TAMOXIFEN THREAD HERE ***

[MaryAnnSingleton]

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.

Hello Ladies,

Just got back tonight and have been wondering how you've all been doing over the past week.

Had a great hol, but despite the rigours of trying to stay upright whilst skiing and full pelt I still found my mind didn't stray far from the whole BC debacle . But the kids had a great time and it was lovely to see them skiing down the nursery slopes all on their own now. So proud!

It sounds like there's been much drama and shenanigans here. Sandripples - I'm so sorry you've had such a rubbish time. I hope it starts to heal soon. RWU - arrrgh - accents. I'm rubbish with them. My FIL is from Mumbai and despite knowing him for almost 20 years now I struggle to understand him. I hope your MIL's op goes OK.

So chemo destroys teeth too does it. I might see my dentist before all this starts to see if he's got any advice.

WRT to face creams etc, since my DX I've cleared out all my cosmetics and beauty stuff and chucked anything with parabens in. I've bought lots of lovely new stuff from here which was recommended to me by an MNer on this thread that I started when I was looking for paraben free stuff.

WRT to books I also looked to collective wisdom of MN for something to cheer me up and got a great response here.

Got 30 people coming for lunch tomorrow. Eeeek.

glad you had a lovely time Pennies - crikey that went quickly ! ...but 30 people for lunch ?! I wouldn't have enough chairs !!
I was looking idly through other threads and noticed the one on Winchester schools and that your brother went to Pilgrims and Winch. College - does that mean you are from around here (am in Hampshire) or grew up here ? sorry,that sounds as though I'm stalking you.

i've just had 3 big boxes of books and bits and bobs for the kids delivered addressed to 'the mumsnetter of the house'! christmas appeal thingy!!! i am so overwhelmed about how generous people are, i'll explore the boxes properly later when i've got time and then say thank-you on the appeal thread!!

i'm off to get some stuff from town before we go up to see MIL- she's finally having the hip op today! no rest for the wicked as they say!

how lovely - you certainly deserved a present from mumsnet santa...good luck to MIL -will be thinking of her x

Hurray, hurray I am upright after session no.4. Was dreading this one but no probs. Got vein first time, no burning and no nausea (yet...)Blood counts fine so no transfusion either only my usual booster injection.

Thanks for good wishes and info re your experiences with blood transfusiion. Sorry things not going so well for you at the moment SR but hopefuly you'll bounce back soon.

Pennies - if you fancy some more skiing - head North. we have had another 2 days of snow with more forecast later in the week..

Keeping this short as v. v. tred.
Best wishes to you all

that's great haggisdoodle- let's hope it continues ! have a good rest.
Hope things looking up for you SR xxx

Yay! Finally got rid of everyone! It was lovely to have a big bash and we had people coming over who we hadn't seen for 15 years! (Uni reunion party).

I am utterly shattered now but that could be the huge vat of wine I drank and the late night more than anything else. Feel very anxious though, which is also part and parcel of the hangover but even though I know that's what's causing the worry it doesn't make it any less horrible.

MAS - yes I grew up in Winchester - in a village outside it. I'm in Herts now though.

Might just have to snuggle up on the sofa with the DDs and watch Mary Poppins.

Hi all, I'm glad you not feeling quite so bad this time HD, and that you managed without the blood trans. (not that they're awful, but it's more time in hospital - always good to avoid). Take it easy, plenty of rest (bossy emoticon).

Pennies - party sounds great, but exhausting!
I know you can't really get away from what's going on inside your head, but I'm sure the change of scene and fresh air of your holiday will have done you good.

I'm having a de-cluttering day, (actually having a sneaky coffee break) I seem to have a house full of stuff I don't want or need. -two bags of things for charity shops so far.

My Dad has been moved to another hospital even further away from Mum. because there was no bed in the nearby one. They say they'll move him next week. He'll be in at least another week, they won't let him out until he can walk upstairs unaided apparently, - at the moment he needs a lot of help to walk on the flat. He's not quite got the hang of the zimmer frame.

Hi, have I missed something about chemo and teeth? Please let me know as my teeth are rubbish.

I came out of hospital on Friday evening so had 4 nights there for this wound abcess - had to have GA to clean it and was on IV antibiotics for 3 days. I found these really terribly painful - didn't mind having the cannula put in but when they put in 6 syringes full of stuff it was unbrearable. I was moved onto a drip instead but they weren't happy. Does anyone have experience of this agony in veins please, and any options to help? Clealr yi iwll discuss with oncolgist, whom I'm meeting on Friday.

My results BTW were that there is some spread into nodes, but due to the abcess, I'll start on chemo then have op to clear remaining nodes in March, continue chempo then rads at the end on breast only. There is some confusion about the actual grade of cancer, but that is the plan anyway.

Could really have done without the infection- now have to get wound re-packed and dressed daily for up to 2 weeks. other wound (ie on breast) looks fine.

I was between 2 mental health patients, including one with significant dementia and although I am very sympathetic it was really trying to have to deal with her/fight off her ramblings while dealing with my own discomfort/pain at times. It was Allan Bennet's Lady in the Van, if you know her! And she talked all day, trying to draw you into her world, or sadly weeping, or telling me I was very cold-hearted.......

I have read up all your news, so good luck for all the many ongoing challenges, and thanks for your support. I really enjoyed being able to have a very quick read while I was in hospital! I need to rest up for a week now and try to ensure the infection leaves me completely. Feel pretty groggy anyway with painkillers and ABs.

BTW I've had a look at the list of suggested uplifting reads, Pennies, so will aslo take it when I am up to going shopping. Thanks for that. I hope I am up to reading again soon. Am sticking with my audio book for now but I do tend to drop off and miss bits!

Just one story;
Lady in the Van next to me asked if I could please get some scissors to cut her leg off. I ignored this for a while as it was part of a general ramble but she did mention it several times.

About half an hour later it transpired the problem was that her paper knickers were too tight!

Thought some of you would appreciate this as I recall other comments about paper knickers.....

Sand Ripples, what an awful time you've had. At least you are home now. Will your chemo start soon? I had some spread to nodes + second op., it all a bit of a long haul sometimes isn't it? But you will get there.

I haven't had the pain you describe with veins. I did have inflammation of the veins when I was on chemo. But that was pain in my arm generally, yours sounds a bit different.Hopefully someone will be long soon who can help you with that one.

Take care hope you're feeling a bit better soon. xx

what a horrible time you've had sandripples

• but the lady in the van made me smile - I do like that story - I remember Alan Bennett describing how she laid out sanitary towels to dry on the van...

Poor dad KK - I think they do like to make sure they can get around the house safely before allowing patients home...hope he gets used to zimmer frame. Pennies- your party sounds great fun- very brave to entertain so many !

KK, I am seeing oncologist on Friday for first time so I hope to get a plan then or shortly after for chemo regime. I hope my boob area feels better by then as its still painful.

Pennies - I had a really busy sociable time over Christmas as I wanted to continue with the plans we'd made to host a group of Australian friends plus others, before ops and everything started. I'm glad as it was a super couple of weeks. Just make sure you allow yourself to rest for a couple of days to ensure you have max strnegth before treatment though, as it has hit me like running into a brick wall!

MAS - I wonder if Alan Bennett has written much about his cancer treatment? I did read that he'd had it and considered himself a 5 year survivor so a member of that special sot of aristocracy - his words!

Hi all!

SR - Alan bennet wrote a piece called something like "About the size of a currant bun" and it is included in the 'Untold Stories' book. I have read it, it is great and not at all the kind of thing that you need to avoid at this time. Just as entertaining and warm as his stuff usually is.

Sorry you are having such a paunful time: it does pass, but you need to rest as much as possible and also eat well. And do things that you like, it gives you such a lift.

I'd recommend a visit to the dentist before starting chemo - if there is any treatment likely to be needed over the coming few months, it would be best to get it sorted first, they can;t do a lot while you are on chemo owing to the risk of infection. I went at the outset, but then broke a tooth towards the end of my treatment, and had to beg the dentist to sort it for me, she only agreed because it was making my cheek bleed, which was a potential source of infection in itself.

MAS - you did make me laugh about the chairs, that's just the kind of thing that would cross my mind when faced with feeding 40!

RWU - glad you got your box of books, it sounds great! Hope MIL's op went OK.

Pennies - welcome back, and KK - sorry about your Dad, and your poor Mum, of course. I bet she could do with getting him back home. Hope it is soon.

Haggisdoodle - glad this latest treatment was not too bad. You never can tell how they are going to be. It's one more out of the way. Yippee!

I've bought my mum Untold Stories for her bday this week- will take a look...can't be on here for long- dh working from home

MAS - read it before you send the book off! it's worth it!

I've wrapped it, but it's ok -she lives a stones throw away- plus I've bought her about six other books !!Will grab it first !

The story is actually called - 'An average rock bun' and it is near the back of the book

Thank-you for the tip[s about A Bennett - will get this book.

For those of you who've had a lumpectomy - did your breast remain tender for a long time - or forever? Now that my abcess in armpit scar is under control I'm realising how tender the boob still is! (2 weeks since op so early days I suppose)

I think my breast was tender for a bit,but under my arm was always much more so,in comparison.
I think it must vary from person to person - position of incision etc on breast possibly might make a difference. I suspect I might have a fairly good tolerance to pain. I took only about 4 painkillers afterwards.

I think 2 weeks is early days SR, especially with the problems you've had. Have they given you anything stronger than paracetamol?

Thinking of you tomorrow RWU, and hope MIL's op went well.

The Alan Bennett sounds good, I will look out for it (when I've got my 'to read' pile a bit more under control)

DH is having a second run at his operation tomorrow, so we're preparing for another long day. At least he's had a chance to road test his new slippers, and they're good to go.

SR - I'm 4 weeks post lumpectomy today and my breast still feels bruised inside where they made the incision. I'm sure you will have already seen the bruising that the op has caused so if you can imagine what goes on inside it will take some time to heal.

The scar under my arms very itchy today. It's very annoying but I remember that I had the same when I've been stitched up on various other parts of me in the past. I am fast resembling a rag doll with the amount of stitch scars I'm sporting these days!

Bone scan results tomorrow + hopefully a more structured treatment plan. Feeling v. stressed about it all today. I feel that we've shelved this for too long now and I really want to tackle it.

The nanny hunt isn't turning much up. I'm up front about the situation in my ad to deter time wasters, but it seems to deter everyone else as well.

RWU - good luck tomorrow from me too.

good luck RWU and Pennies too for bone scan results- will be thinking of Mr KK too..
hope you didn't think I was boasting about my pain thresholds - maybe I was lucky !

Thanks MAS I'll pass on the good wishes.
(Don't worry, I didn't think you were boasting)

Fingers crossed for tomorrow Pennies. xx