Tamoxifen - advice please !

[MargaretMountford]

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 !

I will keep in touch - bookmark this thread ! Did you see a copy of your pathology report btw ? My surgeon said he would send me a copy of the letter he is writing to my GP with all the information.

Hi MM

Sorry for the delay in replying.

No, didn't see my report - too flippin' scared for that! I have been having an interesting time though. Yesterday I went to see the hospital hairdresser to sort out a wig (yay!) and today I have seen the nurse prior to starting chem (next Wed). I was dreading it starting today, and am now so relieved to have a week off i am going to go out to dinner.

Oh, and I have added another two people to the long list of those who have examined my left boob. I think it should have its own facebook page.

do you think you might wear a wig ? my SIL didn't, suppose it depends on how you feel when/if the hair does fall out..best to have all options open though..really hope the chemotherapy goes well for you and that you aren't too affected by side effects.
Went to see oncologist today to discuss radiotherapy - will start in a few weeks...3-4 weeks of ten mins a day,which is about 15 days. Breast clinic was really,really busy today. A friend's partner went in for a recall following a mammogram this morning but fortunately all was fine.

Phew! for your friend's partner!

Radiotherapy for 3-4 weeks sounds manageable - ish. Ask if you can use Aloe Vera on your skin - meant to be very soothing if it gets a bit sore. I plan to do the same if they'll let me.

As regards the wig - I laughed out loud when it was first put to me - but the nurse asked how I was planning to go to meetings with clients, and I had second thoughts. A friend of mine says that bald women look 'beautiful, brave and proud', but really I suspect she is trying to be nice. I think bald women just look - well, bald. I love the scarf option, and imagine this will be my main line of defence. But the wig is for 'best', or when I don't want to deal with questions. I must say, it was a bit off-putting seeing Raquel Welch modelling all the options

And guess what? Our hospital offers reflexology, Reiki etc - for FREE! I am signing up.........

I think that scarves will look chic and fetching ! Did you try a wig like your own hair ? Raquel Welch ?! must be an ancient wig catalogue
Will ask about aloe vera -the oncologist said that they will go through the what you can and can't use /washing etc at the planning session.
Had my hair cut and highlights today to make me feel a bit smarter and my hairdresser was telling me that her mum has just been diagnosed with early b cancer - maybe now that it's very close to home I'm so much more aware of it affecting so many people

Hiya

Yes, tried a wig a bit like my own hair, (it's a miracle they had ANYTHING like mine) but a very lively colour! my own hair is a colour they call 'cappucino' apparently, in wig world, so a couple have been ordered in the correct colour. And I am now ordering a couple of scarves that are ready tied, as I am hopeless at that kind of thing, and if i did it myself the bloody thing would probably fall off, the sun would glint on my gleaming bald pate, and blind passing traffic. I'd love to read the insurance claim.

Good on you for getting your hair done. Pamper yourself as much as possible, it's the least you deserve when going through all this. And I know what you mean - once it hits you, you start finding that everyone konws someone with it/who has had it. Fortunately, many of their stories seem positive.

My breast care nurse told me it was getting much more common, and the women were getting younger and younger.

Yesterday my Mum told me she was very proud of me. I nearly blubbed.

hello again ladies! glad you both seem to be doing well- the planning stage can be a bit overwhelming but once it starts you just fall into the routine of it and before you know it its all over

Wigs can be great for some occasions. I lost all my hair last summer (thankfully it wasn't that warm) i was determined that i would not be seen with a bare head and ordered a selection of wigs- i had one main one which is stunning (but cost a small fortune ) and i do still wear it on occasion when i want long hair back. but tbh i stuck to cotton hats most of the time as my scalp was sore, and only wore the wig when i was meeting people who didn't know about my treatment! if you are going to wear a wig make sure the hosp provide you with a few wig caps- a bit like pop socks for your head they stop the rubbing, i sometimes used to wear a cotton cap underneath. Oh and on windy days wear a hairband- its unlikely that the wig will come off but it makes you feel more secure!

Great news on the reiki etc- when i was having my chemo infusions i used to get an indian head massage and foot massage! twas fab and nice that ocology units are thinking of things like that.

you are a fount of useful tips abermum !
And you are brave Cakesandale - it must be very daunting to face chemo. My mum bought me a box of rose and violet creams and gave me my hair cut money

Wow abermum, those are useful tips, thank you so much. Oddly enough, as i was reading your post the hospital phoned to say my wigs have arrived, so I am off next Monday to try them on. And I'll definitely ask about the caps. And buy some hairbands.

I am just going to get the one, I can imagine that they are hot and uncomfy on a sore head. I have ordered some scarves etc online, and I think they'll be the preferred option.

You know, this is all a very rich vein of humour. One day, when a bit of time has passed, I think we will all look back on some of our experiences and howl with laughter.

Abermum - do let us know how you are doing one year on. I don't want to pry into anything that is too sensitive, but you have been such a rich source of help to me, i would love to know how things are for you now. Don't if you don't want to - but I wish you love and happiness in either case. [smile[

oops, typed my bracket the wrong way round

cakes- i'm just glad to be of service!

I was diagnosed last may with BC, underwent chemo immediately- chemo follow ups showed strange results on my blood tests and i was re-scanned- they found an ovarian mass- immediate oophorectomy and then 'just a precaution' radiotherapy. It was decided that the ovarian was primary and breast secondary.

Most recently i had another 6 weeks course of radio, and will restart chemo in 3 weeks time. I will then go for a radical double mastectomy and reconstruction which hopefully will buy me years of extra life

Unfortunately for me my cancer is treatable but not curable- one day (a long long time in the future!) my body will give in to it. But its a strangely liberating feeling- i no longer diet, do things impulsively and generally don't worry about things as much as i used to. I have recently given up work (self employed) to spend time with my family and i'm loving life atm!

my story is not a typical one thankfully- most of my macmillan group friends are well and truly on their way to a full and complete recovery.

bloody hell abermum ! you are amazing...huge hugs of admiration for your fantastic attitude

Crikey, you are amazing indeed!

Life has thrown you some shit that you are dealing with in an incredible way, all respect to you. Your family must be really proud, or will soon be so, if they are too young yet.

I had not appreciated until very recently just how much progress has been made with cancer treatment, and how much they can do now - for which I know we are all bloody grateful. I have heard a few amazing stories just recently - they have a habit of finding you, once you are a fellow traveller.

Thank you for sharing your story with us.

It looks like we are going to be chemo buddies of a sort. I'll come on here and spout my wisdom on the subject, and if you do the same, perhaps we can bolster each other a bit. And MM can share her experiences of radio as well. It is definitely easier to talk to someone who has a bit of experience.

Abermum, please can I been cheeky and ask why yours will come back?

I have the BRACA1 gene and underwent an oopharetomy last july nad a bilateral mastectomy with a failed reconstruction at the end of Feb. I also was very unwell due to getting septicemia

Just wanted to say - bloody hell TheMadHouse. How are you feeling now?

I am fine, well getting there

Operation and the after issues were a bloody nightmare and I look a state - pregnant drag queen with no norks

But I am getting some phyc help.

Worst bit is I have a nealy 3 and a just 4 year old and I am not as fir as I was, I struggle to keep up with their energy

Madhouse- recognise you from the old bc thread- i lurked as at the time i wasn't quite ready to admit it! The cells have spread to various pelvic membranes etc which aren't removable so hopefully radiotherapy and chemo will keep the spread under control. mine is quite a complex case- but i have Wales's top oncologist dealing with me now and he's fab- speaks the truth but in a nice way

I know what you mean about kids- my youngest were 6 weeks old at diagnosis- but somehow they adapt don't they.

hi TheMadHouse - am glad you are getting there, but to quote Cakes -bloody hell ! sending you my best...

Hi Madhouse

Lol at your description of yourself, bet you don't look like that at all. The confidence does take a knock, doesn't it. I do still have norks, but one has a bit of a squint and the other keeps staring at my toes.......

SSending all of you positive vibes and my very best wishes.

Thanks for being honest Aber, you are like my aunt. Her primary was peritonial due to a hytorectomy and secondry was breat She is doing well and is in remission

I def do look like that - people keep asking me when the baby is due

How old are your children now Aber?

Mine need loads of excercise and now I look much healthier the offers of help have dropped off and I dont like to ask too often, plus both like swimming etc, so I just get a bit exhaunsted.

eldest- nearly six, youngest- 16 months! with a few thrown in the middle!

I have my hands full !!

Wow - you def have your hands full. Ir must be nice to have a large family with them so close together, if not a little demanding.

Mine are 15 months apart and a joy most of the time, I would have had a bus full, if things had been differnt.

One thing though - they think my scars are cool and all ben 10 alien like . They loved the drains, fluid and blue stitches too

If you are going to loose your hair you may find "this link useful www.headcovers.com/?gclid=CMC996O88ZoCFUYA4wodTBjyJQ" to buy turbans online.

ok, most of them are pretty frightful but there are some good plain ones and its really easy to shop online.

My mum lost her hair after chemo and she found wigs itchy and annoying and was too knackered to go about to find a cap/turban in the shops.

Thanks Sullwah

I took a look at that link and you are right, some of them are quite nice - cheers for the tip! Some of the ones in the leaflets i had were absolutely dire.

hi everyone - it's me MargaretMountford returned to my usual mn name...hope you are all ok.