Tamoxigang cancer support thread 54: A new thread for a new year!

[WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo]

Welcome one and all to the wonderful Tamoxigang thread! May 2016 bring us all health and happiness

If you are new here, then an extra big welcome to the club nobody wants to join. The thread is for people with any type of cancer, and also those who are waiting for results. So don't be shy. We are more than happy to hold your hand while you are waiting for a diagnosis, and we will be here to celebrate or commiserate, whatever your news

No question is too big or too small, someone will usually have an answer, or an idea of where you might find one. You can laugh, cry, shout, swear, and, of course, eat chocolate it is a bit of a safe haven from the mad world of cancer, the head-tilting and talk of bravery, and all the nonsense that comes with this diagnosis :)

So feel free to introduce yourself. And oldies, feel free to re-introduce yourself if you'd like.

We only have one rule here and that is no Googling!

Evening everyone.

Hope they can sort whatever it is for you Amber

Speedy thanks for asking after me and so sorry to hear about your friend. Hope you feel better soon, I'm sure it will be the after effects of your op and nothing sinister. I'm not too bad so far, but can feel a bit of wobblyness sinking in, have planned an easy week so I can sleep and rest (although the steroids had me awake most of last night). Have the laxatives at the ready this time .

I'm sorry to hear about your friend Speedy.

Goodness it's busy here again, apologies if I forget anyone.

Fresta, I'm pleased you aren't suffering too much yet this time, fingers crossed.

Amber, sorry you are having tests again and the waiting for plans.

Puffles, your little boy looks lovely, how is he doing now and the twins?

Speedy, so sorry to hear about your friend, that must have been quite a blow. I would speak to your GP or BC nurse, March is still a few weeks off, that's a lot of worrying about your stomach.

Sleepy, has the tiler shown up yet? My neighbours tiler took almost 12 months to complete their bathroom, I will never know how they endured it.

Somebody mentioned leg ache, was that you Royal? Have you spoken to anyone about it?

Marshy, if you're about, I spotted you on another thread. How was your holiday, it's hard to believe there's any sun in the world at the moment as we are battered by yet another storm?

No news here but I'm seeing my GP in the morning and will be mentioning the pelvic scan results.

Hello all. Just had more chemo and this time suffering more nausea, managed to get some better anti sickness meds which seem to be helping. Don't feel too bad today but weather so awful not much point trying to do anything!

Fresta I am with you on the laxative front. Stupidly forgot to take yesterday's dose though!

Puffles hope your little boy is OK and you're coming with the twins.

Speedy sorry to hear about your friend.

Sometimes it just seems like life rolls from one disaster to another. Been at A&E all day with dd who has broken her arm in PE at school. As if life wasn't hard enough.

Thanks all. We weren't close friends so I feel a bit guilty that I feel so sad about her when it is so much worse for her family and those much closer to her.

I am going to try and relax and give it another week (so two weeks after the op) and then f I still have those symptoms then I will go to the gp. Mrs- you're right that march gives me too long to worry. Hope your gp appointment is productive.

Happy resting Fresta.

Amber- hope your team come up with a plan tomorrow.

Sandwich- hope the nausea can be kept at bay. Not nice!

Hello to everyone else.

Cross post Fresta. Your poor dd and poor you. No, it's not what you all need right now!!!

Oh dear fresta! What a day you have had. Wishing your DD a speedy recovery.
Waving to everybody else.

At least it's taken my mind off my own aches and pains .

Oh no Fresta hope she's ok, and you too

DD still off school with her arm, not sure if I should just send her to school and hope she gets on with it or whether to let her stay off. Apparently it's a buckle fracture and should heal quickly. Think she's being a bit of a drama queen, she has always had a very low pain threshold.

I have the really wobbly feeling back again, like after my last round of EC. I feel like I might have an irregular hearbeat, It's like it feels all fluttery in my chest and then as if my heart pauses ever so slightly too long and the next beat is stronger. Going to ring the helpline again. Has anyone else experienced this with chemo? Scaring myself reading online about how it could indicate damage to the heart now.

Hope everyone else doing Ok this week, best wishes to all having treatment and waiting results

Fresta
I'm currently on Epirubicin (the E of EC)
Two possible heart problems that could result from this:

1. (copied from Macmillan fact sheet) Epirubicin can affect the way the heart works. This is very rare with standard doses but may occasionally occur with high-dose treatment. ... If you have any pain or tightening in your chest, tell your doctor straight away. These symptoms can be caused by other conditions but it’s very important to get them checked out.
2. Heart palpitations caused by low haemoglobin levels - i.e. red blood cell count low and in need of a transfusion.

Definitely worth having this checked out as soon as possible!

Ok so I know I shouldn't just pop on here for hair updates, but I finally went for the chop! First pic is the before shot (at 5am in the morning as I was boarding the plane to the UK for the actual haircut/business trip) and the second photo is my pixie. I actually kind of love it. And am amazed he made photo 1 to photo 2.

That looks great Boobz - and with a smile instead of the scowl!

Love your hair, boobz!

Looking good boobz great style!

We like hair updates and yours looks great

Super stylish Boobz!

Thanks all! I was scowling because Ryanair had just said the plane was broken and we had to get off and on to a new plane, and I was getting very cross that I might miss my hair appointment!

Your hair looks great Boobz, love your updates

Right, been to the hospital for heart check, of course it behaved fine while I was there and they didn't find anything, pulse was strong and regular and they did a quick ECG which was normal. Good news they think there is nothing major wrong, maybe just slight change to they way my heart is beating due to the chemo but no signs of any damage. Just to go back if it gets worse. Best to try to not concentrate on it I think.

DD went to school and seemed to cope OK, apart from being traumatised at having to wear a different cardigan to her school sweatshirt (oh the trials of being a fashion conscious 10 year old), her friends were glad to see her and made a big fuss which was nice.

Roll on half term!

Love the hair Boobz, it really suits you. I went in and asked for a pixie but my hairdresser made a face and strongly suggested I reconsider. I think she thought my face needed "softening" or perhaps hiding behind some hair.

I have been in for my first fulvestrant treatment which was quite funny. They had me bent over the bed with my bum in the air while two nurses simultaneously injected each cheek.

My cancer has now spread to both lungs, liver, spine and lymph nodes in my neck and armpit. Stupid cancer.

Ah, fuck Sleepy. Stupid cancer indeed. I hope the simultaneous bum jabs will kick it into touch.

Lovely hair Boobz (the frowning/smiling reminded me of those adverts where it's all grey and rainy and the person is frowning, then with whatever magic product they are suddenly smiling and the sun is shining! ) I'm glad you made it to your haircut. I hope the flight change wasn't too much trouble.

fresta good news about the heart tests. Could it be anxiety? Your earlier post about it sounded a little like a friend describes panic attacks. I'm glad DD is back at school - does she have a cast everyone can sign?

Sandwich I hope your nausea has eased off.

Fucking stupid stupid cancer indeed, sleepy.
Thank you for the visual image of your treatment today - if you'll pardon the awful pun: the cheek of it! I hope it does exactly what it should.

Glad to hear the heart check was ok, Fresta. Hope you and DD have some half term fun.

Waves and best wishes to everyone.

Oh Sleepy, that really is a bummer! I really hope the treatment is effective for you

The nurse did say palpitations can be anxiety related, although they don't feel as if they are, they definitely feel chemo related. Trying to relax as much as possible although it's not that easy just now. I need wine!

Stupid cancer indeed sleepy x