*TAMOXIGANG* All the fours...44!

[GoodbyeRubyTuesday]

Apologies for the bingo reference, couldn't think of a witty title but the other thread is very nearly full.

In honour of our new thread I have piled extra apple pudding on the trolley so tuck in :)

Malt - you're boiled egg anaolgy made me smile - have you finally lost all your hair then?

Even if you have it will start growing soon so you won't be egglike for long. Mine is thin but hanging in so I suspect i will be like you and lose it just at the end!!

I also went to LGFB (recommended by Malt) and had a lovely morning out.

Evening all, things have been massively eventful since chemo number 2 on 6th nov, so am going to cheat and post a blog link so you guys can catch up on the news at KN towers.

In other news though, dd2 is teething and DD1 has a uti, so from one crisis to another in this household!!

blog link

No I've still got some Kitkat I cut all if the long bits off but I have a thin covering and it's growing back grey !

Off to read knittings blog

Really I had a picc line - 3 in fact as they kept getting infected. I was, by all accounts , very unlikely.

Wow knitting, you've really been through the mill.

What do the hospital propose regarding your poor veins? Will they give you a portacath or a PICC line?

Momof2 I've got a PICC line, but they couldn't take blood out of it as it was in use for chemo at the time, and the dr's are not keen to take blood from it as they don't know how contaminated it is from the transfusions, flushing, IV paracetamol, chemo etc. they prefer blood from the veins. Ironically the only blood taking that didn't bruise is the one the dr did with a needle and syringe, and then decanted the blood into the vials. What worries me at the moment is my HB levels are so unstable that I will be spending a lot of time having transfusions at the moment, which I can't really afford.

knitting that's tough. Crossing my fingers for you that it will stabilise.

knitting Flip, when it rains it really does pour for you. I am so sorry that you are having such a rough time atm. I hope things settle as you get into the rhythm of chemo. Hopefully they can get all these problems sorted out. The staff make such a difference - I am so grateful for the many lovely nurses I have come across recently, but those one or two do make the whole thing so much worse than it gas to be.

Sounds like handbags and really are taking everything in their stride. Glad all us going okay. Hugs to Gigs and weebarra also. Tiny so glad you are having such a good response. I had the same experience, although your response was even faster - that's great! Are you Her2+? If you aren't, I think that it might shorten your list of required treatment. I'm HER2+ so still had to have everything.

Sorry to disappear again for a few days. Have been exhausted, bit depressed, and in some pain. Finished radiation on Thursday so to be expected I think. Just woke from an early evening nap and suddenly feel much better and a lot of swelling has gone down so I think that I am on the mend. Feel so happy to be done with chemo, Mx and rads - last March I didn't think that I would get through it all but I can testify to the power of plodding through one stage at a time.
Shooting good guess on my location! but you have to think further north. The imaging protocol here is similar to the UK i.e. not doing unless there is a really good reason to do so and the policy of not doing surgery on recurrences is in force here - not sure how that compars with the UK. Not planning of doing a personal investigation of the policy with a lot of luck

Hugs to all! Esp. those finishing Tax. - you are so nearly there now, hang in and it will be over! I remember that it took me quite a long time to begin to get my energy back, but it does come back little by little each day. I am amazed by the strength of my body and its ability to take what is thrown at it and regenerate with time and rest.

10 cm of snow forecast for tonight to the west and north of us - we have been so lucky to have a lovely autumn! Still waiting for our first snowfall. Wish you could all see the colours of the last leaves on the trees - bright yellows and reds against clear blue skies...

That's a lot of snow - where are you uh sounding? Hope you are over worst of rads now- it's odd how se build up and actually get worse a week or so after but they do go quite quickly.

Had reassuring chat with my specialist nurse about how bad I felt. She thinks won't be so bad with tax as most patients don't get much except tiredness. Also my fever reaction should stop over next cycle or so as your body gets used to chemo. on steroids today which should help my appetite.

Apologies to those I sent duff address spreadsheet too- will try again today.

am offering a loan of mini gig- she is going through a wake up and shout phase .

Morning all

Hope everyone is feeling a few years younger today maybe in your nineties!

I have a quick question. So far I have been lucky enough to feel pretty good, SE wise. I came over a little nauseous last night around 9, but after taking meds was okay, and slept through. I actually feel fine this morn, and now feel bad that I have taken sick leave from work. But as they have cover there isn't much I can do. So my question is, if I have had no bad side effects up to now, am I likely to get any in the following week? I ask because I am thinking of going to visit my parents for the rest of the week, for a bit of TLC and to reassure them that I am okay! But don't want to go if I might suddenly be hit by yucky side effects!

Sorry if that was long winded. I know the answer will prob be that you don't know. But just wandered if any of you had later side effects?

Thanks xxx

Really I'm no expert, after only having 2 cycles. But my evening of chemo and morning after sounds just like what you described. I felt a bit more 'off-form' on day 4 (general tiredness and kind of a woolly head) on cycle one. And I had problem sleeping nights 2-4, because of the steroids.
I'd say go home, and enjoy being looked after. And your parents will probably be pleasantly surprised at how 'well' you feel.

When are you back to work?

Really I've recently finished 6 x Tax. Worst day was always Day 4 and then I felt more normal from Day 8 onwards. Take your anti nausea pills and go away - you'll feel much better for it.

Thanks ladies,

I am hopefully back to work on Monday but think a few days with my parents will help them to feel more relaxed too! Plus always nice to spend time with them! Nice home cooked meals!

Took steroids this morning and the nurse did say that for the next 2 days I might feel on a high! But then there might be a sudden drop on Thursday, which goes with what you said momofTwo

I better pack! Xxxx

Hi all, hope things are looking up for you knitting novice; sounds like a tough time.
DD pretty much slept through for the first time last night, pity I was up with chemo tummy!
This is day 6 for me after my first cycle and I'm feeling ok. I think day 4 was probably the worst.
My mum's best friend has just sent me a big box of goodies, including a bed jacket, bless her. Well, I suppose I do feel old atm!

Morning all
Still in bed here, got up with the dc then when they went to school came back to bed and had a nice sleep. Will get up soon

Knitting sorry you've had such a bad time hopefully things will go more smoothly from now on

Really I agree going to your parents is a good idea, just remember all your medications and the chemo phone number just in case. Watch the post steroid slump I've always been depressed on those days. If you are try and remember it's the drugs and it will pass in a couple of days

Gigs send mini up to me she's gorgeous! Dh just let me know that the lovely myleene is visiting his office today, hopefully he can put his foot out and trip her up or something !

Anyone not on FB Betsy posted last night to say that she was ok.

If anyone wants to be friends on FB send me a message it's nice to put names to faces

Weebarra lol at the bed jacket is it flowery

Me again just had a call to go and see my surgeon next Friday about ANC. Not got a date for the surgery yet though hope it's soon and not too near Christmas

Hi all,
have been trying to post since yesterday front lap top but it doesn't seem to be working. On phone now so apologies in advance for typos!

I had my results appt with the surgeon yesterday following MX on 30th Oct. The report shows 7.3cm of strongly ER+ high grade DCIS with no evidence of invasive malignancy which is fantastic news although there was a caveat that there may be some invasive carcinoma that they hadn't sampled. I guess they are never 100% about anything but I'm reassuring myself that they looked thoroughly and my lymph nodes were clear....

The outcome is no further treatment apart from tamoxifen. I had convinced myself I would be starting chemo in Dec so I can't quite believe it but if course I'm massively relieved and consider myself very fortunate.

My new boob is doing ok and seems to be healing although the skin is a bit thin and flaky. My armpit is still sore and corded but will be working on that.

My next appt is in March to look at lifting the other side. Until then a good bra does the job.

So in stepping off the rollercoaster for a while. Not back to work til Jan so looking forward to some recovery time.

Thank you all for your support. I particularly recall the 'pope in the ensuite' discussion - thanks Amber - but so many other comments also. I hope I have helped a little along the way.

Will be lurking and chipping in from time to time. Best wishes to you all.

Marshy thats fantastic! You must be so relieved.

That's great marshy we like to hear good news

Hurrah for Marshy! Hope you recover your strength and can get back to "normal" life very soon.

Wonderful news Marshy, I'm so glad for you!

Awesome news Marshy! Live long and prosper!

That's great news marshy .

Good news Marshy.

I did my first full day at work today since beginning of August. Enjoyed it, was only supposed to be in for four hours but got carried away.

Chemo #4 tomorrow.