Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

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.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

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

982 replies

WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo · 21/12/2015 21:27

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

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 Flowers

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 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!

OP posts:
Thread gallery
8
mumto2andnomore · 04/01/2016 20:27

I used one called fast, bought it from Amazon. I had my last chemo in Novrmber 2013 and by the end of Jan had enough hair to have a short style which is when I ditched the wig ! So I think that even though the cold cap didn't save it all it did help it to come back quickly. 2 years on I really appreciate my hair now and never worry about bad hair days ! Hope yours doesn't take long to be back to normal too :)

StayGold · 04/01/2016 20:49

Thought that's what it was called thought I'd check though... Shall check out Amazon, thanks mum xx

Speedypenguin · 04/01/2016 21:47

Excellent news Earthy. Very pleased for you.

Stay- i didn't cold cap either but did have a very sensitive scalp for several months. My hairdresser tried a very gentle oil to help but even that stung after a few minutes (she is very used to dealing with people after chemo). Am glad I didn't insist on colouring it for a while. I did use a sensitive shampoo and that seemed ok. Just don't scrub too hard! I know what you mean about it feeling horrid. After I had my first cut (3 months after chemo) it felt much better as she got rid of the nasty feeling bits. You might be able to have a cut earlier as you have kept some hair. I hope it starts to grow nice and quickly for you.

Dotty- hope your appointment was ok.

Lily- fingers crossed for your CT scan.

Lozwil- Waiting is horrid but keeping everything crossed for your blood test.

Sleepy- is it results tomorrow or next Tues?

Summersunandflowers · 04/01/2016 22:13

Hi All, found out today that I will need chemo. Am stage 1, mode negative and hormone positive. Had oncotype Dx test which came back with a high intermediate recurrence rate. Once has sent me for a pet scan tom. Am scared and hoping all ok. Every ache I fear the worst. Start chemo on Monday. What is it like? Doing Fec x4 and then tax something every week for 12 weeks. Apologies for not commenting on other posts, am in shock 😢

Summersunandflowers · 04/01/2016 22:14

Once is onc X

Original poster
WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo · 04/01/2016 22:22

Hi Summersunandflowers, I won't pretend chemo is fun, but it is absolutely do-able. Others have had FEC and the weekly Tax so will be able to advise on this specifically, but I didn't want to leave your post unanswered :) good luck with your scan tomorrow, hopefully you will feel a little better after that.

Dotty I hope your appointment went painlessly Flowers

StayGold good luck for tomorrow, I hope it goes smoothly and with minimal side effects Star

Waving to everyone else, I hope you've had a good evening!

OP posts:
mumto2andnomore · 04/01/2016 22:25

Summer sorry to hear you will need chemo, I was terrified of it as some on here will remember but honestly it won't be as bad as you fear and we will help you through it with hints and tips. People get different side effects but they can all be managed. I wasn't sick at all which surprised me. Stick with us and we will help, you'll be ok honestly Smile

StayGold · 04/01/2016 22:38

Hi summer sorry you have to join the gang, but this is a great place to be to answer questions or just read about others' stories. I'm just about to finish my Chemo I will have had 6 X fec 100 and I won't lie it's been hard but is doable. You get yourself in a mindset and after the first one it all slots into place. My advice buy some corsidol for yucky mouth, sharp and sweet foods and drink helps. Try the cold cap if you can... I have lots of hair left about 50-60% is uncomfortable but again doable. Be prepared to feel like a train has hit you but give in, go to sleep if you need to, do nothing and my best advice is if you want that second doughnut, piece of chocolate then have it! Treats make life bearable... Oh and take all the anti sickness you can - if you get seasick or if you've had children and had awful morning sickness then ask for Emend tis fab, good luck xx

DottyBee · 04/01/2016 22:38

Best wishes for tomorrow staygold and Flowers for summer

I am not sure what to make of my appointment Leslie. He examined me,so my stomach and bum are really soreSad.
He said that I had anal fissures. In view of the length of time I have had them and other symptoms I will be having an endoscopy. He also prescribed cream for the fissures. He said that there is something going on, but couldn't rule in or out anything. The wait begins.....Sad

StayGold · 04/01/2016 22:39

Meant to add thanks Leslie I hope the side effects are minimal too X

StayGold · 04/01/2016 22:42

Thanks for the info Speedy am planning to hang fire I think with anything drastic ... Have wavy/ curly hair so can hopefully hide the regrow the with some crafty comb overs. Will also be gentle for a bit with the scalp. Really want to scrub it though Grin X

Rivercam · 04/01/2016 22:44

Earthy - glad for your good news

Summersunandflowers · 04/01/2016 22:48

Thanks for all the tips. I do get sea sick so will ask for emand. Feels a bit better to hear it is do-able. Any other tips greatly appreciated 😀 Are most people ok to walk kids to school after fec? Is only a few minutes walk.
Any one had the weekly t chemo?
Dotty, hope the wait is not too difficult and that you get good results x

Summersunandflowers · 04/01/2016 22:50

Oh and does anyone know if the weekly t chemo is bad for hair? Will do cold cap for fec then if t not going to make it all fall out!

DottyBee · 04/01/2016 22:51

Thank you Summer Sending best wishes your way.

Original poster
WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo · 04/01/2016 23:07

Dotty hm, frustrating! Good they are going to have a look around to work out what is going on, but more waiting is less good. Did he give any indication when your endoscopy will be? They will usually give initial results on the day, even if there are more tests needed.

I can empathise with fissures, no wonder it hurts! Is it GTN cream? I hope it helps quickly so you can at least be in less pain while you wait for answers :)

OP posts:
DottyBee · 04/01/2016 23:21

No they didn't say and I stupidly didn't think to askBlush It was a bit rushed and I was so uncomfortable I just wanted to get out.

Hospital pharmacy was closed so I have to go back tomorrow. It looks like it says dializten on the prescription????

I hope it works, as this has been going on since October. So much for my self diagnosis. Which reminds me I had better delete those picsGrin

Original poster
WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo · 04/01/2016 23:28

Ah. Diltiazem :) I am using it myself right now! It does sting a little on broken skin, but grit your teeth and it eases off very quickly. I hope it gets to work straightaway.

You could start a new Instagram trend with your bottom pictures Wink

OP posts:
DottyBee · 04/01/2016 23:52

Good Lord noShock. It was ugly down there. Definitely not my better sideGrin

Are you using it for fissures too? Is it working? It is a wonder I have any teeth left, due to all the gritting in the bathroom.

Original poster
WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo · 05/01/2016 00:38

Yes, for a fissure too. It's a bit of a long story. The cream healed the fissure up really well to begin with. I noticed results within a few days. But it turns out the fissure is caused by an underlying issue from my surgery, so then it opened up again.

So it does work, just not for my current problem :) I am continuing to use it as it is definitely helping, my fissure is less sore and not bleeding as much. It's much nicer than the GTN cream they usually give, that causes a pounding headache!

OP posts:
BooksAsGarden · 05/01/2016 00:48

Hi everyone,
This is my first post ever so let's see how this goes.
Could someone please help me with a current breast reconstruction thread?
I need to have a mastectomy for 10cm DCIS on mammogram. Found it while breastfeeding. Scary with a little baby. And scary anyway.

royalmama · 05/01/2016 02:53

earthy that is fab news! Wishing you nothing but good health from here on.
summer. Welcome to the thread and please feel free to come on here and ask and talk all you wish. I am on weekly Tax( should finish next week but has postponemnet due to UTI) my hair is actually growing back on tax after having fallen out on AC. My onc said this was very very typical.
Waving to everybody else and wishing you all a fine day.

royalmama · 05/01/2016 05:42

summer as for chemo tips: i too was worried about limitations when I was told I had to have chemo, as I have two DC. What I can say is that there will be good days and bad days and you will soon figure them out in your case and work around them. A short walk should actually be helpful in combatting fatigue but whatever you do do NOT push yourself when tired. i found i could do many things if I preplanned, but there were times when I underestimated my fatigue and paid for it Grin
Hopefully, you will do well. It is absolutely not as bad as I myself had thought.

DottyBee · 05/01/2016 07:42

Sorry Leslie I dropped off. Can they do something about the fissure or is it a case of cream everything it reoccur?

lozwil · 05/01/2016 09:09

Dotty I hope every thing turns out ok for u not knowing is awful isn't it.

Thanks for all the support ladies it is a place no one wants to be but u r all amazing.

One more day to wait for my blood results, I have just dropped ds at school and thought I would distract myself by sorting wardrobe out big mistake as I had kept all my mat clothes and I should b wearing them now and starting my mat leave next week not on the sick so having a bit 9f a melt down. I think it's time for a peaceful bath with all the new stuff I got for Xmas with a good book not my phone so I can't Google I hate that this is my life at the moment just feel In limbo if I am clear I can ttc if not I can deal with it not knowing is rubbish but I'm sure u all know that x x x