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**TAMOXIFEN** 4th thread

951 replies

MaryAnnSingleton · 28/04/2010 07:24

here we go !

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reallywoundup · 02/06/2010 23:28
MaryAnnSingleton · 03/06/2010 08:23

Hello RWU ! am sure new big girl's bed will be as opulent as the amazing round cot ! sad though when they move on from one stage (but good too)
Lots of luck with new chemo next week - am glad that onc. feels things are staying put -obviously something is having effect. Lots of luck too with half term
As for gardening - I take no credit as dh does it all - I just admire.
Lots of love to Smee for today

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sandripples · 03/06/2010 10:34

Good to hear your news RWU! Liked the gardener's world confusion . Very glad the onc is pleased with you too.

Smee - I agree not all MO'F's books are at the same standard but yes I really like this one and think it definitely worth buying. For me it described some motherhood/parenthood feelings that no other author has done and I identified with them.

Cakesandale · 03/06/2010 11:39

Bush with white berries. Snowberry? Only one I can think of, and I think it is a bit invasive. get a bloke to hoik it out, or you'll out your back out (so might he, but that's not your problem ).

A massive YAY! to KK for end of herceptin and a huge HALOO to RWU: glad something is having the desired effect. Hope Monday will be OK: sure it will. DD will be so proud of her big girl bed.

Hope all goes well today Smee: well done on the water thing!

You are all putting me to shame with the industrious gardening:I must do some (but not this weekend we are going to Yorkshire to a wedding - and we plan to make sure we see some sea, we are truly landlocked where we live )

KurriKurri · 03/06/2010 14:12

Woo hoo - just had my last herceptin and its almost exactly 2 years since my DX. So a couple of milestones for me.

Great to see you RWU - and good news that the oncologist is pleased with the treatment. Good luck for Monday, will be thinking of you. (and bless little DD with her big girl bed).

I second snowberry SR, they do take over a bit - I think I may have yanked one out of our border at some point!

Hope everything is going fine for you today Smee - take things steadily when you get home.

I'm about to ring round various camping shops to see if they have a rucksack DD wants. (Not in Millets or Blacks near her). She's home on Friday next week, then away interailing round Europe on the Monday - so bit of a rush on to get herself organised.

Love to all.

Cakesandale · 03/06/2010 14:25

Get HERSELF organised? Sounds like you are getting involved as well, KK!

Woo-seriously- Hoo for the last herceptin. Two years. Crikey, what a haul. I think it calls for a celebration of some kind - cake, champagne, whatever, but def something.

I have just been to take part in a clinical trial - effects of lifestyle on breast cancer survival rates (basically they monitor us for five years to see what we eat, drink, do, and see how we get on). They have to take blood and you answer lots of questions. God, that took me back!

I seem to be taking part in a lot of these - suppose it is all part of being treated at a teaching hospital where they do bags of research...

KurriKurri · 03/06/2010 14:36

Thanks Cakes .

The trial sounds interesting, and nice to think you can get involved in something which will be useful for others.

You may be right about me doing the organising - I suspect I am something of a soft touch!

Pennies · 03/06/2010 15:00

SR ? did you get your Hickman / picc line sorted? I was wondering if they might consider a portacath, which is what I have. Link here for more info. Pygmalion sounds like lots of fun. Well done on the spring cleaning ? I?m like you and make the most of the energy I get on my weeks off. I?m quite manic sometimes!

Smee ? good luck for today. I may have missed it but what chemo regimen are you going to be having? Did you decide what to do about your family party? FWIW I am generally OK from my Friday chemo until 4pm on Sunday and I start to go downhill. But everyone is different, so you may experience something else. WRT to chemo tips ? get loads of fizzy water in. I?ve drunk gallons of the stuff. Not sure why but it just hits the spot. As to taking pain killers to ease symptoms, well in the last 24 hours I?ve necked several codeine and a handful of nurofen! What your Onc is worried about is you getting an infection and that taking remedies will mask that infection. It?s not an inconsiderate concern at all, because an infection can get troublesome very easily when you?re immuno-compromised. My onc did say however that if you are getting septic, paracetamol and other stuff will have trouble masking it. I have been septic a couple of times on chemo (and once after childbirth) and you can tell because nothing keeps the temp down. Follow their advice based on the symptoms you experience as and when you do.

MAS ? the strawberry tea sounds lovely. I love things like that! Save us a few cakes.

Cupcaked ? welcome to the thread. Sorry you had to join us. I?m guessing from your name you?re not averse to a slice of cake so you?ll fit in fine here with us because we?re pretty much obsessed with the stuff! Yay for the buzz cut, new frock and blue hairy toes. I like your style. I ended up shaving mine off and feel and look a lot better for it. Chanelling my inner rock chick!

KK ? Congrautlations on your final Herceptin! I can?t imagine being at that point. I expect it will be an emotional day. It?s interesting what you say about brain training. I keep friends and family updated about my progress every fortnight or so with a long email about how I?m doing. I sometimes spend ages writing it, making sure there?s information and humour and I seem to have developed a bit of a fan base. If one doesn?t go out on time I get people emailing me and ringing me for the next one! It certainly has been beneficial to me because I find that finding humour in this situation helps me to deal with it.

Cakes ? headlice. Argh. Now I knew there was a silver lining somewhere about this who chemo malarkey ? no lice for me!

Pranma ? so sorry to hear about your friend. I hope Tuesday went well.

RWU ? lovely to see you and great news that the treatment?s doing good stuff. Good luck with the additional chemo. House improvements sounds great, as does the new bed. My DCs were so excited about their big girl beds, that even two years on they consider them to be brand new!

Sorry not to have been around much. I tried to post on Saturday but lost the whole thing and didn?t have the energy to re-do it. I?m on chemo no. 7 out of 8 now. This is a tough one. Emotionally I?ve been very low (a total meltdown at a stranger and crying uncontrollably when DH served me penne instead of spaghetti ) and this time the Taxol has given me strong aches and pains. I had a bad day yesterday pretty much wiped out all day but am much better today. It doesn?t help that I?m anaemic and need a blood transfusion, which is scheduled for next Monday so I?ve got to drag myself through the weekend. Been for a lovely walk with the children this morning. Off for a quick nap now and hopefully tomorrow will mark the beginning of me feeling more normal again.

I hope that the others are all OK ? BB, Wubbly, Haggis, Ebbie22? Hope I?ve not forgotten anyone.

MaryAnnSingleton · 03/06/2010 19:38

lovely to see you Pennies but sorry to hear that you've been having a rough time - but 7th out of 8 is good news.
Hope blood transfusion helps.

Had a very lovely walk in the beautiful gardens at Gilbert White's house - it's idyllic there.

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sandripples · 03/06/2010 20:58

Hi Pennies, nice to read you! Sorry you've having a rough time. On the other hand you're nearly at the end of all the chemo which is wonderful.I'm continuing with my manic phase and today I de-mossed the back yard patio, washed the garden furniture and oiled the wooden table and chairs. It looks nice out there now. I have a few extra manic days this cycle (yay) because tomorrow's clinic was full so I'm going on Tuesday instaed. so that 3 extra days of feeling good

Picc line not sorted yet but am seeing onc tomorrow so hope to discuss with him and also try to see the nurse that I like. I'm provisionally booked in for MOnday for a line but confess I've got myslef into a bit of a state about whole thing and am not sure what I want, or what I should do. Just hope tomorrow will help.

Weather has been idyllic here too - long may it continue. DH is showing a friend how our trailer tent works at the mo' as friend is borrowing it for a few days.

Cakes, that's great that you can help with the trial. Is it all about weight control and exercise or is it more complicated? Do you get encouraged to take any dietary measures?

Smee - how are you doing?
Best wishes to all, including any lurkers!

cupcaked · 04/06/2010 01:30

I have been asleep for a day and a half! Discovered nozinan, anti-sickness which is also sedative. Climbed the walls till 5am on tues after chemo but since this stuff, have slept like v large baby. Tg for my mum keeping the plates spinning. Big yay to kk on last herceptin. I hear people often get quite down at end of treatment so don't be expecting miracles of yourself. Pennies, nice to meet u and hang in there, ur nearly out the other end.

SO impressed with the gardening and patio cleaning, and even walking. I hardly have energy to get upstairs to bed now, only came down as my brother brought round his first born day old baby son to cheer me up, beautiful beautiful boy and the double of his daddy, whom I remember vividly at same age, when I was 7.

Smee, lie low, zero expectations for next few days, and good on ya for getting started.

Nite nite all!

MaryAnnSingleton · 04/06/2010 08:28

SR enjoy the nice weather with your reprieve !
Hope all went well Smee and that you're resting
love to all !

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sandripples · 04/06/2010 16:35

Well done CC. Good that you've got support and how lovely to see the new baby!

DEcision now - PICC line arranged to Monday - nurses said I would definitely not manage 8 chemos with my veins, so I feel I'd rather nget it now and get the benefit for all 8. Onc. was pleased with me.

Have a good w/e all. I've had lazy day today after all my domestic mania over last 2 days.

MaryAnnSingleton · 04/06/2010 17:53

that's good SR - hope all goes well on Monday and have a restful weekend.

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smee · 04/06/2010 19:15

A big whoop of HOORAY for KK. Last one is a ridiculously huge milestone and now a sunny weekend too. Hope you've celebrated lots. How fantastic.

Hello again Pennies, I'm 3xFEC/3xTax - is that the same as you? Though you're having 8, which seems to me. The aches must be hard, and I'd bet the anaemia is making them ten times worse. Poor, poor you. Hopefully after the transfusion you'll feel back up there in energy levels. And as MAS says, 7/8 is at least some good news.

SR, that's confusing about the Picc line. Shame you don't have a clear idea really I'd guess wait for the wisdom of the Oncologist. They should help you decide.

cupcaked, I like the sound of the Nozinan - great name too!! I have indeed been lying low, and am not so bad after chemo 1. Actual infusion was fine, and last night managed a bowl of pasta and even slept well, but then was horribly sick this morning. Slept a bit, crawled round the garden a bit and now feel human again. So if that's how it is for me, well that's not too bad. Fingers crossed in any case.

My anxting about family party has nearly abated. Have decided if I still feel like this in the morning we'll go. Something psychologically good about doing things. Also I think it'll help my family a lot if I can go and be positive/ look normal-ish. I've only just told them all, so they're still in catch up/ panic mode about me. DH will stop any ridiculous denial on my part. He's quite a rottweiller on my behalf at the moment. Very sweet, as he's not like that at all..

Thanks all for your good wishes. Those and all the advice has really helped me through.

And isn't this sun wonderful? Was thinking at least I've timed this right. Must be bleak in the depths of winter. Here's to more sun then.

cupcaked · 05/06/2010 01:45

Smee, that sounds like not a bad result at all from chemo 1: am hoping sickness behind you now and you can get to the party. It will be tough talking about it ad nauseam but only has to be once (to each person). If you're up to it, it will definitely help them to see that you haven't turned into a completely unrecognisable sick person, and you to show them that. Did you get steroids as well as Zofran? I actually have more anti-sickness tablets than I need, a good position to be in, so let me know if you need any

SR, I think you will be glad of the PICC, the nurses are the ones finding the veins and if they reckon it is going to take some hunting around before too long, I would go for it too.

Yes indeed here's to more sun, makes everything a little more bearable..

KurriKurri · 05/06/2010 13:33

Hi all - sorry to hear you are a bit low and not feeling so well Pennies, - but only one left now - the light at the end of the tunnel How is the allotment going? If you don't feel up to digging, you will have to be forewoman, and boss your DH about

Smee - you may well be off to your party by now, I'm pleased you haven't felt too awful so far, and I think you are right to try and keep things as normal as poss. a day with you family may be just what you need.

Cupcaked, - it's good you've found something that works for the sickness, I remember that the only one that worked for me send me to sleep for hours, but it was a reasonable pay off as far as I was concerned - the bedroom looking like a pharmacy is something I can identify with too! How is your seroma now, any improvement?

SR - very pleased they are sorting out a PICC for you (is that the one in your chest? I'm not very well up on these things, and if so do you have a GA for it to be put in?) Anyway if it cuts out the ghastly vein hunting then it will be worth it - you don't need that as well as everything else.

Hope everyone is having a good weekend, and those on treatment can get a bit of time sitting out in the sunshine. I'm gardening today (as usual - sorry RWU, it is a bit like gardeners world), and planning on a nice long walk later when it cools down a bit.

Oh and bless you all for your good wishes on my treatment finishing, - I have a large bunch of flowers from DH to mark the occasion

sandripples · 05/06/2010 19:55

Thanks for the best thoughts everyone. I am having PICC line in on MOnday. KK - its the one that goes into your upper arm. Local anaesthetic only so lets hope I don't faint! HOnestly I used to be quite a tough person and certainly had no needle phobia before all this and now I've turned into a jelly.

Pennies - hope you'll feel better soon.

CC and Smee - hope you are continuing to manage well.

Everyone (except possibly RWU who is busy and I hope enjoying herself with DD'd bedroom ) enjoy the garden this nice w/e! DH and I went to garden centre today and bought lots of stuff - must finish containers tomorrow in acse I am incapable as of MOnday as can't imagine doing much with this line - for a few days anyway) We also had nice walk on the beach at Formby - lovely sunny afternoon.

cupcaked · 05/06/2010 23:54

SR the line will be fine, and really won't be any worse getting inserted than an ordinary drip, they just push it much further up your arm once it's in the vein. And I don't think it will inhibit you that much in terms of what u can do.

Seroma ok, KK, in that it keeps growing like an egg but then leaking through the scalpel hole which had closed over but is obviously the path of least resistance. Wasn't expecting it to do that and when it happened on Thursday my pyjamas got covered with blue dye, still there from the surgery on April 2- anyone else get that awful dye injection? (into nipple, no anaesthetic, good grief...) I am happy enough with this but rang surgeon and she isn't really so am off to see her on Thursday.

But after hair, nothing in the treatment really holds fear for me now. Am sure that is a very naive attitude!

Happy Sunday all, whatever you've planned, if anything. Hope Smee's party went well.

MaryAnnSingleton · 06/06/2010 12:27

hi cupcaked ! yes, i had the blue dye, but they put it in during surgery -but I did have the radioactive stuff put in as you describe which was not very pleasant - and of course had the turquoise wee and odd blue patches on my arm for a bit.
So horrid about the seroma -poor you.
SR - good luck tomorrow with picc. am sure you'll be fine and dandy.
Off to take ds out to lunch as a pre-birthday treat
Have a good sunday everyone

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sandripples · 06/06/2010 12:45

Cupcaked, and MAS = thanks for your support. Isn't it funny how we all respond differently to all this. For me the loss of hair was/is the least of my concerns as the vein pain has dominated throughout since the days of the infection after 1st op and the antibiotics were so horrible.

The dye injection sounds ghastly - at least its over for you. Glad I didn't have that.

I feel a bit tired roday - have been a doing a bit too much while I had energy so will calm down now.

I feel once I get to the end of June (well 4th July really) and end of rads I will feel I can see the end of the tunnel. Meanwhile GCSEs and loads of treatment for 3 weeks!! I will behave as nosmally as I possibly can for the sake of my DS.

KurriKurri · 06/06/2010 13:09

very good luck for tomorrow SR, I am so pleased they are sorting this for you - you really have enough to deal with when you're having chemo, and you want to be as relaxed as is possible in the circs. I sure it will help things.

CC - I had the blue dye thing, DH came in with me and was cringing as they stuck the needle in. I didn't realise the dye hung around for so long - that must have been very disconcerting for you. Maybe the surgeon will be able to do something on thurs. to help settle things down. I admire your attitude - if you can go with the flow as much as possible with regard to treatment, it makes it all a bit less daunting.

Have a lovely lunch MAS and happy birthday to DS.

Rather a cold dull day here, - I may be forced to do some ironing.

sandripples · 06/06/2010 18:57

Thanks KK. Its been cold and grey here too - this is supposed to be flaming June! Its not good enough.

I watched the Roland Garros tennis final (and only fell asleep for a few points!) then DH and I potted up some containers. I'm going to take my DS out now for a very short walk as he hasn't been out for 2 days and I'm sure Maths GCS will be better after a tiny amount of fresh air. And so might I as I'm a bag of nerves about the comiong week.

smee · 06/06/2010 20:27

Tennis and GCSE's there's a heady mix. Am back from my family weekend. Felt good mostly. Though my brother won the prize for most number of cancer platitudes. I don't think he quite knows how to be real with me about it yet..! Me and DH had quite a laugh about it.

Still feeling sick-ish, but otherwise not too bad. Cupcaked, I think we got v.different drugs. I got Metoclopramide alongside steroids and that was it. I was expecting loads more, but just two tiny boxes came home with me. Am suspicious that the Metoclopramide are doing the opposite of what they should. Did a trial on myself at lunchtime and missed a dose, and feel lots better now.

  • that seroma still sounds pesky. Surely it has to go soon?! The blue dye I didn't encounter, as they just took all my nodes at once (it is the sentinel node thing you had it for isn't it??). Sounds like something I'm glad I missed though.

SR. Good luck tomorrow. Picc line does sound sensible. At least once that's in you can put the worry about veins behind you. Can't believe you've just a few weeks left. Maybe the GSCE's are a good distraction in some ways.

MAS happy birthday to your son. Mine was six last week. Seems so big now. We've just finished the last of the cake.

MaryAnnSingleton · 06/06/2010 21:14

sounds as though the family w/end was good Smee -well done !
Ds enjoyed lunch out - really can't believe he will be 13 on Tuesday !

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