Tamoxigang thread 49 when Sumer is y cumen in and we get out the Pimms

[Lilymaid]

New thread!

Very wet here in harrogate too. Throughout this last two weeks of surgery and recovery we have been having a new kitchen fitted and DH and daughters have coped admirably with a microwave and a temporary work top set up in the conservatory. I currently have a man connecting up the sink,hob,dishwasher and washing machine. Tonight we should be almost fully functioning again. On Friday scaffolding will arrive in readiness for the new roof next week. It's been a mad few weeks.

I'm going to collect my tamoxifen prescription later so will begin that tonight. I've got an oncology appt for 17june which will be 4 weeks post surgery. I hope they get me in for rads quickly as we go away on 1 August. Bcn and surgeon have stressed not to cancel. I'll be stocking up on factor 50.

I hope you all have reasonable days despite the weather and the trials of treatment and those missing family and home at the moment.

Hi All, wee I am very impressed with you surviving 40 minutes with your arms above your head. I had my node clearance 9 weeks ago and still couldn't imagine achieving that yet - and you being both arms as well.
Ended up having my tooth out yesterday, the nerve was so inflamed that they couldn't numb it to do the filling and no guarantee that a filling wouldn't disturb the nerve further so asked them just to get rid - got more important things to worry about the reoccurring toothache. I may have to avoid my local tesco for a while - after my shop got back in the car to find that I was dribbling blood all down my chin, hadn't noticed as it was all numb, quite impressed that no small children had burst into tears.
Next appointment is for my boob fitting (prosthesis) tomorrow. Am hoping as it is a BMX and fairly standard size they will have something in stock, would like to have them and the appropriate underwear before my play opens next week.
really hope you manage to get hold of your BCN.
traviata I had the very same thoughts about nit benefits as i was deinfesting my DD this week. Can't think of many other benefits, oh apart from saving about £700 on hairdressing costs over the year.
My onc says I won't be having a PICC line for my 6 sessions of TAC. Should I ask for one - I do have lovely veins in my elbows but pants ones elsewhere so does anyone know which veins they use if they haven't got a picc line?

Just flying in quickly. Lots has happened since I last posted, a shame that really decided to leave, and I have to admit I've skimmed through a bit as a lot of the breast cancer specific stuff I can't help with at all. But if any bowel concerns appear I will be here like a shot

weebarra it must be hard being apart from your older son and husband. Hopefully the little ones will adapt quickly and the treatment will soon be over

Lots of offspring with exams, I hope they're all going well. Lily I hope DS isn't finding finals too stressful. I had mine a couple of weeks ago - very glad they're over!

normal I hope the side effects are more manageable with the slightly lower dose

Good luck to everyone waiting for results, I hope the time passes quickly :)

I will flit out again, waving to you all and wishing you all the best with treatment xx

Annoying that nits can survive chemo traviata! I did find that last summer (finished chemo in July) I didn't get any insect bites, even when my mum did sitting right next to me. Usually the first sign of summer for me is having to go to the GP with my annual infected insect bite I wonder if they could smell how poisonous my blood was!

BiggerBuns yes I did thanks. Such a lovely lady and always very reassuring so on her advice I am off to the GP this afternoon, what fun!! Hopefully GP will tell me I am being super Paranoid and send me happily reassured and on my way! Have to say I have seen my GP more in the last year, than I have in the last 15years!

Anyway hope everyone has a good day. Good luck with the Rads ladies, I hope the time flies by for you!

Afternoon ladies.

It's been a busy week. Pre-chemo assessment on Monday morning, MRI yesterday morning and GP appointment this morning. MRI results in two weeks. Zombie has some tender lymph nodes in her neck so GP has given a 5 day course of Amoxycillin to clear any possible infection so that the start of chemo won't be delayed.

Seroma just won't take the hint. Zombie has emailed her BCN this morning so fully expects to be told to come to clinic on Friday morning for the weekly drain.

Good luck to all the DC taking exams. ZombieHugs™ to all.

considerably the chemo nurse told me that they never use the elbow veins because there is 'just too much going on' in the area, ie it is a major joint. if your other veins are not great, it might be a good idea to hold out for a picc line or even a portacath.

At the last minute it has been confirmed that I can have a port after all, they have managed to jiggle schedules so it can be done. I feel a tiny bit as though I have made too much fuss, asking for something that is over and above the norm, and it is invasive (more minor surgery under LA), but as the weeks go by I am convinced it will be the right decision. The first vein they used is still red and swollen.

wishing everybody a good few days, onwards & upwards we go.

So glad about the port traviata. Mine made life so much easier.
Has anyone else had nausea with rads? Not feeling too good today.

Hi wee, possibly out of date information but when I had rads 30 years ago for Hodgkin's disease I was on anti sickness medicine. I do get very travel sick, I have told my onc this in the hopes that he puts me on something strong right from the off when my chemo starts.
So if they don't use the elbow what vein do they use? I had all sorts of trouble at my op getting the drip in the back of my hand so that wouldn't be ideal for me. I think I will take traviata's advice and be a bit more proactive about getting a picc line.

biggerbuns on advive from all the ladies here i asked onc for emend from start ot fect-t and although i have felt sick have never been sick.this passes after two days.i find elderflower cordial also helps me .

Hello everyone, I am back! Wow, lots of new names since I last posted, so sorry you all find yourself here. For those who don't know me, I have BC and so far have had chemo followed by surgery, (lumpectomy and node clearance). Yesterday I had the planning appointment for my rads, which I am due to start on Monday. I thought I would be happy that the end is nearly in sight, but I think like a marathon runner, I may have hit the wall! It feels like treatment is never ending.

Wee - Sorry you don't feel very well. You're onto rads already? You move quickly from treatment to treatment up in Scotland!

BiggerBuns - Hope you are feeling better now that your tooth is out. Sorry I can't answer your question, as although I had Tax, I had a portacath. Just make sure that they don't use the arm on the side that you had node clearance, as it increases your risk of getting lymphedema.

Trav - It can take some getting used to, but your port will definitely be your friend!

All this nits talk is making me itchy!

Tiny, I know just what you mean. I'm post chemo, shortly to start rads and I feel exhausted (and a bit gloomy; I keep hoping that will pass).

Um. Feeling a bit downcast by the suggestion of nausea with rads; I am reliably nauseous with any excuse, so this may bode ill for me.

Wren, I hope the gloom will lift, have you got some nice things to do? You mentioned a healing from a friend further upthread, could you try that again?

Hello Tiny, good to hear the end is almost in sight, posters like yourself are an inspiration to those of us further back along the path .

mildmay, sorry to hear about cording. Is it in your surgery side arm (or did you have bmx)? I found these articles which I showed to my BCN and she agreed to refer me to the lymphodema nurse for preventative massage techniques:

first article scroll down to the pale blue section by Jodi Winicour.

Second article; a summary of some of the research - it appears to be a relatively unresearched area;

www.stepup-speakout.org/Cording_and_Axillary_Web_Syndrome.htm

Third article;

Elizabeth Josenhans - a German physiotherapist; she specifically recommends manual releasing techniques for cording - I am not sure exactly what those techniques include - but she accompanies the process with lymphatic drainage if there is any swelling as a result of the physical therapy, and none of her patients developed lymphoedema during the life of the study.

www.stepup-speakout.org/elisabethaws.pdf

traviata, you're completely right about my healing friend; I got in touch with her today. And a quick glance at those articles suggests that they're really good - I'm waiting for a referral to a lymphodema clinic, so find those bits very useful.

Glad about your port.

Morning all,
Another one who hasn't been on for a bit.
Got loads going on....
Have been referred for possible liver surgery to remove mets.
Had PET scan Tuesday, and ave MRI and see consultant next Thursday. Fingers crossed I am suitable.
Delaying next Thursday chemo by a week, or may have surgery then carry on. We shall see.
Also seeing a lady on Tuesday who advises on treatment, and holistic treatment and dietary advice as well. A lady I know who has mets everywhere suggested this and she is still alive and very well when three years ago she was told she had 12 months to live.

And we are finally having our lounge stairs and landing decorated and ts already looking fab.

Chemo; they use any vein in or around the hand, normally. I had a Portacath as they had problems with mine.

foofoo that all sounds very positive, under the circumstances! Fingers firmly crossed that they can operate. Sending you lots of positive vibes xxx

Morning all. Hope the sun is shining where you are (tis here in Kent).

Another portocath fan, my veins were rubbish and it made such a difference.

Hope it all goes well on Thursday foofoo.

wren and wee hope the nausea subsides, btw, have you recently started tamoxifen? as my Onc says that can make you feel sicky when you first take it.

off to have a look at that info traviata, thanks

Had some good news last night, saw my surgeon and biopsy of my boobs showed what they expected and only 1 infected node so he is confident it's all gone! Still have sloshy seroma, but it should hopefully be absorbed so just radio therapy (and tamoxifen) to go!

It's near enough 8 months to the day since I was diagnosed, so to anyone at the start of this bloody journey, it is do-able, pretty crap, but do-able.

Hope everyone's day goes well.

I am another one who is prone to easily being sick Wren, I am hoping that Wee just has a bug. I am sure I haven't heard anyone else mention that they felt nauseas on rads and it wasn't on my list of SE', so fingers crossed.

Also my BCN developed lymphedema seven years after node clearance! She saw a lymphedema specialist privately who managed to control the problem with massage. I know we live in the same neck of the woods, so if you would like the her details, I could get them for you.

Foo - My Oncologist has a lady doing well 8 years after getting liver mets. Everything crossed for you, that you will be suitable for surgery - is this CyberKnife?

Sounds like you had a great result from chemo Wine. I had a (small) seroma behind my node clearance scar and can sympathise, they are a bloody pain.

Was very sick all yesterday, will mention it to radiographers this morning. Still have some ondansetron left but it's at home.
Seromas still huge - can't have them drained during rads but wonder how big they will get before they start affecting the measurements?!
Pissing down here in Glasgow, DSs' school fair is on Saturday, most of it is outdoors so hope it's not cancelled!
Have a good day everyone!

Hi amber and everyone else who replied about intravenous locations. Back of the hand was where I was worried about - think I will have a word with my onc on my pre-chemo appt.
Off to the hospital to have my prosthetic boobs fitted in a moment, it really is one new thrilling experience after another!

Poor you wee, that doesn't sound like fun. Definitely mention it to them. I hope the seromas reduce soon.

Good news wine. Hope seroma disappears soon.

Foo- hope you are suitable for the surgery. Hope all the decorating continues to go well.

Will also march along to travita's drum, although am going for a rest after having my first session of reflexology provided free at the hospital. Very nice indeed.

Biggerbuns I have/had pretty good veins and after my last FEC they are a little worse for wear. So I would recommend a pic line.

Foo lots of positive news - hope all goes well.

I had my last Chemo yesterday, halleluiah! Will have ECG on 20th June and then first Herceptin injection on 25th followed by CT scan and 4 weeks of Radiotherapy. Wee My Oncologist did mention sickness as a possible SE from Radiotherapy to me yesterday

Missing DS2 dreadfully, will be looking out for him tomorrow on the TV during D Day celebrations.

Wishing everyone well

Congrats on last chemo mummy is your son in the Armed Forces?

Free reflexology!! How lovely

Well done Mummywheel for the end of chemo! Now all you need is for the side effects to keep away and you'll be dancing on tables in no time. Sorry you're missing ds2 so badly.

speedy, I like the sound of the reflexology.

Hope you're feeling better, wee (and that the rain lifts)

Good to hear your good news, wine

tiny, I would be really interested in the details of the private lymphodema specialist if it's not too much of a bore to track them down; I really want to one how to manage this thing before it gets worse. I don't dare garden or do too much in the meantime.