**TAMOXIFEN** 4th thread

[MaryAnnSingleton]

here we go !

Great kitten stories Haggid ! Looking forward to the next installment..

Good luck with your tooth MAS - at least you're not on chemo. Mine seems to have settled today thank goodness. Sometimes the remains of my tooth under the crown seem to unsettle a bit but I'll be very good and eat especially carefully for a few days.

I'm going to have a quiet couple of days now as although it was really lovely having a visitor I'm a bit tired, so will potter now. Perhaps all the coalition excitement/Telly watching has also not done me any good...I've found it fascinating. A couple of neighbours are coming for tea so will have some company.

RWU, Pennies, BB and others having teatment - thinking of you and hope you are all OK and managing. Smee - are keeping up with the arm exercises? I am trying to and its gradually loosening although not 100% yet. Sometimes I think the tight veins from chemo are also part of the discomfort but anyway the tendon is loosening a bit thank goodness, and I can hold it above my head more easily now, though still uncomfortable.

Haggis - that is such a funny kitten story. For a few months we had a big dog with a lethal fart problem: it was quite unlike anything I have smelled before, or since. Utterly appalling. And (this is WAY too much information) she used to be capable of going right to the bottom of our garden to poo, and the smell being so bad it would waft up into the house. Blurgh! So I laughed out loud at your post. Her tummy will prob settle when she is a bit older. (Here's hoping)

SR, you Mum/sister story was heartrending. Smee - hope you get good advice on this from Alzheimers Soc and the BC nurse is likely to be good also. Best of luck.

MAS, tooth sounds horrid. FWIW my advice would be not to wait until July, in case another bit is now loose and it all shears off. Sorry to raise the anxiety levels, but it has happened to me in the past.

Blardy rabbit update - false pregnancy!!! Relieved that it isn't bad news for dd, of course. And maybe I shouldn't be too surprised - she has been at it like - well, a rabbit - with her sister, so her little body must just be a bit

Day 4 on the cakesandale diet, and cakes has been called to the diary room to announce that she is blardy starving despite sneaking in extra portions [hopeless emoticon]

the rabbit story made me laugh too ! sorry, am so glad it's nothing nasty for dd's sake,and rabbit's too.
My grandparents had dogs which always seemed to fart horribly -especially in the car (a Mini with all of us crammed in- I really used to think it was grandpa which upset me -nobody ever said a word -it was excruciating)
Love your diet progress too cakes !! (sorry-new keyboard with very unresponsive caps button)
Another tiny shard off tooth fell off this morning, but it feels ok. Made an appointment for 24th,closest one available,unless anything else happens -then i can get seen as emergency - hope not ! makes me feel old and decrepit.
Do you think tamoxifen affects teeth ?
I have heard that it alters your tears and can cause scratching on hard contact lenses -will ask about that.
Love to everyone having treatment this week xxx

Tamox alters your tears????! Flipping heck. Is there no end to the joy? I think it's best to tell all healthcare and associated people what medication you are on for that reason - the drugs seem to have such far-reaching effects. NO idea if tamoxifen affects teeth though. I keep breaking bits off mine but it has been happening longer than I've had BC - I never get any decay as I am a demon brusher, but I gnash my teeth apparently. Grim huh?

(Slopes off to sniff the biscuit barrel sadly)

You are doing a sterling job over on the Check Your Breasts thread, MAS. I'd like to wade in and help but you seem to have done it all, so I'll just keep a watching brief for now...Poor them, I remember that worry very well indeed.

Am off for my check up with the surgeon this afternoon.

Haggis - your story really made me laugh, especially you having to wait outside I think the amount of smell they make must be in inverse proportion to their size!

I'm glad the rabbit is fine Cakes - our dog used to have FP's and make nests under the bed, which she wouldn't let anyone near!

I hope the tooth gets sorted soon MAS - I'm sure all the drugs and treatment do affect your teeth, - I'm getting one crowned next week which broke during chemo (he did a temporary repair). And I'd also heard about the eye problems with tamoxifen, so definitely worth mentioning you're on various drugs.

love to all, especially those on treatment at the moment. And good luck with your check up Cakes ( at your diet report)

will mention it to optician and see if he thinks my lenses are unduly scratched - mind you they are about 3 years old so might be a bit worn anyway.
I brush my teeth very vigourously - think ds is worse as his toothbrushes are flattened after on a few weeks. No decay but old big fillings falling apart - think this is why ds brushes so hard,to avoid having to have any (am so grateful his teeth are so healthy)
You are most welcome to join in the other thread Cakes, or anyone from here ! I just remember that not knowing bit before going to the breast unit and wanted to try to help.

MAS that's a pain about the tooth. DH left one for a few months recently with no ill effect, but I suppose it just depends on the tooth.

Haggis, farting kitten made me laugh a lot so thanks for that. My SIL has got one that goes one step further. Think v.runny poo every time she puts it in the cat basket, add on fact it's got white fur....!

snadripples, I am arm raising everywhere, and feeling like I have far more mobility but still painful and the cording's still there - can see it which is a bit yuk. Glad your arm is getting a bit easier. Am sure we'll be normal at some point.

• cakes I did wonder if it might be pregnant. big relief though. phew. Bet that's made your day a lot sunnier.

You've all reminded me to go to Dentist before chemo time, so thanks for that, will add to my very long list.

Thanks Smee - it has indeed!

Dentist is a MUST before chemo.

Keep up the arm raising, it's really important and it will get better. I have just had my check up, all fine, but the surgeon has given me a new exercise for the arms. I am off out now but will describe it tomorrow (but I think it is one for later, when your healing is further down the line, but I'll tell you so you can add it in later).

Good night to all!

Cakes, great your check up went well. Must feel like a new milestone every time, so a big yeay for you. Am taking your advice, so will arm raise whilst ringing the dentist.

OMG all these farting stories remind me why we don't have any pets!!

If its false pregnancy why are there lumps?? Sorry if I'm being thick here. But I'm glad that the rabbit is OK, for all your sakes.

Yes, dentist before chemo is a must, I agree with Nick David I mean Cakes of course

Tamox. could well affect your eyes as I know the pill used to affect mine (a long tiem ago) - the hormones can make your eyes drier.

Smee - if it makes you feel any better I can also see a tight tenodn running across my armpit but I had this befoe and it did go away eventually! I can now do a sort of back-stroke type of movement with mine today which is encouraging.

O dear, I feel fat today - that parsnip cake was too nice. I did manage to give a number of slices to family and friends thank goodness, and one went into DS's lunch box. There's one piece left so will put that in tomorrow's lunch box.

Still, I'll lose weight again after chemo. so not to worry. Just hope I'm not sick this time. (Makes mental note not to have an omelette on Friday this time)

I have had 2 neighbours round for tea today. One had ovarian cancer 16 years ago - is v. kind and keeps dropping off boxes of soup for us - she is very well. The other is the mum we share school run with in the mornings and she has also dropped off numerous pressies over the last few months - mainly lovely plants and things to grow. I am really very lucky with my neighbours.

Smee - have you read the top tips on surviving chemo on the BCC site? I found that useful, esp the bits about drinking loads of water, eating pineapple and eating whatever tastes nice when your taste goes weird. There are other tips I haven't needed so far but the list helped me to feel as prepared as I could be! When do you start and what drug? I've joined in the Epirubicin and CMF thread on BCC as I wanted to know about people's experiences. Generally although I hateit, I know I've had a better time than a lot of women do, so can't really complain. Its doable, as they say.

glad check up ok cakes ! I onl;y had a few nodes removed but that wound was much sorer (?) than the breast one - When i reach up to high cupboards I am aware that it's a bit different to the other arm, but i have no probs at all - it is very numb under there though.
Just back from piano lesson with ds - while he is playing I read their magazines -today i knocked the pile over and there was an Amoena lingerie catalogue - it makes sense as ds said he saw his teacher and his wife waiting at the breast clinic when I went for my mammogram (was in Easter hols). I didn't say anything to his teacher (they didn't seem to notice ds there waiting or see me)

Ah sandripples now you've gone and made me all competitive, have just been trying to backstroke..!

I don't know which cocktail yet, as have yet to meet the Oncologist. Am waiting to hear if they can see me this Friday, but if not next, then will start v.soon after. I'll post what form of poison when I know, to see if anyone had similar and can offer advice. Thanks for the tip on the BCC site though; will definitely go have a read though.

Has anyone got into Green Tea? Am trying a bit of very gentle detox before chemo, but would much prefer a cup of builders' brew.

I love green tea - I have a couple of cups a day...

I love green tea too, though I prefer the version with peppermint in to lift it a bit. Detox a great idea, it'll make you feel in control. Good luck for Friday!

MAS - not surprised ds's teacher didn't see you - that'll be the barely restrained panic! Thinking about the appointment I had with the doctor at the hospital yesterday, I think she was obliquely telling me she'd had breast surgery too (though not sure what sort) - too wrapped up inmyself to realise at the time!

Right then, anyone interested in a new arm exercise? Leave it for a few weeks all you recent surgery bods, it's quite strong. The doctor gave it to me yesterday because my neck has been sore and stiff - she said it is common because women who have had breast surgery tend to slump their shoulders, and she says the exercise they give you when you have to climb your fingers up a wall is easy to cheat at, so not a lot of help (beyond getting back the arm movement, of course).

So what you do is this:

You stand feet together in the corner of a room, facing into the corner. you put one arm on each wall, with the forearm and hands running up the wall pointing to the ceiling (so they are at a normal height, with the fingers probably about level with the top of your head. Then you lean into the corner so your chest opens up. You also look up to the ceiling to get a stretch on your neck. Hold for 30 seconds or it doesn't work. Ideally do it again straight after. Do it any time you feel the neck or shoulders are a bit stiff.

It's worth a try.

SR (if you are still reading - I wasn't very clear about the rabbit's false pregnancy was I? The lumps are engorged nipples. The little bugger is so skittish and hard to hold onto that I hadn't been able to examine beyond establishing that there were at least three lumps under the fur, somewhere. I was in awe at how easily to vet got to grips with her - she just bites me)

cakes thanks for that, have just tried it - v.gently I might add, but it feels good. More so as I've been typing all morning so feel a bit hunched up. My problem's more about straightening elbow, and reaching arm up high. I can do both if I really push it but it hurts...

I will go get some green tea with peppermint. Haven't found that yet. I love peppermint tea, but have never really felt the same about green. Feels worth keeping on with though.

The Twinings one is nice. Green tea alone can be a bit of a challenge, I find.

It is typing at a pooter all day that is causing me grief, I think. Doctor recommends doing the exercise every time you feel a bit stiff.

I went to yoga last night and am feeling quite a bit better, although the thigh muscles are screaming a bit. Let's hope it's doing some good. Have only been on a diet for a few days, but my tracksuit bottoms nearly fell down last night at yoga! Yikes! Can't imagine it's weight loss yet - they must be another item of clothing I've buggered up in the wash.

I've just drunk a massive mug of coffee. 'Challenge' is a good way to describe Green tea. A friend told me to get the leaves and make it quite weak until you get used to it. Made me feel a bit sick to start with, so I think she's right. Am impressed by the Yoga.

Thanks for explaining about the rabbit Cakes - all clear now! And for the exercise which I'll try in a min when I can find a suitable corner.

Smee - a bit of competition is prob. a good thing if it makes us both exercise!! With chemo tomorrow I won't be doing a lot for a few days so you'll be streets ahead by Monday

I like green tea and started drinking it after Dx but then I read somewhere that its not good for womain on chemo - can't remember why but I'm staying off it for now. If anyone can find anything about it it would be great. I'll try!

I had a busy morning to take my mind off chemo. Went to get bloods down first thing ( only 30 in the queue ahead of me but it went pretty quickly. Then I went to a massive M and S where I met a friend for coffee - v. nice as hadn't seem her for a while. (She's another who brought me soup and is very kind). We had a lovely chat as have boys the same age so lots of checking up on revision for GCSes, girlfriends etc. But then she told me her sister's just been diagnosed with BC and has op on Wednesday. Sister is v. dedicated teacher and apparantly said no way could she have her op till after she'd done the A-level language orals with her class - isn't that impressive?

Anyway, then did some retail therapy - nice pair of sandals, a new watch as mine had a broken face and battery had finished so i thought good excuse for a new one, and a little summer skirt ie not very long, its not really little as it has to be rather wide . Must be the parsnip cake which was really rather good. Then went to the market to get my DS some hairspray for a fancy dress party. All this was v.g. at distracting me and I enjoyed it.

Am now having a rest/cup of tea/pc catch up.

Hope everyone is OK. Pennies, BB and RWU are all v. quiet?

Good that your check up went well Cakes - and thanks for the exercise, I shall give it a go - my posture is not great, I definitely slump(although its improved a bit with yoga).

I hope your oncologist appointment comes soon Smee - you will feel like you are moving on, once you get your chemo. started

Retail therapy sounds great SR, I tried on some sandals I liked in M&S earlier in the weeks, but was rushed for time and ended up leaving them. I may give the green tea another go, - I saw some today with added cranberry, which might be more palatable.

I've just got back from my treatment. Appointment was at 12, but I didn't get taken in until 1.20, and was starving by then. They'd run out of sandwiches on the unit, so I had a packet of biscuits and a coffee. But felt very odd, and by the time DH came to fetch me, I was really light headed and tearful (for some strange reason). Any way he took me to the cafe and bought me a plate of lasagne, and I feel a bit better. So presume it was low blood sugar. Don't think this thyroid thing helps matters - it makes me so tired.( I had the slightly barking nurse again, which upped my anxiety level, as I had to fight to stop her sticking the canula in veins I know are useless)

Oh KK how horrible. Does sound like low blood sugar combined with stress. Glad you feel better now. And that's another treatment down. Yay!!

I must say SR seems to have more than her fair share of excellent mates.

Retail therapy sounds excellent, think of the morale boost if you could get a bit of that on the NHS - asking rather a lot, I know

Milestone passed today - had my first haircut for 11 months! Obviously I've had my hair back for quite a while now, but I was letting it grow. It looks quite good actually, but clearly that's before I have had to do it myself, I'm rubbish with hair. I'll probably be in tears about it tomorrow

have been on the pooter all day so am off to put myself in a corner for another stretch!

Cakes - how good is that about your hair - congratulations on this milestone!

KK - so sorry about your day, and about the barking nurse. Anything to do with them not listening to us about veins makes me furious!!! I am not going to consent to them using a couple of mine tomorrow and I will be v. assertive. Three professionals have now failed in one vein and I am not prepared to go through that yet again with that vein. So you have my huge sympathy. I do hope you're feeling more chipper now. Hugs.

It is strange when tears come upon us - I felt tearful for no obvious reason one day this week. Can't remember when now, but I was tired too I think, then I can be a bit overwhelmed without even realising...

I do a lot of good mates and am impressed by how how they've rallied round. Actually until all this happened I didn't think I had good friends locally, but they've been great. Some of the others I post about are old friends from school or uni who don't live near but we've stayed close. Its just that normally I see them once a year, this year I've seen them more like 4 times each and they do all these jobs for me . Ah well, as I don't have any parents, or parents in-law, or siblings within 150 miles, this helps a lot.

hair cut sounds good Cakes - well done. I saw a friend who had 1 cycle of chemo and had to stop because of severe allergic reactions -she is allergic it seems to tamoxifen too -she'd lost her hair and it has grown back beautifully - it looked really chic.
Sorry to hear about horrid treatment day KK - am sure a barking nurse can't ease the stress of it.
I agree that retail therapy is always a good thing - I get immense pleasure from buying a new thing to wear,though also suffer guilt for spending money I shouldn't !
SR your friend's sister sounds a wonderfully dedicated teacher..wow !
The trick with green tea is to show the bag to the water - leave it too long and it is dark and bitter. Look out for Dragonfly tea -in health shops,Waitrose...it's lovely - my favourite is Wu Xin which is quite delicate, or try Organic Cup-in-the-sleeve -which is very light and pale..you can get a nice Moroccan mint green tea from them too,and a white tea,which has even more anti-oxidants called Swirling Mist.
I have decided to stop CBT as it was clear in my session today that the grief aspect is getting in the way - I need to address that first,so I will stop and after I have done the counselling I can ask to be referred back to continue, if i feel I want to. Felt a bit odd afterwards but fortunately had arranged to see my bcn to catch up last week and talking to her really was helpful..meanwhile I will use my self help book to keep working on my own as i have made progress.

sandripples retail therapy sounds curative. Money permitting we must all try more of that. Should rank alongside Green tea as a detox. I hadn't thought that might be contra chemo. I'll ask the Oncologist if I ever get to meet her..

Kurri, that treatment sounds far from good. Though the restorative powers of lasagne are one to make a mental note of. How many treatments have you got left?? At least that's another one done with. Hope you're feeling alright now.

• cakes a hair cut!! What a milestone. Must have been quite a moment - another link back to normality. I had the opposite yesterday, as I had what must be my last haircut for a while. Lovely friend who cuts it is going to sort me a wig (not sure I'll use it, but she wants to get me one!). We agreed instead of haircuts we'll meet for lunch 'til it grows back again, which was a lovely idea, though I did have a secret sob as I left. Not a big one, just noting the moment I think.

• MAS what a GT expert you are. I feel very much a novice, though I'd got as far as learning you shouldn't pour boiling water over leaves and mustn't over soak. I'll look out for those brands you mention.

Sounds sensible about the CBT and a strong decision even if it does feel strange. Fingers crossed you keep feeling as though you're making progress.

Thanks all - I'm feeling fine now.(and having had lasagne, I haven't needed to bother cooking tonight)

I'm sure the counselling is a good idea MAS, and as you say, you can go back to the CBT when you feel ready. Its good your BCN is so supportive.

Congratulations on your haircut Cakes, mine really needs something doing to it. It's sort of Early Beatles (specifically Ringo) at the moment

Sorry you had a little moment today Smee - they do come unexpectedly sometimes don't they? But your friend sounds lovely and the lunches will be something to look forward to.
I think I've only got one treatment left (slight confusion because chemo unit says one, admin. have sent me an extra appointment - so rather , and will have to check up.) I will be glad to see the back of them!

SR - hope all goes well tomorrow, fingers crossed for gentle nurses! take care