Tamoxigang thread 50 with summer sun, sangria and maybe even some sand

[foofooyeah]

Welcome to thread 50 .... Yes FIFTY.
Lots of us are rising 50 so rather apt!

[Wren48]

Really, well done for going ahead and having that surgery. A very good thing to do.

Malt, I hope that Mexico is fab. It must feel so good to go ahead with a decent holiday after last year; hooray for that! Have a cocktail for us.

Foofoo, well done for getting to the last chemo

Elporto, as someone who has confidently talked herself into the worse case scenario for a scan following up something dodgy, I know how hard it is to talk yourself down from that. But do remember that they are always cautious and will always follow up something that looks odd.

Yes, the storm was something else, wasn't it?

[wineoclocktimeye]

Welcome back really, hope you start felling less tired soon.

Have a cocktail for me malt. I had my last rads today so apart from the tamoxifen, I have finished treatment . It's feels a bit surreal but I have a bottle of fizz in the fridge for later

Good luck minty, as others have said, it does feel better once you know what's to come.

[mrsrhodgilbert]

Congratulations wine, that must be a good feeling. Enjoy your fizz! What happens next, will you be on regular checks every few months?

I finish next Friday and will see surgeon and oncologist within about six weeks I think. But after that I'm not sure, have been told every six months for a couple of years then annually until five years, but have also been told every three months for a while. I hope they won try a mammogram again anytime soon, the thought of that on my very tender, scarred breast is a scary thought.

[Wren48]

Congratulations, Wine. It's so great that you've finished. I hope you get to celebrate in a way that seems good to you, and that you recover quickly in the coming weeks. I'm feeling so much fitter already, just ten days from end of rads. I'm sure that it will take some time to get over the chemo completely, but the hair is coming back at least.

[mintyneb]

Back from the hospital. I have a 3cm grade 3 invasive ductal cancer. Hormone receptor negative but Her 2 positive.

Recommendation is to start chemo early August which will hopefully shrink the lump and then I'll have surgery.

I've hit the holiday season so can't see anyone re chemo until the 30th but they're going to try and do all the pre tests before then. So I'm looking at an ecg, ct scan and bone scan next week in theory.

Feeling totally emotionless right now. I'm sure it will hit home soon. Off to Ireland as planned so better start packing!

Might not be able to log on again til after we get back

[elportodelgato]

Minty, I will PM you later tonight if that's OK. In the meantime massive massive hugs, I am thinking of you a lot today xx

[mildmay]

yippeee just finished last chemo just herceptin rads and tamoxifen to go.hope everybody manages to get some sleep tonight .like you foofoo steriods making it almost impossible x

[Mummywheel]

Well done mildmay and foo end of chemo celebrations for you both I expect.

Great that you have finished rads wine I have my last one on Monday.

Hope you have a lovely weekend minty and can manage to put recent news to the back of your mind for now.

Good to hear you are having a great time in Mexico malt

Hope you feel better soon really

[Lilymaid]

I think I shall be stuck on oral chemo for the rest of my (hopefully long) life. Tumour markers are reducing but so slowly. Scan at the end of the month to see how it is all going (such fun).
For those who have finished their "proper" chemo - do celebrate and get yourself a nice present for getting through.

[mildmay]

thanks mummy and lily i love the present idea.

[weebarra]

Congratulations to those of you finishing chemo - it's a great feeling!
(I got myself a gorgeous Radley bag but had to replace it when BCN told me that I couldn't use shoulder bags anymore!)

[Wren48]

Congratulations on finishing, Mildmay! A bit of self love and a present sounds like a great idea.

Lilymaid, I'm glad your tumour markers are reducing but grr to them not doing so more speedily. Good luck with that scan.

[mrsrhodgilbert]

minty, I know that sounds scary and feeling numb is a normal reaction. You'll get plenty of advice and support here. I hope you're not looking though and having a good time instead.

malt I hope Mexico is living up to everything you hoped for and the cocktails are still flowing.

mildmay it must feel great to have finished chemo, well done. The rest will be a doddle.

wee what's with the no shoulder bag thing?

rads question. Apart from a bit of skin soreness did any of you experience any pain,tenderness, tightness in the area being treated? After ten sessions my breast is really quite uncomfortable. I'll mention it when I go back on Monday but wondered if anyone had this experience.

[mildmay]

thanks wren good to hear you are feeling better and your hair is starting to grow back.its something im really looking forward too.hope everyone has something nice happening today or at least a day of from treatment x

[wineoclocktimeye]

mrs- the no shoulder bag is if you have had lymphs removed, you're not meant to carry anything heavy on or in that arm cos it increases the risk of a lymphodema.

My skin feems very tight in the rads area, bit like sunburn tightness, when I asked, they said that was normal and just to keep putting the cream and aloe Vera on it.

Have a lovely weekend everyone ad I hope you can dodge the thunderstorms.

[mrsrhodgilbert]

Thanks wine, I'm lucky enough to still have my breast and the feeling is like the pain and tenderness you might get at certain times of your monthly cycle. My skin is a bit pink and slightly itchy but this is discomfort actually within the tissue. Especially tender to the touch but I'm generally aware of it all the time. I'm sure it's normal but I'll speak to them on Monday. Strangely they never ask about side effects and if I have any.

I have a treatment review on Tuesday, which is going to be a group session, so other women may have similar experiences. Not sure how I feel about that, in fact they've asked me to take part in a survey to determine if group or individual review sessions are preferable to patients.

[kitkat1967]

hello Really - good to hear from you. If you don't mind me asking - what treatment did you have? And from your post it sounds like you are completely finished now - are they happy that you won't need any other treatment?
And well done on getting through it all.

[reallyreallyworried]

Thanks wren, wine and mummywheel feeling exhausted and rough. But pleased to be home and on the mend!

malt I hope you are having an amazing time xx

[reallyreallyworried]

Cross posts with you kitkat

On my CT scan that I had to have re done. They found an odd area, when biopsied it had cancer cells in it. After more scans and tests they decided that it was a tumour which had been shrunk by the Chemo I had had.

I was going to sit, wait and watch to see if it was going to become an issue. (Mainly because I was exhausted and fed up with treatment) BUT after lots of discussion and lots of sole searching, I decided surgery was my best option to, hopefully put an end to this!

So it's done.... I see Oncologist next week with results of what they found when they removed it. Best case scenario is I will need no more Chemo, worse case scenario will be they didn't get it all, and will need to operate again and/or give me more Chemo or Radiotherapy! But surgeon seemed hopeful that he got it all.

[mrsrhodgilbert]

Nice to see you back really, I don't feel like I know you well but gathered you had been through the mill with all this. I hope you get stronger quickly and receive the best news next week.

[kitkat1967]

wow - that's excellent news Really. Fingers crossed next week goes well and you can finally put this behind you.

[elportodelgato]

Hi really, I am very new to the tamoxigang, but your experience with liver secondary is very helpful for me to read as I am awaiting results myself. Glad to hear you you are home from hospital and hope the results of your operation are all positive.

Another worry has sprung up in my stupid brain Can anyone shed any light for me on bone cancer, specifically at the base of the spine? I have just recalled that after my liver MRI the nurse told me they had also scanned that area, and now I am wondering WHY they would do this as I was told that my bone scan on Wednesday was clear? Anxiety is hitting me in waves again and I am feeling very wobbly. DH is going out tonight and I have a friend coming round for takeaway and a film, but I'm worried I will just weep on her. On the other hand, a night in on my own is not that tempting either...

[reallyreallyworried]

Hi elporto you are exactly where we have all been on this awful journey, the very uncertain stage. Worrying about what else they might find! But how ever horrid it is, just keep reminding yourself, that they can treat whatever they find, so try not to scare yourself too much. (I know that's easier said than done)

I suggest an evening with a friend is a perfect idea! And who cares if you cry! Your allowed too. Don't be surprised if your friend cries too! Just make sure the wine and tissues are to hand. Try and have a nice evening.

Sending you a (((((((gentle hug))))))) xx

Hope everyone is enjoying the weather, and a nice weekend.

[Lilymaid]

elportodelgado I have bone cancer (whether it is secondary or primary I don''t know) as well as breast cancer. I'm carrying on a pretty normal life whilst having oral chemo (had the other stuff last year) and monthly injections for the bones. I found out about a fortnight after being diagnosed with breast cancer so both have been treated together. It is not pleasant to be waiting for scan results - I have another scan due in a week or two. Just try to enjoy every moment you can, don't look at Dr Google (always shows up out of date information) and remember that with medical advances most of us can expect to be around for a very long time.
Would send a hug but it is too darned hot and I have been doing the ironing this afternoon!

[Ladytubbles]

Hi all

I haven't posted for a few days but have been reading and following everyone's updates - it's great to read the posts from those who are further along this road - it gives me hope that there will be an end to the waiting and treatment at some point. And my thoughts are with posters who are waiting for test results and treatment plans .

As for me, after a frantic week of shopping and planning, I am sat on a shaded balcony in Southern Spain, overlooking a swimming pool with . I have my pre-chemo assessment waiting for me when we get home with chemo (Fec-T) due to start the first week in August. I'm trying to put those thoughts to the back of my mind - a few more should help but will my blood tests at the assessment give me away though!!