**Tamoxigang 53** Roll up, roll up... Anyone with any cancer (or test-waiting) welcome!

[MarthaCostello]

Good evening all,

The old thread had nearly run out when I posted so I have taken the liberty of starting a new one before it fills up completely.

I hope the title is OK - there isn't actually that much room, I was trying to fit in that people should come along even if they haven't been diagnosed yet.

If you're new here welcome to the Tamoxigang thread. This is a great place for anyone with any type of cancer (it originally started out as those taking Tamoxifen for breast cancer, hence the name, but has expanded). Please introduce yourself and make yourself comfortable! You're more than welcome here if you haven't been diagnosed yet too, sometimes people find it helpful to talk through their fears whilst waiting for results. And we will hold your hand until you find out, and hopefully wave you on your way with an all-clear :)

There is almost always someone around to chat, or to answer any questions. Nothing is off-limits here. This is somewhere to offload any fears and frustrations, in a safe place where someone will have been there before.

I hope everyone has been enjoying the gorgeous summery weather

Royal feel for you lovely when you hear it's in a node it knocks you for six. I think I reacted to that worse than the original dx tbh. But you will pick yourself back up. You just will, it's all crap but at least they're being thorough and making sure you get rid of every last bit of the bloody thing! I always knew I was having a mx so lumpectomy wasn't ever an option. It must be tough thinking here you go again! I look at it like your on a journey and were on the long one, no short cuts but we'll get through. Glad no infection, Will keep my fingers crossed for you for Wednesday X

Thank you staygold you're such a gem.

As you say, at least the docs are trying to get a step ahead of it. The worst thing about cancer is it is always trying to sneak up on us. I keep telling myself: okay now we know what we are doing, great, ket us get moving, but then an unexpected thing pops up and I fel like I have been knocked off balance.

Royal I remember feeling like I was jumping through hoops - I'd get through one ok and think 'phew that's ok then' and then they'd be 'sorry there's also this hoop to get through that we haven't really mentioned before'. It was flippin wearing I can tell you.

You'll get there. Take it one hoop at a time. Easier said than done I know.

River any further news on your womb issues?

Hi royal, just read your lunchtime post. I had a lumpectomy and SNB last May, no nodes involved. However, by September after rads I could feel a small lump under my arm so I was back at the hospital. It turned out to be a swollen lymph node, I had a biopsy which came back clear. About three weeks later a second node became swollen. This time after an ultrasound they decided on a watch and wait policy so I had a couple of months of uncertainty again. The next ultrasound scan showed no change so they decided it was just my nodes reacting to surgery and rads. I can still feel it now, nearly a year on.

Just trying to say that nodes can swell up but be innocent, all part if the many things that come along to keep the stress levels up. I hope yours turns out to be ok.

Stay strong Royal keep asking those questions! Cancer is a sneaky pita that needs to do one.. Permanently!!x

Thanks all. It really does make a difference coming on here.

mrsrhodgilbert, i really really hope it is the same for me where this enhanced node is concerned and it is onky a reaction to something.
marshy, you described it all so well!
Staygold, I have no choice but to be as strong as I can! Here's hoping I can keep up with the indormation

I got endometrial hyperplasia, so no cancer. We have choice of repeating the hysteroscopies (under a general) twice over the next year, having the coil ( not always recommended in breast cancer) or hysterectomy. We don't have to make a decision urgently

At the moment I can't really face making any deceive, partly due other factors (eg. Car broke down, only bought it six months ago, secomd hand. Waiting to hear if the warranty we took out will pay for it. Suspected gearbox damage. Could be expensive). At the moment, we seemed to be having a lot thrown at us as a family, and you think one thing has resolved ( eg. Husband redundant- bad, found a new job - good), and then something else happens.

Holiday was good.. Devon has a lot of lovely beaches and coves. However, even then the car started making funny noises, we got a nasty text from ex-employer, and it took us over nine hours to do a journey that should take half that.(probably just outed myself!)

Sorry, haveing a self-pity evening. Time to pour myself a large glass of red wine, for purely medicinal purposes, you understand, as it's good for the heart...

MarthaCostello & hotchocforme - thank you - it looks like I have 9 eggs lined up, having another check tomorrow, possible collection on Friday. The previous me from 2 months ago would have been terrified and mortified about the whole procedure, but now it seems like no big deal. Bring it on - I'm so glad I have the chance to do this.

Rivercam, sorry to hear that you are having a lot of bad news at the moment. Glad your holiday was good though. Hope today has been a good one for you.

An0nan, that is great news about your eggs! Hope that the collection goes really well. X

fingers crossed for you an0n (it's MC under a new name, seemed sensible given the latest shenanigans). I am not overly concerned about my privacy as I'm fairly identifiable from my history anyway, but I was bored of my old name so this is a good opportunity for a change!

I wonder if that's why the thread is so quiet? I know lots of people have deregistered completely, or are not able to log in.

Hello to anyone who is still here :)

River sorry to hear you are having a hard time, I hope things get easier soon. Good that you can take your time with the decision.

royal I hope it turns out to be something harmless.

Whether are you on holiday yet? How are you getting on?

Hello post hacking. Well, had my first chemo session on wednesday. In all, it was not too bad and the meds they have given are keeping a lid on the unpleasant side effects. I do not feel normal though for sure but unless things change for the worse this is doable. Unfortunately DH has a cold though:( he is quite worried and is keeping away from me. As it is not that critical time yet for me, I hope he clears up soon.
I am NOT looking forward to the injections. I keep visualising myself injecting myself and it is not a nice feeling.
Hope you are all ok.
whatwouldleslie thanks for your words. The biopsy will take some time. I am not very hopeful but if the chemo can sort that out along with the rads, it could be ok.

Just checking in after all the hacking business . I'm too old to be up on these things and not worried .

I rarely post - I'm no good at keeping up with everyone'but do dip in and out .
I was dx with adeno cancer at junction of oesphageous and stomach in 2013 . Pre and post chemo ,oesphageous removed and stomach refashioned to make a new one .

I'm pretty well now ,living the new normal and thanking the NHS .

I am still here, despite having to change my password twice.
I had a blood transfusion yesterday (two bags full of red cell concentrate) and am feeling a lot better, including fewer aches. Off on hols on Sunday into the lands without a decent WiFi or mobile phone coverage. Expects lots of regular posters are also on their hols.

Lily pleased the transfusion has helped :) have a wonderful holiday. I'm sure others are away too, it just seems a bit of a coincidence that everyone went quiet at the same time as the hacking.

gingeroots always lovely to see you will join you in thanking the NHS. I am so overwhelmingly grateful to have been diagnosed at the right time and in the right place, so many around the world will not get anything beyond basic palliative care, if they get any treatment at all obviously there is still a lot of progress to be made, but it's definitely good to have the NHS.

royalmama I'm glad that your chemo went well. How was the biopsy? I hope you are not too uncomfortable. The strange feeling may be the steroids, I found they made be feel quite restless and just not myself. Try not to worry too much about the injections, when the time comes you'll probably find them easier because you know you need them. I find often that telling myself I just have to do whatever it is makes it a lot easier, than if I let myself think there is another choice. Then if becomes are getting through it, rather than getting out of doing it at all.

If the affected node is still within the breast then presumably that would still make you stage 3? Hopefully chemo will give it a good zapping, or it'll turn out to be from the fluid anyway.

Royalmama, hope you are still doing ok. With the injections, you will get used to it. Thankfully it's all over in seconds.

Have a lovely holiday Lilymaid. Glad that you are feeling better.

I have finished chemo now, yay. Surgeon appt next week to find out next steps.

Yay for end of chemo hotchoc!

whatwouldleslieand hotchoc thanks. I have been struggling with upset stomach and constipation. no wonder too from all those tablets:(
The biopsy result will take some time. I too hope the chemo zaps it if it is malignant.
Does anybody have any recommended tried and tested ways to beat the tummy cramps and constipation? Thanks!

Hotchoc..pleased for you for having completed the chemo! Hope nothing but good comes your way from now on:)

royal I found Aloe Vera helped with both diarrohea and constipation when I was on chemo . Specifically this one www.hollandandbarrett.com/shop/product/ransom-aloe-pura-aloe-vera-juice-with-manuka-honey-60093576

Hope you feel better soon .

Bowel troubles so unglamourous and so debilitating .

Thank you so much gingeroots will check it out. Had some aniseed tea and helped ease the discomfort a bit .

Hello ladies - has anyone had a TUG reconstruction here?

Hi everyone, hope it's ok to post here.

I had a kidney cyst removed nearly 4 weeks ago which is more than likely an early stage cancer. It won't need further treatment if it hasn't spread but I'm waiting for my post OP appointment at the mo to find out.

Physically I'm doing brilliantly and everyone tells me how amazing it is that I'm pretty much doing everything I was before the op - just got to try driving again in the next few days. But I'm not doing do well in my head tbh. I don't really know how I should be feeling or how I do actually feel about it all.

I've got a 5 yr old and my DH is also unwell with fibromyalgia. To add to the fun, my MIL was taken back into hospital last week with a recurrent brain tumour that although benign is affecting her quality of life and will need operating on once she is up to it. They're 3 hours away so DH is having to travel up there overnight too. So basically everything is just too much really and I just need a moan

Hi all hope all are fairing ok on this wet and blustery day. Am recovering nicely from my mx and node removal. Have to say under arm much more painful than breast. Feel like I have a whole loaf under my arm at the mo, but is improving every day. Had results and lymph nodes have come back clear which is a huge relief. Still will need chemo probably due to age and family history but hopefully will cope ok. Sorry to hear your having a rough time Hiccup. Always seems to come in 3's, vent away though, fingers crossed for you that the results are kind. Boobz haven't heard of anyone having TUG recon but found this on the BCC site (just in case you hadn't seen already, sorry can't remember how to link on iPhone) forum.breastcancercare.org.uk/t5/Surgery/TUG-flap-anyone-else-had-problems/m-p/448161/highlight/true#M8768 it appears to be an old post but hopefully some answers there. Well done on getting through your first chemo Royal . Know about constipation after my surgery not looking forward to it again.

Can I pull up a chair while I wait out my referral under the 2 week rule?

I have skin changes on my breast and a lump underneath. I am sure it is nothing and I am being a fraud. I have no-one I can talk to in real life (my marriage isn't the greatest, I have a crap relationship with my family and I don't want to worry my adult kids as I am sure it's all nothing to worry about).

Hi Hellhasnofury. You are not a fraud- it's a very worrying time. Hopefully it will all be ok. Do try to find a rl friend to chat to though. Either way, you are welcome here but hopefully for a short stay. X

Thanks royalmama and whatwouldLeslie. :)

Has anyone had an implant post mx or one where they take tummy fat? Those are my two options right now, and I have to choose soon. I don't fancy an implant but the tummy tuck one is an 8 hour operation, and I know will be a harder and longer recovery so I am not happy with either. Would like to hear your experiences.