemo Thursday
Not seeing the onc every cycle though think its 1st and 4th or something

ah OK. Also I guess when he hears how fab you've done this time he will not have to adjust your meds. Plus your lump is gone so you don't have to be prodded
It'll be a busy week for you though.

I have got to the strangly excited can't wait stage again - mainly because I'll be half way after Thursday!! My hair's quite thin on top now - not bald but I do wonder if 1 more cycle will do for me - have ordered some bandanas as I really don't think I could stick wearing a wig all the time after my trial wear on Sunday.
You're seeing your wig lady tomorrow aren't you?

Thanks Kitkat wig fitting is on Wednesday and my best friend is going with me not really looking forward to it but want to have one ready in time
Shame your hair is thinning hope it holds on
I do have a SE I noticed today the top of my mouth feels furry but not enough to bother me yet
Pouring with rain again !

Wig fitting is excellent fun (in my limited experience) - I took a friend and we had a great time. She helpfully took a photo of each one I tried on on her phone so at the end I could look through all the pics to make a decision. What i found interesting was how the same style in different shades could look fab or awful - also wigs in my hair colour did not look that great - I am def going to go for highlights when this is over.
Just forget about why you need a wig and enjoy .

Nice weather here - had lovely coffee with Copt and managed to sort out meds at gp.

Malt if you are Doing bloods at end of cycle you should be ok in Gp as immunity Should be ok.

Kitkat- there is probably better chance of no more hair loss if order some bandanas but I agree wigs can be awful in heat.

kurri - fingers and toes crossed here for sale.

Re wigs etc - I'm wearing Buffs at home and the wig when I go out. Don't wear a wig when you are cooking ... - they warn especially against opening the oven ... instant restyle!
The hairdresser shaved my remaining hair off - I was just a few days into the 2nd chemo and it was feeling very brittle. It is trying to grow back but will be hit, no doubt. by the 3rd chemo. The hairdresser did say I had a nice head shape ... though I must admit I try not to look in the mirror when I haven't got anything on my head.
I haven't tried scarves as I am hopeless trying to style them round the neck and would make an even worse job of it if I tried to style one round my head.

I was a Buffs or a baldy headed girl !
I got too hot in my wig . The only time I wore it out was too meet Gracie for coffee !

Fingers crossed here for house sale too

Gigs what time is your appointment tomorrow ?

Topsy - why does it not suprise me that you went baldy due to heat - was it the summer for you - baldy in pants is not something to try not to picture.

Good news about meds Gigs - I still have my fingers crossed for good news tomorrow as well.

Am going to look up Buffs now.

I'm really not sure I could do the buff scarf or bald look or does everyone feel like that till it happens ?
Gigs that's true didn't think of that just going on what the onc told me
Still stormy here

Thanks for crossed fingers, Mum has started to dare to look forward to moving into her flat again - she'd got a bit down and 'can't be bothered' about it all.

We've just got our electricity back after a two hour power cut (two flashes of lightening and the entire village falls apart) - so have just put tea in the oven!

Gig glad you had fun with copt, and got meds sorted.

KitKat - you have mentioned topsy baldy and in her pants, so I will need to poke out my mind's eye.
I think if you are half way and still have some kind of hair, then you are doing pretty well - will pass on all good tales of cold caps to my onc as he was involved in its development and tends to bang on about it a lot

Lily - have you got a cancer support centre anywhere near you? - there is a group that does demonstrations of scarf tying for people on chemo, - some kind of chariy but I forget the name. They sometimes visit hospital/support centres - IIRC my DD did some scarf tying demos when she was at uni.
Or try looking on Youtube - there are sometime demo videos. (Have a vom. bucket near at hand though as they are often called things like 'brave beauty' or 'courage and fashion')

malt I had my blood tests at local hospital drop in phlebotomy clinic, do you have one near you? Might be easier than getting an appointment every time. My onc pointed out germiest place is hospital so if they were that worried they wouldn't treat us in hospitals! :) when I go to the GP I just try and sit away from other people if they look ill!

kitkat I had braces for underbite and gap in my teeth, I have a permanent wire thingy behind my top front teeth to stop them drifting :) good news DD will soon be free! I will be thinking of you tomorrow x

gigs glad you've got meds sorted. I was a nightmare child, once painted my mum's friend's patio in red emulsion but I've turned out alright , good you and copt had fun too

kurri shall keep my fingers crossed too :) does this mean annoying sister has backed off? Hope so! And hope your tomatoes survived the storm

Had lunch out and did bit of shopping with my sister and dad so that was nice :) sooo hot though, and no summer clothes in the shops!

Waving to everyone I've missed!

Lily - my local hospital has sessions once a week selling and demo'ing headscarfs. I've not been but when I passed by getting my picc line put in theywere very welcoming (was before any chemo and kind of felt guilty about having a good head of hair!).

Ruby - great news you're still improving - hope your SE are going to be a distant memory soon.

KK - I think this next session will be make or break on the hair front. In some places it is still really thick but the top needs to stop shedding now.

Hello, Ive been wavering about coming on this thread but I need people like you at the moment.
History - breast cancer, masctectomy, no chemo or radio therapy ten years ago plus 5 years of tamoxifen.
Ive just been in hospital after feeling generally shit and massive weight loss and my ct scan has shown nodules on my lungs and liver.
I go back in on Thursday for a Broncoscopy sp, it's a biopsy to decide on further treatment.
Has anyone been through this and can give me positive stories?
Thanks.

Hi Lady sorry to hear you have to join us. I cannot help I'm afraid as I am (relatively) newly diagnosed but some of the other girls will no doubt have lots of helpful info for you.

Welcome ladybeagle but sorry you are here.

Haven't got bc but have soft tissue sarcoma with lung and bone secondaries. Am doing ok - got quarterly check up tomorrow. All I can say is that it is possible to live with this as a chronic disease - a few of us on here with secondaries.

Have a as I would imagine this all has a horrid nightmare déjà vu.