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**Tamoxigang heading towards hearts and valentines - thread 47**

990 replies

BetsyBoop · 07/02/2014 10:40

roses are red
violets are blue
sugar is sweet
but cakes are better

OP posts:
malteserzz · 16/03/2014 20:33

I had 1 drain after my node removal and was hoping to go home on the day but they kept me in for 1 night. It drained into a bottle thing which I carried in a material bag provided by the hospital. So it's attached to you and you have to carry it around, sleep with it etc. I had to phone every day and tell them how much it had drained but on the 4th day it started to come out and they said I could have it removed, otherwise it would have been in longer
I'm sure they will explain everything Smile

sandripples · 16/03/2014 20:35

Feline - good luck with the first chemo. My tips; drink a lot of water before and during the chemo, make sure you have lifts organised there and back, have some fresh pineapple to eat as it might be the only fruit that tastes nice for a while and its good for your mouth, eat small meals regularly, and nothing that is in the elast nauseating, be prepared to feel fine at first and then you'll suddenly realise you're going downhill - this might be after 2-3 hours - just rest, rest, rest for as long as you need. My own pattern was to rest and sleep for about 3 days then I'd pick up again. Gentle walking is very therapeutic when you have enough energy - even just 15 minutes in the fresh air is very helpful.

Take a bag in the car in case you're sick on the way home. I wasn't, but I was glad to feel prepared!

The effects on the bowels can be very variable.

The steroids may keep you wide awake - see how you go and if side effects are bad, speak to the nurses, don't hesitate.

Its doable, honest! I was also very weepy before starting, but once you've had one, you count them down. I also wept at the very last one - with relief!

The hair thing is no big deal really - I had mine cut to 1 inch when it started to go funny, then washed if off in the shower a few days later. It was actually a huge relief as its quite uncomfortable before it falls out.

Good luck.

ConsiderablyBiggerBuns · 16/03/2014 20:40

Thanks for the drain responses. Also interested in the chemo advice as that will be me in a few months. sand I hope that is me in a few years - fully fit and popping back to give some comforting advice.

GoodnessKnows · 16/03/2014 20:57

Rah rah, thank you! Really helpful.
I'm so tired. It's been almost 7 weeks since major surgery on lower back to remove tumour (on Tuesday) and I'm struggling to do one small thing a day without being housebound (bed or sofa) after that. Really limiting. Quite depressing.

BetsyBoop · 16/03/2014 21:47

buns - I had a bilateral mastectomy with ANC on one side (no recon) and I had 4 drains initially. They took 2 out (one each side) 24hrs later and then I was allowed home (so one night in hospital) The remaining two drains came out 6 days later.

OP posts:
foofooyeah · 16/03/2014 22:19

I had 4 drains too ... Bilateral mx with recon. I left hospital with all 4 (grim), 2 went after about 4 days, 2 after about 2 weeks,

reallyreallyworried · 17/03/2014 07:11

Morning all.

Well I had another rubbish nights sleep! But that's life. Thank goodness I am working today and can keep busy to take my mind off things.

Feline good luck today, with your first Chemo. Hope it goes well xx

malt sounds like you are preparing yourself for your holiday Smile good for you. What day do you start back at work? Hope it goes well, I bet you'll love it, once your back! Xx

foofoo I hope your rash is improving, or at least not so itchy! Xx

Hi to everyone else. Hope you all have a nice day in the sun! Xx

malteserzz · 17/03/2014 08:19

Morning
Really sorry you didn't sleep well if it's any consolation I didn't either. I go back to work on wed, I only work 2 days a week but am doing a phased return so this week it's just 2 mornings. I'm a mixture of excited and scared !

Feline good luck with your first chemo today you'll be fine

foofooyeah · 17/03/2014 10:31

Still itching like mad .... Am positive it's the anti biotics.

Took them for 2 weeks no prob. Got new prescription on Friday and they were 2 x 150 rather than 300 as I had previously. Itching started Sat. Yesterday I used the last few off the 300mg and it stated calming down. Back to the 2 x 150mg last night and today and worse than ever. Got anti histamines from dr but am going to stop taking anti bs. Will call my bcn

feline good UK with chemo

really hope you get some rest today

malteserzz · 17/03/2014 14:35

Foo foo that must be driving you mad what did your bcn say ?

Honeybear9 · 17/03/2014 17:23

Hi to everyone
Haven't posted for a few weeks but have been keeping up to date with you all
After second op for clear margins have met my oncologist today - will be having FEC-T (which sounds about the norm?) starting in 2-3 wks followed by 3 wks of rads. Not looking like tamoxifen as tumour was only slightly hormone receptive (a 2 out of 9 we were told) mentioned emend to her but she wasn't too keen on giving it to me without trying other meds first!

difficultpickle · 17/03/2014 17:27

Hello all. Sorry I've been out of touch. I've had a really rough time over the last week or so. The best news is I'm being discharged tomorrow after nearly 5 weeks here (34 nights). I can't wait to go home and really hope I can move on to have the stem cell transplant without the need to repeat this chemo.

My arse is finally getting better. Not helped by a surgeon who examined me last week and left me needing a catheter. I'm making a formal complaint via PALS about that. Had the lead consultant visit me today who diagnosed a completely different problem to the other surgeon.

I have very little hair left so need to get rid of what there is. I've chosen a wig but was too ill to try it on when the wig lady visited (I have a choice of three). I'll have to wear a scarf until I can track her down.

Those of you who needed wigs did you take them to the hairdressers to get them cut to fit or just put up with the fit? I think the fringe will be too long but not sure what to do (sorry for the daft question).

kitkat1967 · 17/03/2014 19:08

Hi Pickle - sorry to hear that you've had an awful time but glad that you're about to go home. Your DS will be thrilled.
I had the fringe on my wig trimmed at the hairdressers - it didn't need much it was just that bit too long that made it annoying.

Lilymaid · 17/03/2014 19:11

Hi Pickle sorry you have had a difficult time. On the wig question I had mine cut by the hairdresser who supplied the wig, but obviously your own hairdresser can do this. You will look great!

I've got to have a blood transfusion as my haemoglobin level is low ... Which seems strange as I feel so much better. Onc had muttered about changes in the bone marrow when I last saw him so yikes!

kitkat1967 · 17/03/2014 19:32

Blimey Lily that's a worry (or maybe not as I've no idea what it means Blush. Have you got a date to get that done? It had sounded like your new chemo was not causing you any bother so that's a pain.

I have to see my onc tomorrow for my first post-chemo appointment. I'm feeling rather blas about it as I've no results to get (which we all know is the scarey bit) and I think it is too soon for any tests to be required so I'm assuming it will be a 'how are you doing' type of chat - I hope I'm not being naive as I need a break from all this for a while.

difficultpickle · 17/03/2014 19:52

Lily chemo can affect the bone marrow and reduce blood counts so a transfusion will help. My chemo killed off what little working bone marrow I had but it is starting to work again (took about 2 weeks after finishing very intensive - 10 consecutive days - chemo).

Thx for the wig advice. I'll wait to get my wig before getting the rest of my hair cut off so I don't have to make repeated trips to the hairdressers!

malteserzz · 17/03/2014 19:57

Pickle I'm so pleased youre getting out of there ! Sleeping in your own bed will be lovely Smile I had my wig chopped into and just softened a bit too, I'm sure a hairdressers would do that for you

Lily I don't know much about it either but hope it gets sorted for you

Kitkat good luck with the onc I'm sure like you say it will just be to see how you are getting on, you probably remember I don't get to see mine till 2016!

Really hope you are ok and good luck for getting your results tomorrow, hopefully all will be fine and you'll be able to move on to rads

FelineSad · 17/03/2014 20:37

Thanks to everyone for all the kind messages.

It went amazingly well today. I just feel like I've had a gin and tonic on an empty stomach! Woozy head and very very slightly nauseous but nothing too bad. In fact I do feel a bit hyper (irrespective of the steroids) but I think that's down to relief that the first one is over and the lack of sleep from last night. I will be taking a sleeping pill tonight.

pickle Hope everything goes well. I also chose my wig today but am going to get my own hairdresser to shape it for me. I think I insulted her unintentionally when I asked if she could cut a wig. Apparently she's been doing it for 37 years and it won't be a problem! I do feel guilty when I hear how bad things are for other people.

reallyreallyworried · 17/03/2014 21:39

Thanks malt I'm already in panic mode! But I know there's nothing I can do. So I'm off to bed, even though I probably won't sleep! I hope you manage a better nights sleep tonight xx

reallyreallyworried · 18/03/2014 07:19

Morning all

Another rubbish nights sleep for me!

Off to see Oncologist at 10!!!!! Absolutely dreading it Sad

kitkat good luck with your appt.

pickle glad to hear you are finally going home.

Hope everyone else has a nice day.

kitkat1967 · 18/03/2014 07:44

Fingers crossed for you Really - at least you have an early appointment.

My onc appt is also 10am but he's usually turns up very late so i expect I will have a long wait.

malteserzz · 18/03/2014 08:06

Morning
Feline glad it went well, that's how I felt just a bit hungover and woozy

Really and kitkat good luck with your appointments and I hope they don't keep you waiting around too long

Last day off for me back to work tomorrow ! So excited never thought this day would come Smile for the newbies I'm an early years teacher so couldn't work through chemo etc

kitkat1967 · 18/03/2014 08:16

oooo malt - how exciting that your start date has finally come round. Will you find it hard just 'observing' for the first 2 days? I bet once you're bck you'll be itching to get going properly.

Since I went back to work my DH has been doing a lot more round the house in the evening as I am still quite tired - it's getting better quite quickly though Smile.

Yesterday I also arranged to start back as a helper at Cubs after Easter - athough my DS is now off to Scouts!!

malteserzz · 18/03/2014 08:42

It will be hard but I do need the time to get to know my class and all of the things that have changed since I've been away. I will enjoy just playing with them without the pressure !
That's great about cubs

MomOfTwoGirls2 · 18/03/2014 09:02

Last chemo for me today!!! Can't wait to have it behind me.

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