Cancer Support #70. Please post on this thread, not #69, If you have cancer or are undergoing tests for cancer. Rant, rave, scream, cry – whatever helps. Supportive lurkers for Leslie welcome on #69.

[TwitterQueen1]

Thread #69 is filling up with messages of support for one of our own who is very seriously ill. Leslie told me a few weeks ago that she didn’t want any such messages to get in the way of those who need support through their cancer treatment so we are starting a new thread just for those who do have cancer or who are having tests. Could we respectfully ask lurkers and supportive posters to confine their comments to thread #69? Thank you.

We normally start with a brief introduction to our cancers – I’ll kick off. Ovarian cancer dx March 2017. Now on third-line treatment with a trial providing targeted and chemo drugs taken orally.

[purpleunicorns]

Good idea TQ

I'm 35 and have a 16 year old son. I was diagnosed with cervical cancer around 18 months ago, despite chemo/radiotherapy/brachytherapy it has spread to my liver, vagina, lymph nodes and peritoneum and is now terminal so I only have a few months (hopefully) to live.

I have an amazing Macmillan nurse and my pain is under control, the only issue I have at the minute is leg weakness which means if I do go anywhere I need a wheelchair and I can no longer drive which is a bit of a bummer! But I do have an amazing DH who looks after me and I know there are so many people worse off than me

I'm at peace with it now and it's so nice to finally get the chemo out of my system so although I get tired easily I feel like me again

If you're worried about any lumps or bumps or need somewhere to rant please come and introduce yourselves. These ladies are amazing and have been a massive help to me since being diagnosed

[KnickerBockerGlooooory]

Thanks TQ.
I'm 45 with 2 DDs age 13&14.
First dx with breast cancer last April, followed by lumpectomy and radiotherapy. Started tamoxifen for 4 months . Found a second lump on the other side in August which was HER2+ followed by mastectomy and chemo which commenced in December: have my last one on Wednesday and then Herceptin injections for another year.

DH was dx with rectal cancer late February and we're waiting for his op date to come through at the mo.

So lots going on here

[TwitterQueen1]

Meant to add that I'm 59 with 3 pretty much grown up DDs. One at uni, one at home, one living with BF. Happily single but find cancer to be a lonely business sometimes.

Also, someone mentioned recently that they'd 'only' had radio and no op or chemo so didn't feel they were 'bad' enough to post... . Cancer is a terrifying experience no matter how 'easily fixed' it is. None of us know at the beginning what the outcome will be and the fear never goes away.

So if we can alleviate the fear and the loneliness and ask for - and give - practical help with treatments etc, we'll count that as a win.

[iVampire]

Hi - spotted this, so saying ‘hello’ now (not least so I can find the thread again)

I have leukaemia (CML) which is well
controlled by a targeted med. it’s not quite chemo in the classic sense, but it’s a cytotoxic drug and mercifully my side effects are only petty gripes, I have 3monthly ‘scanxiety’ - not usually scans, but the blood tests that tell me if the drugs are working and there is no sign of the dangerous (liver/kidney function) side effects. Next round coming up just after Easter.

Also I’m having routine monitoring of a benign liver cyst, plus investigation of change in bowel habit (malignancy ruled out, other inflammatory cause possible, side effect of meds also possible)

I’m in my fifties, with teenage DC. And a nasty running habit which I post about on here sometimes

[KeepCalm]

Well said TQ and thanks for the shiny new thread

I'm 42yr old mother of 3DC ages 15,12 & 10.

DX with triple negative, grade 3 breast cancer, stage 4 due to mets in my lungs in Sept 18.

Chemo which didn't work was stopped in Dec, mastectomy & node removal in Jan and now half way through radiotherapy. I'll start a new chemo regime a few wks after my rads finish. I'll have some form of treatment or other for as long as it keeps working.

[weebarra]

Thank you for the new thread TQ.
I was first diagnosed with stage 3 cancer in both breasts in 2013. Had chemo, bmx and rads. Followed by oopherectomy as Brca2 +ve.
Back on here as I'm worried I have a recurrence - lower back pain with no reason. Very anxious which is not like me.
I'm 41 with 5, 8 and 11 year old DCs. I'm working tomorrow and have a new team member starting so will have to wait to see GP later in the week. Dreamt about cancer last night too.

[wineoclockthanks]

Thanks TQ.
Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013 with 6months chemo, a double mastectomy (no reconstruction) and rads. I've had a number of health problems and subsequent surgeries since but hopefully all quiet at the moment.

Waves to old chemo partner, weebarra

[Toofaroutallmylife]

Good idea TQ and Leslie.

I am 50 with DCs aged 11 and 15.

Diagnosed with malignant melanoma on my vulva in January. I had an operation to remove over half my vulva 8 weeks ago. The cancerous area was removed but there are some pre-cancerous areas left and I’m starting on adjuvant immunotherapy (Pembrolizumab) on Wednesday.

[TwitterQueen1]

My brain is seriously full of holes.... chemo brain fog is on ongoing thing

Here is the link to thread #69 for lurkers and well-wishers.

[peapod66]

Hi. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in Feb 2018 following my first routine mammogram. Had lumpectomy, radiotherapy and now on Tamoxifen for 5 years, possibly slightly longer.

Happy to answer anything in relation to the above. Oh, and I am 52 with 2 DCs aged 15 and 13.

I have also recently had ultrasound and CT investigations into persistent right-sided pain and changes to bowel habits which have thankfully come back clear so far. Colonoscopy due in the next 2 weeks to complete the tests but increasingly hopeful of an IBS or meds-related explanation.

[iVampire]

Waves to peapod66 - sounds like we are having similar poo investigations. I’m awaiting a date for colonoscopy (much delayed as bowel prep could not be countenanced until I had met a number of leukaemia-related milestones)

[Dulcedelecherocks]

Thank you TQ for the new thread and for separating both.

I'm 45, diagnosed with stage 4 (no mets so I've been told I'm 3.5!) one year ago.

Had emergency surgery and chemo. Currently waiting for generic tests results to discuss next steps.

[Tahitiitsamagicalplace]

Thanks for the thread TQ!

I'm 35 and was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma almost 6 months ago. I've been through 4 cycles of chemo - the first two didn't work, so I switched to a more toxic type and that seems to slowly be doing the trick! I've got at least two more cycles left. They're done as an inpatient so I spend a lot of time in hospital.
I have two children, 14 and 4 years old. They hate me going into hospital, and I miss them like crazy. Thank goodness for facetime eh!

Waves to ivampire, my blood cancer buddy!
Hello everyone else! I'm happy to answer questions about my lymphoma symptoms/treatment, if anyone is undergoing tests or has the same thing.

[Mrstraveller]

Hello all and thanks to TQ for new thread.

I have HER2 positive breast cancer diagnosed in July 2018. I wasn't told the stage, didn't ask and doesn't seem to be in the Consultant's first letter which I didn't read to start off with! Based on what I now know about cancer stages and the treatment I have had, I suspect Stage 3.

I had 7 rounds of chemo before surgery. Then left side mastectomy and full axillary clearance on left side. Now having Radiotherapy. 18 cycles of Herceptin injections ongoing.

Still recovering from the surgery and dealing with the Radiotherapy.

I have a husband and adult step-son.

The support on this thread has been invaluable in getting me through every day.

xx

[peapod66]

Also waving back to Ivampire. Yes sounds like we're at a very similar stage of poo-related investigations. I have to admit to feeling anxious again at the start of these tests but now those have come back clear am more relaxed about likely outcome. Consultant has seemed very thorough which is reassuring in itself.

[Pandoraslastchance]

I'm 32 and was diagnosed with stage 3 invasive breast cancer in July 2018 after a 6 month battle to get the correct diagnosis. My cancer was hormone negatice but hcr positive. Also had to fight to get the correct diagnostic tests and scans which included full body bone scan, chest and spine mri and muga scan for my heart failure.
Chemo from August to December which gave me chemo related heart failure.
Mastectomy with auxillary node clearance in Jan 2019. Thankfully all nodes were negative.

I'm now battling with my weight as I need to be 14 stone in order to have my reconstruction done. Until then I am a one tittted wonder.

I'm also having herceptin injections for the next year and ive literally just gotten over shingles which was delightful itself.

I've got 3 dd. 15, 6 and 4 and a very adorable little Jack Russel pup who is keeping me on my toes and enjoying the puppy snuggles.

[Pandoraslastchance]

Oh and mrstravellers post reminded me. Ive got my dates through for my radiation to start. Starts on my birthday which sucks. Let's hope the fluid on my chest stays the same as otherwise I've got to go for another adjustment scan and have it all adjusted.

[Fluffysunshinepants]

Thanks TQ and waves to all x

Dx with Triple Negative in Nov 2018 and BRCA in Jan 2019, currently having chemo followed by surgery and rads.

45 years old and I have a 12 year old wee beastie x

[TwitterQueen1]

Pandora one tittted wonder

[Rosiesmummy17]

Toofar, in response to your message on the previous thread, I am OK thanks
I Still have not had a biopsy. I found out from the gynaecologist consultant that the reason I was taking so long to hear is because someone somewhere either forgot or allowed the relevant referral paperwork to slip through the net So he's sent it again (to a regional vulval disease specialist)

[Dulcedelecherocks]

Also laughed at one titted wonder

That's the best thing about you lot. Despite the reason for being here we manage to have a sense of humour.

[fedupntired]

Hello all.
I've been on these threads before under mrspotter12 but haven't been in for a longtime.
Diagnosed with grade 3 breast cancer last May. Lumpectomy, mastectomy and lymph node removal followed by 6 lots of chemo and then 15 lots of radiotherapy- started on my birthday and went over Christmas!
Am on tamoxifen and 4 weekly injections.
Surgeon has been talking about a ct scan but I only found out this week that a follow up scan is not normal and there was a 1.8cm "thing" that they wanted to keep an eye on!!!!!
So now I'm crapping myself .....

[peapod66]

Oh fedup what a shock for you. Was it a CT that picked up this "thing" or do you have that yet to come?

[Mysillydog]

I was originally diagnosed with Her2+ BC at the age of 43. Last year I was diagnosed with stage 4 disease, I’m now 46. I’m currently on Herceptin and Pertuzumab, but no hormonal treatment. My mets are bone, liver, lymph node and possibly lung. I have retired from work and live with my teenage children, husband and dog.

[fedupntired]

Peapod
I have no idea, I had scans at the beginning and will have another one in the next few weeks.
The did notice a thyroid nodule way back when but the nurse told me last week they aren't sure what this is, maybe a lymph node.....