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.

I hope everyone is OK today. Well done RWU on supporting your MIL with her preparations. In my family we tend to think of funerals as big parties but without the main guest - the concept of a good send-off is in there I think - somewhere.

My bone scan also went painlessly today - you were all right about the scans being straightforward. No music or pictures though. Didn't have to take any clothes off so no bits of blue tissue or anything involved. I just closed my eyes and thought of looking out over the sea at Borth!

Consultant thought wound look ed Ok though will take another 10 days to 'skin over'. Then in a month he'll open it all up again for axilla clearance! Seems rather a shame after all this packing effort, but at least I won't have yet another wound and it will be same size. (I thought it would be bigger to get rest of lymph nodes out and though armpit wd be a complete patchwork - quilted too.

Bit tired now though, as quite a bit of school runs.scan runs, going to the shops waiting for radioactive stuff to sink into bones etc. Will go an watch the Olympix for a bit.

Glad you were able to help MIL, and it all got sorted RWU. A bit mentally exhausting though I imagine.

SR, good you have your scans done now. Just wanted to say my mastectomy wound got infected and was a bit of a mess, (not any where near what you have been through though) but my lymph node clearout (same wound) healed up fine and quickly - so hopefully you won't have a repeat performance of the first op.

Hi all

Glad all these very horrid things all went OK. SR, your wound won't be any bigger after the next op so fear not. And they fade amazingly quickly.

No, didn't need to do the karate - yippee! It wasn't a family session after all, I must have got mixed up (that's at the weekend, and apparently I will be going and taking part then, according to dd )

It was great though - they taught the kids how to get away from strangers. If I was a six year old with big beefy blokes grabbing me and running after me I'd have been scared witless but dd loved it (especially when she was allowed to kick them very hard [ grin] - she's going again tonight, but dh is going this time.

well done RWU - it will set MIL's mind at ease - am curious about family secrets though
Glad that bone scan went ok SR
So glad that dd enjoyed karate Cakes,and that you don't have to join in !!

Hello All!

SR - glad you found the bone scan not too bad. It sounds quite lovely actually, having 30 mins to just lie there and think about the sea! When do you get the results?

KK - glad the echo was OK and that there's no delay for further treatment. I've not really experienced delays yet (well, I suppose Xmas slowed stuff up by a week or two), but health related delays must be so frustrating.

RWU - good luck for tomorrow's chemo. Boo Hiss for DH dodging hoovering detail with the ubiquitous "bad back". I did giggle at Cakes' Manmonia though and I do hope he's OK soon.

Cakes - well done on getting out of doing Karate. I'm glad DD likes it, but doesn't what they've taught her now mean she can get away from you and DH?!

Post op results yesterday. In the affected side there was another small tumour and DCIS. Two additional lymph nodes were affected totalling 5/17, so it is good that in that there wasn't much greater spread. The other side was (typically) absolutely fine, but as I said to DH, that soldier fell for the regiment. I had some draining done last night too. I was quite impressed with the sheer amount of stuff I produced - almost proud, even! Nonetheless it seems I'll need another draining session pretty soon, the newspaper is quickly turning into the Sunday papers. So, next is meeting the oncologist on Friday to discuss imaginative ways to lose my hair. Talking of hair I got my wig on monday. I wore it last night and DH didn't notice, despite it being a touch darker than my normal hair!

Arrrgh. Whilst sitting here I've realised that a poor bird has fallen down the back of the fire grate. When this last happened I was able (with a HUGE effort) to pull the grate out and release it. I simply don't have the strength right now, so unless DH can do it when he gets back later (at 8.30-ish) then I can't really do much to help the poor thing.

Pennies - it must be a relief to have your results and know where you stand so you can get on with your treatment. So much of this business seems to involve just waiting for various results.

at your DH not noticing your wig. My DH wouldn't notice a different hairstyle if it jumped up and bit him on the bottom.

I just remembered when I had my echocard this morning, I was lying topless on the bed, and the nurse said 'which side did you have your surgery' - um that would be on the side where there is a complete absence of breast

have also giggles at your updates - fancy the nurse asking which side the op was on!

I get my results at a review on Friday, so I hope then to get some sort of plan at last, and also hope (sort of) that chemo will start soon. Breast surgeon this morning asked me how the chemo was going- didn't seem to realise it had all been held up due to the wound I'd just shown him

Thanks for comments about axilla surgery - hope I don't get too many newspapers tucked up in there! I could sort of fold one up and put it in the new crease there I have developed - wd be quite handy.

So, Pennies and sandripples, it is reviews all round then, on Friday? I wish you both all the best.

Pennies, it is good to have your results, and good if you can both start getting the next round underway, the waiting is the worst but, always. Moving forward is alweays more positive.

And glad the wig is so good! I never wore mine and am thinking of asking to send it back and get my money back - but it did make me look like a drag act, so it's good that yours is much better.

ref poor bird - and you, the fluttering is awful isn't it?

KK - glad also that first results on the echo seem OK. Fingers crossed treatment can keep going...

DD due back any minute from second session of karate in as many days (dh went) - I am afraid the newfound confidence may mean even more attitude!

bugger - I just wrote a post and it went funny and disappeared - I was just explaining how confused I get with everyones treatments and that I'm fretting about leaving anyone out !! I need to take notes - am too tired to write it all again but lots of love to everyone

MAS - I had to write notes today .

Evening ladies,
Just a quick hello. I am a bit zonked at the moment so apologies for not commenting on all that is going on with you individually but I do like to hear all of your news. It always makes me smile to hear that we all have similar domestic crises and of course, although I wouldn't want anyone to have this illness that we have, I really appreciate the support that you all give. Just knowing that someone else has been there and has managed it and is getting on with things, is such a lift. It sounds like you have all been busy though and treatments are moving on. I agree that the waiting is the worst part...
Got to go and lie down now. I am absolutely exhausted. Docetaxol is great - haven't been ill at all this time but it sure makes me tired (until I get hot flushes at 3am)! Hope you all have a good day tomorrow!

I sometimes write notes too. Depends on how much time I have, but even if I can't communicate individually with everyone on here, I always find it helpful/supportive to see how you are all getting on and I always send virtual support - warm thoughts for today, especially for BB and Pennies who must have a lot of healing to do, and RWU having chemo, and Haggis feeling zonked but also anyone else not feeling too bright whom I have overlooked.

lol at notes! i have difficulty remembering my own name at times so i'd probably write detailed notes and then not remember where i left them

Hope everyone is ok, love to all those who need it at the moment off to the hosp after lunch, have bloods booked for today as well.

I often taken notes, but then still get confused.

I am really, really under the cosh with work (not complaining, work for myself and need the cash, so hooray, but still a bit stressful) so not a lot of time to post, but I am reading everything and sending love and positive thoughts to all.

Yoga last night. I have never had cramp in my bum before

cramp in bum sounds interesting! good luck with all the work x

Yes, good luck with your work Cakes - I'm sure you'll get it done. We mustn't distract you with too many interesting posts!

I am going out tonight to see Chris Packham (the self styles geeky one off Springwatch/Winterwatch etc on BBC) as he is showing photos and giving a talk locally. My DH and I have a proud record of having almost nothing in common hobby-wise so this is one area we both enjoy. I just had a little sleep to try to ensure I keep awake this evening. Also think this might help keep my mind off waiting for these scan results tomorrow.

In case anyone vaguely interested in birds, we have a lovely tawny owl regularly round our house/garden and my DS took a photo of it last night perched on the chimney. The owl has been here for many years and I love hearing the hooting!

no chemo today after all. Had a bit of back pain the last few days- just niggles, but turns out i have a kidney and bladder infection (not really surprising with all the catheters etc i guess) i'm also quite anaemic so i've come away with antibiotics, spatone (iron supplement), more iron tablets, steroids, painkillers and sleeping tablets i'll start rattling while i walk off to get some orange juice and cranberry juice as i need to up my vit c to help absorb iron apparently then a lazy night knitting on the sofa watching tv!

Good luck for all onc reviews tomorrow ((hugs))

Good luck everyone who has appointments/consultations tomorrow. Will be thinking about you.

Sorry about the infections RWU sounds horrible, and the treatment delay. -Feet up and out with the knitting [bossy]

Hope you're feeling a bit less zonked today Haggis - take it easy.

I like Chris Packham SR, hope you have a nice evening. DH and I enjoy bird watching - we get Barn owls near us, and although I hear the tawnies I haven't seen one. DH will be of your DS's photo.

Are you still enjoying the yoga Cakes - apart from bum-cramp? - you will be able to remain serene when DD jumps on you with one of her karate moves

love to our post op ladies too.

VERY jealous of your owl (and the Chris Packham thing, I've got a bit of a guilty crush on him, as well as liking the subject matter!)

Blimey RWU I suppose it isn't surprising really, but still. Make good use of the delay for some R&R (much needed)

I am shagged out - done 9 hours today and I don't really ahve the stamina for that yet. I have only worked part time since dd was born so you see my problem, even without the whole BC thing. Still no end in sight - but it is quite rare for me to have a project where they don't care how much time I take or how much it costs as long as it is right, so it's quite novel for me. Usually I work with manufacturers who always want things done dead fast, and for nothing! I can't quite get that mindset out of my head, so I am working flat out and feeling guilty that it is going over the time quoted.

ooh KK we have cross posted. Yes thanks, still seriously loving the yoga.

poor you RWU - hope it clears up v quickly (have just painted the frame of your picture !)
I used to have iron medicine as a little girl - it was clear and vile,like eating tinspoons-I accidentally tipped it into the bath one day...
Enjoy your talk sandripples - how lovely about your owl ! ds loves birds and it's rubbed off on us too,so most holidays are spent tramping around RSPB places !
Good luck tomorrow too.
Am nervously doing another picture for a MNetter - her 3 dcs plus lots of animals -it feels quite scary !

oh and well done on all your hard work Cakes - you put me to shame !

No I don't MAS - this level of activity is highly unusual for me

I tend to work in small concentrated bursts !

MAS- looking forward to seeing it, dh is going to post the cheque when he gets off his lazy behind his back is ok (ie tomorrow )

I have the spatone which i had to beg for as the iron (ferrous sulphate i think) tablets make me constipated.

Have just popped to Morrisons to get fruit juice and came back with............. Werthers chocolates (try them they're lush!), green and blacks organic chocolate ice cream, galaxy milk shake, and two slices of belgian chocolate cheesecake there is a chocolate theme going on here!