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Tamoxifen bus shelter -42

990 replies

Gigondas · 09/09/2013 22:00

Dragging trolley onto new thread.

OP posts:
HerNextDoorAt21 · 19/09/2013 15:23

I am delighted to read your news ruby - yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay !!!!

Shootingatpigeons · 19/09/2013 16:41

So pleased to read your news Ruby. I did not realise FAP < Dodgy Science Alert - Familial something beginning with A, Polypythingy> put you at risk of other tumours or that there were degrees but important thing is that you know and if caught early like you (even if not as early as it should have been) then the outlook is really good. Friends son has already had polyps as a barely teenager so it looks as though he has the gene but is very closely monitored and it is regarded as an inconvenience rather than life threatening.

kitkat and Foo I also was stressed juggling a big job, young children and not very supportive DP when diagnosed, also not overweight and as my oncy put it had done everything, diet, exercise, breastfeeding, right. However I don't think that we can go back and examine the whys and what ifs, I know plenty of other women in the same situation who have not developed Cancer and we risk Daily Mail territory. With all due respect to your BCN most of my working friends re-evaluated their lives when their children started to develop a need for quality of parenting rather than quantity. Little ones need love and stimulation but an 11 year old has started to need you to be the one to help with the homework and the friendship crises etc. (and to impose the boundaries) and many of my friends changed their lifestyle in response. Probably why you get all those regulars in the Education threads!! Many were senior managers, partners etc but now not one has kept up that frenetic pace. I think Cancer is often the warning bell that prompts you to do something you might do anyway.

I had no choice as my illness was prior to the disability acts covering Cancer and I ended up in a constructive dismissal case but it has given me time to spend with the girls, one of whom has Learning Difficulties that have involved me in a lot of intensive support. That actually kicked off whilst I was having chemo and I had to get involved in a serious intervention to bring her reading, spelling and writing up to speed which didn't relent even in my bad weeks! I am pretty sure I would have realised that I couldn't carry on as I was even without Cancer. However I miss work and now Little pigeons is on the verge of uni and DP is driving me up the wall at home I think that my PhD and being a pain the neck for the local council (We are in the Daily Telegraph today gigs) etc I sense is not going to be enough and I do wish I still had irons in the marketing and strategy fire..... Twelve years on I don't think I would be as stressed out if I went back to my job now.

Which is a long winded way of saying that you should change your life if you want to, and there are good reasons to, but not because of Cancer.

And do keep up the gym membership, I had a rough ride with chemo but making it to exercise class (and the swimming pool), even if all I could cope with was Yoga, was a real morale boost in my good weeks.

Betsy Your post made me laugh too, a valiant effort and I am lost in admiration with anyone who can keep up with the thread at the moment, it is beyond my brain!!

I have a good excuse for not being on today, gigs and I had another long chinwag and have lots of exciting outings planned with her blue badge Grin

Waves to everyone

Lilymaid · 19/09/2013 16:56

Great to hear good news for Ruby.
I've just got back from Chemo No. 5 and am drinking as much water as poss to avoid my occasional self inflicted dehydration. Hope Betsy's Chemo goes OK.
Re wigs - make sure you get a hairdresser to give it a trim to suit you. I went with a friend to an expensive salon where one of the owners specialises in wigs for women needing one for medical reasons. I went with a friend so I had someone I knew and trusted to give her opinion. Think how much you won't be spending on hair care in the next year and the wig doesn't seem so expensive. I wear mine every time I go out and feel it is a real confidence booster. I've had lots of nice comments about my new hairstyle and everyone is surprised at how natural it looks.

amberlight · 19/09/2013 17:09

Been training people today so brain fried but will get through the statistical doings later on...
Ruby, hurrah!
Love all round. And Brew, especially for you, Lilymaid. Hurrah for chemo 5 having been done.

malteserzz · 19/09/2013 17:13

Lily can I ask how often you wish your wig and how you do it ? I haven't washed mine yet bit worried about it going funny ! It doesn't look or smell dirty yet. Well done for getting through chemo number 5 Smile

topsyturner · 19/09/2013 17:17

Just a quickie

I've updated to ios7 , and now I keep getting bounced off mumsnet !

Hopefully the wrinkles will be ironed out , and I'll be back posting and reading properly soon x

Lilymaid · 19/09/2013 17:22

Malt I was given instructions on wig care which suggest washing the wig every two to three weeks. Do you have the special wig shampoo/conditioner etc?

foofooyeah · 19/09/2013 17:33

Ooerr, plumber has just been and he was rather gorgeous: I think I blushed.

Gigondas · 19/09/2013 18:19

Same problem here as topsy so will post when I can. Great news ruby Smile.

OP posts:
jchocchip · 19/09/2013 20:25

Yay great news Ruby Cake

really can't keep up, still rather fluey so have hot ribena and off to bed with a hot water bottle Grin

did the plumber blush though??

malteserzz · 19/09/2013 20:37

I had that problem this morning thought it was me! I haven't upgraded though
Lily no she said it would be ok if I washed it in simple shampoo
Had a nice meal out and few glasses of rose lovely

BetsyBoop · 19/09/2013 21:11

yay ruby that's great news :) I still think the lucky coin was a sign :)

lily glad your chemo went well :)

Chemo 5 done, uneventful so far. :) Onc took my problem with pain on Sun/Mon/Tues very seriously (have I mentioned he is really lovely beforeGrin) and has given me slow release tramadol to have alongside normal tramamdol, and some morphine if I need it . He has also put me on antibiotics from Monday for five days to hopefully avoid an infection this time. He's happy my boob is still shrinking even though the "lump" hasn't changed much in size this time either - he says the lump isn't all tumour - and silly me didn't think to ask what is it then...so now I'm wondering if I've got some DCIS lurking too, as the chemo won't affect that, right?
He also confirmed I'll definitely be having rads due to size of tumour, but pathology will confirm exact where and how much. Also I will start tamoxifen two weeks after surgery.

to everyone as I've no hope of memory at the moment...

Grin
Gigondas · 19/09/2013 21:32

Stuck in a and e now as middle of my back wound has started to leak fluid and come apart a bit ( it was a bit sore).here is hoping get out quickly.

Betsy - yay re round 5.

Foo foo - Grin at plumber.

Was having good day too , ESP enjoyed catch up with pigeons. serves me right for feeling normal Sad.

OP posts:
amberlight · 19/09/2013 21:37

Gigs, yikes. Hope all is sorted fast?

BetsyBoop · 19/09/2013 21:40

aw gigs that is just poo :( Just as the other wound had finally healed up as well, double poo. :( I'll put Cake Brew and Wine on the trolley for you for when you get home too

malteserzz · 19/09/2013 21:45

Betsy glad it went ok and fingers crossed you won't get such bad side effects this time
Gigs what a pain bless you, hope you get seen soon x

Gigondas · 19/09/2013 21:57

Thanks all - it is a nuisance but hope can be cleared up soon (have learned from my mistakes and got down to hospital ASAP). There is all human life here... It's like the bar scene in Star Wars.

OP posts:
kitkat1967 · 19/09/2013 22:05

Crikey Gigs - hope they get you sorted quickly - glad you've gone straight in.

kitkat1967 · 19/09/2013 22:08

Betsy - maybe you also have DCIS and we can be twins again!

Just in case we are twins watch out for the morphine if you need to take it - I was very sick when I had a little bit in hospital and you know what we are like for sickness Grin.

BetsyBoop · 19/09/2013 22:11

Oh and talking of jobs, I had a high pressure, stressful and long hours job with lots of travel before DC were born. (IT programme manager, which I loved most of the time!) I took voluntary redundancy at the end of my second mat leave (only went back for two months after first mat leave before I went off again, and hated it) At that time DH was working away M-F and with no family local with my long hours and travel the only option would have been a nanny and neither of us seeing much of the kids, which wasn't an option really...I never thought I'd give up on the career I'd worked so hard for until DD arrived! I have wondered though if the stress contributed, along with having children very late (39/41) being a bit overweight and sometimes drinking over the recommended limits of alcohol, but on the plus side I breast fed for over 3 years in total, have always eaten well (if a little too much!) and kept myself reasonably fit, so who knows? My blood pressure which was borderline high when I was at work and being monitored by the GP, and is now normal, so that's a plus too.

I retrained as a TA once DS started at nursery and I love my new career, so I hope to go back to it. I'm on a fixed term contract at the moment (usual for TAs these days, which ends 31/3/14 - and the school are looking to move to academy status from April 14, so who knows if I'll have a job and on what terms?) Part time, school hols off and not too much stress, even more perfect for me now I think. I do feel like I want to spend as much time with the kids as I can, every moment is precious when you can't be sure how much time you have left, goodness that sounds morbid, but true. :(

oh dear, shut up betsy this is turning into an autobiography...

notJenkins · 19/09/2013 22:21

Hope you get sorted soon gigs

I am another one who has loved being at home and not missed work at all. I realise the stress full time work puts me under and how much I miss out on with the children. I am really hoping to cut my hours when we have moved house to get a better balance then I can bore you all more with fb pictures of my exciting dog walks ! .
My work involves a caseload people with a long term disability and palliative cases so I could do with a break from that world I think but it is my area of expertise so I am not sure how practicable that is.
Work is just not that important to me anymore.
My ds has just started secondary school and the homework is a real trial. My a level chemistry has been very helpful - who knew Grin

foofooyeah · 19/09/2013 22:32

Gigs, sort to hear you are at a&e, hope all is sorted soon.

Betsy I am at IT or Oberammergau manager, sorry had to leave that predictive text error in, I am actually a programme manager . . But don't have the travel aspect.

kitkat1967 · 19/09/2013 22:44

Betsy and foo - I am an IT Service Delivery Manager - makes you wonder doesn't it?

GoodbyeRubyTuesday · 19/09/2013 22:48

Just popping on quickly to send lots of love and speedy healing vibes to gigs I hope you don't have to wait long!

If anyone is near a window, the moon is absolutely stunning tonight (full moon or very close to it, and very bright) :)

I've been relaxing after stress of this morning. Happily I am back to not even remembering I've had cancer really :)

foofoo FAP is Familial Adenomatous Polyposis. I had a colonoscopy last year where they discovered hundreds of polyps, one had already become cancerous, so they knew I had one of several conditions which cause pre-cancerous polyps and I had to have DNA testing to see which. None of them are pleasant but this one seems to be linked to the fewest other cancers, just thyroid and small bowel according to my geneticist

shooting my memory is rather hazy but I think you mentioned friend before - has the friend had bowel cancer too? Good that son is being monitored closely. I expect he will have similar surgery to me. Geneticist said lots of her male patients are very reluctant to have the surgery and hang onto their colons as long as possible! Can't really blame them but rather risky.

betsy well done on chemo five, on the home stretch now :)

It is well past my screen curfew so will leave it there. Night night all x

Gigondas · 19/09/2013 23:10

Sleep well ruby . About to try and wind down as home now . Given anti biotics and instructions to ring surgeon tomorrow but didn't seem overly concerned. Fingers crossed heals quickly- it actually feels bit better as was sore spot for little while. Night all

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