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Original poster

Tamoxifen - advice please !

562 replies

MargaretMountford · 27/05/2009 11:20

Am going to be starting Tamoxifen shortly, was just wondering whether anyone else is on it and can tell me what it's like ! thanks !

OP posts:
Cakesandale · 17/09/2009 11:59

Ooh have just taken a look at the Hickman Line thing.

On the yuk! side - looks complicated. On the yay! side - someone rated it as uncomfortable NOT painful (gave it a 3 out of 10 pain rating).

Not surprised your heart isn't filled with song at the thought, but here's hoping it's not too bad. When is it?

I know what you mean about not feeling like opening up to the playgroup friends. It is all a bit personal really, isn't it? And also difficult to broach. I have a load of really good old friends who I only see intermittently owing to distance, and only one of these knows anything at all. Newer, local friends know the lot, however. For me it is about keeping life normal - the ones I see every day know because I look different and am feeling different - but the ones i would not be seeing on a regular basis, while they would be lovely, I don't want to engage them with it really. Dh is a different story though. I have to stop him telling strangers in the bloody street. We have had many, many rows about this. Just because people ask him, it doesn't mean he has to tell them. Why can't he just say "she's fine, thanks"??

And have you noticed how many people can't stop themselves eyeing your chest to see if they can spot anything?

Cakesandale · 17/09/2009 12:03

It is a glam name isn't it?

My GP didn't want to get it off becuase he said "they bleed like buggery" (have your legs gone wobbly yet?) but apparently it is painless to remove. I was keen to get it gone before the hair all went - but hey ho. I'll "treat" myself to an appointment as soon as possible after end of chemo. (Iam single handedly going to bust my GP's budget, I know it)

MaryAnnSingleton · 17/09/2009 12:16

arghh ! it was the bleeding bit that did it for me - could cope with the injection and cutting but....
I probably daren't look up Hickman lines !

Cakesandale · 17/09/2009 13:10

Do not. There are photos.

MaryAnnSingleton · 17/09/2009 13:22

yack !

reallywoundup · 17/09/2009 14:47

thanks guys! Hickman being fitted on Monday- i have resisted google-ing thus far but now............!!

Cakesandale · 17/09/2009 15:56

Oh no, sorry, it is only that MaryAnn is so squeamish. When I googled the consensus from victims patients was that it was not too bad. Honest!

Hope it goes OK on Monday!!

MaryAnnSingleton · 17/09/2009 17:19

will think of you on Monday RWU

reallywoundup · 17/09/2009 17:50

i don't really have a choice in the matter so google-ing will be fine to see what to expect! chemo too toxic for veniflow or portacath

off to google now- don't really know anything about them yet- not even how they do it so could get a few shocks- but better have them today than on monday on my way into theatre I am just about to post up some pics of dd after eating choc custard- she is fake-baked will link to it later! still chuckling atm!

Cakesandale · 17/09/2009 18:31

google away, I don't think it will horrify you at all.

Can't wait to see dd pics.

MaryAnnSingleton · 17/09/2009 18:50

yay, will look forward to pics !

Cakesandale · 18/09/2009 10:26

Blurgle! My eyelashes have been falling out and growing back for a few weeks now as the chemo progresses, but I have just noticed something WEIRD. They have always been black and I thought they were growing back grey but they are SANDY!! And CURLY!!

So I look like I haven't got any until I poke around with the mascara brush, when they emerge - looking like I can't put it on properly. They are more sparse than usually, but long, and pointing in all directions.

MaryAnnSingleton · 18/09/2009 11:15

yikes !!

Cakesandale · 18/09/2009 11:21

Doesn't present a nice picture does it?

I have a thing that looks like a third eye on my forehead, and dodgy eyelashes sprouting all over the place.

Poor dd, bet she is really embarrassed when I turn up looking like one of the Munsters

MaryAnnSingleton · 18/09/2009 11:28

they might revert to usual colour later - my SILs hair grew very differently at first but is now as it was before chemo..still, must make you feel pissed off -another indignity to put up with

Cakesandale · 18/09/2009 11:50

That's something to cling onto then!

It does seem like a bit of an indignity, but I am treating it as a bit of a laugh, as I know I am luckier than many, having not felt too bad on the treatment so far. Am Knackered, though. Sometimes i can hardly be fagged to get to the end of a sentence. DD gets away with murder because i can't be arsed to argue. (can usually be bothered to give her my patended Gorgon Stare, though )

Cakesandale · 18/09/2009 12:14

Come on RWU, we are waiting for photos!

reallywoundup · 18/09/2009 12:23

apologies- right i hope this works its a facebook album! (ps are either of you on fb? I'm starting to get the hang of it )
www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=122449&id=727616948&l=1db5f2c76b

Cakesandale · 18/09/2009 12:28

Oh I love those! Esp the fourth one along, what a little monkey she looks!

No, not on facebook am afraid, haven't quite got around to it - keep meaning to, wil let you onow if I do.

MaryAnnSingleton · 18/09/2009 16:47

oh I'm on facebook RWU ! am off to lok at your pics...

MaryAnnSingleton · 18/09/2009 16:51

awwww..cute ! now you've put chocolate custard into my mind..am dreadful,if someone mentions a food thing I get an awful urge to have it (obviously only if I like it !)
Hey RWU - we could be fb friends,if you wanted (though completely understand if you'd prefer to keep mn and fb pals separate !) I spent too much time on fb but it links me up to my friends and lots of my relations- plus I just ove noseying at everyone's pictures !

MaryAnnSingleton · 18/09/2009 16:51

argh- what is wrong with my typing ?

reallywoundup · 18/09/2009 18:25

ooh fb friends! def add me (i'm guessing you can add me from my album link?) if not cat me and i'll find you.

MaryAnnSingleton · 18/09/2009 19:20

I couldn't get to your profile from the pics or access your profile searching with your name - I don't have CAT on here either !

reallywoundup · 18/09/2009 19:46

well my name is the name of the spider (i think) in a film called ...... web, middle name is the first name of the actress who played sandy in the grease film, davies is my surname and my profile pic has me and dd, i am wearing a purple hat! plug that in and i should come up!

Haha, not that secretive about my name but just figure if someone googles me this won't give me away