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Cancer

Find advice & support if you or someone you know has been diagnosed with cancer

Cancer Support Thread 98: support for those diagnosed and going through treatment

359 replies

FcukBreastCancer · 16/01/2026 11:53

Hello 👋

OP posts:
Ventress · 16/01/2026 12:34

Hi @FcukBreastCancersigning in 😊

Nonamelass · 16/01/2026 13:37

Signing in too. Thanks @FcukBreastCancer

dancingwhilstfacingthemusic · 16/01/2026 15:41

Thanks 💐

Inthebasement · 16/01/2026 16:02

Thanks @FcukBreastCancer signing in too.

Ventress · 16/01/2026 16:12

@forestflowerfairy@cannaecookrisottocalling others…

ForestFlowerFairy · 16/01/2026 16:24

Whoop -hello all

Onewildandpreciouslife · 16/01/2026 17:53

Hello, can I (re)join you? Was on previous threads in 2019 - 2020 under a different name, but have had a few years “off”. Recurrence of vulval melanoma last summer- had surgery in the autumn and latest scans now show a couple more suspicious areas. Plan is to start immunotherapy in a couple of weeks. Head spinning slightly

Anyone else on immunotherapy?

cantbelieveIamhere · 16/01/2026 18:35

joining in with this thread so I dont lose my place

livingwith · 16/01/2026 18:49

Here I am too, stage 4 melanoma, yes @Onewildandpreciouslifei am on immunotherapy (nivolumab) which has been keeping me stable for a good while (fingers crossed).

Sbmpp · 16/01/2026 18:50

@FcukBreastCancer signing on as well 😘

Inthebasement · 16/01/2026 19:08

@Onewildandpreciouslife Hi, sorry to see you have had to come back, but glad to see you iyswim? I’m on Immunotherapy in conjunction with my Chemo. Remuxitab. Only had my first infusion this week so might not be much use to you but happy to answer any questions.

Onewildandpreciouslife · 16/01/2026 19:12

Thanks @livingwith . I had 3 doses of Pembrolizumab in 2020 but it did very bad things to my liver levels. I think I am going to get a mix of ipi and retliminib (?). I am going away for the weekend and have left the long list of side effects at home so now can’t remember the name!

Nonamelass · 16/01/2026 19:14

Onewildandpreciouslife · 16/01/2026 17:53

Hello, can I (re)join you? Was on previous threads in 2019 - 2020 under a different name, but have had a few years “off”. Recurrence of vulval melanoma last summer- had surgery in the autumn and latest scans now show a couple more suspicious areas. Plan is to start immunotherapy in a couple of weeks. Head spinning slightly

Anyone else on immunotherapy?

Hi nice to meet you, sorry that you that you find yourself back here though💕 My story is 2 different BC since 2002 and now a new one (or a recurrence? ,)Waiting for op and then to find out about treatment afterwards. Have had lots of chemo but no experience with immunotherapy , though I know it can be very effective xx

Onewildandpreciouslife · 16/01/2026 19:17

Ah just looked at the MacMillan website - I think it’s nivolumab-relatlimab I’m having

samlovesdilys · 16/01/2026 21:43

Hi 👋 Im on first cycle of immunotherapy for metastatic bladder cancer, so far just feel tired and a bit removed from everything but hoping it is manageable. Previous chemo was 4 cycles leading up to operation so struggling a bit with the fact I am on the hospitals books for 20+ cycles…seems a lot - though I know that’s a good thing as if it works I can keep going.
The next step is working out how I can combine this and going back to work…

Ventress · 17/01/2026 08:24

Welcome to the new and returning posters. Lovely to have you here in the club nobody wants to be part of 😊

I have had a strange couple of days where I have slept and slept. Very unlike me. I have been very chesty though so I think the steroids are going to be a fixed point in my life. I have taken 4mg today and my lungs do feel better.

Waiting for my new recliner chair to arrive this morning 😊

I look forward to hearing more about the immunotherapy @Onewildandpreciouslifeand @livingwithare being treated with. I am sorry that you are back @Onewildandpreciouslife

@samlovesdilyscan you combine work and time off? I have taken a few weeks off after Christmas and I feel so much better as a result. I am thinking that perhaps I will combine sick leave with work as I go. I will speak to the GP.

What are you all up to today?

samlovesdilys · 17/01/2026 09:01

Combining work is a bit tricky as I am secondary teacher, I’m hoping to go back at least part time but we will see…

Onewildandpreciouslife · 17/01/2026 09:19

The uncertainty is such a killer- you don’t know how your body will react, and much as I try to tell my brain to wait until it knows what it’s actually dealing with, it just keeps spiralling ahead.

Ventress · 17/01/2026 10:41

I agree about the uncertainty @Onewildandpreciouslife. I am lucky that I don’t have to be present in the office and can balance my work life. I hope you are able to get part time hours set up @samlovesdilys. Presumably you have a decent union who can represent you?

My recliner has arrived and my new “alcove” is all set up. There are some new bits and pieces I still have to get. I have spent the last hour or so reading in my recliner which was lovely.

Topofthecliffs · 18/01/2026 12:48

Thanks for the new thread @FcukBreastCancer

Welcome @Onewildandpreciouslife I remember you from 2020. I have been on these threads far too long since BC1 +++ in 2020 and BC2 - - - in 2022 and am now finally off all treatment after five years of Aromatase inhibitors. I am battered but still here after courses of FEC-HP, AC, and Capecitabine as well as three operations and two courses of radiotherapy, Zolendronic acid and AIs.

I look after the Great Recovery thread for those who have come to the end of active treatment and are looking to move on to the New Normal with all the challenges that brings.
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/general_health/5270506-the-great-recovery-part-4?page=19&reply=149775652

Great news about the new recliner @Ventress enjoy your special place.

Page 38 | The Great Recovery part 4 | Mumsnet

Time for a new thread. Welcome aboard! You may have finished active treatment for cancer, be in remission or NED. You want to look forward not dwell...

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/general_health/5270506-the-great-recovery-part-4?page=19&reply=149775652

Onewildandpreciouslife · 18/01/2026 16:47

Hello @Topofthecliffs !! I had a look at thread 97 and saw you were still around - I remember you from the old threads. It’s good to hear you’re now off treatment and I’m glad there’s a thread for those not on active treatment - I don’t think there’s enough understanding of the mental impact of rebuilding your life post treatment.

When I got the recurrence diagnosed last summer I tried to view it as having had a good run of being cancer free for more than 5 years, but it didn’t feel like that!! I’m still processing the news from Friday. I guess I’m probably officially stage 4 now. Have been away for the weekend so don’t think it’s properly sunk in yet.

Nonamelass · 18/01/2026 22:50

Do doctors still talk in stages? I don’t think it’s ever been mentioned to me.
@Onewildandpreciouslife I’ve looked at things like you have too. I had 15 years (and importantly brought up my kids) it was good going. I was still a huge angry grump about doing it all again though .
Then Îve had another 9 years so in one way it’s not so bad, even though a good part of that period was very stressful with one thing and another, my wonderful mum being engulfed by dementia mainly. She eventually went into very kind residential care and I think after all that I was a bit frazzled , probably grieving and just couldn’t be arsed doing my yearly check up and blood test .Had the presciption( îm in France) and kept putting off making an appointment. So fed up was I with 20 odd years of looking over my shoulder in case it came back and wanting a break from stress. Eventually had to do cos yearly hospital appointment was coming up and bam there it was again showing its ugly face. I missed one yearly check up and there the fucker was 😡
We were out at a great stand up comedy act on Saturday with friends , it was great to laugh and we’re booking bits and pieces to do in town before and after mastectomy. Making hay now in case I have do do chemo and it knocks me flat 😏🙃
@Ventress hope you’re enjoying your new chair and reading corner. I think combining sick leave with work is a good solution if it’s possible.

Hepe everyone has had a peaceful weekend xx

Bangersndmash · 19/01/2026 07:32

Hello 👋🏽 on chemo weekly, two little ones under 3. Just plodding along…

Ventress · 19/01/2026 14:09

When is your next treatment or appointment @Onewildandpreciouslife ? Your username is fantastic, by the way, You may well still be stage 2 and this could be a new primary cancer, please don't give up that hope.

Sounds like you had a great weekend @Nonamelass ! Ah, the git would have got you even if you hadn't missed making the appointment (I have personified my cancer - it is male 😂) none of this is your fault. I'm glad you are living your life to the full now, your kids are grown (and sound lovely) and that your mum has a good care home. It makes such a difference. Whatever else you do with your life, it is being well lived. Is it not the French philosopher Montaigne who said something like "the value of life lies not in the length of days but in how we make use of the them"? It's one of my favourites.

Welcome to the club nobody wants to be part of @Bangersndmash . Do you have primary breast cancer? Having two under three is difficult enough without throwing weekly chemo into the mix! What sort of chemo are your having? I had weekly paclitaxel for 15 weeks, stopped just before Christmas and now I'm on the anti-hormone drugs.

I saw the oncologist this morning and was basically told to "carpe diem", as any flair up of the lymphangitis could spell the end. Apparently they didn't expect me to leave the hospital when I was admitted back in early September. Or not via the breathing route anyway. I honestly don't know whether to be proud of this or not(!) but apparently for the first weekend of my hospital stay I was the inpatient who had the highest mortality ranking of everybody. My name was literally on all of the lists right at the top in flashing lights. No wonder I always had a queue at my bedside 😂It also explains why DH was so nice to me! I shall stop feeling guilty about being an inpatient now.

I hope everyone is doing well and dealing with their side effects as best they can.

Bangersndmash · 19/01/2026 14:24

Ventress · 19/01/2026 14:09

When is your next treatment or appointment @Onewildandpreciouslife ? Your username is fantastic, by the way, You may well still be stage 2 and this could be a new primary cancer, please don't give up that hope.

Sounds like you had a great weekend @Nonamelass ! Ah, the git would have got you even if you hadn't missed making the appointment (I have personified my cancer - it is male 😂) none of this is your fault. I'm glad you are living your life to the full now, your kids are grown (and sound lovely) and that your mum has a good care home. It makes such a difference. Whatever else you do with your life, it is being well lived. Is it not the French philosopher Montaigne who said something like "the value of life lies not in the length of days but in how we make use of the them"? It's one of my favourites.

Welcome to the club nobody wants to be part of @Bangersndmash . Do you have primary breast cancer? Having two under three is difficult enough without throwing weekly chemo into the mix! What sort of chemo are your having? I had weekly paclitaxel for 15 weeks, stopped just before Christmas and now I'm on the anti-hormone drugs.

I saw the oncologist this morning and was basically told to "carpe diem", as any flair up of the lymphangitis could spell the end. Apparently they didn't expect me to leave the hospital when I was admitted back in early September. Or not via the breathing route anyway. I honestly don't know whether to be proud of this or not(!) but apparently for the first weekend of my hospital stay I was the inpatient who had the highest mortality ranking of everybody. My name was literally on all of the lists right at the top in flashing lights. No wonder I always had a queue at my bedside 😂It also explains why DH was so nice to me! I shall stop feeling guilty about being an inpatient now.

I hope everyone is doing well and dealing with their side effects as best they can.

Edited

i have triple negative bc. And a very rare gene which makes me likely for it to return and also get ovarian cancer.

my diagnosis sounds as exciting as yours. I’m having pacli, Pembro and another one. Been having it for a couple of months now. How did you find it ? Did you do the cold cap?

also since you are meant to be carpe diem’ing the F out of life what is your next move?! What are you going to buy / do / treat yourself to? I’ve started to order from Ocado my weekly shop for the F it and have lots of treats !