Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

**Tamoxigang Thread 52** With virtual tea, cakes and chat for all with cancer concerns

994 replies

Lilymaid · 20/03/2015 10:25

We were almost at our 1000 post limit for Thread 51 - hope the title is OK but wanted people to know that we aren't just about people on Tamoxifen but for all with cancer concerns!

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
mrsrhodgilbert · 25/03/2015 21:18

Nanny, wishing you well for tomorrow. I hope you don't feel rough afterwards and you get some quick results.

lovebeingananny · 25/03/2015 21:47

Thanks mrs feeling VERY anxious Sad which really isn't like me. Feeling a bit pathetic, as it's just a little procedure, but I'm letting it get to me so much! So frustrating. Think lack of sleep this week probably hasn't helped.

Just hoping that after tomorrow I can finally relax and start to move forward. Xx

Marshy · 25/03/2015 23:07

Will be thinking of you tomorrow nanny.

lovebeingananny · 26/03/2015 04:15

Thanks marshy I'm wide awake at this ridiculous hour! Hopefully will be all over b4 lunch time! See get told you can't eat and all you can think about is food! Wink

mintyneb · 26/03/2015 04:36

Good luck nanny, it will be over soon and then you can eat all you like!

malteserzz · 26/03/2015 06:44

Morning all
Slept all night which is unheard of for me but it's the end of term tomorrow and shattered !
Mrs good news Smile
Trice hope you get your celeb appointment soon
Nanny good luck today
Hugs for minty

Love to all have a good day I can hear the rain though someone on my FB has said it's snowing where they are !

Boobz · 26/03/2015 13:31

Shuffle up people - one more to join you on this bench!

Got the results today, finally, and it is cancer. Flying in to see breast surgeon tomorrow for next steps now we have this initial diagnosis.

Frustratingly the doctor looking after my case was not in the clinic when I got the text message from her to say the results were ready, and I can't translate the biopsy report which is in Italian, so I don't really know what I am looking at. It IS malignant but I don't know anything more than that at the moment.

Does anyone have a link they could direct me to with "questions to ask your consultant" in this kind of situation? I know I should be asking about grade/stage/hormone receptor status I think, but what else would help me prepare before going into her office tomorrow?

Marshy · 26/03/2015 14:02

Ah boobz, sorry to hear that, but at least you are a bit closer now to getting some proper answers.

I can't do links but if you go on to breastcancercare.org and look under 'diagnosis' there is a list of questions/topics to discuss with your doctor together with some explanations.

Just be aware though that there will be lots of info there which doesn't apply to you and also that your doc won't have all the answers tomorrow.

Will you have anyone with you tomorrow? It can be helpful to have another pair of listening ears.

I'm sure others will be along to give you their thoughts. Hope you are ok.

cleanasawhistle · 26/03/2015 15:23

So sorry about your news Boobz.

I have had my 2nd round of chemo so two more to go then I should hear some news about my next op which will be a mastectomy.
All my hair has now gone so I wear a wig when I leave the house.

Since my last chemo my blood tests have shone to be too low so have just finished a course of antibiotics and have to keep an eye on my temperature.
With it being half term I have just booked a couple of days away in Manchester and am staying near the Trafford Centre........so if my temp were to go above 38 and I have to to go straight to A&E could anyone tell me which hospital to go to please ?

mrsrhodgilbert · 26/03/2015 15:25

Boobz, sorry to hear that you are to be joining us. I was also going to recommend the breast cancer care website. You can also phone them and speak to a nurse who could talk you through what to expect tomorrow. I've found them to be absolutely lovely. Did you mention you have BUPA cover? If so you can also have your own dedicated nurse there to call on at any time. I didn't use BUPA for my treatment as the nhs were so good and quick but my nurse calls me regularly, just to check how I am. I hope you get some proper answers tomorrow.

BsshBosh · 26/03/2015 15:42

So sorry Boobz Flowers

Original poster
Lilymaid · 26/03/2015 15:54

cleanas Nearest hospital to Trafford Centre would probably be Wythenshawe. The Christie is the cancer hospital in Manchester, but I would think you would be directed to the Wythenshawe.

OP posts:
cleanasawhistle · 26/03/2015 16:05

Thank you so much Lilymaid.

I lived in Manchester as a child and had to walk pass Christies Hospital every morning on the way to school.I did think that that option would be out.I will google Wythenshawe just in case.

Take care everyone

derxa · 26/03/2015 16:40

Diagnosed 4 years ago Had a mastectomy and reconstruction (DIEP Flap)
Sorry to all of you ladies who have just been diagnosed recently. Good luck with your treatments
Usually quite upbeat but am a right misery guts today. Lots of horrible anniversaries around this time of year.
Anyone know of a good support group near Herts Essex border? Never went to any at diagnosis What helped you at this stage?

malteserzz · 26/03/2015 16:48

Sorry to hear that Boobz, stick with us though and we'll help you all the way

Clean as hope you enjoy your mini break and don't need the hospital

Welcome derxa, sorry you're feeling down. I didn't go to any support groups etc, but I bet if you phoned Macmillan they'd be able to help

MrsDL1 · 26/03/2015 20:18

Hello, I've not posted before but lurk as mum was diagnosed with triple negative Bc this year. The reason for posting us to reply to boobz. Mum was told they thought her tumour was malignant. The biopsies were 'inconclusive', she then had repeat biopsies and 2 weeks later was told she didn't have bc but a rare breast infection that mimics cancer. Unfortunately she was called back another week later as the consultant had a niggling feeling, further biopsies confirmed bc. The pathologists had to go to a further level of analysis to find it. I know it's probably not what you wanted to hear. I hope you get the all clear, but if you have concerns, I would encourage you to go for a second opinion. I dread to think what would have happened to mum had they not triple checked.

MrsDL1 · 26/03/2015 20:20

Sooty boobz ; I had not seen your update. Wish you all the best x

lovebeingananny · 26/03/2015 20:21

Hi, thanks for all the support. Arrived to book in at 7am, went down at 9.30 and finally left the hospital at 6pm! A long day! Mainly waiting around to see the surgeon.

They found 2 polyps which they removed, 2 thickened areas of the endometrium, which they scraped away and have sent to be checked out. Have appointment with gynaecologist on the 10th, but surgeon seems to think it all looked okay Smile

I am very sore and feeling a bit sick, but hopefully can finally relax and sleep! Xx

Marshy · 26/03/2015 20:35

Good that it's done and sounding reassuring nanny. You wouldn't have wanted to be awake for that so worth the nausea I'd say!

Hope you get a good rest tonight and feeling better soon. Take it easy.

wallaby73 · 26/03/2015 21:43

My first post on this thread - heard lots about joining the thread that no one would wish too but here I, and we are!

So I was diagnosed nearly 3 weeks ago, did the scans and the awful wait, fabulous news in that it hasn't spread anywhere else, has a Ki67 of 10% (phew) and is hormone receptive and HERnegative. Just getting used to the lingo. I felt like the luckiest woman in these here hills when they told me on Tuesday it hadn't spread and the various "good" characteristics of it. Coming back down to earth now though...

So I had a "tag" attached to the tumour today (agony, still is...) and will be starting 6 cycles of chemo in the next 2 weeks, 3 x FAC, and 3 x tax. Seeing the chemo doc on Tuesday next week, then the nurse, then after the Easter weekend the chemo will start. I've already binned the idea of the cold cap; I can't bare washing my (presently huge and bounteous) hair in cold water so I don't see the point of making it more unpleasant.

Not sure what to expect with the chemo, I am bizarrely quite anxious about what changes it will do to my body. It's taken me some years to be body confident and I had an eating disorder in my 20's, my weight is now healthy. I suppose I need to mentally adjust to the idea of gaining or losing weight - either way I would find it very hard to adjust.....and i know it's the least of my worries but it is a concern due to past issues.

So I'm at the very start of this story really, at the moment I am delighted it isn't anywhere near as bad as it could have been, I have 2 DC's, dd is 14, ds is 9, they've both taken it very differently. I'm single but have lots of really good friends and live in a nice village community. So, I am ready to rock the sinead look, head down and keep pedalling. Any words of wisdom always appreciated! Xx

malteserzz · 26/03/2015 23:07

Just off to bed but wanted to say glad it went ok nanny and welcome to wallaby though sorry you've had to join us. Chemo is tough but doable and we'll help you through it
Night all

Original poster
Lilymaid · 26/03/2015 23:12

Hi Wallaby and welcome. I 'm sure you will get plenty of replies tomorrow. Chemo isn't nice but is doable. We can give you tips and support as most of us have had the experience. Off to sleep now as have to get to work tomorrow!

OP posts:
mrsrhodgilbert · 27/03/2015 08:41

Morning nanny, I hope you're feeling much better this morning and have finally slept. Sounds like the GA was a good idea and good to know they managed to remove whatever was causing the problem, hopefully that's now over for you. Onwards and upwards.

Wallaby, hello, you have come to the right place. All manner of help, support and great advice is available here. That said, I didn't have chemo so I can't help with that but do understand the reality of a breast cancer diagnosis and what it does to your mind. My dc are older than yours but dealing with their worries too only adds to the torment initially. I don't think you can predict how they will behave, I have one who is ultra sensitive to it and one who has almost forgotten it happened some months on.

Hello derxa, sorry you are going through a hard time at the moment. I haven't had any help other than this thread so can't help there but just wanted to say hello. Stick around if it helps. I'm less than a year in but coming up to first anniversary so it's all a bit on my mind again at the moment.

Salhal · 27/03/2015 12:43

Sorry Boobz and Wallaby that you've had to join.

All the breast cancer charity websites see to be a good source of information. Write down your questions as my mind always goes blank when placed in the consultants room.

Wallaby I've just done my first chemo yesterday but I'm having 3x EC and 3 X tax so slightly different to you. I had a really useful pre-treatment appointment with one of the chemo nurses and she really laid all my worries to rest, so hopefully you will have one of those too. You seem to have a really positive attitude so I'm sure you will be fine.I was sick as a dog yesterday but not too bad today. I would say line up plenty of support for your first one until you know what to expect. I definitely couldn't have looked after the kids yesterday, or done the school run this morning but mine are younger than yours at 2 and 5. I also feel incredibly lucky that mine hadn't spread.

Big hugs to everyone today x

Salhal · 27/03/2015 12:45

And i binned the idea of the cold cap too, we can be baldies together Wallaby!!

Swipe left for the next trending thread