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Original poster

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

990 replies

MarthaCostello · 18/07/2015 23:19

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 :) Flowers

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 Flowers

OP posts:
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mrsrhodgilbert · 15/12/2015 18:20

Really sorry to hear that nanny, hopefully she's just a rubbish communicator rather than doesn't want to pass on bad news. You're almost there now but I realise how significant your results would be if bad and I'm willing them to be clear.

lovebeingananny · 15/12/2015 19:07

I hope you are right mrs she is pretty ditsy, it's got to be said! 😜

Marshy · 15/12/2015 20:11

Crossing everything that's crossable nanny xx

lovebeingananny · 15/12/2015 20:19

Thanks Marshy I really appreciate that 😉 How's your back? Hope the pain has reduced xx

Marshy · 15/12/2015 20:51

Loads better thanks.

royalmama · 16/12/2015 02:51

nanny my thoughts and prayers are with you. We are here for you whatever teh results.

lovebeingananny · 16/12/2015 03:27

Thanks royal looks like I'm not the only one who can't sleep!! 😉

Hope to be back on later to share some good news!! Although right now I am thinking how am I going to cope, if it's not good news 😢 But no point worrying until I know. Just 5 more hours and I will be heading towards the hospital.....can't come quick enough xx

mrsrhodgilbert · 16/12/2015 09:01

Everything's crossed for you nanny, you've got a lot of support here.

fresta · 16/12/2015 09:20

Hope all is well Nanny, wishing you luck.

Hope you got some sleep in the end royal

PerfidiousPanda · 16/12/2015 10:02

Sending good wishes to you Nanny, I so hope all goes well

Lilymaid · 16/12/2015 11:30

Thanks for the information re lumpectomy Mrs My colleague is now being more realistic. She's been told she can't drive for 10 days and isn't now planning to come into work ... breathes sigh of relief that she's seen the light! Hope you are enjoying having DD2 back with you.
We shall be in your area over Christmas and in your town on the 27th so the men can have a Turkish bath ... whilst I shop! We are really looking forward to it.
Meantime, another chemo on Friday and possible blood transfusion if my haemoglobin has been battered again. Then an appointment with the consultant who will let me know how well this chemo course is working. I think I shall crack open a bottle of bubbly after that whatever the result!

mrsrhodgilbert · 16/12/2015 11:57

Hi Lily, glad your colleague has decided to take a break. With the speed it all happens she probably doesn't know what month it is even at the moment.

You'll enjoy your shopping trip, there are far too many lovely shops here, my purse is never safe. I've never been to the Turkish baths, isn't it always the same when you live somewhere, you don't take advantage of it? If you fancy meeting for coffee I have no plans that day, but absolutely no pressure and please don't feel obligated. You'll have plenty to do wandering around the town.

It's lovely to have dd2 back, I think she is really appreciating some home comforts. we'vee had tales of a few people she was at school with not settling and either leaving or swapping universities.

Marshy, pleased to hear your back is better.

royalmama · 16/12/2015 12:01

Thanksfresta sigh, when I did fall asleep, my alarm went off Angry
nanny we are all thinking of you.
lily hope Friday turns out to be a good day!
Your get away sounds like it will be fun too.
Take care all

PerfidiousPanda · 16/12/2015 12:31

Just been to see new psychiatrist who was utterly useless - basically told me to get a grip. No appointment yet for clinic but it's close to where I am seeing psychiatrist so don't know whether to go in and ask (am in car park just now)?

mrsrhodgilbert · 16/12/2015 12:43

Hi panda, I can't see any harm in going to ask. Sorry you've been on the receiving end of some thoughtless treatment.

PerfidiousPanda · 16/12/2015 13:12

30th December! I went to my GP on the 8th - I thought it was 2 weeks maximum so am a bit disheartened.

WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo · 16/12/2015 13:17

Panda I'm really sorry your psychiatrist was so unhelpful. Are you able to ask to transfer to a different psychiatrist instead or is there only one? If you need someone to talk to, there are various helplines. Macmillan have one, details here as do Breast Cancer Care.

I can't imagine there's any harm in going into the clinic and asking, the worst they can do is say you need to wait for a letter. I hope you get an appointment soon. No one enjoys the wait, of course, but with all your other pressures, it seems like you really need an answer so you can make arrangements for your parents if necessary.

I can't see if anyone has already answered, but yes rads is radiotherapy.

Lily I am glad your colleague is taking the time off. Good luck for Friday Star

I hope all the new posters are doing OK. No need to post, but sending you good wishes, whatever stage of the process you are at Flowers

It is lovely, in a way, to see so many new people joining recently. Obviously not lovely that more people are being tested for and diagnosed with cancer, but it is good that people are coming here for support. The thread was quite quiet for a while, so it's nice that it is more lively again Xmas Smile

fresta · 16/12/2015 13:24

Panda, I too thought there was a two week rule for referals to the breast clinic, I can't understand why your is longer than this. Maybe worth speaking to your GP again to see if they can move it forward.

WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo · 16/12/2015 13:25

Oops, cross-posted with you Panda. That's disappointing Sad I suppose they are closed over Christmas which must delay appointments.

But I have found this leaflet which suggests you can ask for an alternative, although they may not be able to provide one.

PerfidiousPanda · 16/12/2015 13:29

They've said they'll call me if there's a cancellation but, really, who would cancel this? I'm just sitting here now hoping they'll get fed up and give me an earlier one. I've got all day . . .

WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo · 16/12/2015 13:41

I suppose if someone decides to go to a private clinic instead, or is ill on the day or something. But no, I can't imagine they get that many cancellations. Fingers crossed they can get you something sooner though. Are there any other hospitals nearby?

This is from the DOH leaflet I linked to above:

What if your appointment is more than two weeks after the referral?

To help ensure that you are seen quickly, you now have a legal right to be seen by a specialist within two weeks of being urgently referred for suspected cancer by your GP. If this is not possible, the NHS must do everything they reasonably can to offer you clinically appropriate alternatives, but you will need to ask them first.

So, if you are not offered an appointment within two weeks of the hospital receiving the referral from your GP, and you are not content to wait longer than two weeks, you should contact the hospital you have been referred to, who will assist in finding a quicker alternative appointment. The hospital will also discuss with you any new arrangements for travel and accommodation.

The clinically appropriate alternatives offered to you may include a different specialist at the same hospital or an appointment at another hospital.

It may not always be possible to give you an alternative appointment but the NHS will do its best. If you have concerns about how your original provider has handled your right to a twoweek urgent referral, you can contact your local primary care trust to discuss in more detail.

If you are not offered an appointment within two weeks of the hospital receiving your referral, but your appointment is shortly afterwards, and you are content to wait until then (eg because the convenience of your local hospital is important to you), you do not need to take any action.

fresta · 16/12/2015 13:46

Thats really useful info Leslie, If I was you Panda, I would push to be seen sooner, especially considering your anxiety levels.

mrsrhodgilbert · 16/12/2015 14:11

I assume you've been delayed because of Christmas. It's unfortunate timing and certainly worth being persistent. What sort of Christmas are you going to have with this ganging over you?

PerfidiousPanda · 16/12/2015 14:22

That is very useful info, thank you - I just kept saying 'two weeks' over and over, then they 'found' an appt on the 22nd! On one hand, I'm pleased but there's a little worrying voice saying that it's because they read my GP letter and there's something alarming there . . .

PerfidiousPanda · 16/12/2015 14:23

You're all very kind and supportive, thank you.