Tamoxigang New Year, New Thread, *46*

[BetsyBoop]

Hands round a for everyone.

Hi harriet, sorry you're here too!

First of all, the assistant said 2 days and some people have it done under hypnotherapy. Then it became 3 days, according to a different assistant. The oncologist said probably 4 days! It is a teaching hospital and I think the first assistant might have been relatively new!! I've got my fingers crossed for out in 3.

The first day is going to be very long - nothing by mouth so not even water, as from midnight. I go in at 07:00 and get a product injected to highlight the sentinel node(s) and that takes a few hours. So I won't get operated on till the afternoon. I'm busy downloading podcasts and music onto my tablet, and hoping that the secure cupboard in the room is actually secure and the tablet doesn't get stolen. I doubt that I'll be able to concentrate on a book.

Harriet and updating it's good you will have eachother going through it at similar times, I know we have found that helpful. I'm glad you've both managed to tell the children, mine at 14 and 10 have been fine with everything

I haven't had genetic testing but some of the ladies on here have

I came out the same day after my lumpectomy ! Went down for the op at 3 and came home at 8 still a bit groggy but fine

I hope it all goes well tomorrow for you updating do let us know when you can

Harriet, if you have no family history of breast cancer, a genetic link does seem unlikely, even though you are young, but you may feel you need to be completely sure, of course. I rather pointlessly have a genetics appointment in a couple of weeks (pointless, as my operation has been and gone, and because I think I am low risk, genetically, but I'm still going to use the appointment since I've got it, plus I have a daughter and nieces and sisters and so on).

Hi there, updating, welcome, but sorry you have to be here. Very very good luck for tomorrow. A lumpectomy is often done as day surgery in the UK, so it may well be that you get the two days rather than the four, but you'll be well looked after and will be a bit bouncier by the time you get home. The general anaesthetic certainly lingers for a few days in my experience.

I've tried to read today's posts. My stomach goes in, my eyes are open but seem to gaze over and I feel like I must run! I can't read it properly. I literally can't see it clears and so many loud but I audible thoughts dish into my head that I can't 'hear myself' read it either. The emotional stuff yes. But not the cancer stuff. I feel bad. I'm sorry.
Really, I know what you mean about friends. Just waiting for mine to fade out. Went out with one last night and although I had a great time, I'm sure she had the most depressing eve ever. Firstly, I had to interrupt her to tell her what had happened that day as I couldn't actually gear gee for the washing machine of thoughts in my head. Once out, I could speak about normal stuff. And we watched 12 Years A Slave. Wonderful, gripping and moving film - but really harrowing and based on a true story. She's a super positive person who doesn't like to be dragged down. Hope she survived our fun night out! Lol. Seriously, I can't afford to push friends away with this shit.

DH away. Up in the night with 3 y old. Bloody exhausted (hurting eyelids and nausea through pure fatigue today). But doing ok. Had nice morning. Refund at Zara, park cafe taking DCs for lunch n a bit of a play with our new giant frisbee. Thankfully bumped into a friend's DS with DCs of identical age. Was good to have company may have found my DH a friend, too as he'll be doing daddy day care at weekends until I can walk again, etc. once I've had the op.

Now, (apologies again for long post) as for op. Date: 28/1. I waited weeks for the date but after yesterday's meeting with the urinary/ tumour lady, where she said that in her experience, she'd predict it'll be a low grade sarcoma, and would eventually also need surgery on my noony tubes (my words, not hers) as they're likely to have been damaged by the tumour. Anyway, she stressed the importance of having THE right person for this particular tricky job. Now all is up in the air. I've a lot to do tomorrow - beyond my usual toddler and mummy group, school runs, going to the bank, Sainsbury's (for non-online stuff), school run, ku on and tutors 5-8. I now have to:
Call insurance co. to ask for another ore-op appointment with Neurons-Spine Tumour Man
Ask whether I'm covered at The Wellington
Call NST man's secretary (scarier that you'd think) and ask for urgent appt. THIS week (op scheduled next f.ing week - help)
Call urinary diagnostic team and get appointment for this week pre op
Holy fucking shit
This was MY TWO WEEKS before surgery shunts me where I don't want to go!
Stolen
Robbed
Shit
Down
Exhausted
Really
Really tired, lonely and scared.
Had enough.

So many fat finger moves on that lot. Like a crossword for you, if you can be bothered to read it.

((((Hugs)))), Goodness. Thinking of you.

Hi Updating, I had lumpectomy in Sept. I also had the die for sentinel node removal. I ended up with overnight stay, because I didn't go down to surgery until 6pm, otherwise I would have been discharged same day. I was in hospital from 7am, fasting since midnight (I was STARVING and so thirsty).

I played some games on my iPad, and I also downloaded some TV programs to watch. I also brought some easy to read magazines, Hello, etc. Boredom was the hardest part. Recovery is pretty quick. I couldn't believe that I felt so normal the next morning.

Wishing you well for tomorrow.

Harriet - I had genetic testing as my dad's mum died young of bc and I'm only 36. Turns out I'm BRCA2 positive so joy will also need ovaries out. My cousin tested -ve and my little sis (30) is awaiting results.

Goodness - big hugs for you, you're having a shite time and I feel for you x

Updating - I also had a lumpectomy in September and stayed in one night, and that was only because I went down to surgery so late in the day so was still groggy by bed-time.

Harriet - in terms of lumpectomy scarring, I had a 1.7cm lump on the underside of my boob, and it had all settled down fabulously now, with only a small amount of flattening in the shape, and a thin red scar, which will fade. My most obtrusive scar is in my armpit where my nodes were removed - this is noticeable every time I lift my arm up, but, hey, it's a battle-scar and no big deal.

Really - I could have written your earlier post myself. Am having a bit of a downer day myself, tax truck SEs and feeling a bit sorry for myself. I'll be ok tomorrow. I think I'm being mentally tortured by being so near the end of chemo (did I mention I only have one more to go ?), I am certainly counting down the days........

handbags lucky you! I've still got 2 more to go! SE's from Tax has really hit me today! I'm aching all over really feeling rough, and debating whether or not I am going to be able to work tomorrow!

How many days did people find the aching/bone pain lasted? I know it probably varies from person to person, like everything. But would be nice to have an idea of how long this might last for!

Thanks xx

welcome updating, though sorry find yourself here. It's good you and harriet are at a similar stage, I found it really helpful that we had a "gang" going through treatment together.
(We are now all almost done :) )

goodness be kind to yourself, do what you need to do for you and take it one day at a time

Kitkat - I hope you are still doing well after your op?

gigs - how are you doing? I expect today was fun but knackering.

really - I actually got so sick of the "you're so positive" etc remarks at one point, that I actually said to a few folks "well it's either that or lie down and get them to measure me for my coffin!" - probably not awfully appropriate, but it sure shut them up!

I hope all the chemo gang are doing ok and not having too many SEs.

to everyone

I'm starting to feel a little weary today, and had a little nanna nap this afternoon! Not too bad I guess as I'm almost done with rads. My skin is a little bit pink and tender but otherwise okay, so my obsessive moisturising seems to be working!

x-post really If I remember correctly (and you do forget remarkably quickly!) I had two days where it was fairly bad and then it gradually faded over the next week or so. However as you said, everyone is different. I hope you feel better soon.

Really, I seem to get one day of feeling really achey with tax, then one not so much, then pretty much ok afterwards. I'm taking Naproxen (anti-inflamatories) which seem to help a bit, plus paracetamol to top them up a bit. The bone aches are horrid. I also find going out for a walk helps (sorry I keep banging on about walking, but it does seem to help me a lot) x

Thanks Betsy and handbags hopefully I too will have just a day or two of this. I'm sure I'll bounce back! Xxx

Really - slightly different as I had my Tax weekly but I also found that I would have 1 really bad day of aches then 1 not so bad. In my case that bad day was either Sat or Sun (had the Tax on a Wednesday).

Hope you had a great day Gigs - lovely pics of mini with her tea set - she is looking grown up now.

Hi Betsy - you're on your final count down now - I still find it amazing that we have all done 8 months of treatment and are out the other side. I do find my memory of it all is rather sketchy though - which I guess must be some sort of self preservation.

I've been feeling tired today - maybe the effect of the GA or maybe the diabetes.

I was a bit depressed yesterday as the implant only boob looks really flat compared to the other one so I still looked really uneven in a bra (sports bra mind you so not flattering at the best of times!) but today I think it looks a little bit better so maybe it is starting to drop (either that or wishful thinking ).

weebarra - did you have testing before or after your op (sorry I don't quite know what you had or when)? I think if they do want to do genetic testing after my apt on Friday they'll be keen to postpone op until after those results which'll mean 3-4 more weeks. I'm not sure I can keep going with this 'in' me for that long, when otherwise I'd be having op in just a week. Feel like maybe I need to ask for op at time I'm scheduled than go back for double mx if I need to. Or maybe that's stupid.
I was thinking last night I could wait for results if they think it's wise to test me. But I had a bit of a wobble today when I heard a bad breast cancer outcome story (could've done without coming across that. have learnt websurfing lesson) and feel less strong this afternoon.

Goodnessknows - big hugs. hang on in there. I also hung around popping on this thread before diagnosis but couldnt' really read it all. one step at a time.

kitkat - also don't forget that real boob will probably be a little swollen after surgery, whereas implant only boob hasn't really got anything that can swell. I'm sure it will settle in a week or two as the surgeon promised :) In some ways I'm glad I did my blog as each update was very raw and as it was at that moment. I was looking back over it a few weeks ago and it was surprising how much I'd already forgotten.

Hi everyone, Happy new year to you all, lets hope you all have good news this year
I'm new to this thread and am wondering if anyone has experience of laryngeal (voicebox) cancer?
My DF went for surgery last week and the surgeon was intending to remove the lump with a laser, however, when DF came round the surgeon said that she didnt laser the lump but took a biopsy, now DF has to go for a scan and back to the surgeon in 2 weeks for results
After the worry of surgery (he's 70) we now are dreading the results, it's gonna be bad news isn't it?

I ended up in hospital on Thursday night as my infection needed to be treated with IV antibiotics. It's been a pretty tortuous couple of days in hospital, but I am home now, well at my Mum's, feeling much better.

Betsy - I am now a fully paid up member of the swooning club! Can I also added hand numbness and the runs to the delightful list to up-grade to a gold membership?

Mom - How are you doing with your first round of Tax?

Really - I honestly felt like I had been run over 4 days after I had Tax. The talk of the Tax Truck all started to make sense. This lasted for several days, however I have had an infection too, so it is hard to know what was a Tax SE and what was due to the infection.

{{{Hugs}}}} Goodness, you sound like you need it with what you are going through. It can't help with OH being away and your LO keeping you up at night.

KitKat - Glad your surgery went well. It is still really early doors for your boobs and I am sure it must take weeks, if not months, for everything to settle down - a lot has gone on down there!

Welcome to Harrie and Updating. So sorry that you are both here, (meant in the nicest possible way), hope you are both doing okay at the moment.

Thank you, Harriet & Tiny. Hope you're all ok and have a good, restful evening.

Harrie - Do you know your hormone or HER2 status yet? Or have you been told that you have Triple Negative (TN) BC?

I am 37 with no family history of BC, (or any other cancer), and was invited for genetic testing based on my age and TN status. This is because you are more likely to carry the BRCA gene. Here is some information from Macmillan on it.

I went for genetic testing earlier this week and was told that the results would take 8 weeks to come through and this was on their 'fast track'. I don't know if all centre's take this long. It would be worth checking out, especially if you want to hold off having surgery till you get your results.

Goodness - Here's to a peaceful night, where little boys have sweet dreams and stay fast asleep and so do their Mummy's!

Hello Tiny - it's good to have you back - what a pain having to have IV antibiotics and to stay in hospital - glad you are out now and have someone to look after you.

I've done a bit more research now (maybe should have done it before my op) and found out that implants can take several months to 'drop' into position/shape and the 'high flat' look that I have is how they start out - so panic over - I will be more patient. (Still love the other one though!!). .

It is hard to be patient though KitKat. I would constantly be inspecting them. OH would probably be trying to inspect to with the 'hands on' approach!

Hi everyone, I'm progressing with my worries now that I have my bag packed! Did anyone have multiple lymph nodes removed? Are the side effects really bad? I'm dreading it.

Will check in again when I get out! The hospital says it has wifi but I'm not expecting anything wonderful.

Harriet - haven't had op yet, I'm very lucky and get chemo first. As Tiny says, I have Triple Negative and v aggressive cancer so they are shrinking the tumour through chemo first, then double mastectomy, then radiotherapy. Because it's TN they can't give me Tamoxifen etc, so have to try to get rid of it all "traditionally".