**Tamoxigang Thread 52** With virtual tea, cakes and chat for all with cancer concerns

[Lilymaid]

We were almost at our 1000 post limit for Thread 51 - hope the title is OK but wanted people to know that we aren't just about people on Tamoxifen but for all with cancer concerns!

And welcome hotchocforme to the club that no-one wants to be in.

Welcome hotchoc though sorry you have to be here. The not knowing and the waiting for results is the worst bit, if it is cancer you will feel better knowing what the treatment plan is and we will help you through it all

Thanks guys.

Hi hotchoc, like malt says, the not knowing and not having a treatment plan is the hardest. I think most of us got a rough idea of our treatment schedule as soon as the cancer was confirmed by biopsy results. My consultant is in plymouth where they opt for surgery before chemo (if required), I know a lot of other people have had it the other way round. I was given the date of my operation at that results meeting which was great as I could make some plans and had time scales I could share with family and work. Hang on in there.

malt someone else mentioned Vaseline, thanks. Will try on lashes and brows for starters.

Hi all,

So, after nearly 2 weeks since my core biopsy (done by the UK team), they still haven't confirmed a diagnosis so the lump is coming out today for a proper analysis. They can't be 100% sure it's even a breast cancer so they have cancelled the sentinel node biopsy today, in case the tumour ends up being the result of a hematological cancer (leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma).

So a whole new load of blood cancers for me to google.

Will now be flying back to Italy on Saturday with DH as no point waiting for results in the UK and being away from the kids. Results from lump should arrive by Thursday next week, but who knows! By then it will be 5 weeks since I discovered the lump...

Sorry to see you here hotchoc.

Thanks for thinking of me all.

Boobz - sorry to hear that you still don't have a clear diagnosis - how frustrating - I hope you will feel better about things once the lump is removed though?

boobz, how very, very frustrating. Do try and keep away from Google though.

How so very frustrating for you boobz!

hotchoc welcome.

malteserzz thanks for the Iglu tip. I'll try it if the Difflam doesn't work.

I've booked a sushi dinner for tomorrow night. I am so craving it. Sashimi shouldn't be harsh on my poor mouth .

Had my CT scan today. Have to wait until Monday afternoon to see if this current line of chemo is working. I'll be happy with "stable".

Goodness, what a glorious day it is. I was so depressed about my health status over winter but now Spring is here my mood has lifted completely!

bssh glad to hear the weather is cheering you up. I hope that the ulcers clear up, sushi dinner sounds lush. I am travelling from cornwall to Cardiff tomorrow so eldest DD and a friend can see McBusted. I don't even get to go! I am reliably informed that there is a cinema next door so I am planning an evening of solo film watching and solo dining - quite looking forward to it.

Hope you had a nice anniversary mrs also wanted to wish you all the best for tomorrow. Hope your appointment goes okay. Let's hope we can both have a day of good news tomorrow xx

Hope everyone is managing to enjoy the beautiful weather. Xx

Boobz Sorry to hear that you are having a tough time. Hope you have a good time with your family and a clear diagnosis on Thursday.

Buns that sounds like a good evening out. :)

I have been told that I have a CT scan and bone scan next week: apparently this is normal? It's a pity that I can't be around young children for 24 hours afterwards- my daughter will have to stay at her grandparents' overnight. :(

I agree BsshBosh that the weather has been lovely and cheerful this week: it really helps.

Hello Hotchoc, welcome to the thread. I hope your visit is a brief one.

Boobz , I hope the surgery goes well and that you get some answers soon.

Boobz, I'm so sorry to hear things are still uncertain. You've probably realised by now that your situation is very unusual and the waiting must be so difficult. At least you can get back to your children for a while.

Hotchoc, hello I hope you get some comfort and help from this place, it's amazing.

Buns, enjoy your meal and film and o dr excited teenagers.

Nanny, thank you and I will be thinking of you too.

I've had a lovely anniversary, beautiful sunshine and too much food but I didn't brave paddling in the North Sea after all. I just hope I get to enjoy many more. Looking for good news tomorrow, dd also has her driving test in the morning. A day to have everything crossed.

Wishing nanny and mrs good news today.
hotchoc many of the health authorities will arrange scans if you have lymph node involvement as routine, so nothing sinister there. The scans are painless enough, I found the worst bit was having an elastic band (high tech stuff!) put round my ankles for the bone scan. Don't know why but I found it really grating. Also, don't panic too much if they do find anything inconclusive in the scans, they are so sensitive nowadays that they pick up all sorts of old injuries. They found spots on my liver, lungs and more recently my spine. One year on, they haven't changed (even after chemo) so still not sure what they are. I have one more scan in a couple of weeks, if that is showing no change the onc has decided to write them off as innocent.
I hope all of you involved in education enjoy the last weekend of the holidays. I have had most of the fortnight off and almost hoping for the weather to change so I don't mind going back to work - selfish, I know!

So I had my first chemo yesterday - FAC, I found it quite fascinating, felt a bit spaced out, nurse said I wasn't a "normal" chemo patient and to be honest I had my friend with me (kind of ex...) and we just chattered all the way though and had a giggle, nurse said she'd enjoyed her afternoon with us. So I felt a bit ropey last night, didn't sleep too great, feels a bit like morning sickness but that's gone now. I know it's very very early days, and I'm taking it easy......but all good so far.....

Been AWOL from this thread for a while. Sorry I haven't read up all the new posts but a quick 'Hi' to those that are new and hope everyone is managing ok.

I have a quick question re my picc line. I have my last chemo coming up next friday and wondered how long afterwards they wait to remove it.
And what that involves..?
My ds says she thinks she say them removing someones at a previous chemo session; they just pulled it out. Can that be right!?

HI Gillybean - yes they just pull it out - it's completely painless.

Some places will do it immediately after final Chemo and others leave it for a week or 2.

Wallaby that's great. Hopefully you are still feeling good today. I recommend keeping a diary of how you feel during the week after chemo, so you will know what to expect in the coming cycles.

Good news from me, after a very long wait my appt was as I hoped. No new lumps to feel and a mammogram has been requested for May.

Nanny, I hope you've had good news too and don't require any more prodding.

Out for Chinese with friends tonight. Happy weekend everyone.

Great news mrs

I had a 3.5hr wait to see the doc! But all results were good!! Only down side was that they need to see me again in 3 months! I was hoping they would just sign me off! Obviously wishful thinking!!

Enjoy your Chinese. Hope everyone has a nice weekend xx

Good news nanny and mrs Rhod

Wallaby glad your first one went ok,hope you are feeling well still, I felt hungover but wasn't ever sick on chemo

Boons hope your op went well and you get some clear answers soon you must be very frustrated

Hope everyone is enjoying the sun and has a good weekend

Good to see good news from mrs and nanny :)

Boobz hope you are ok.

Hugs to everyone.

End of my second week at work. My sciatica is feeling bit twangy after so much driving and sitting but I'm holding up.

Everyone at work said how good I was looking which was nice but I'm not sure what they were expecting. Anyway, gradually getting back to normal, whatever the hell fuck that is

I meant Boobz !

Marshy glad you have survived, I think looking well is just one of those things people say along with oh you're so brave and positive ! Not that you don't look well I'm sure lol

wallaby73 Yey, one down! Definitely second the idea of keeping a record of how you feel/side effects. It helps when planning days out etc to anticipate how tired etc you might be.
Marshy it's your "new normal" now :)
Great news mrsrhod and nanny.

My sushi dinner date night with DH went well last night despite my very sore mouth. I was able to enjoy, with only a little discomfort, the sashimi, grilled fish, egg custard and miso soup. DH had the stronger tasting dishes and tempura which was too jagged-edged for my sore mouth.

I think my mouth is slowly getting better. But it really is (literally!) a pain because eating is one of my life's pleasures especially with cancer though it's ironic that I love to eat yet it's colon cancer I've been afflicted with!

My DD (6) has been away all week with her Grandma but she's back later today. I've missed her chuckles and conversations so I can't wait to see and squeeze her.