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Original poster

TAMOXIFEN THREAD HERE ***

985 replies

MaryAnnSingleton · 06/11/2009 09:41

Am sick of my messages never getting through - I have had 7 attempts to reply to Cakes' last post- am starting a new thread ....
this is what I wrote anyway.....

righto, this i my 7th attempt to reply on this thread - everything keeps disappearing !
My assessment is on 25th,and am told to allow two hours for it,crikey !!
Saw a lady in town yesterday who was having rads and finished at about the same time as me and she's just seen the onc. for her follow up - they are running very behind I know- so I emailed to ask about mine - I tie myself in knots in trying to be assertive yet not too needy or a nuisance - I suppose I just like to feel that everything is done in order. Am not worrying about my health -am sure breast is fine and dandy, it's more my emotional state which troubles me.
Anyway, they have made me an appointment but it's at the same time as my assessment so have emailed back and left a phone message...arghh !
Special thoughts for RWU today and of course KurriKurri - hope all ok..and of course you Cakes and Morph.

OP posts:
Original poster
MaryAnnSingleton · 11/12/2009 12:51

'knob on a cushion' - how will I erase that image from my mind ?! Hooray for new hair Cakes - I wonder if it'll grow completely differently from before - I think I mentioned SIL's hair coming back curly,then it got straight again and is back to normal now. I'd heard about the lovely long eyelashes being a feature post-chemo
Don't worry about talk of treatments/chemo and whatnot sandripples - as Cakes says you might not be on that road and no point in anticipating it until you know what's what - and also take heart from the fact that she has come through chemo very well. I do think we underestimate just what we are capable of going through and dealing with. Your Christmas plans sound great and will give you a boost - I know it's hard coming down the other side again but you have hands to hold here and am sure your breast care nurse will be reassuring.

OP posts:
KurriKurri · 11/12/2009 14:33

Hi all, just got back from my BCC keep fit class - trying to burn off some excess and pre-empt the Christmas scoffing.

Enjoy your Christmas Sandripples, as others have said rest and relaxation will stand you in good stead. Although its hard waiting for t surgery and treatment, I found that once you get started you feel as if you are moving forwards to recovery. I'm sure your DC's will be a great support to you, I think we try to be protective and sometimes underestimate their strength.

Hope you are feeling more comfortable today RWU, and the stinging is going away.

I also think the wockhardt tamox. agrees with me more MAS, isn't it odd? One would have thought they'd all be identical.

Pleased to hear your hair is making a comeback Cakes. I have been modelling the slightly butch look(or as I prefer to call it 'the Annie Lennox look'), for a few months now. Mine's come back straight when it used to be curly, and a totally different colour. I've had to have it cut twice because it keeps growing vertically from the top of my head, so I look like this

Cakesandale · 11/12/2009 14:58

Ha Ha! It's funny you should say that, I think mine might be doing similarly, it's a bit too soon to tell but it has that bog brush feel to it. I won't know whether to laugh or cry!!

Is it really a different colour? I think mine is the same colour as before. What was it before? What is it now? So many questions, now I know where dd gets it from.

KurriKurri · 11/12/2009 15:12

It was a sort of mid brown colour, and has come back basically black, with grey 'high lights'

One of my friends who had chemo around the same time as me used to have a straight blond bob, and hers has come back as really tight curls (an old lady perm, as she calls it!)

Don't know if the changes are permanent though - will have to wait and see I suppose

reallywoundup · 11/12/2009 18:04

hey girls, quick update and dash feeling back to normality now, ladybits are fine, just about to have a bath before collapsing on the sofa (again!) Appt to see aneasthetist on wed to discuss tactics (wants to do op with edipural and sedation, has been to sod off!)

I had the bog brush hairdo last xmas as well- turn it into a fashion statement and dye it a wacky colour

Original poster
MaryAnnSingleton · 11/12/2009 21:12

hope bath was nice and soothing RWU

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onestep · 13/12/2009 16:05

Hi everyone, I posted here after that ridiculous herbal post recently but haven't really introduced myself, though I've been lurking for a while...

...I've recently finished 5 months of FEC/Taxol for lobular bc. Will be having mx early in 2010.

I'm getting ahead of myself here a bit (Haven't exactly been feeling very foxy recently and soon to be out of action again post surgery)...but I was wondering if any of you post chemo had opted for a copper coil ? I'd previously been on the pill but my bc is hormone ++ so that won't be suitable. I'm 43 so may end up being menopausal anyway but I'm not taking any chances.

I'd be grateful for any comments ! Thank you.

reallywoundup · 13/12/2009 16:59

hey onestep! nice to see you. Again i cannot help as i had an oophorectomy (ovary removal) as part of my treatment so i'm not in need of any contraception. I believe that the copper coil is as effective as the mirena but doesn't nescesarily stop periods (i THINK that is the major plus of the mirena) someone may know more- could be worth a separate thread on gen health if no-one here knows any more

KurriKurri · 13/12/2009 17:05

Hello One Step, just wanted to say welcome. I'm afraid I can't answer your question (I had a hysterectomy long before I had BC ) but I'm sure someone will be along to help you soon.

I hope you are getting over your chemo, and best of luck for your surgery in Jan.

KurriKurri · 13/12/2009 17:10

oops xposted with RWU. Sorry Onestep, Did not realise you were a returning poster- you were probably here long before me

onestep · 13/12/2009 17:46

KK don't feel silly; I think I posted just the once unlike all of you...

Thanks everyone; I'll wait and see if anyone else has anything to say. if not I'll take your advice RWU and do a separate thread. Mirena not appealing because of the hormones otherwise lack of periods very tempting. but hey they might be gone for good anyway - it's just not knowing and not wanting to take a risk as we have 4 dcs already and even if I end up in remission I don't want any more !)

Original poster
MaryAnnSingleton · 13/12/2009 20:57

hi onestep and welcome back ! no advice to give I'm afraid,maybe Cakes might have an idea.

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Cakesandale · 14/12/2009 09:23

Hi Onestep and welcome back. I am sorry I also have no idea. To be honest it's a question I could do with an answer to as well - but I haven't addressed it really as sex has not been much on my agenda - far to knackered to care!

If you get an answer do share it!

Sorry to hear you have been through the mill, it really is crap, isn't it? Good luck for the surgery in the New Year. Will be thinking of you, so keep us up to date, and pop in here for a virtual hand hold anytime.

As regards the hair and hair colour chagning thing, which is now a few posts back but still on my mind - a change of colour i could live with (though the grey glints I can spot in mine are NOT what I had in mind), but the old lady perm thing is a thought that haunts me a bit. Fingers crossed that I don't get that - but I think from what I have heard the curls are quite common, and then relax later. So here's hoping for KK's friend.

Good luck with the anaesthetist RWU - I was going to say you should tell him to 'shove it', but then, in the circumstances of what is going to be put where, i decided a different term might me more appropriate. But the thought is the same. Go for full on knock-out drops if at all possible.

I have my check up with BC nurse the same day. ho hum.

Original poster
MaryAnnSingleton · 14/12/2009 09:26

don't let that anesthetist bully you RWU !

OP posts:
reallywoundup · 14/12/2009 09:46

i'd like to see him try i would prefer full on knock out (sedation just gives me the creeps and is TOTALLY out of the question) but i may consider edipural depending on what time scale they agree for discharge (gen an under an hour they can discharge the same day providing there is someone at home)

Here's to a good start to the week ladies! last week of term for ours- come 2pm Friday the house will be CHAOS !

KurriKurri · 14/12/2009 11:04

Hello all. I hope a good weekend was had all round. Best of luck for anaesth. appointment RWU, stick out for what you are most comfortable with and what is best for you. I sometimes wonder what anaesthetists would suggest if it was them on the table!

I am now officially a year older (I was fifty on Sunday), I had a lovely day, DD came home for the weekend and DS had the afternoon off from work. DH got me a fabulous bike, It is blue and shiny and I'm very, very chuffed. We live out in the sticks and there are very few buses, it will be great for getting around. I've never actually had a brand new bike in my life (always hand me downs). It also (very importantly) features a special padded saddle!! he also got me a brilliant bright pink helmet. The world is my oyster

Aside from that I got lots of lovely cards and messages, and DD made me a cake (five candles, one for each decade!).

Right I will stop rabbiting about my birthday now.

Original poster
MaryAnnSingleton · 14/12/2009 11:19

oh KK - happy,happy birthday !! the bike sounds brilliant Is it one of those gel saddles ?

OP posts:
KurriKurri · 14/12/2009 11:50

Yes that's the one MAS, -reinforced to accommodate my bottom

reallywoundup · 14/12/2009 12:21

happy belated birthday KK! you are a braver woman than me to ride a bike sounds good to have a bit of freedom though (i know the living in the sticks feeling- tis crap, thankfully i drive so am ok usually!)

reallywoundup · 14/12/2009 12:27

now that all the facebook privacy has changed shall we all try and 'connect' again? i believe now that i can be found via search?

Cakesandale · 14/12/2009 13:04

Very many happy returns KK, the bike and all the celebrations sound lovely. It is a while since i got on a bike - I am more likely to get the car out to go to the end of the road but would love to get back into it. maybe I will in 2010!

I'd really like to link up on Facebook - maybe that is another project for 2010. Whenever i am on the 'pooter I am working (or pretending to work) and have not got round to facebook, or LinkedIn (and that is very embarrassing as client contacts keep asking me to join their network, but I never get round to it).

Hold out for major anaesthetic RWU. Ignorance is definitely bliss where surgery is concerned.

Original poster
MaryAnnSingleton · 14/12/2009 13:06

RWU -what was the clue to your real name for me to search on fb ?

OP posts:
reallywoundup · 14/12/2009 21:55

this is what i posted last time "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!" i think it should show up but maybe not the profile pic BUT i am the only one with that exact name and i have quite a few 'notable' mn characters on my friends list if that helps!

sandripples · 14/12/2009 22:19

Happy Birthday to KK!

I was 55 the day after my core biopsy which wasn't the best birthday ever! However I am really looking forward to Xmas now and won't let this thing get in the way.

I had a good w/e - haven't cried for 3 days now which is progress! I am feeling a bit calmer and have also told my DS this evening, and he took it very well. Relief for me. Also went to see my GP today (who had just had the news from the hospital) and he was pretty relaxed about it really!

I also have people who ask me to join Linked in - I feel its a conflict of interest actually somtimes and I need to explain why to some of them - I don't feel I can 'endorse' them as it could be taken as a reference due to former colleague-relationship.

KurriKurri · 14/12/2009 22:29

Many thanks for birthday wishes everyone.

RWU, I'm not on facebook, and don't really know anything about it, so its workings are a mystery to me. (old fart emoticon )

Sandripples, I'm glad you managed to tell your DS, I'm sure he'll be a great support to you. Trying to keep everything secret so you don't worry people is a great strain. I'm so pleased you managed to have a nice weekend, and are looking forward to Christmas.