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

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Hello 👋

@ohdoriswheresthesalad Thanks @ohdoriswheresthesalad . I wish we had British TV! The best I’ve found on our end is Britbox😍. I’d love for him to have glue ear. Idk how I found Mumsnet but think it had to do with wanting to find out what daily life in the UK is like🤷🏻‍♀️. It’s been an eye opener.

@Nonamelass Thanks for the handhold and yes to the anxiety! It was very different. Then I noticed the nurse didn’t cover the chemo with a brown bag (which has been what they’ve done for the other 10+ times). In any case I am done with this for two weeks and hope all will sort itself out (with the exception of the side effects of said chemo). We managed to walk along the strikers(accidentally)who yelled, screamed, blew whistles and managed to obstruct life everywhere. My heart did not go out to them. It did remind me of “Billy Elliot” though which is one of my most favorite movies ever ♥️♥️♥️.

I’m very glad your chemo went ahead @Sbmpp, strikers or not.

My son had glue ear when he was little. We thought he would have grommets but he ended up growing (a lot!) and so the little ear tubes just got longer and longer and his hearing improved.

An admission from me - I have never seen Gavin & Stacey either. I really should, it’s definitely a British icon and it’s set in a part of Wales near to where my aunty lived so I actually remember the area from when I was a child.

hello @Connemaraa, I’m sorry you’ve had post op issues but I’m glad they are resolving themselves. The waiting is definitely the worst. It just makes everything seem so much more complicated 💐

@Ventress Thanks so much. I woke up this morning with bright red cheeks I usually get after chemo session. I’m supposed to start the granyx today (usually I start two days later so idk why? Also wondering how people in Britain watch American shows? The British shows I do get are usually much older. I love them 😍. They keep my mind off the things I don’t want to think about. Idk where “Game of Thrones” comes from but I guess it’s pretty popular and I’ve never seen an episode. That might occupy my mind for awhile. Maybe I’ll save it while waiting for petscan results.

I went for my scan results yesterday and I havent stopped crying since, I dont seem to be able to have taken it in.
I have two chemo sessions left and they want me to continue because progress made on bc lump(s) and lymph nodes I think but stable for lung and then growth of 4mm on liver and suddenly I have bone cancer found in my L4 which they said must have been hidden so now I need some bone drug too but not urgent.

Now I need MRI for liver and I am just in bits what am I doing and is it worth it
this chemo has been so hard and I have had another cycle since the scan was done and there was a gap between original scan and the treatment starting of 4 weeks so they dont really know what size everything could have been at the start.

dont know why i am posting this but its 4.30am and only people on here know what its like to keep receiving shit news every time you have an appoinment.

@cantbelieveIamhere Oh I am so sorry. More appointments and testing and results. I understand and I really sympathize. Did you have someone with you yesterday? What a
shock, sending you a big hug and warm hanhold xxx

I’m so sorry to hear this. Have you been referred for therapy? It can really help.

I/ we are also an ear to listen. Don’t have any advice; but I hear you and I understand. Life is shit. Is there anything you can do to moderately give you some joy today? A nice coffee shop? Bar of choccy?

I’m so sorry to read your update @cantbelieveIamhere. It does does like continuing chemo would be a good idea 🤗 I honestly think it would have been good for me too (in approximately the same position as you) . It will reduce the L4 nodule for sure. Is the bone treatment called Zoledronic acid? That is what I am taking. It’s an influsion which will strengthen your bones and help them not produce tumours. You take a calcium supplement will it called “adcal D3” which are chewy tablets and just part of the morning routine.

please rest today. Watch some rubbish tv and just rest 💐 the doctors will speak to you, think through the options you have and then it will all be clearer. An MRI is a good idea when they can organise it. It will at least mean you have possession of all of the facts 💐

@Nonamelass @Bangersndmash @Ventress thank you for all your messages I really appreciate it. Husband with me every appointment hes a star.

Yes I will of course continue until the end, two more cycles of docetaxel and phesgo but the focus was all on the liver yesterday and potential other chemo so moving goalposts just as you are motivating yourself to reach them and of course I am completed knackered by whats gone on so far.

@Ventress they mentioned a drug beginning with D and talked about timing it with phesgo injections but I have to find a nicer dentist the last one I went to was not kind despite me being on chemo so that will be a task in itself, and of course has to be a private one

I am so tired of cancer and all its games and the games oncologists play.and all the horrible side effects of every bloody thing
sorry moaning moaning rant rang

@Sbmpp- please rest today. My sister always went red after her chemo too. Not sure why but it was a “thing” and I’m sure it’s not sinister for you either. Ah, English tv shows. I’m sure we can get you a big list to watch on Brit box! US shows I have really enjoyed include (from the ancient past onwards) ER and Cheers, the Sopranos, The Wire, Dexter, also nonsense like Bones, Elementary and Lucifer. There are loads more I’m sure. For British tv I would recommend all of the “Morse” shows - Morse then Lewis then (and probably the best) Endeavour.

I also really enjoyed Big little lies.

I wasn’t sure about Game of Thrones - too gory for my taste!

I do get it @cantbelieveIamhere. Good for your husband. Mine has been with me too and is such a star.

definitely find a nice dentist to give you the once over before the start of the bone treatment. It’s something to do with the bone in the jaw potentially being difficult/inflammatory. My sister had to have a wisdom tooth removed (she’d been putting it off) before treatment. My dentist was my nhs dentist. I guess it just depends what qualifications they have and whether the oncologists are happy.

you carry on ranting and moaning! I have done a little sales retail therapy online this morning. Sod it. I am worth it 😊

@cantbelieveIamhere I received some really shiity news about my cancer and my therapist really helped me rethink my thoughts. I was really sad and stressed, and she said, well look at it this way: now we know more about what we are dealing with; we can change the plan to suit. It’s a good thing we have found x y z because we can fix it / help it.

i know it’s easier said than done but it helped me refocus, and calm myself a little (definitely not all!).

@Ventress what lovely things have you brought?

im ill at the moment and think they will cancel my
chemo Monday… the thought of them cancelling is really making me anxious. Anyway I’m off to soft play madness this morning. No rest for the wicked!

@Bangersndmash thanks for that - I am being referred for therapy but it could take months !

I have spoken to my BCN and she has confirmed that I wasnt told that some of the lung blobs have shrunk too as well as some staying the same and the other lymph nodes and breast lumps shrunk so 3 positives amongst the one liver question mark and of course the L4 surprise, she did say its small.

One of my chemo cycles was moved back one week in order for me to recover from illness and its all fine, so try not to worry, better to be well and be able to cope with the chemo.

I’m glad your therapist is helping you @Bangersndmash. I’m still unsure on therapy. I’ve been offered it through my private health, plus MacMillan (Linda McCartney ) and HR. I’m still not sure I’m ready for counselling yet but it sounds very positive for you. I think perhaps I’m nearly ready. It’s been 5 months since my diagnosis so I am getting to a place of acceptance.

I’m sorry you aren’t feeling well (and soft play on top - you are hard core!) I hope you feel better for Monday 💐

I have bought some new boots and a handbag (I am a sucker for a handbag but I only buy one (max 2) each year ) both in the sale and heavily discounted . DH has said he’d buy one or the other as my Christmas present which is kind.

Lots of positives there @cantbelieveIamhere💐

@Ventress Oh you bet I’m resting! Was nauseous all day yesterday and woke up the same this morning. Took zofran and promethazine and peppermint tea so far, still feel lousy. The nature of the beast. Thanks for TV recommendations 😍. I’ve seen a few and love them. Hoping you feel good today. Hoping everyone’s chemo is attacking the beast.

Me too I love Billy Elliot, everything about it. I’m originally from the North of England and it reminds me of home. I love the sound track. I’m a big fan of the clash and t rex and the mod type music. Have you seen a series called Flea bag? Totally different but I really enjoyed it. It’s funny but dark too.Hope the ted face is subsiding I used to get that too..I thbk it ´s the steroids ? Xx

Thank goodness the bc nurse explained it more clearly , the lung lumps shrinking sounds more positive for sure xxx

I had a session to talk about double mastectomy. It was I felt a formality but it was actually quite good. She said I seemed quite positive … I said I sometimes wonder if I am not in denial 🙃 … I actually think I was pretty burnt out with caring … I sat on a heap on the sofa ALOT and this has kind of slapped me in the face and woken me up. After that she said maybe we should make another appointment 😂
Havent heard back yet if ok for double mastectomy. Will ring next week. Retail therapy is great I’m very in to it atm !! Xxx

when the oncologist said he was asking for a petscan I wimpishly said oh no do I have to? What if they find something else?? ( You’d think I was five not 59) to which he firmly answered well if they do we will treat it . It was weirdly comforting it’s true it’s better to know the full picture because they do know how to treat breast cancer
I’m not even on chemo and I haven’t got the energy to be working and then go to soft play. I’m just about trying to force myself to go for walks on the days I’m wfh. You are superwoman !!!

Oh goodness Game of Thrones… nope not for me I watched the first episode until if I remember rightly someone kills a little girls dog ( wolf?) and I had to turn it off …
I like Dexter though and breaking bad / better call saul
Havent seen big little lies, will have a look xxx

Night night everyone xx
@cantbelieveIamhere hope you get a better night’s sleep xxx

You are allowed to flipping moan. Moan and rant as much as you want it’s not a walk in the park, it’s a right pain in the backside and turns our lives upside down , it’s stressful and frightening and we can’t plan things. Thankfully progress has been made in treatments but its no fun
Night night everyone xx

@Nonamelass Thanks for letting me know. My kids have told me I wouldn’t like it 😵‍💫

Big little lies ? @Sbmppits an Australian novel but translocated to expensive north California (Montecino?) for the tv show. It’s very good, I do recommend it. Also for British I would suggest Peaky Blinders and The Night Manager. Let us know what sort of genres you like and I’ll take a look through the iPlayer.

I am glad you are all resting as you should. I definitely think retail therapy is the way to go 😊 I’m going to a place called Home Sense this afternoon which has been recommended to me. Apparently it’s tk maxx for homewares. There is one in my nearest big town. I want to decorate my new alcove/reading cubby.

I absolutely agree with @Nonamelass- rant, moan whatever you need. This is the place to do it because we all understand. see the treatment through- you are awesome. You can do this. We can do this. Whatever they throw at us, we are stronger.

I can’t cope with animal death @Nonamelass- why do they do that?!

Do the pet scan if it’s worth doing @Nonamelassits definitely better to know what you are looking at (imo). It does sound like you are in a good place for the double mastectomy 🤗