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*TAMOXIGANG* 43 *

993 replies

MaryAnnSingleton · 01/10/2013 08:24

New thread !!

OP posts:
malteserzz · 14/10/2013 21:52

Welcome tiny
It is all such a shock at the beginning we all understand that. What do you know of your treatment plan ? Once you get that in place it does get a little easier and you at least feel that you are doing something about it
Ask us anything and there will be someone who can help and we are all good at hand holding Smile

Tiny100 · 14/10/2013 21:53

Smee - Thanks for both the warm welcome and positive reassurances - I really need them. I have been told that I will have chemo followed by surgery. I will meet my oncologist on Wednesday who will explain my treatment plan, I am sure that I will have plenty of questions after that.

Handbag - I had a bone scan last week, in my case two people were in the room performing the scan, it seemed their job was to do the scan and make sure that the scan was good enough for the Doctor to read. The Doctor who was actually writing the report said that interpreting a bone scan takes quite some time - he would have to go over it with a fine tooth comb to make sure nothing was missed. My scan was done on Wednesday afternoon and he said the report would be with my consultant by Friday evening, (which it was).

weebarra · 14/10/2013 21:54

Tiny - looks as though we're at about the same stage of diagnosis. I'm going in for my scans etc on Thursday and am obviously shitting myself - I have a nearly 6, 3 and 8 week old.
The wise ladies on here will keep us right - they've helped me so much already.

amberlight · 14/10/2013 21:54

Tiny, welcome! Sorry that you are here but glad you have found us. Many here have cancer that has spread...but are on potions that convert it to a long term nuisance. Tell us all you can about what sort, size etc you have, if you like..and we can give you handy hints aplenty. And company.

trice · 14/10/2013 22:03

Tiny - sorry you have to join us. Waiting for results is always scary. You must be still in shock. Under no circumstances should you google. It will scare you rigidas only the worst cases show up.

Kk, what a horrible shock. He must have gone mad to leave for a fantasy Facebook woman. Terrible behaviour to leave a note.

I have my lung fusing op booked for a fortnight today. Four days on a mixed ward with a lovely drain. And no Internet! There is no signal on my phone in the hospital.I shall be standing outside with the smokers waving my phone in the air!

I shall enjoy naming my drain though.

PictureThis · 15/10/2013 00:05

Kurri (()). I'll just sit here and offer a hand to hold. I hope you have plenty of people around you doing just that and reminding you of how fabulous you are. After 31 years...a letter! Coward.

Hello Tiny100. I'm sorry you've found yourself here too, so many of us with little people, it's frightening. However, as many have already said, this is best place to be for support and a healthy dose of Amber's common sense Grin.

So, the Tax truck has well and truly rolled into town, right over me by the feel of it. Cocodamol and a cheeky tramadol to stop the joint pain. Thank god there is an end to it. Today has definitely felt like a walking through treacle kind of day...too much effort required. I asked my MIL to pick DD up from school because I felt crappy. Not a problem she replied. Great I thought and as I was suffering with the aches I thought I'd wallow in a lovely warm bath while mini pic was asleep. So, picture this, I'm in the bath, having a good soak, eyes closed....next minute MIL comes flying into the bathroom to check I'm ok. She'd popped in on her way home from shopping to see if I needed anything, called out to me but I hadn't heard her due to me being submerged so she flew around the house looking for me all the while thinking I was collapsed somewhere!! Not quite sure she was expecting the bald, one boobed naked in the bath look though. That's a vision that will take a considerable amount of time for her to erase from her memory, if everGrin.

reallyreallyworried · 15/10/2013 06:16

Morning all

I slept right through Smile yay!! Oh how 'nomal' I feel.

picture your MIL story made me laugh Grin but sorry you are feeling rough! I hope you feel a little better today xx

gigs fingers crossed your little lump, is flu jab connected. Hope your arm is less painful today.

kk just sending you more hugs. Xx

handbags well done on surviving the scans. That's another step completed. Let's hope you get the all clear.

tiny welcome. I am also one of the ones on the early stages of my journey. So although I can't offer much advice. I can totally empathise with how you are feeling. I might be on Chemo about the same time as you, and handbags but be reassured the ladies on here, ALWAYS know what to say to help and reassure you Grin

trice glad you have a surgery date. Naming your drain!! Yay!! I'm not the only 'mad' one Grin look forward to hearing what you decide on.

And finally hi to everyone else. Hope you are all doing okay. Good luck to anyone with appointments or results today. Hope it's a positive day all round.

I am off to Docs this morn to sort out some paperwork and possibly have the flu jab! Then I might meet some friends. Before I start back at work tomorrow Grin can't wait to get back to normal for a bit.

Xxxxxxxxx

foofooyeah · 15/10/2013 06:34

picture you just made me snort with laughter at MIL story.

Welcome to tiny

Talking of chemo and baldness I have used the cold cap and (touch wood) still have a reasonably good head of hair. It's a bit thinner but only noticeable to me. It does hurt but only for about five to ten minutes. I have had 2 sessions, number 3 next week.

So, today, I am going back to work! Going in today then will work from home for 4 hours a day. Bit nervous as haven't been into work for over two months, but will be fine and will get a lunch in at Carluccios.

amberlight · 15/10/2013 06:34

Picture, love the MIL story Grin

I see Mr Surgeon later for official result of mammogram even though I already know it. Scary hospital to endure but it will be nice to see Mrs BCN for a chat.

MaryAnnSingleton · 15/10/2013 08:07

welcome tiny -horrid that you have to be here but we'll get you through this.
Keep thinking of the feckless Mrkk - the ow is bound to be some desperate computer nerd and they deserve one another. Hope you managed to sleep and eat and that lovely sister is with you - sending much love xx

OP posts:
MomOfTwoGirls2 · 15/10/2013 08:45

tiny welcome, and sorry you are here
Your story is somewhat like that of my youngest sister. She was diagnosed las Nov, so just 11 months ago. She had two breast lumps and lump in lymph nodes. She is also mom of 2 young children, ages 2&3 at the time. She went straight to chemo, then had surgery to remove what was left of the lumps, followed by radiotherapy. There were several weeks recovery time between each step to get her strength back. She is totally finished with about a month. She is feeling and looking great.

It's day after my first chemo (AC). I was so tired last night, I got into bed around 8:30. Was asleep by 9, and woke at 11:30pm! I was afraid I wouldn't go back to sleep again, so popped 1/2 Valium type pill (can't remember what's it called). So I slept pretty ok til about 6:45.

Haven't taken meds yet this morning, am getting some food into me first. Bur I feel fine. Except my legs feel quite stiff. I've been walking lots lately, and even fit in a slow walk after chemo yesterday. Not sure that was such a good idea.. I guess it will be another day or two before the side effects will click in.

MomOfTwoGirls2 · 15/10/2013 08:48

picture what a funny story. I guess MILs heart was in right place. This gave me a giggle over breakfast.

thegreylady · 15/10/2013 08:55

KK just came to say you deserve better than him xx
I am in Turkey with my son and family celebrating bayram with them. Last Wednesday I had my 7 year mammo and 'poke and grope'. I was scared to begin with but when they called me back for an ultrasound I was terrified! However all was well, just some tiny cysts too small to aspirate, the relief was enormous as you can imagine.
All bc is a tightrope but what makes triple negative so scary is the lack of any supportiative therapy after the initial treatment. Still they say that after 8 years that particular primary wont come back so here's to another year with NED.
My love to everyone going through the initia l Hell of dx and treatment.

You are a stranger
I haven't seen your face.
I'll walk a while beside you
In this dark and scary place.

jchocchip · 15/10/2013 09:18

Hi to tiny this is a lovely place, sorry you have found yourself here but it is a safe place to talk, handhold, keep a lit on the paranoia and not forgetting Brew and Cake
I'm 2 years post dx myself and don't find as much time to post these days what with work and family but try to keep in touch with these lovely ladies who were/ are truely the best support group.
Greylady yay for ned :) Have a lovely time with your family.
Have seen kk has a board in chat. I can't believe how he can do this to our lovely kk :( Some men are such twats sometimes. I can't see this ending well for him.

smee · 15/10/2013 09:21

Waving enthusiastically to Grey Lady and cartwheeling round for your 7 years and free. Smile Smile What brilliant news. Have a fantastic time in Turkey. Come back soon.

Picture Grin at your MIL story. Sorry you're feeling grim. All you can do is hold onto the fact that a) it's clearly having a heck of effect on your body so working and b) it will soon be over.

Mom if they gave you anti-sickness pills take them regardless. It's harder to stop if you wait for it to start iyswim. Take things gently today. Hopefully you won't be hit by nasty side effects. Quite a few people aren't. Smile

Hope your appt isn't too tricky today, Amber. Great that you already know it's all okay, but still I know it's a bit overload sometimes. Hope Mrs BCN has time to chat. Smile

Trice, two weeks isn't far away. No internet's annoying. My hospital's a bit like that. One ward you get it, the other you don't. I always seem to end up in the ward without. Trivial but mighty irritating when you're stuck there.

Tiny, hope you're okay today. First bit after diagnosis is most definitely the worst part. I know that sounds weird, but I'd bet everyone on here would agree.

Betsy, Kitkat how are you today?? Hope not too grim.

We haven't heard from Ruby have we? Are you okay out there? x

Sending ginormous hugs to Kurri today. Hope you slept and your sis has arrived xx

Took DS to the dentist at 8.15. We both had check ups, both fine so that's good. Pesky dentist really annoyed me though. I had slight gum disease after chemo, which is all sorted now. She knew the cause, but still managed to have a go, so 'it's good to see you're cleaning your teeth properly now'. In front of DS too. I nearly flashed my scars. DS said wasn't that to do with all mum's cancer treatment and she apologised. Go DS! Silly moo.. Hmm

Hope everyone has a good day. Smile

Sometimesiwonder · 15/10/2013 09:54

I am just dropping in to add my support for KK and my utter contempt for Mr KK.

KK - please safeguard your finances and consider changing the locks so you can at least control how he reappears next week, and what he takes from the house. Much, much love.xxxx

Welcome and hugs to newcomers. i realise I am not much help at all to any of you at the moment, but it may help a bit to know that I'm another who has been there, had the surgery, taken the chemo, had the rads, and am getting back on with life. It does happen. xxxx

jchocchip · 15/10/2013 10:25

Well done littlesmee :) Hmm at dentist though.
Waves to sometimes. Good to see you. :)

kitkat1967 · 15/10/2013 10:38

Morning. All is well here - am wearing my wig today as I put it on to show MIL and as it was so well received have decided to wear it out (still got all the same scabby hair underneath but think it might go next week).
I'm still feeling very well but have my 3rd Paclitaxel tomorrow and as that will equal 1 Doxetaxel I suspect I might get a bit more in the way of SEs. Am stuck in waiting for bloods to be done then out for lunch with in-laws.

well done greylady - 7 years is fab - long may it continue Smile.

and welcome to tiny - sorry you are joining us but it's a great board.

and Trice - I hadn't realised you had already got a date for your surgery - that's great news.

malteserzz · 15/10/2013 10:55

Grey lady so pleased to hear your news you give us all hope Smile
Trice glad you haven't got long to wait but eek at no internet !
Kurri thinking of you a lot x

Love to everyone else, all ok here going out off lunch in a bit and need to pick up a parcel which I think is TOWIE series 1-6 box set to keep me occupied next week after chemo !

Marshy · 15/10/2013 11:15

Inspiring posts from sometimes and greylady

Am feeling a bit grim today. The waiting is grinding me down. Off out for a coffee with a friend in a bit so hopefully that will help

Shootingatpigeons · 15/10/2013 12:30

With so many newly diagnosed perhaps we should all share our stories. I can't remember when we did this last so sorry if we are repeating ourselves. We really are all types, and at all stages.

I was diagnosed 12 years ago when I was 43, with a grade 3 tumour, it was ductal, 1.7cms, very strongly Estrogen positive, her2neu negative (for those new to the terminology they test whether the tumour still have receptors for Estrogen and Progesterone, the receptor that healthy cells use to receive hormone signals but tumours can retain because they are using the hormones to grow, or a protein called Her2neu, in both cases they have treatment options that will work for that tumour, if you are negative for all 3 it is known as triple negative). one lymph node involved.

I had a lumpectomy but unfortunately they could not get clear margins, and a mastectomy three days later, which found widespread DCIS (Ductal Cancer I Situ) I have not had reconstruction because I couldn't face it at the time and have never been bothered enough to do it since. I am a wimp but 99 % of the time I am happy with my body and my prosthesis, I wear bikinis on holiday etc and I never had a cleavage to miss ;-) .

I had chemo, six rounds of FAC and lots of problems with low white blood counts, and delays to cycles and reductions in dose, and which bought on menopause around cycle 2or 3, followed by 5 years of Tamoxifen. I would then have gone on to one of the aromatise inhibitors but I have Osteopenia, early stage Osteoporosis , possibly the result of chemo or early menopause (except tamoxifen protects the bones and I took Calcium throughout)

When I was diagnosed I was given only 60 % chance of living five years (they put it that way because after living five years your odds of dying of breast cancer actually become lower than the average woman and so you will probably die of something else, I don't know if your Consultant told you that statistic grey lady but it is a good 'un Smile ) but now they recognise that the menopause for women with tumours like mine improves their odds far more than they realised. It sounds scary when you are facing it as a young woman but I am absolutely sure it saved my life.

I hope that helps those new on here. The first days and weeks really are the worst, once you know what you face you can get on and cope. Between us we can usually answer most questions and are only too glad to help people with the benefit Hmm of our experience.

picture Grin

Shootingatpigeons · 15/10/2013 12:54

I should add that my daughters were 5 and 9 and another younger mother at school was diagnosed at the same time whilst Breastfeeding, and then another, and through informal networks we met others mothers of young children. Some Her 2neu, some with more lymph nodes involved. We are all still here.

smee · 15/10/2013 13:11

Good idea, Pigeon. I was diagnosed March 2010 aged 44. My DS was 5, 1.7cm ductal, stage 3, grade 3, wide spread DCIS and in 4/22 nodes. Had mastectomy, chemo (3xFEC/ 3xTax), lots of rads and am now on Tamoxifen. Like Pigeons, chemo pushed me to menopause and think it's possibly saved my life too (here's hoping!) Decided to have preventative mx. Had to talk them into it, but now have two daftly perky silicon implants. Still covered in scars and no nipples, but no need for a bra either. Grin

PictureThis · 15/10/2013 13:19

I was diagnosed in April with multifocal DCIS, but following a mastectomy I was found to have a grade 3, stage 2 11mm invasive tumour with 10 nodes affected. My tumour was oestrogen and progesterone receptive and HER2 +ve and had been dining out wildly on all the lovely hormones my body had been producing whilst I'd been pregnant with DS (who was 8/12 when I was diagnosed). I'm now through 5 out if 6 doses of chemo, 3xFEC and 3xdocetaxel (tax). I have a full node clearance scheduled for the end of November and radiotherapy in January. I start on Tamoxifen in December and I'm already through 2 doses of 18 of Herceptin.

PictureThis · 15/10/2013 13:20

Oh, and I'm 39.

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