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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.

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reallywoundup · 21/12/2009 17:03

You deserve it!
quickly, MIL has had scan very bad news- it was not a stroke as first thought, she has a brain tumour. DH is in pieces, family are flying around the countryside to get here as we speak, i'm getting kids fed and changed and then going up to see her, they are transferring her to Cardiff asap for possible surgery. Now i'm in purely practical mode as i don't think i have any emotion left will update you all when i get a chance- but incase hope you all have a fab christmas! relax and take care! all our love, the RWU's

Original poster
MaryAnnSingleton · 21/12/2009 17:26

oh God RWU that's awful -sending you lots of love and good thoughts to get through this xxxx

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Cakesandale · 21/12/2009 19:00

Oh no, I am so, so sorry to hear this.

Sending positive thoughts and Christmassy prayers for you all.

Your poor dh. And you!

Stay strong and enjoy Christmas as much as you can.

xxx

sandripples · 21/12/2009 19:05

RWU - No wonder you chose this nickname - I don't know how you are coping but I can only wish you 'bon courage' French fashion, as nothing else seems appropriate, and I hope you and your family can enjoy Christmas somehow.

KurriKurri · 21/12/2009 19:23

Oh RWU, I am so sorry, so sad for you and your poor DH.

Am thinking of you especially for tomorrow, and keeping your family in my thoughts over Christmas. xx

reallywoundup · 21/12/2009 21:29

Right been up to visit, she's being transferred as soon as they have a bed avaliable (could be middle of the night- any minute basically) she is very confused now- i think its all to much for her damaged brain to calulate iyswim- she keeps telling us that she's ok because the phone is right next to her and Robert upstairs will keep and eye out and pop down to check on her while SIL is at work, basically she's sure she is sitting at home and wonders why we all keep popping round 'because its a hell of a journey' hopefully it will slowly sink in- then we all know the hard part is accepting it!

So until she is moved they have started her on steroids to see if the brain swelling reduces enough to make the op viable (she's 80, atm the op would be unbelievably risky) On a more positive note she is the most compus mentus on the entire ward- i got preached at by a fellow inmate about farmers wifes and farm tenancies and how it's disgusting! Bless its a bit 'one flew over the cuckoo's nest' in there!

She is adament that i continue with my op- won't do her any good if i am still in pain and having to drive the 5 hour round trip to cardiff, i'm not an oncologist or a neurosurgeon so i can't personally DO anything so we are going ahead as planned.

will update when i am home- take care all- sorry its been me, me, me for the last few days- i will have a scout through when i get the chance and catch up with all your developments x

Original poster
MaryAnnSingleton · 22/12/2009 07:22

take great care of yourself RWU - good luck today and lots of good thoughts whizzing your way x

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Cakesandale · 22/12/2009 09:35

Bless your poor Mum in Law - I take back all I said about in-laws (though only in her case, it still stands for mine )

Thinking of you all - and especially you, RWU. Virtual hand holding for your own op, and also for all the other stuff you are having to deal with.
xx

KurriKurri · 22/12/2009 10:08

Good luck RWU, virtual (un-mumsnettish) hugs for you today, and thoughts for your poor MIL. xx

KurriKurri · 22/12/2009 11:12

SandRipples - I love the beach too, I grew up round wild rocky coast, and now live in an area of long stretching sands. Nothing lifts my spirits more than being down by the sea . I'm glad you have managed to talk to both your children now, it does help when you don't feel as if you are keeping something from them.

It will be lovely to have your friend to help out and support you after your op. - A bit of TLC never goes amiss!

Have a good relaxing Christmas, and take care.

Fizzylemonade · 23/12/2009 09:45

I have been lurking on here for about a week and have to take my hat off to you all for such amazing courage. How the hell you all go about day to day stuff knowing that you are fighting cancer is incredible.

My Mum was diagnosed with breast cancer 3 weeks ago (both her sisters have had it) but then they scanned her and told her it was secondary and her lungs are the primary. So she has secondary cancer in her breast, central chest lymph nodes, spleen, thighs and brain.

She is currently having chemo and my question to you all is, for those of you who had to have chemo or radio did any of you take LifeMel honey which has been suggested increases white blood cell count? We have bought my Mum some and she is eating some every day.

I promise I am not a journalist but just a sahm wanting to help my Mum in any way shape or form.

She is on her 3rd day of chemo, on a 21 day cycle of it. She is doing great, very positive. She is 62yrs old. 3 months ago before she just started with a stiff hip she was on a wii fit every day with a wii fit age of 29!!! Puts me to shame

Merry Christmas to you all.

reallywoundup · 23/12/2009 10:06

i'm alive!! had a blood transfusion as i staretd bleeding but on reflection the surgeon thinks he was being somewhat pro-active and it wasn't strictly nescesary- feel bloody terrible and a bit fed up of feeling like an inconvenience, but nurse on her way to check me and change dressing and marvel at my black and blue swollen belly!

Fizzy- i'm afraid i've never heard of the honey thing but i tend to live in blissful ignorance of most things, best wishes to you and your mum, a truely terrible time of year for a dx, but do try to enjoy the festive period, it will mean a lot to your mum- we do have some strong characters on here but i think it's all part of the coping mechanism. feel free to come and chat anytime. sorry if i'm being a bit vague, not quite in the real world again yet! I'm sure some of the others will be along soon and will be of far more assistance

Original poster
MaryAnnSingleton · 23/12/2009 10:59

am glad you're back RWU - battered and bruised but safely with us ! take it easy though
Fizzylemonade - welcome - what a shock for you - really do wish your mum well in her treatment - I haven't heard of this honey I', afraid but I can't imagine it does any harm to take extra nutrients in -honey seems a good source of energy and has antiseptic properties - plus it always helps to feel you are taking control by doing something positive.

OP posts:
Cakesandale · 23/12/2009 11:43

Great to see you back RWU - even if battered a bit! Take it steady, no visiting MIL yet! Hope she is doing OK...

Fizzy - no I am afraid i have not heard of the honey either. On chemo you have to be quite careful about supplements, I was taken off all of mine, but I should think honey would be fine. Do get her to ask a nurse or the doctor just to be sure, she can always phone them, no need to wait for an appointment.

Sorry she is going through this - and you, too. Enjoy Christmas and post away on here! We have been precious little help to you so far, but you never know!

KurriKurri · 23/12/2009 12:21

Lovely to see you RWU, good to get that op. out of the way. (hope its not too uncomfortable and black and blueness fades soon)

Welcome Fizzy. I'm so sorry to hear about your mum, what a terribly difficult time for you all, but it sounds as if she has a lovely daughter to support her.

I'm afraid I don't know anything about the honey either, but I'd just re-iterate what everyone else has said. Check with her chemo unit that its OK, and if so go with anything that makes her feel good. I'm glad she is keeping positive, and wish her good luck with her chemo.

Cakesandale · 23/12/2009 12:29

Have just booked the panto for dd -so now feeling Christmassy at last! And we have had a disagreement over which one to go to, so the true spirit of Christmas has now kicked in

Fizzylemonade · 23/12/2009 13:46

Hello to all and thank you for being so lovely. She has checked with chemo unit, she is under The Christie as she is in Lancashire whereas I am in God's Own County Yorkshire.

There have been some Drs who appear on TV saying it looks promising, there doesn't seem to be an extensive study but from the small number of people who have taken it they have benefited.

Despite my Mum being riddled with it it was technically caught early. She was part of a drug program for breast cancer! So she was like the control part and had bone scans and mamograms every 12 months to see if the drugs caused any osteoporosis change in breast tissue. She volunteered because both her sisters had breast cancer before the age of 50.

Her breast cancer was picked up on that but the biospy showed it wasn't the primary site so she had a CT scan and an MRI. We are hoping that because she was in good health before all this that it stands her in good stead for the treatment. She is a fighter and takes it all as it comes. She keeps joking about what hair style her wig will have.

My Aunt was on tamoxifen after her breast cancer.

My Mum stops her chemo now, just has the 3 days worth until it rolls round again so she will be with us all on Christmas day as always, we have a big family get-together. It is myself and my two sisters and our husbands and my sister's girlfriend. Plus my 2 children and my sister's 2 children (not the lesbian one yet) although it does make me wince every time I see a turkey baster

We cherish my Mum dearly, she normally comes over here every week to spend the day with me and picks my son up from school which is their special time together. He is missing that. He is 6 1/2 and my youngest is 3 1/2.

I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Cakesandale · 23/12/2009 18:30

at the turkey baster!

I am glad that your Mum seems to have got onto this early, that and her positive attitude - plus all your support - will stand her in very good stead.

The honey sounds promising, trust me to have missed out.

Have a lovely Christmas. And come back here to let us know how it is going - or just to chat! xx

Original poster
MaryAnnSingleton · 23/12/2009 18:36

turkey baster -eww !
do come back whenever you feel the need Fizzy..and have a very happy Christmas

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KurriKurri · 23/12/2009 19:06

Just got back from tesco's so am sorely in need of a cuppa! (I had Mr. Alittlebitgrumpyandfed up with me which didn't help!)

I'm glad your mum's getting a little break from her chemo over Christmas Fizzy. It sounds like you are a close family and it will really help her having all your love and support. I hope you all have a merry Christmas.

What Panto did you decide on Cakes? My DS is in Dick Whittington so we'll go and see it after Christmas, as he gets complimentary tickets. (On the down side, we don't see much of him over Christmas)

Original poster
MaryAnnSingleton · 24/12/2009 11:42

In case I don't get back here - everyone have a fab and lovely and as stressfree a Christmas as possible - this thread has meant a lot to me and the wise words and support has been wonderful- thank you so much...lots of love xxxxxxx

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reallywoundup · 24/12/2009 12:35

Cakes- did you get anything from santa yet ?

Cakesandale · 24/12/2009 13:40

Hi all

KK Your son is in a panto? How cool is that! We are seeing beauty and the Beast in Coventry (nearest to where we live). What part does your ds have? I am in awe!!

RWU - No Santa deliveries yet, no.
Have you been up to something? And if so, how do you find the time?!? We have just beent racking Santa on Google Earth, don't think he is in Europe yet but I'll let you know if he does!

And how are you feeling? Hope the bruises are going down, and that you - and KK, MAS, and everyone else - have a very fab Christmas.

I have got infected radio burns. Yuk. Green goo, antibiotics and NO DRINK over Christmas. Aaaawrgh!!

Original poster
MaryAnnSingleton · 24/12/2009 13:54

poor Cakes sounds horrid...no drink is a bummer
Am also incredibly impressed by panto star son KK !

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KurriKurri · 24/12/2009 14:06

Hello all, sorry to hear about the burns Cakes sounds nasty, poor you. Hopefully the AB's will kick in quickly.

DS is playing the Sultan In DW, and a few smaller parts (namely a gorilla of the 'its behind you' variety ) also doing some stage manager work. He's an actor and panto pays well so he can do less well paid stuff the rest of the year.
Beauty and the Beast sounds fun, hope your DD enjoys it

I hope you're feeling a bit less battered and bruised today RWU, and are in good voice for barking orders

Hi MAS, thanks for your good wishes, have a lovely Christmas, and thank you everyone for all your support since I joined, you are all fab!

Merry Christmas to everyone who posts on this thread, (or reads it ) xx