**TAMOXIFEN** 4th thread

[MaryAnnSingleton]

here we go !

Cakes - think dh was there a year or so later (he's 7 years younger than me)
Camping - eek.

oh hotel -that's sensible.
And the Vatican -that will be wonderful.
We're hoping to get a dog in the autumn - a rescue hounbd if possible - have always longed for a whipper or retired greyhound, but neighbours voiced concern about cat chasing.

phew, cupcaked, was going to lobby you to change your name to WonderWoman. That makes far far more sane sense. Still sounds impressive though.

• Puppies, how cute. Will it be a wrench to let them go? I'd guess it's quite easy to sell cocker spaniels, so they'll be gone before you know it.

• I know what you mean about the scarves. Not sure how I'll feel when I get there, which am sure will be soon. DS has a few bandanas, so we tied a couple and actually I thought they looked okay. He did too, but that's when I had hair poking out from under, so we shall see. They look quite like beanies if you tie them tight, so maybe worth a go?? You can get UV ones too apparently.

SR, a few days in Wales is about what level I'm at too, though we're heading to Dorset, as some lovely friends have a holiday cottage next to their farmhouse, and have insisted we have it free for a week in August. Can't get over how generous some people are. Especially when I know they're broke. Have told DH we'll have to turn up with crates of wine at the very least.

Your treatment does sound a bit of a slog. Maybe it'll settle into a pattern that's easier? Hope so.

My mouth feels a bit better today. Been gargling! Still feeling sick though - only low level but it's getting on my nerves to say the least.

Meant to add, Pennies how are you? How was the latest round? Hope okay and resting up.

I know what you mean about scarves, I really do. Bandanas - I found OK when there was a bit of hair poking out but once that had gone, I did feel a bit too bald for comfort. Scarves follow the hairline better and cover it all up. I guess you just have to go with what you personally can deal with. I opted for scarves for comfort and good coverage of my (lack of) hair, and just took a "sod 'em all" policy towards the "ooh cancer" starers. I even wore scarves to client meetings, and clients were all unfailingly lovely. They struck just the right note - sympathetic but still happy to believe that I could get on and do a job.For which I can never thank them enough.

Oh smee, cocker spaniel puppies - beyond cute. How I would love one, and so would dd. I would be begging you to reserve me one, but I just don't have the time to devote to it at the moment

MAS - rescue greyhound or whippet - i hope you get one. They are fab, fab, fab!

Sorry - remark about pups directed to cupcaked, not smee

I have just told dh about the pups and he is putting me under major pressure. But I must be strong, we have no time to give a pup the life it should have. So now he is doing a sad puppy face and wearing the oven gloves (he thinks they look like ears)

Oh I do wish those pups were mine. Mind you I'd do even less work then.

Like the idea of your DH with oven gloves on his ears cakes. Do you read Sat Guardian mag? If so give him the Tim Dowling column. He's got a dog problem at the moment and it's put me right off. Yeay for cats I say.

I'll give it a look, anything to stop the nagging.

I lurve dogs and have always had them, but have had serious problems with the last two - so have decided to leave it for a bit. Cats far more manageable - rabbits even more so

Good luck with the seroma draining CC, and with your holiday. I love Italy, although its a good few years since I've been there. The puppies sounds adorable, cockers are lovely little dogs.

Poor Mr Cakes - let him have a puppy (adds to pressure).

Smee - sorry you're still feeling sick, hope that passes soon, its a horrible feeling. I grew up in Dorset, and my parents and one of my sisters still live there. I'm going down in July. It is the most beautiful county (slightly biased!), where abouts are you staying, if you don't mind me asking. I come from a little village between Wareham and Corfe Castle. I'm sure you'll have a lovely time.

SR - it's a bit like starting afresh on a new type of chemo isn't it? - you need a cycle to have some idea of how you're going to feel with this one. Hope it doesn't make you to worn out.

I went to a little leaving do this morning for a friend who's moving to Scotland. All very emotional - loads of us there lots of daft photos etc. Them I cycled home (7 miles) in the rain. It was actually quite pleasant, but I will confess to walking some of the hills. So I'm now rather red in the face, and achy in the bum.

Love to all - hope everyone on treatment is taking it easy and not feeling too yuk.

SEVEN miles?? bloody hell!!

Envious of being brought up in Dorset - had a holiday near Corfe Castle a few years ago, with our much-loved dog - it is lovely. I am ducking the dog pressure though, but not sur ehow long I can hold out. There's one on dd's birthday list...

Toller Porcurum (sp?!) Kurri. We went down in the Autumn and it was heaven. I went to Corfe Castle when I was little, but had forgotten about it. Must take DS there, he'd love it. Fossil hunting is his big thing for now, so we'll easily find things to do on the Fossil coast. Any tips though, let me know.

• 7 miles, well hey you're just showing off.

7 miles in the rain !!!
I absolutely love Dorset - it is my favourite county - I have had many fab holidays in a cottage right on the seaside at Ringstead Bay - dh used to walk from Ringstead to Durdle Door, I used to walk up to White Nothe or to the Smugglers at Osmington. We have also had some lovely short stays just a bit inland from Bridport. We looked at fab houses to buy in Dorchester but didn't get there in the end :-(

Puppies sound lovely. Thank goodness my DS does not read this thread .

GCSES strech out into the week after next for us but only 4 actual exams over the fortnight so yes it feels we're well on with them now. Will have to insist he does some German this w/e despite the 'German makes me want to die inside' theme from DS.

I am so glad about the hotel in Italy!! I feel quite relieved for you Cupcakes in fact!

Dorset sounds very good too Smee - I love it there. Decent beaches like in my Northumberland

Hmm, scarves etc. I have worn all sorts except a wig as for me that's the one that shouts 'I'm a wig' IYSWIM. I really should gte it trimmed but I'm pretty comfy in my head-gear. I wear a mix to suit my mood - sometimes a scraf tied in a nice style, often a buff, or a pre-tied scarf, and of course I love my two sun-hats. I've got a dinky pink one with a small brim (a cloche with a brim) and a larger lime/apple green one which I wore with hair previously anyway.

I've got a little artificial fair fringe if anyone would like it. A friend of mine recommneded it but I will never wear it so please just say if you'd like me to post it to you! The idea is you attach it to a scarf or turban (OMG I look truly awful in a turban!!) but I just look ridiculous. I'm sure it would suit other people better. Don't why I bought it - have never had fair hair or indeed a fringe .

I don't know Toller Porcorum Smee but it looks lovely on google, Charmouth is good for fossils, - bit of a drive, but we always go there for a visit (otherwise DH sulks). Durdle door beautiful, and nice for swimming too (but have those waterproof shoe things if you want to go in the sea at all, because a lot of them are shingly.) Loads of gorgeous places to visit, great for children. (I sound like the tourist board).

yes I am showing off with the cycling , but it is a nice ride - through a wooded bit, past a big country estate and over a couple of little bridges. I did it pretty slowly, I am not exactly Chris Hoy! (unless he's suddenly become a short plump middle aged woman)

at dog on Cakes DD's birthday list, you will cave - I can tell you are wavering

Have skim read today's chat on here. Puppies sound adorable. Have just emailed local guide dogs for the blind centre to investigate getting a dog that didn't make the guide dog grade. Will see what happens but I understand there's along waiting list, but that's OK.

Final chemo all loaded in today. Also had a chest Xray, CT scan and tattoos for radiotherapy so a very busy day. Exhausted and quaffing champagne.

final chemo yay !!!!! enjoy the champagne

Yes cheers to Pennies! Can't wait for that day myself, it's sort of limbo having chemo, isn't it.

SR lol at ur fake fair fringe if u have never been fair or fringed!

Good job I have no idea how to post photos of these pups. Other added complicating factor is that they are in N Ireland and might not tolerate a jiffy envelope and royal mail! But they r just so gorgeous, and have different personalities already even at 3 weeks old.

Sorry if panicked u with visions of me camping. That was plan for a while but had lots of trepidation, until another camping mum came up with this idea. Perfect! Am now looking forward to it. Bag will be filled with novels. And chocolate.

Pennies, that's fantastic - final chemo - I'm so pleased for you!

I have also got my rads tattoos and I start MOnday for 3 weeks. When do you start? We can compare notes! Must be easier than chemo but the two together feel a little daunting. Still, no needles involved and Lenny the line feels a bit more comfy today - that bit of weedingpulling out bluebells and forget-me-not I did yesterday must have shown him who's boss

My DS is on a May Queen float today - playing in the samba band! Good release after GCSs all week!

Have a good w/e everyone. Hope RWU feel better.

Pennie's YEAY!! Hope the only side effect you have today is a hangover.

cupcaked have moved from jaw dropping awe at your holiday plans to bug eyed envy.

SR hope the Rads on Monday are a breeze. Must be at least a teeny bit daunting am sure. Am impressed by your funky DS!

Just been gardening with boy and cat, sorting the tomato seedlings into bigger pots and trying to re-discover our garden path. Cancer has a lot to answer for as the weeds are winning. Half now looks sort of cleared though, so we celebrated with a picnic lunch. Might pursue a bit more in a bit, but have eaten too many cherries to bend down for a bit. Am always telling DS not to eat to many - he quite gleefully just reminded me.

Hooray for you Pennies - that's definitely a champagne moment, well done you.

Hope everyone is having a good w/e so far.

Am absoloutely shattered at the mo. having spent all day trailing round shops with DD. She came home yesterday, and is off inter railing on Monday. So a bit of hectic round here getting everything ready.

did dd get stuff KK ?
Experimented with scone baking yesterday and am now cleaning our studio with dh (so much dust and grot that the poor Dyson has packed up with heat exhaustion) Planning to put the tombola etc in there, and tea making stuff - it's a very beautiful studio but has great need of cleaning and dusting...

That sounds a big job MAS - but also a lovely place for your tea party - I hope you have a gorgeous day for it.

DD was changing money into euros, and getting little travel sized toiletries, and a couple of t-shirts etc., she also had to sort out something at the bank, - nothing major, - I'm not sure why it took us all day, but it did Oh she had a haircut as well which took a while.

I'm, going down to London with her on Monday - she's getting the Eurostar. So I'll see her off and then have a bit of a day out.

Going for seroma clearing out & removal of implants a day early so sitting here waiting to be admitted. Feeling better than last time anyway, when came in with hangover from hell.. Hoping to get home tonight, as this is the hospital where I work and I do not want to be getting wheeled about with no hair past everyone I know..

Hope the day goes well for you MAS, it is a bit drizzly where I am but beginning to brighten up so hope sun shines for u. And have a lovely day in London with dd KK, am sure she is lot more savvy than I was when I interrailed 25 yrs ago! Do not know how I survived that, but now is not that time for such stories. She will have a ball, such a great experience. Am jealous!

Only just seen your message, (so probably a bit late) but good luck CC, hope they get it s properly drained this time, and you are back home this evening

How did it go CC? I hope you're resting and comfy.

O Inter-rail, how fabulous! Shall we all swap stories now?? The good bits at least, till KK's daughter is back. I went in 1976, when I was living in Toulouse and went across France and Italy , down through what was Yugoslavia, and to Greece (this might have involved Albania but only fleetingly if it did) then back up Italy. I recall reading Zorba the Greek on a ferry - it was wonderful! We had to use our wits now and again but mainly due to the fact I was with blond german girl who attracted attention!