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

[BetsyBoop]

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

Oh pickle what a pain ! Couldn't they just sort it out themselves it doesn't exactly fill you with confidence does it !hope everything goes smoothly from now on

3rd rads today and I'm already sick of going to the hospital every day ! And I went to the loo when I got there and went in the men's by mistake, didn't realise till I came out if the cubicle and saw the urinal. Hopefully with my short hair people just thought I was a man

really lovely to hear from you, I hope you can escape today

pickle I hope they get it sorted quickly, I'm sure it's stressful enough at the moment without that.

malt just keep ticking 'em off, it is tediously dull but it's only for a short time.

malt that is what I said but apparently it isn't so simple. They were surprised that I was able to get an answer from the London hospital so quickly but of course it needs to be confirmed consultant to consultant.

It must be tedious to have to go in every day. For me that would be a 2.5 hours round trip so in a way I'm glad I'll be an inpatient although I will miss ds hugely. The longest I've been away from him is 10 days so this won't be easy for either of us.

Mom - I had a big crash each cycle - so weekly chemo - 2 hyper days (and nights) and as regular as clockwork a crash at about 6pm on the evening of the third day.

Malt - that made me smile

and good luck for tomorrow pickle - assuming you actually get in and hope you escape today really.

Oh help, what a right royal pain, pickle. It sounds a bit like over sharing! At least they've figured out there's an issue now, and not just as they stand poised with all the gear. Fingers crossed for a quick resolution.

malt, I'm reading your rads comments with interest. It may be a loooong way away now, but I have rads at the end of his joyous chemo period, at a more distant hospital, and it clearly will become my job for a month. Car? Train? Taxi? Bus? All my possibilities remain open.

Meanwhile the winds are enormous, and I might just forgo my little bit of valentines shopping (dd is a stickler for all possible festive occasions, and she particularly likes valentines day, so a fancy breakfast, cards and chocolate are the order of the day).

I think they took on board that I don't want to be messed around so have decided to tell me everything. If I don't go in today then there is a risk I will lose the bed but I can't go in until they've confirmed the chemo regime. I'm supposed to have a call from the hospital by 2.30pm. I've warned them that it will take over an hour to get there so they need to factor that in for admission time (and may take even longer the closer we get to school run time). Usual travel time would be 30 mins but flooding is blocking more roads by the day.

Wren I shouldn't complain as my hospital is only 20 mins away by car but the car park is far too small and you never know whether there's going to be a huge queue to get in or not. My dad took me today so I was able to leave him in the queue and nip in but if you have to park you have to allow ages ! Other than the pain of getting there and back and it being every day it's not too bad though

I think 6 weeks of Rads will be very tedious for DF, the only bonus, if that's what I can call it is that we only live 10 min drive from hospital, still gonna be tough tho,
He had another letter today for an ultrasound scan next week, so phoned lovely Macmillan nurse as he sorted out all his rads planning, mask etc yesterday ready for the off, she read his notes and it appears they found a lump in his neck during the CT scan so now want to U/sound it, should I be worried?! (Silly question, I am worried) this wasn't mentioned at his multi displinary meeting

honey, it's absolutely right that they check any odd lumps. My guess is that if they didn't mention it at the multiple disciplinary meeting, then it is not seen as something that will significantly alter treatment or impact on outcome, but nonetheless something they want to check out to be sure. I have a dodgy chest lymph node (CT scan). The onc thinks it's not likely to be anything - just within normal range for post op lymph node - and two professionals didn't see it as important enough to mention to me, but it means I will get another CT scan post chemo. But in the meantime, the info from that one lymph node was not enough to change my treatment - it would have done if it had been a clearer symptom.

But of course you're worried, and lots of (((hugs))) for you both. Actually, that sounds a bit odd. So just hugs to you!

Thanks wren that's eased my mind a bit, I'm sure DF would welcome a hug too!!
It's just great being able to put worries down on MN knowing you lovely people have always got an answer, I wish I could show DF but he's very 'old school' although he does have a smart phone,kindle and I pad!!

Hi everyone
hope you got into hospital pickle that's just beyond annoying. It's the stupid admin stuff that drives me mad about hospitals, seems impossible to get right.
Glad to hear from really hope you get out soon.
How is foofoo? I hope your BMX went well on Monday? I guess you may even be home? That seems a bit mad, but if you are, hope you're not in (too much) pain.

Visit to genetics for me today. Turns out DAunt's ovarian cancer puts our family at 'risk' with my cancer, regardless of outcomes. Would I want a bmx anyway? Blimey - that's a question and a half. They're going to do BRCA testing but even if if it's no, I still have a risk that would probably mean surgeon would agree to BMX. Half of me wants one, to reduce risk. Half of me's terrified of the surgery...I guess it can't be that bad??

Still here off for a scan

Headache, dizziness and vomiting = concerned doc (and totally freaked out and scared me)

Oh really. Handholding and hugs.

((Hugs)) ((hugs)) and more ((hugs)), really.

Hand holding and hugs from me too really xx

really what a tough time, hope you get some answers soon

Just got back from 2 day stay in hospital having bilateral mastectomy. So gone from an F cup to an A cup! No regrets at all and all hospital staff were excellent. My surgeon is top notch so feel that all in all I have been very lucky. And don't miss my saggy old boobs at all. I have gt expander things so they will get a bit bigger.

On the question of scarves v wigs. I have a lovely wig but prefer scarves. I find the wig a bit hot and tight. For speed I use longish jersey ones I can just wrap round twice, but do like to get artful with a larger scarf.

Love and hugs to you really hope they sort you out soon x

Thank you for the scarf recommendations - I have ordered a couple from Christine Headwear and now going to have a look at Annabandana :) Next stop the wig shop!

((hugs)) from me too really. I hope things have improved this afternoon.

pickle did you make it into hospital? I hope so and I hope they get their act together for the rest of your stay.

I can now relax as my ds has just arrived home having brought himself home on the bus for the first time ever! I'm preparing him to be more independent for the times when I may not be available to drive him, but it's a nerve wracking business!

foofoo you sound very positive! Best wishes! Harriet I hope the visit to genetics went well. It's scary news to know that the family is at risk.

Thinking of you Really hope you feel better soon! x

glad you're done well foo - you're nice and positive. Do you have an idea on how much you will be 'expanded'?

really - I guess you're not getting out today then ((hugs)) - hope they're sorting you out now.

pickle - hope you're in hospital now and that they know what they are doing!!

Harrietv - I had a single mx but would have been quite happy to have a BMX if it had been offered. I think once you accept one breast being removed then having both done is not much different and makes it much easier to be symmetrial (by what ever method you choose) but still a big decision to make of course.

Dsis and I were at the geneticist today too - think she's decided on a preventative mx. Glad to hear your op went ok foofoo, you sound v positive. Mine not till May, have now had 8 chemo - 10 more to go!

really thinking of you, I hope you are ok

foo glad you are home and sounding so positive :)

pickle hopefully you are "in" and being "done" by now.

to everyone else

really I hope the scan is uneventful.

In hospital. Massive room to myself albeit noisy so they will move me when another room becomes available. I'm right next to the nurses station but I've got ear plugs!

Start chemo at 8pm, every 12 hours and other chemo drug today, day 3 and day 5.

Room floor not very clean so they got a cleaner to redo it. As I'm neutropenic they are being very careful which is good. Food is rank and arrived at 5pm which was too early for me. I sent the main bit away so dinner tonight is two cream crackers and a small piece of plastic cheese and one of those little pots of orange juice like you get with airplane food. I'm hoping breakfast will be better. I've got a small fridge so I'll get some food brought in.

Pickle glad they got things sorted and that you are in hospital now. Hope the chemo goes well and the food improves