*Tamoxigang Christmas Party* - 45

[Tiny100]

Morning All!

We're nearly in December, so let's get the festivities started.

[adds mince pies to the trolley]

[malteserzz]

Sounds fab patti good for you, I'm sure we could all fit in your suitcases

[Shootingatpigeons]

I just wanted to say to wren if she is about that you are sounding like a bit of a twinny. I didn't have clear margins on my lumpectomy either, and subsequent mx found lots of low grade stuff throughout the breast as well as the nasty high grade tumour, plus I had one positive node. And I am now 12 years and 4 months on (not that I am counting but getting the christmas stuff out is always a milestone) and I still even have a healthy other boob. The treatment isn't great and the whole lumpectomy to mastectomy thing just cruel but I endured it all and moved on. And when Amber says chances are you will too she really does know what she is talking about. I actually never got round to bothering with reconstruction, didn't care enough to be arsed plus I am a wimp

Trice We may still have the fairy lights up from DDs 18th, and the UV lights in the conservatory and worst of all the multi coloured fibre optic numbers. It is like a very cheap, and dead, 80s disco... All we need is an orange George Michael in shorts, or even budgie smugglers, just for you gigs and Topsy thegood.files.wordpress.com/2007/08/9-wham-george-michael.jpg They would look especially good under the UV lights

I am a former member of my university's sports team branch of the Dagenham Girls' Pipe Band but we were only allowed to sing when everyone was really seriously pissed as in, unlikely to remember how bad it was. I'll keep quiet then, until Topsy has had enough to join in.....

[Shootingatpigeons]

Also waves to everyone. I love you all, mwah, mwah!

[Gigondas]

Ohh pigeons you know what I like . Welcome -Patti Florida sounds lovely.

Doing ok if tired But been out to see therapist (and offload my anxiety on chemo not working) and then took kids to kew to see their special Xmas light trail. It was lovely if cold.

Off to read properly and catch up.

[amberlight]

Hi all. And hi to Patti too.
Patti, are you able to say why they thought your odds were 5%? Laryngeal cancer normally has a much better set of odds than that. What sort of things were affecting that? If you don't want to say, that's fine - it's just that I can sometimes find useful brand new things that assist.

PS no need for guilt. Your lovely young lad has you right now and there is no better person in the world than you for him. And you're not about to go anywhere else fast. We're very close to 'holding treatments' that can just stabilise cancer and turn it into a long term nuisance. So scary as life has been for you, the odds are improving by the month.

[Wren48]

Hi pigeons, I really really appreciate you taking the trouble to write that. The surgeon wouldn't be drawn on any longer term implications (understandably) so I'm definitely cheered by a parallel experience that went well.

And very impressed with your decorations...

[malteserzz]

Morning all
Loving George Michael
How's everyone today ? In braving town for Christmas shopping this afternoon with dd, wish me luck !

[foofooyeah]

Mornin all, and welcome to patti

malt good luck with shopping.

I'm feeling good today, went to gym Wed and fri. Not going today as my old knees are complaining but will be back tomorrow. No doubt will be bought down with a bump on Wed with chemo #5 .... And no doubt will have mambo number 5 song in my head all day long.

Ahhh, George, how lovely he was. Not that I would have admitted it back in the day being a bit of a goth.

[MomOfTwoGirls2]

Hi all , and welcome to the new people though sorry you find yourselves here

I had my first poorly experience with chemo this week. Had 3rd AC chemo on Mon. Was doing well til Thur, then wham, all energy deserted me. Spend two days in bed/lying on couch. I picked up a cough from DD2, which I think contributed. But I'm definitely coming around today, even if my legs still feel like jelly. I'm a bit nervous of cough turning nasty while my bloods are low.

It is a gorgeous day in south of Ireland. I hope it is nice weather for all of you planning Christmas shopping today.

[reallyreallyworried]

Hi all

The deed is done! I have shaved my hair off! So today I wore a headscarf for the first time. I went to a Christmas fair. Felt a little self conscious for a bit. But then just got on with it. I feel quite proud of myself

I hope everyone has a lovely weekend. Xxxxxx

[MomOfTwoGirls2]

Well done really. It is a big step.

[malteserzz]

Foo foo well done on going to the gym
Mom of 2 sorry you've been feeling yukky glad you're feeling a bit Bette now
Really that must have been hard but it's another step out of the way

I've been shopping all afternoon then out for an early dinner absolutely shattered now so will chill and watch X factor and I'm a celeb tonight
Hope everyone's ok

[reallyreallyworried]

Thanks momofTwo hope you are feeling better soon xxx

malt It wasn't as hard as I imagined. I think spending a few days getting used to it falling out, and getting annoyed at finding hair everywhere. I was ready to take the plunge! Now I feel that I am back in control for a bit!!

I think it's like all this, it's the fear of the unknown that is difficult to cope with! I'm still a bit nervous about seeing my charges on Monday and all the parents/nannies outside school. BUT once that's done, I think the worst bit is over! Well hair related anyway!

Then it's PICC line, oncologist app on Wednesday and 2nd Chemo Thursday! Then I'll be a third of the way through

Hope the Christmas shopping went well? Xxxxxxxx

[malteserzz]

Shopping was good thanks really and was really nice to spend some time with dd as she's out so much with her friends these days
Managed to get some presents and going to try and get as much done for Christmas as I can before my op

[trice]

My friend brought cake round to cheer me up. My sil took me out for coffee. Another friend took my dcs out for tea. I need to count my blessings.

I am looking forward to opening my advent calendar in the morning. Dcs have three each.

[handbagsatdawn]

Morning, waving to you all.

Really we are living in a parallel universe - I shaved my hair off on Monday and it was such a flipping relief after it all coming out in handfuls. I have been out in assorted hats and my wig (and a wig/hat combo to dd2's Christmas fair when it was a bit windy). I've given up feeling self-conscious - that's other people's problem and not mine.

I have chemo 3 this week and hope I'll be well enough as have been knocked down by a cold / stomach bug all this week.....am determined to keep up my two-weekly regime as it fits in so well with Christmas / school plays / my social life!

I shall be wearing a comedy wig for Boxing Day with the ILs, and my entire family (including DCs) will also be turning up in comedy wigs in order to surprise the ILs. My family have a weird obsession with dressing up, so any excuse.

So that's me really......

Also wanted to say hello and welcome to the new ladies who have found themselves here. These ladies are wonderful and have been such a tremendous support to me when I've been feeling low, confused, depressed or just needed a good kick up the arse.

[GoodbyeRubyTuesday]

patti welcome :) sorry you need to be here though. My aunt had throat cancer and she has had her voicebox removed and has a permanent tracheostomy. That was over ten years ago. She now goes to visit other patients who need the surgery to reassure them about life after surgery. You obviously love your little boy so much, it sounds like your family is the perfect place for him. I have no children but I had some eggs frozen before chemotherapy and I already feel guilty for considering having children when I have had cancer and have a chance of getting other cancers later in life! Really though, any parent could be run over or similar, it's just one of the uncertainties of life.

Waving to everyone x

[weebarra]

Welcome to all the new ladies, sorry you have to be here but this thread is a great support. About to go out to the beach with the kids, all wrapped up!

[foofooyeah]

Waving to all too.

handbags your wig wearing fancy dress loving family sound a hoot.

[reallyreallyworried]

Morning all. Hope you all had a good weekend.

handbags sounds like you are handling the hair loss thing well, well done you. I am with you all the way, if people want to stare or feel awkward that's their problem. Althouh so far, I haven't had any negative reactions! Even coming back on a two hour train trip last night.

Today is the big day! School and nursery run. Seeing people and children that I know! I'm thinkng that at this time of year the positive is that everyone is wearing hats, so my scarf won't look any different to the children! Just the well meaning adults to cope with!!!

Hope everyone has a good day! Xxxxx

[malteserzz]

Morning everyone
Hope everyone had a good weekend
Trice sounds like you've got some lovely friends there.
Handbags sounds like Boxing Day is going to be fun
Really good luck with the school runs, once you've done it once it will be fine

Didn't want it get up this morning in the dark and cold. Off food shopping with my friend later

[MomOfTwoGirls2]

Still fighting a terrible cold, but worst of chemo side effects behind me for this cycle. Went back to bed after DDs collected for school, am still lazing cozily in bed.

Poor DDs have terrible colds too and Dd1 has a sore throat. Timing is terrible as their school show is on Wed and Thur nights. Dd1 has a small singing solo which she is very excited about. I'm dosing her with honey and plenty of nurofen, and she tried throat lozenges for first time this morning. She can't even stay off school because of all the rehearsal time. I'm relying on excitement getting her through til Thur night.

But we still managed to get our Christmas tree up yesterday. I did the lights and let DDs do all the decorations. It looks great, very cheerful!

[trice]

I hope your girls get to perform mom. There seem to be a lot of coughs and colds around atm.

I just bought a novelty hat shaped like a turkey from monsoon. It was definitely the best thing in there. It should get some laughs on Christmas day.

I have a ct scan this afternoon (wibble) . Wish me luck.

[MomOfTwoGirls2]

Good luck with the scan trice!

[BetsyBoop]