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**TAMOXIFEN** 4th thread

951 replies

MaryAnnSingleton · 28/04/2010 07:24

here we go !

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Cakesandale · 23/06/2010 16:14

'Now we are Six' - shame

When I was 10 and thought I was VERY grown up an elderly relly bought me a card that said 'It's great to be 9' : I was pretty miffed.

That's the great thing about birthdays - cake. DD has got an absolute beauty, but she is over at our local sports club watching the footie so I can't have a slice

Well, I suppose I could but she hasn't seen it yet so best not

In happier news - client who has owed me £3k for yonks has jsut stumped up. Hoorah!

Pennies · 23/06/2010 16:57

MAS very well done on the Strawberry tea, but so sorry to hear about your fall. Hope the ribs are feeling better today.

Smee - the epic disaster puts me in mind of the deep grief exhibited here a couple of weekends ago when Cheeky the fly died.

Happy birthday to Cakes' DD. Glad she made it through the precarious age of 6! My DD can't wait to get to 6.

Started rads today. I forgot my purse had had to walk from the station to the hosp (a couple of miles) so I was knackered and sweaty when I got there. Also rather emotional so I cried all the way through the process . They've said I'm not allowed to lose the half stone I was planning on shifting over the next 5 weeks or else they'll have to re-scan and tattoo me. Was anyone else told this? I'm so desperate to shift the bulk of carbs that I consumed in my steroid induced hunger and improve my body image but it seems I have to wait 5 weeks. Very annoyed.

Cakesandale · 23/06/2010 17:03

No, wasn't told that, I think they could tell I had as much chance of sticking to a diet as I do of flying to the moon.

Well done for starting on this stretch, no wonder you cried after having to walk all that way.

Cheeky the fly ??!!

KurriKurri · 23/06/2010 17:21

Ooh nice pay up Cakes. Have you got to the point of trying to remove little unnoticeable bits from the cake just to try it. I always would never that.

I wasn't told anything about not losing weight Pennies, - but half a stone would probably have been a much smaller percentage of my bulk than it is on you! Sorry you had to walk in the heat though. At least you're started on it now - you get into a bit of a routine with going everyday.

RIP Cheeky

sandripples · 23/06/2010 18:13

Hi. Pennies - I was advised by chemo nurse to try to keep weight stable throughout treatment. I'm just over half way through rads today so feeling pleased - the rads go so quickly compared to my chemo that it feels like progress. No ill effects so far I'm pleased to say - and had arm class today. Was quite useful. I hope the next one is better for you.

We are only planning week-ends/few days away this year due to chemo. My DS however (who finished GCSes today - hooray!) is using up the whole family holiday budget on his grand trip to South Africa with school in August!

CC - I hope you're ok after chemo - good luck with SEs.

Haggis - where are you going in NOrway? I've had two totally fab holidays there.

Bit tired now due to tension during footie but good luck to everyone dealing with treatment, bruises or battling weight!

PS SEnsitive DCs - my DD gopt very upset about a piece of chalk stuck in a hole once - it seemed very serious at the time

MaryAnnSingleton · 23/06/2010 18:18

thanks pennies, but sorry to hear of long walk and emotional rads. The lady who had rads with me (travelling together) had to be re-marked as her breast changed size during treatment (infection i think)
Has Now We areSix got the poem about King John in it ? it used to make me so sad as a girl...
KK - do you think it could be cracked ? it really hurts when I bend down especially...carrying shopping to the car at Sainsbury's was a bad idea

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KurriKurri · 23/06/2010 18:22

I think if it is very painful MAS, it would be worth getting it checked. I'm not sure whether they can do much for cracked ribs - don't know if they strap you up, but you might at least get some stronger painkillers.

cupcaked · 24/06/2010 00:55

3 down 3 more to go...only side effect profound sleepiness, have been asleep pretty much since got home from it yesterday. Think this is cos I complained that the steroids kept me awake so I didn't get any but got Nozinan instead which they did warn would have opposite effect. On the money with that one!

SR, glad GCSEs done, all done here too.
Cakes, my ds3 is 7, great age, they r so profound ('mum, u look even more beautiful with no hair' then races in to x box room to shout to big brothers 'have u seen mum with no hair, she looks so weird'!)
Smee, all the best tomoro
MAS, certainly could have cracked ribs tho treatment is no different to major bruising, make sure you don't breathe shallowly to inhibit pain as more likely to get chest infection. Stronger painkillers good enough reason to get xrayed.
Can't remember other stuff wanted to say, chemo brain v foggy. Oh.... have to go back downstairs and inject self with Neulasta, ow. Anyone else on that stuff??

MaryAnnSingleton · 24/06/2010 07:44

well done cupcaked -just 3 to go is great !!
Bruises bit less livid now-yay..still very stiff though - am sure it's all much better.
Ds is singing in a recital this evening at school - one of his exam pieces -small audience-they invite those doing music exam grades to perform a piece just prior to exams with the accompanist who will be accompanying them on the day.
Have a good day everyone having treatment or feeling not so hot (well,hot obviously,but ykwim)

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Cakesandale · 24/06/2010 09:22

cupcaked - your dd sounds just like mine!

Yay to everyone whose dcs GCSEs are out of the way.

Is Neulasta a name for GCSF - the stuff you jab in your stomach to boost white blood cells? if so, I did have to do it each cycle. had to do it in the loos on Euston Station once, and then carry the spent syringe around with me all day as I didn't want to put it in a bin and risk someone geeting spiked with the needle - that was a definite low point. It made me a bit weepy, as I recall.

MAS - I think everyone is right, those ribs shouldn't be that bad - def. worth getting them looked at before the end of the week if you can.

SR - I think your dd wins the most weirdly over sensitive award of the day - a piece of chalk stuck in a hole??!! Good grief.

KurriKurri · 24/06/2010 10:11

well done to all DC who have got through their GCSE's , am sure they will all do fine. So nice to get them done, because after that they can do the subjects they are really interested in..

Half way through CC - well done. The tiredness is something else isn't it? But Neulasta should help you get back to normal a bit quicker. You get quite blase about jabbing yourself and all the other delights of this treatment don't you?

Hope DS has a great evening MAS - he is very brave, lovely that he enjoys his singing so much. Does he like those Gareth Malone programmes about choirs? - DD and I always watch them. She does accompanying for choirs and singers occasionally.

Had a blood test for thyroid function this morning to see if pills are working. My vein ran away and hid as usual. Nurse was really nice though - she had BC ten years ago, so we had a good chat, and she gave me a some info. about a new local cancer support centre, and told me if I've ever got any twinges or just want a chat, make an appointment with the GP and that they are alway happy to talk with you. She also talked through my end of treatment anxiety. She was great.(esp. considering I was only there for a BT).

Good luck with next chemo Smee, hope it goes well - another one down. Sounds as if the cold cap may be working for you which is great. (it tried it but it didn't work - I think it was much to big for my pin head).

Off for an echocardiogram this afternoon - my life is so wildly exciting

love to all.

MaryAnnSingleton · 24/06/2010 12:33

nurse sounds great KK - hope test will show the thyroid pills are working and good luck with echocardiogram.
I love Gareth Malone- the programmes are so uplifting and joyful - ds has seen some...will hurry back to see the Glyndebourne thing tonight.

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cupcaked · 24/06/2010 12:50

Ah I love choirs- we r all off to Rome on Monday as my bigger 2 ds are cathedral choristers and their annual trip is to the Vatican next Mon -Fri, thence train up to campsite / hotel near Venice. I will love it, (much more than they will) tho not looking forward to wig in Roman summer. Time to get value out of the fake pony tail with hat and hope no strong winds

Chemo was tues and I just do not feel like moving out of bed. Think I feel worse today which is disappointing, hoped that all that sleep would have set me back to normal, even made cookies last nite but could not do that today. Can someone remind me when my get up and go will get up and come back?? Hopefully in time to pack before Monday!

All the best with the echo, blood tests and rib xrays. It is all such a merry go round isn't it?

Cakesandale · 24/06/2010 13:42

Good luck to DS, MAS - and to cupcaked choristers too.

Hope all the tests show that you are doing OK KK - a combination of chmeo fatigue and thyroid trouble would be enough to send you to sleep for the rest of time.

sandripples · 24/06/2010 15:07

CC - I should think you'll recover your oomph by the w/e. Have to confess it took me longer each time when I was on Epirubicin.

MAS - hope ribs etc are feeling better.

KK - how nice to meet that nice nurse - some people can be very up;ifting can't they. Did anyone hear Woman's Hour today and the story about the lovely taxi-driver who drove a passenger all the way to Reading for free (instad of to Paddington) as she'd been to a dreadful meeting after her daughter had died in the July bombing 2005? It made me cry in the car on the way to rads. had to control myslef as I was driving. Anyway, another wonderful example of humanity.

Pennies - I forgot to say that nurse in rads briefing also said not to try to lose weight till 5-6 weeks after end of treatment.

I had my second class today - about lymphodaema - didn't learn much new but it was good to have all the info. confiormed and good reminder about looking after your affected arm for life. I also learned that the effects of rads peak at about 10-14 days after end of treatment which is useful to know. I do feel a bit tired but think due to not sleeping brilliantly. prob also need to go for more walks but rads are taking 3 hours each day due to delays, and then these classes have been additional to that and then its sooooooooooooo exhausting watching the footie and the tennis. All the flicking about on the zapper takes effort you know And the England match made me so tense!! Ok -= going for a walk now.

MaryAnnSingleton · 24/06/2010 16:43

I heard that piece on Womans Hour too
Trip to Rome and Vatican sounds wonderful - will they be singing at all,or is it leisure time ?
Might pop into the doctors tomorrow to see if someone can prod my ribs - don't want them to think I'm making a fuss-they have a minor injuries thing there..see how it is in the morning,right now it's uncomfortable but can't go as it's recital soon..

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Cakesandale · 24/06/2010 16:44

SR - sounds like good advice about rads. People treat them like they are a bit of a breeze, but personally I found them quite a challenge, so take it steady for a bit.

I missed the story about the taxi driver - i think I would have cried.

Must go back to helping DD construct all her Playmobil things she had for her birthday (not from us) - I am not sure how long it will be before all the tiny plastic accessories go up the vacuum cleaner.
Bloody kids' toys! No wonder my house always looks such a tip.

cupcaked · 24/06/2010 17:59

Lots of singing, MAS, and walking about in full robes in that heat, that's why I will enjoy it more than they will! Enjoy the recital, am sure you will be v proud of ds. How old is he?

MaryAnnSingleton · 24/06/2010 20:45

robes ! yes,that might be a bit hot and uncomfortable...
ds was 13 the other week. We're just back and he did really well -he is very shy yet amazingly confident when he performs... there was a very good grade 1 flautist and a brilliant grade 5 clarinettist. Now i can watch Gareth and relax !

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haggisdoodle · 24/06/2010 23:24

Really impressed hearing about MAS's and CC's talented children. You must be so proud of them. Do you get a lump in the throat when listening?

I had a session of reiki today - v good. Don't know how it works but it seems to do something. Then had to go shopping for new clothes to fit my new larger frame. Not good (a) because I hate shopping (unless for plants) (b) because I am now a size 18 and (c ) my bra size has gone up 2 around the chest and gone down one cup size.

SR - I'm going to Tustna (an island off Kristiansund). My granda was Norwegian and my mum still has a house there. Hoping for a relaxing holiday. Where did you go?

Glad to hear that treatments are progressing for CC and Pennies. Hope that KK and Mas are feeling better too. Apologies if I have left anyone out. I can't really blame chemo brain any more but I am just so "foggy" headed.

MaryAnnSingleton · 25/06/2010 09:05

glad to hear that the reiki is helpful haggis and sorry that w clothes shopping wasn't much fun - I hate the faff of changing rooms and mirrors.
Ds was really very laid back about this recital so i wasn't nervous this time - I just felt proud that he'd sung well and so confidently -so surprising as he finds talking to people so difficult

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Cakesandale · 25/06/2010 09:40

Well done to MAS's ds. You must be so proud.

I always cry when dd has even a minor role in the school play (she usually has quite a big one, as she is superconfident and diligent about learning lines, so tears stream through the entire thing)

Haggis - know what you mean about the clothes shopping. No fun in these circumstances. Post surgery I have STILL been unable to find a bra that is comfy. Most of the time I 'hang loose' these days (though not in polite company )

MaryAnnSingleton · 25/06/2010 09:50

ok, have been to see doctor & he says it's probably a cracked rib as you guys suggested...paracetamol and ibuprofen - it only really hurts on bending or breathing in deeply...tsk tsk

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Cakesandale · 25/06/2010 10:00

Youch!

make sure you get waited on hand and foot as well (did the doc miss that bit out? Was it a man?)

MaryAnnSingleton · 25/06/2010 10:32

ha ! yes it was a man doc ! he was really nice though

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