Crack open the wine... it's CANCER SUPPORT THREAD 61!

[WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo]

Some of us have been here a while and others have only just joined. If you're lurking, feel free to say hello. We are quite friendly really.

You are welcome to join us, whatever sort of cancer you have, or if you're waiting for tests to find out whether you have cancer or not (we hope not!)

Our previous thread is here. Do check it out if you're new as there's lots of useful information in the first few posts.

Best wishes to everyone who finds themselves here

mrsrhod I hope you enjoyed your post-curry nap! sounds like a relaxing evening

Twitter I hope your daughter feels better soon, and that you get a good night's sleep

iVampire sorry you've been poorly today. I hope you are better tomorrow. And the misspelling seems like an apt description, frankly

Hugs to all

We normally post a little recap of our histories on a new thread, so feel free to do so, or not.

I'm having chemo (FOLFIRI + cetuximab) for stage IV colorectal cancer (lung mets). Stage III diagnosis October 2012. Recurrence April 2016.

Just looking through the previous thread to see who we haven't heard from for a while... obviously there's no pressure to post if you don't want to, but just so you know you've not been forgotten :)

Biscetti how are you doing?

MiriAmmerman did you have radiotherapy? And how's your DW?

Flyingprettycretonnecurtains how was your first bisophosphonate treatment?

mistyweather are you still reading? How are you?

FatMe did you get any answers about your rash?

ILoveDolly I hope your mouth ulcers have improved

Bettydownthehall how's chemo going?

Mamia15 how are you? Have you had your radiotherapy yet?

oakthorn how are you?

flappyears any news?

overeggedit I hope your radiotherapy went well

GhoulWithADragonTattoo how is your treatment going?

Hermonie2016 how are you?

Cookiesandwine I hope your lymphoedema has improved. Have you had your radioiodine therapy yet?

likeazebra did you get any answers about your various lumps and bumps?

Sharpandshineyteeth how is your chemo going?

I think that's most people, but apologies if I've missed you off!

And now I need to sleep. Goodnight all

Thanks (as always) for the new thread Leslie. What would we all do without you?!

My quick summary:

Diagnosed with a probable benign brain tumour in May 2016 while 3 months pregnant and with a 13 month old. Surgery (tumour resection) planned for post-birth (nov 2016)and eventually performed (after lots of postponed dates) 30/08/17! Biopsy came back as malignant tumour so I had 33 sessions of RT in October/November '17. Chemo began last month (capsules taken at home). 2nd cycle of the 12 began today - roll on next Christmas!

Waving to everyone, old and new.

Thanks Leslie.

My summary:
DX with stage 3 ovarian cancer March 2017. Chemo for 3 months then radical hysterectomy and debulking and more chemo. Now stage 4 and on second line chemo. 3 DDs, 2 at uni, one returner. Happily single. Horrible ex. Lost my beloved dog January 2017 but still go out walking whenever I can call me TQ.

leslie thank you as ever for staring a new thread.

My summary,
Diagnosed May 2014 aged 50 breast cancer. WLE, clear SNB, 15x rads and now anastrazole, currently battling some gynae issues linked to treatment.

I love dire rear, classic.

We're off to see our student dd this morning. She is very busy and only has time for us to buy her brunch!!!! Can't wait to see her.

twitter I hope your dd is feeling better and you enjoy your hotel breakfast

Posted this on the end of the last thread:

at iVampire. How long ago was your diagnosis, & how are you? 

They haven't indicated the type of lymphoma they suspect, but having googled briefly (in the hospital loo straight after the consultation in which they dropped the C-bomb) it sounds like Hodgkins is likely. Swollen lymph nodes in neck, heavy periods, drenching sweats etc. I thought it was peri-menopause!

Thanks for the welcome, penguin.

The shock seems to have worn off a bit now, so I'm going to focus on enjoying half term with my lovely, funny children.

Happy Saturday everyone!

My summary:

Told I (probably) have lymphoma yesterday, & found this thread two hours later :).

Having armpit biopsy next Friday.

Thanks, as always Leslie for keeping us all going. I can only post at the start of threads as ancient iPad can't cope with longer threads. But I lurk and am thinking of everyone.

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in Oct 13, had 6 months of chemo, a bilateral mastectomy (no reconstruction) and rads. Treatment finished July 14 and I've been on tamoxifen ever since. Also, for one reason or another, had major surgery every year since, last one being hysterectomy (inc ovaries and cervix) last year.

These threads helped keep me sane and although I can't post, I am sending love and if I can help anyone, please feel free to PM me.

Thanks Leslie

I was diagnosed with cervical cancer stage 2b in November, I've had 25 lots of radiotherapy, 5 lots of cisplatin chemo and 4 lots of brachytherapy.

I go back the 26th February for a check up then I should be getting a scan early March to see if treatment has worked 🤞

and for everyone

Oops just posted on old thread before noticing link to new one - thank you Leslie, and how are you feeling today? Twitter how is your daughter? mrsrhodg I hear you: I ask my DS at uni for permission to visit and take him to a nice lunch! I hope you had a wonderful time with your dd.

My story: diagnosed with BC just over a week ago, had WLE this past Wednesday, waiting for results of sentinel node biopsy.

Thanks for the new thread Leslie. Me - dx Feb 15 with Stage IV high grade carcinoma of ovary. Frontline chemo Carbo/Taxol, around a radical hysterectomy, followed by Avastin. Recurred Nov 16. Treated with Carbo/Gem. Recurred August 17. Treated with weekly Paclitaxel for 18 weeks. Now on Carbo/Caelyx. Have 13 yr old twins and a lovely dh. Ask me anything. x

I didn't get to DD until after she'd been discharged but she is Ok. Not out of the woods and they don't know what's wrong, but fever has gone and heart rate back to normal. More tests on Monday. I agreed to leave her there because she is getting better and quicker care than she would here, and I can get to her if and when I need to (assuming no more awful crashes on M5).

Honestly, I don't know how I would be coping without this and my own discovery thread. You lot are so fantastic and supportive. I am sincerely and hugely grateful for all the kind words and thoughts.

Twitter right back at you: I so appreciate your support and thoughtful words always. I too am incredibly grateful for this thread, it has absolutely been one of my lifelines since my diagnosis not quite two weeks ago.

Just felt overcome by a wave of panic, so have popped on here to re-centre myself.

So sorry to hear about your daughter, Twitter - glad to hear she's feeling better.

I seem to be oscillating between feeling fine and feeling deep dread. It's quite exhausting!

The closest I've come to it before was trying to conceive (which was tricky for us, and where I also found support on MN), except that I'm not expecting anything nice at the end of this.

Hope everyone else is coping ok today

Hi wine lovely to see you again, however briefly. I hope you manage to stick around for a while.

genie how are you feeling? Still rather battered? It does get better. It was lovely to see dd. Actually she's not far away and we do see her quite regularly but she's in her final year and the dreaded dissertation is being written plus she's doing lots of extra stuff this year. I don't think she'll be home before Easter now.

miles this is a terrible time, the waiting is awful. Try not to google, it won't brighten you day.

TQ are you back home again now? I hope your dd is ok, it's very hard when they're away and ill. Mine is in a really grim house this year and I did a mercy dash before Christmas when she had a hideous tummy bug, dash being the operative word under the circumstances! It's supposed to get easier when they grow up.

Thanks for the new thread Leslie. That was one hell of a roll call !!

TQ I am pleased to hear DD is feeling a bit better and I hope all goes well with the tests tomorrow.

Miles I hope you are feeling a little calmer. We have no choice but to ride out the panic

My story - I was diagnosed with lung cancer in Dec 17. Had a lobectomy to remove the upper lobe of my right lung in January and I am recovering better than I expected.
I believe that the cancer was contained in the removed lobe and there was no sign of any spread in surrounding lymph nodes (this will hopefully be confirmed at my next appt in a couple of weeks)

Whilst undergoing investigations for the lung cancer, it was discovered that I have a tumour in my pelvis, initially thought to be a sarcoma. They have decided that it probably isn't sarcoma but may (or may not) be cancer. It is considered too tricky to biopsy due to it's location. I am scheduled for another MRI scan at the end of this month and have a meeting with the specialist for the results mid March.

That was longer than I intended

Hi MrsRhod I've got another DD in final year too, stressing over her dissertation. She's including a survey in hers and the battle to get ethics approval has been momentous. I think we're full steam ahead now though. I'm very pleased that she's made the most of her time trying different activities - kayaking, gliding, rock climbing (which she did as a child), film, society, sociology society etc etc. DD1 hated her time and didn't join anything.

I'm home now and hoping that the tests will show nothing to worry about. I hope you had a nice brunch yesterday!

MilesJupp this is a very difficult time for you. Be kind to and gentle with yourself. It's a very hard path.

Wombat will be keeping everything crossed for you.

Leslie thank you for the shiny new thread I do nosey in every once in a while. Wave to all and big hugs to all that need it.

mysilly I am so sorry to read that your on another journey and mrsrod that you are still going round the houses with the gynae thing .
Brief resume of me diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016 at 48, surgery, chemo, rads, 6 monthly bisphosinates and now in the hell of hormone therapy!

2nd year mammogram clear (phew) and waiting to see surgeon for review in March. I have changed from anastrozole to exemestane which is slightly better although I have a bloomin painful elbow which I have convinced myself is bone Mets . Job going splendid although I am still so angry at the way I was treated by my previous employer that I need to get a grip as they are not worth the brain space. Xxxx

TQ my eldest did a dissertation that involved a survey, it was about teenagers and body image. It took so long to get ethics approval she thought she wasn't going to manage to get it done in time but it did highlight how many young people are facing a horrendous time. The care taken to protect those who took part was amazing. But she hated university and didn't join in with anything, even lived at home for years 2&3. Dd2 has had her first two years affected by a boyfriend who turned out to be not as lovely as we all thought and she didn't join in with much. Finally this year she has thrown herself into things but is ready to leave now really...back home until the next chapter begins no doubt.

Gosh - I thought we were in for a bumpy ride with a couple of new teenagers in the house, but it sounds like the worry never stops. I bet you're all really proud of them having prevailed through difficult circumstances though. TQ well done for your mercy dash - best wishes to your DD and hope the hotel brekkie was mighty!
Miles I think you've pretty much summed up what it feels like - I think most of us oscillate between calm and dread and do our best to keep things on an even keel. This is much easier when you have a plan and treatment, so can focus on the practical stuff which is distracting at least!

mrsrhodg and Twitter my DS is in his final year at uni as well! The work is quite full on for them, isn't it? He is only an hour away from us by train, but he's so busy that we, too, probably won't see him again til Easter. He's simultaneously in the middle of trying to figure what he will be doing next year; he has applied for some graduate fellowships as well as some jobs and right now is just waiting to hear.

Miles I can completely empathise with where you are right now. Try to stay off the internet and put your faith in the HCPs who are dedicated to doing their best for you. You are in a partnership with them, with everyone working toward the same goal. That way of thinking about it helps me, anyway.