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!

Hello All, I haven't posted for a long, long time. Snowflake, sorry to hear of your dx, even if you have squared it in your head, when the Consultant confirms it, it is still a very big shock.

Have you had your HER 2 results yet? I had chemo first (neo-adjuvant) which meant that the Oncologist could see if the chemo was shrinking the tumour or not. It also allowed the tumour to be shrunk so that I could have a lumpectomy rather than a MX. It also gave me a chance to get my head round surgery and prepare for it.

I was in your shoes this time last year and managed to get through it all and believe me, I am definitely not tough! Wishing you all the best.x

hi snowflake, welcome but sorry you find yourself here. If you have any qus please shout up, nothing is off limits here :) This thread was a lifeline to me when I was dx in May last year and through treatment.

to everyone else - sorry I pop in so infrequently these days, work is interfering with my ability to MN again!

trice lovely to hear you are doing so well :)
lily my chemo buddy :) - I've still got the remains of PN in my toes. but my onc assured me just yesterday that it will probably still go eventually, it just takes a very long time....

Hi snowflake

I has chemo first as quite a large lump. Then I had a double mastectomy. It seems like a lot of treatment at the start, but you just plod through it. I have just gone back to work, but was off for over a year.

Snowflake, welcome but sorry you find yourself here.

My Onc gave me great advice. Deal with just whatever treatment you are receiving at a given time. Don't look at the entire treatment, but rather as a series of steps.

Chemo isn't nice, but most of us found it bearable. Generally there is a pattern where chemo is given 3 weeks apart. First week you won't feel great (but maybe not terrible either), second week is often OK (but this is peak time for picking up infections), and third week is generally good. I was able to meet friends for lunch or dinner on week 3, and enjoy a few glasses of vino.

If you can at all, I highly recommend organising some treats for weeks you will feel good. I used to meet friends for lunch or dinner every week 3. I used to really look forward to that.

I was dx Jul 2013, and finished treatment jun 2014. The year went much faster than I expected it to. This time last year I hadn't started chemo and now it is a distant memory.

This thread is great. Ask about any concerns at all. Somebody will have experienced something similar at some stage.

Hi Snowflake - welcome to the thread . I'm one of the oldies on here, nearly four years after diagnosis of breast cancer and various treatments/surgery including chemo, radiotherapy and Herceptin. And I'm autistic. Hoping you're able to ask what you need on here - all fab people.

Welcome snowflake but sorry you have had to join us. Like tiny and others I am having chemo first and am having cycle #4 (out of 8) next week. I do suffer a lot in the first week (and vow that I NEVER want to do it again) but get better to the point that I am still able to work full time for 8-9 days each cycle. As much as I hate the chemo it is doing is stuff and my grade 3 HER2+ tumour is shrinking so fast! They've had to put a marker in this week as they won't be able to find it soon.

Good to see you again amber, we were asking after you the week

Good advice there mom. I take each day as it comes, it all gets to big if I look at what's still to come next year

Foofoo yeh for a good liver scan, that's what you need to hear :)

Elporto, I hope the tiredness has gone now and you can enjoy the next 2 weeks. Make the most of this sunny weather while we've got it

Malteserzz hope you had a lovely weekend in your posh hotel. I must plan something like that for next year!

Trice, what a wedding, I've not been to one like that before!

Buns, fantastic that you've finished your chemo. It must feel feel amazing to know that you don't have to go through another cycle. Hope you're not feeling too tired now

Marshy hope all is going well post surgery and that the drains are out and everything is healing nicely.

Hi to everyone else old and new :)

Hi snowflake. Lots of wise words from all the people who helped me so much when I started this journey. I have just finished my chemo and as everyone says it is not pleasant but is doable. Getting ready for surgery on Wednesday now. chemo did its thing on my tumour. I found it easier to cope when I had a plan and then focussed on one step at a time.

Am getting away tomorrow to visit my sister; first time I will have done this since it all started and want to make the most before I can't drive.

Trice. Glad you had a fab wedding.
Foo. Good news about your liver.

I have had a hunt but can't find the posts where people suggest what to take into hospital. Am there for two nights. Anybody have suggestions for what I need with me? I have buttoned pyjamas and my post op bra ready.

Off for a take away with a friend. Hope everyone has a good evening.

speedy I took some nighties that buttoned right down the front. Cooler than pjs and easier for the toilet.
Also took ipad with a few pgms downloaded and headphones.
Face wipes etc.
And my make up bag :-)

Hi everyone,

I'm now home and recovering post mastectomy surgery last week. Have to say the whole experience was much better and less painful than I imagined and my new reconstructed boob is amazing!

The pathologist has confirmed that the cancer hasn't spread beyond the breast tissue which is good news but as it was multifocal and large tumours were present I'm in for a hammering of post surgeory treatments.

Seeing the oncologist next week to discuss chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Now trying to get my head around chemo. Has anyone had a port-a-cath fitted? Any advice on how to deal with hair loss (mine is long)? Cold cap worth it? I'm more worried by my 4 year olds reaction to this than anything...

Malteserzz - thank you!

Elporto - Hope you are emerging from the tiredness by now.

SnowflakeObsidian - Welcome and sorry to hear of your diagnosis. I hope a treatment plan becomes clear when you hear back from pathology. Thinking of you and your family x

Speedypenguin - Good luck for Wednesday. I hope you recover quickly. I'd say earphones essential and M&S do a black sports bra (non wired with pink trim/front zip, £22) this was recommended to me has been much more comfortable than the post surgery bra I bought.

Ssaver, portacath is great. My veins are really poor. Used my veins for first chemo, so was able to appreciate how easy portacath made subsequent chemos.
I ended up in hospital for a week with neutrofilia, portacath was in nonstop useage, between fluids and antibiotics.

It was also really trouble free to have it inserted and removed.

Hi snowflake :) just to tell you that I am 8 years on from dx with triple negative bc. Once you have a treatment plan you will be able to focus on getting through it. You will find help here , not only with dealing with any physical side effects , but also with the inevitable fears and anxieties. Good luck love we are all cheering you on.

Thanks foo and ssaver for the advice. I have a button up nightie too so will take that. Will also hunt the bra down.
Glad your op went well ssaver. Hope recovery continues to go well.

Off to pack for my weekend. Can't wait to have hugs with my nephews and have a complete change of scene.

Am waiting at the hospital for a blood transfusion as my Hb level is now 81 (should be 100+). Should get a nice lunch ( seafood and avocado platter). DH had helpfully suggested I "popped into town" whilst I'm waiting (only a mile + to walk)! Fending off work e-mails whilst I wait.
I can also recommend a portacath - makes treatment easier and scar etc is scarcely visible unless you wear strapless tops!

SSaver, I had a portacath. It was fantastic. OK, you still get the ow from a needle going through the skin into it, and it needs flushing out every few weeks if you're having a treatment break for any reason, but I'd recommend one.
Depends what chemo you have, re cold cap. My onc said mine would be too powerful and too long, and no way would I keep my hair, so I didn't bother. About 50% of people who use one have good success, so it's worth a go. I used wigs - a personal choice but I loved them. (Renee Amore were comfy for me and looked as good as real hair most of the time). I won't pretend losing my hair was easy on the emotions, though. Makes it all very real.

Hello all

Lots of posts since I was here last!

I have had a quiet week letting my new boob heal. I did walk into town yesterday to get my hair washed and blowdried which was nice, and saw my surgeon earlier in the week. She was happy with progress so far and I'm pleased that new boob is looking a little less inflated and more like the other one. Next appt is Monday to have steristrips off and get results - eek! Crossing everything for that.

Lovely to see everyone, old and new. Hellooo Amber! Haven't seen you for ages and welcome to ssaver

Hope everyone is doing ok

Good to hear you're recovering well marshy and have managed a bit of pampering. I'll have my fingers crossed for your results on Monday.

I had a letter from my oncologist today telling me that the inflamed lymph node I had quite a few weeks ago now is fine. I've known it was fine for some time but apparently he was on holiday when the results came out and has just caught up on his admin. I had to read it twice to be sure it wasn't telling me they had made a mistake, completely sent my stomach lurching towards my feet when I opened it. I could have done without that.

Hope everyone has a good weekend. We are out tonight celebrating dd1s 21st, next week we will be celebrating dd2s 18th. The lady in the card shop said to me " you didn't plan that very well did you?". Ha!

mrs I had a similar experience this week having had a pre-surgery clear lymph node result from my BCN and then getting a follow up letter from my surgeon this week saying the node was 'reactive'. Twas a bit alarming but on rereading she had started the sentence 'I'm delighted to tell you...' so still no cancer cells and I'm guessing it was up a bit because of my arthritis. Bit of a phew moment though.

Happy birthday to your dc!

Thank you everyone for being so welcoming and nice. I would really love to respond to every post and everyone's news, but I'm just so knackered. I've been talking to people all day with people contacting me and while I am so very very grateful to them I am an introvert (though a friendly one :) ) and suffer from social anxiety so it takes more out of me than I let on. Just want to flump now and let my brain rest...:) xx

Oh snowflake sorry I missed you. Hope you are having a good flump

Hope everyone's having a good weekend :)

I feel in a good mood and quite optimistic at the moment, sure it won't last !

Ssaver glad your surgery went well and that you had good results. I just had chemo in the back of my hand and my veins held up. I had long hair too, had it cut into a bob before I had chemo and cold capped. Lost most of it and wore a wig for 5 months ( it was a great wig everyone thought it was my real hair ) I think the cold cap helped it to come back quicker as it's now bob length again. So even though the hair loss is truly horrid if really is for a short period

Lily hope the blood transfusion went well

Marshy glad you're doing ok

Snowflake don't ever feel you have to reply to everyone, we all understand that's the nice thing about this thread

Mrs Rhod hope the celebrations went well :)

Love to all x

Hello everyone

Ssaver and marshy, hope you're both recovering well from surgery and resting as much as possible.

Snowflake, welcome to the club no one wants to join, you're in good company, and as others have said, you can post ANYTHING here in complete safety.

I have been feeling surprisingly great for the last few days so have been busy doing fun stuff with the DC, seeing friends, even going running and just getting on with normality while I have the chance. It's another week or so til my second FEC so trying to make the most of it, thankfully I only really had 4 bad days with cycle 1, long may it continue.

Just wanted to ask others who have had FEC: at what stage did your hair fall out? I keep expecting it any day but I guess it could be after the second treatment?

Love to all x

Sorry, I also meant to wave particularly to you Speedy and wish you lots of luck for Wednesday, I'll be thinking of you and hoping all goes smoothly

Hi all
Just back from my results appt. The good news is that sentinal lymph nodes were clear however the breast tissue shows some foci of microinvasion amongst the dcis. It is er neg but still awaiting her 2 results. Future as yet unclear as to what further treatment may be necessary.
I'm reeling a bit. Was hoping for just dcis like last time. Now more waiting and possibly chemo. But on the bright side, my nodes were clear.
Feel a bit weary and tearful.....

Oh marshy, I'm so sorry to hear it wasn't clear cut. I'm not surprised you're reeling. It's a bugger this cancer, no one can tell how it's going to behave, there seem to be no rules at all. How long do you have to wait for the full picture? Not too long I hope. Big hugs.

It s going to be discussed in mdt again on Friday but not clear if results will be back by then or not. BCN is going to rung me Friday afternoon whatever. Otherwise it will be Weds next week. If it's her 2 + I will have herceptin preceded by chemo apparently. If not....I'm not sure. I really don't know...this is all unknown territory for me. Oh bugger...