Tamoxifen bus shelter -42

[Gigondas]

Dragging trolley onto new thread.

hi Malt - yes very happy that nothing new came up. Also pleased with expansion of new boob - very impressive clevage already!!

nana you're not self centred at all, perfectly reasonable to ask as that's what we are here for to support each other and share our experiences where useful :) I think my aunt got her chillow from Amazon.

Thank your everyone for offers of hand holds I shall definitely need it next week :)

I shall try and see the GP tomorrow as I'm halfway through course of antibiotics so ought to have seen a difference by now!

malt could you wear a soft fleece hat? Or might that be too hot? And what a fab confidence boost :) your wig really suits you, do you think you'll get your hair cut to a similar style when it grows back?

kitkat glad it was good news, and hopefully you'll get a definite answer either way on the chemo :)

picture I cried after one of my GAs too, I think it's a normal physical reaction more than anything. The recovery nurse shouted at me but I dobbed her in when I was next there I hope your neck feels better soon and glad everything is now in place so no more fiddling needed.

topsy that does sound cheerful... interesting though!

We are finally watching an episode of that Burrowers programme that we recorded weeks ago, so cute! :)

Love to all x

kitkat interesting to hear about your reconstruction, I haven't yet decided whether to have it as it's a long op and not sure my heart will stand up to it.

Also had a bad infection in the wound after mastectomy which has put me off surgery for a while. But my friend is having what you are (I think) so be good to share with her your experience

Ooh hooray Kitkat. I know it's still cancer, but you must be relieved. Hope they can give you a clear steer on chemo. For now though seems sensible.

Nana, you've had one hell of a year, haven't you?! Your turn for things to get better I'm sure. Amber had to stop Herceptin I think. I'd bet she'll be up for chatting about that.

Crying after GA is v.v.normal, Picture. Of it's not then there's a lot of abnormal women on here..

Hope you feel better soon, ruby. Definitely head to doctors tomorrow if you're not feeling better.

Nice cheery topics for DD, Topsy.

kitkat sound like good news to me that there was a lot less nasty stuff than they had originally thought :) Have you thought about what you'll do if they give you the option for more chemo?

malt people are saying these things cos you DO look fantastic in your wig :)

Nana - I had a mx 10 days ago with insertion of tissue expander as couldn't have full reconstruction at the time of mx as will be having rads.

I am very pleased so far as implant was partially expanded in the Op so was not completely flat at any point and have enough 'breast' to wear all my normal clothes with a small softie in a sports bra. The implant is going to be fully expanded over the next few weeks and then I will have to wait about 8 months to get it replaced. The surgeon is going to fix up my other breast to match at the same time so all in all I'm happy with my choices so far.
Also recovery from Op has been quick and easy - was in hospital 2 nights and came home with a drain in which was removed 2 days later. Pain was managed with paracetamol and occassional nurerofen so not a problem.
Oh and Op was 2 hours but the full reconstruction will be longer I think but not as long as if the skin was not already expanded.

Betsy - much as I hate it i have decided to have the chemo if i get a choice (will only be 3 more cycles) but it may be complicated by the fact that having chemo would delay hormone treatment which might deliver a bigger benefit - hopefully they will give me a steer if not a decision.

Based on something someone said the other day i have been reading old threads today - just got to Topsy's spontaneous remmission .

Thanks Ruby you sound really kind.
Would be interested to hear from other HER2+ people?

Appreciate your sharing that Kitkat, I'll tell my friend who's having her mx tomorrow (been postponed since Monday so she's panicking)

I hope they at least give you a steer kitkat - but I'm like you if there was even marginal potential benefit from completing chemo (which didn't interfer with "better" hormone therapy benefits of course) I'd do it (and hate it!) - that way no regrets :)

welcome nana ! and results sound v good kitkat though can quite understand your wanting the team to tell you decisively what is needed,rather than letting you make a decision (does that make sense?)
Special hand holding and a hug for next week's stuff ruby xxx
Had a lovely time meeting fb friend who was just as I'd imagined - we chatted and felt v comfortable together..was nice.
Swimming this evening so am now very chilly and hair is damp- think I may need hot choc.

Thank you Maryann!

I wasn't given a choice about chemo, but I live in West Yorkshire so might be different school of thought here?

Also didn't realise I'd DCIS as well as invasive until I read my pathology report which I had to ask for. It sometimes irritates me that they treat you as if you've no brain and you're expected to be a sheep

Smee sorry just noticed your reply, yes, I put this year on hold so looking forward to Christmas!

My best wishes to all you ladies going through this, I never thought to come on here (been mostly on BC forums) but this is best!

You're all very kind about my wig I will stop going on about it one day and just accept it !

Mas glad your meet went well sounds like you have made a new friend which is always good

Nana I love this thread, I've looked at the bcc ones but this is just so down to earth and supportive and I like the way we have people at all different stages of treatment still dealing not just with cancer but everything else life throws at you !

And can I just ask about my chemo arm which aches between my wrist and elbow, is it worth massaging it or anything or should I just rest it ?

Hi to nana. Sounds like you have had a lot to contend with.
Pigeons! Was that a music teacher? Before my time but friends of friends...
dh has let the blinking cat into the bedroom. Early morning alarm call I expect!

Hi jchocchip, I've got an alarm cat too, who wakes me between 3-5am and with these dodgy legs it takes me ages to get downstairs to let the bugger out!

Amber can I ask why you had to come off Herceptin early?

nana - I am HER2+ - I had a years worth of herceptin after I had finished my chemo (I think they sometimes run it concurrently now in some places). Happy to answer any questions you may have (although it was 3 years ago I finished herceptin so my memory may be slightly shaky!).
You are very welcome on this thread - we have people at all different stages of treatment, different treatments and different cancers - its all about supporting each other through the tough bits - (and we also like to chat about cake )

malt - I was told to rub ibuprofen gel into my chemo arm when it got sore. But yes to resting it as well.

Kitkat - very pleased you had good results today xx

Night night all, early start tomorrow - I'm going to yoga and have to get an early bus (well 7.45 but that is early for me)

Oh thanks kurrikurri I'm so pleased to be able to chat to people who had/have the same cancer as me. I hadn't realised there were so many different types of BC, but I suppose you don't until it happens to you or someone close

Reading about it is depressing as its such a nasty one. Thank God for Herceptin.

Did you have hormone therapy too? My pathology was weird. First they said it was marginal ER and negative PR then they said it was negative ER but "surprisingly positive for PR"

Don't know what to believe now as I'd really like not to have the Arimidex if I don't have to have it.

My report also showed it was associated with perineural invasion and lymphovascular invasion so that's worrying as my lymph nodes were clear.

That means it could metastise via my nerves or blood and as I only had 4 cycles of chemo I'm now worried I didn't have enough?

Anyway, glad I got that off my chest (pardon the pun!) Nite nite x

Malt, I found a hot water bottle soothing on sore chemo arm.

Nana-welcome but sorry you are here. Am not bc person (have soft tissue sarcoma) but have had a couple of post op infections so I know how horrid they are.

Malt-Arnica cream good on bruising on chemo arm too. Also if you rest it on that cushion I sent it helps-I advise doing it with a brew bad some junk tv.

Also I have a very technical question for you as our queen of this kind of thing -is the orange one going to marry his pregnant gf? Ad what was she thinking -she was a medical student? Surely there are better options than being fertilised by Peter? Also what has happened to Jordan's baby.

I always cry after ga -you can set your watch by it about 4 hours after I come round. It's proper full on world end crying bit like 3 day blues after you have a baby.

Kitkat-good you have results but can see how you want more guidance. Can you not get an answer on risk of doing chemo first v. Hormone as I think you need amber type hard facts to decide.

Ruby- massive hugs for you. I would get gp to review antibiotics. Tonsillitis is horrid at best of times but you may need higher dose to shift it. I have genetic results in 2 weeks too -so far am negative for 2 tests but will be finding out more at appt and also what may affect the little gigs. But my lady is very nice as talks about what test for if are positive so there is some comfort if there is a risk.

Mas-I have an electric throw that warms up. I recommend it- going to start my swim regime next week.

Waves to betsey, smee, Nj, kurri, jchoc, ecori, picture and reallyworried(how you doing?) and anyone else.

Shooting- what's on menu after gbbo?

Also what is with all the crying? Beca and Frances annoying me .

Off to town to see dietician, therapist and have kid free lunch ( with kindle for company) plus some shopping .

morning all. Rubbish night for me as 'pumped up' implant really hurt during the night. I got off to sleep OK but been awake since 3am - will head back to bed once the kids have left for school.

How are you doing Ecroi - are you having your implants expanded yet?

good morning...nice coffee on the trolley...am currently obsessed with special K with peach and apricot -yum.
Today it's a year since my secondary diagnosis and as I'm still very much here and swimming along I hope that offers a bit of comfort to those feeling gloomy.
Am off to a gay literary salon tonight at the Southbank (as you do) -should be interesting and jolly. A bit anxious about making the last train back to Hampshire

Morning all

KitKat great to hear you had some reasonably positive news but sorry to hear you had a rough night. Hope you manage to catch up on some sleep today.

I am in a VERY feeling sorry for myself mood. I need to try and snap out of it! It's so NOT me. Hides in corner and gives myself a good slap talking too!!

Hope you all have a good day xxx

Hugs for reallyworried- mope away that is allowed. Got any chocolate or treats that will help you feel bit better? Doing my nails cheered me up at times.

At mas anniversary - going very strong as was impressed With your swim stats. Literary thing sounds good...will it include a wahaca trip?

Back on bed with having sent big gig to school . She is particularly dappy today ( has tendency to day dream and be in her own world and not listen - sadly cant blame anyone other than myself as I was same) so teachers will have fun.