All the fives... Tamoxigang cancer support thread 55

[WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo]

Welcome newbies and oldies to our 55th thread!

Our previous thread is here.

If you have any sort of cancer please feel free to join us. We are always happy to offer a hand to hold if you're waiting for test results too.

There are no stupid questions here, and there will usually be someone who can answer, or point you in the right direction.

chewing I hope the scan goes well and that you don't have to wait long for the results

leslie good luck with the chemo, hope the SE are tolerable

pepper, fingers crossed your dr is right and there is nothing to worry about with your cyst. Don't worry about crying with the counsellor, I'm sure they must be used to it. I tried a few sessions of counselling last year but ultimately found it wasn't hugely helping me. I did find though that every now and then I would say something and I could literally feel this huge rush of emotion come surging up from inside and reduce me to tears. I'd be left thinking where on earth did that come from?!

welcome nora, but so sorry you've had to join us. I am on my second diagnosis of BC in the same breast. First time was invasive cancer but this time they think its 'just' DCIS. But because I had a lumpectomy and radiotherapy last year my only surgical option is - like you - a mastectomy. I met with the plastic surgery team this afternoon. They are the people that would be detaching any body tissue from the tummy or back and reconnecting after the breast surgeon has done the mastectomy.

Both procedures can be done in the same operation but for the tummy tuck type reconstuction you can end up in theatre for up to 8-10 hours. You then have about 6 days in hospital being closely monitored (think hourly for the first day) to make sure that the transplanted tissue is well served with a blood supply. You're then looking at up to 3 months to recover fully. So its a major operation and takes its toll on the body but the surgeon said that most women who've had it done don't look back with any regrets.

I've got to wait another 4 weeks to see the team again as due to my situation they really want to thrash out the pros and cons of all the options in order to come up with the right recommendation. I hate the thought of having to wait in limbo as the surgery is unlikely to be until mid August now :-(. I just want to get it over and done with.

mrs, I didn't go through a surgical menopause but my second round of chemo plunged me into premature menopause (i was regular as clockwork until then) and i haven't had a period since Sept 2014. I did struggle with flushes, still do, and have a hard time with stiff joints and feeling like I'm walking through concrete. My memory is not what it was either. I don't envy you the decision you have to make, I hope you are able to get the right support to help you make it.

apologies if I've missed anyone

chewing good you shouldn't have too long to wait, though I know the waiting is agony do ask your GP for something to help the anxiety or to help with sleep if you need it. Mine gave me a beta blocker while I was waiting for my PET scan results. It takes away the physical anxiety response so I can deal with my thoughts.

Thank you dinster and minty. Chemo went OK, though I was there about nine hours as they've added in the final drug. It should be quicker next time. I feel a little bit sick this time. Not nearly as bad as previous chemo nausea though. I've got another two days of trying not to yank the tube out. I caught it on a door handle yesterday, so thankfully it seems to be well attached

minty I'm glad your team is being thorough, but four weeks is a long wait! I hope they come up with a plan you are happy with.

Chewing, I hope your scan goes smoothly today and they don't leave you waiting too long for results.

Leslie sorry you're feeling a bit icky now, hope that doesn't last too long.

lily how are you, if you're reading? We haven't heard from you for a while, I hope you're ok.

Hello to everyone else, especially those waiting for results, first or second time around.

Dd2 gets the keys to her student house for year2 today. We're going over to check it out, read the meters etc. It's supposed to have been cleaned by the leaving students - we shall see!

Hi everyone
I'm thinking of Elmindara and helly going through tax. I hope neutropenia stays away for your subsequent cycles. I'm also thinking of Leslie, Lily and Sleepy going through chemo and everyone else I have missed out. Hopefully Pepper is starting to feel more human.

Good luck for today Chewing. Jo I hope you have got a better idea of your treatment plan.

I had my echo and the cardiologist has called me back in one month. My ejection fraction is on the low side so he wants to keep an eye on it. He said he will do everything he can to not interrupt herceptin.

Thanks Mintyneb. I'm sorry you are having to go through this again. I'm still pondering my options and spending too much time on google. Good luck with your treatment. I would post a smiley face or flowers for everyone, but I can't figure out how to! x

Fingers crossed for you Mysillydog

mrsrhod I hope the house was clean and that your daughter will have a great year there :)

nora no Google is pretty much our only rule here in all seriousness, remember that there's all sorts of nonsense out there and a lot of stats will be out of date. So try not to panic if you come across anything scary.

Waving to everyone!

Also nora if you're on the desktop site, there's a list of smileys and how to do them below the message box. I don't know if it's there on the mobile site or app.

:) is [ smile ] or : ) without spaces

is [ flowers ] without spaces

I'm a bit smiley obsessed. I think it's because I spent most of my teens chatting on MSN and using hundreds of emoticons! I'm trying to tone it down a bit...

Morning all.
My CT scan went fine and was done really quickly - no hanging about. I was told the results would take 1-2 weeks but my consultant has asked for them urgently so I will this chase up next week. My op is scheduled for 10 days time but this could change if the CT results show something.

Hope you all have a good weekend. I am going shopping for a dress to wear to a ball next week. Have left it to the last minute as I didn't know what was going on with treatment and whether I could face going or not. Have decided that if I can find a nice dress I will go

Chewing, I'm pleased your scan went smoothly. It really helps with reducing the stress if hospital visits work out well. You may be lucky and get a dress in the sales, they seem to be earlier than ever this year. We will have Autumn clothes in the shops in a couple of weeks.

Dds student house had cleaners in when we arrived, thank goodness. We dumped some bags of belongings and made the bed so it looks a bit better when she moves in properly in September. Looks like another rainy weekend in Yorkshire. This time next week I'll be on a plane to the Med, can't wait. I hope everyone manages to do something enjoyable this weekend.

Morning everyone! I'm so glad it's Saturday, no school and no RADs, I'm mumsnetting from my bed with a big cup of tea . Yes Mrs, I think you are right about the weather, it's wet here too, also in Yorkshire- dd wants to go to Halifax by the Sea today, not sure it will be much fun in the rain!

Glad to hear your CT scan went well, good luck with the dress shopping chew, I think a ball sounds great and it's good to carry on with life.

Hope everyone has a nice day.

Fresta how are the rads going? Are you very fatigued and is your skin holding up?

Mysilly, the RADs are ok so far, my skin looks a bit pink and my boob is little swollen, like I've been in the sun, but it isn't sore or anything at the moment and I feel fine, no more tired than I usually am! I've had 9 sessions so far so only 6 more to go! Thanks for asking .

Hello lacies :)
Chewing, glad your scan was smooth and by all means get tha dress and enjoy the ball!
Mrs, whereabouts in the Med are you heading? Hope you have a fab time.
Leslie, sorry you were a bit sick and your chemo Tube reminded me of the drains ! Take care.
I have managed to lose some of the extra weight I had put on because of the treatment. I never thought I had it in me to curb my sweet tooth so drastically! Now the thing that is really annoying me is my hair! It is so messy and curly and unruly! I appreciate I now have hair but as my DS1 said: mummy I think I prefer your old hair!" Oh Dear! I am going to have to go see the hairdresser about this.
My first follow up is looming and I am a wee bit anxious. We have booked our holiday and the DC keep talking about it thus making me feel nervius. What if something is wrong and we have to cancel yet again! I feel good..in fact quite normal which is scary in a way..you can't help but wonder what is going on inside your body.
Waving to everybody and wishing you all a restful day.

Hope everyone had a good weekend. Mine involved far too much prosecco
Royal my hair came back curly but is now back to straight again and I am back to curling it !
Fresta glad the rads are going ok, keep moisturising after treatment as you carry on cooking for a couple of weeks
Hope you found a great dress chewing ?
Love to Leslie, Mrs Rhod and everyone
Hope you all have a good Monday x

Evening all, hope everyone is ok today.
We had a good weekend, local carnival on Sat, so we watched the parade and then took the kids to the park where there was a funfair and had a picnic (just 20 minutes under the picnic rug while the heavens opened!)
So, very enjoyable, then yesterday I was utterly wiped out, I think the fatigue kicked in big style, I had to sit down halfway through hanging out the washing, literally couldn't stand up. Most odd.
chewing I hope you found your outfit and are ok waiting for results.
royal well done on the weight loss, how long till your check up?
leslie hope you're feeling ok and the chemo tube is behaving!
fresta glad the rads are going well, I've arranged to see my wig lady straight after my first session as she's based at the rads hospital, my hair is still attached but that's really the best you can say about it!
Waving to everyone else minty, dinster, mrs, nora, mysilly, mumto2, helly, fly and elmindarina and everyone else (I do hope I haven't missed anyone!)
Anyone else watching Sewing Bee??

Evening to all. Talking of hair, I'm struggling with mine- I'm really finding it hard to pluck up the courage to go out wigless. It's about an inch long now, but it's surprising how short an inch looks and it just doesn't have any style- think action man hair! I have quite a long face shape and it just isn't flattering. I've decided I'm going to go for it once I break up from school in a couple of weeks, then I can avoid any of the children's questions about it

Norajane, I mostly lurk but had a preventative double mastectomy with implant reconstruction in December. My surgeon recommended the book "The breast reconstruction guidebook" by Kathy Steglio (available on kindle). I found it really useful in outlining the different reconstruction methods available, I remember there are chapters on Tram/ Diep flap procedures.

Evening all
I have today managed to get a nice dress for the ball. Just need shoes and a bit of bling now
Fresta I have said that if I have chemo I won't mind being bald and won't wear a wig but I expect it's a bit different when you're actually at that stage. I like Action Man hair
Mumto2 you can never have too much prosecco!
pepper I haven't seen any of this series yet. Is it any good?

well done on the dress chewing, have fun now blinging it up!
fresta, have you had your hair cut yet since it started to grow back? I went when mine was half an inch or so long and it made such a difference having the longer ends tidied up. It does take courage to go out au naturel but you might be surprised at the lack of people's reactions. good luck for when you do it for the first time
pepper sounds like you had a lovely weekend, shame it was spoilt by the fatigue. It always amazes me how it hits when you least expect it. DD and I have been watching the sewing bee but have yet to see last nights final. DD's teacher is on strike today so she's gone off to MIL with her sewing box in hand :)
mum prosecco is always good!

I've got a day in and out the hospital for a bone scan and ct scan. I've also managed to pin down one of our extremely elusive breast nurses for an appt so it will be good to talk to her. I just feel so angry about everything and frustrated with the timescales ahead. Whilst I hate the thought of surgery I just want to get on with it now

waves to everyone else, hope you all have a good day

Hope your scans go ok minty. I totally get your frustration

thanks chewing.

well someone must have been watching over me at last today. I was about to leave the house for a day at the hospital when the post arrived bringing with it an appointment for an angio ct scan (or something like that) tomorrow morning at the Marsden. This is a scan where they check for blood vessels in the tummy prior to considering a DIEP reconstruction. Only trouble is according to the paperwork I wouldn't be able to have it if I'd had another ct scan in the last 4 weeks - and I was expecting to have one done this afternoon. So short story is I've been able to organise everything to be done tomorrow otherwise I'd be waiting even longer for the plastic surgeons to come up with a solution.
Bone scan went OK and I had a huge chat with the breast nurse which was so needed. End result is I'm now absolutely shattered and just want to go to bed and sleep.
DH had a mole removed from his leg this morning and the surgeon requested the results of the biospy as being urgent :(. DH had a melanoma removed from his neck last year so we're both understandably worried that this might be the same thing

Hi all,
Is it OK to join in please? I went for a smear today and ended up having two biopsies. I've had treatment for severe dyskariosis around 16 yrs ago but the consultant is concerned about bleeding I've been having after running a
Long distance and after intercourse. She said today that she wants to refer me on to have a look at my uterus if the biopsies are clear but was very careful not to be too positive about them being clear if you see what I mean.
Dp lost his wife to BC years ago and is being spectacularly unsupportive right now so that's a bit pants but I suppose there's no point looking for support until I know if I actually need it.

Hi abitwrong, of course you can join in but sorry you're having an uncertain time. Will you have a long wait for results? Sounds like you might be needing a hysteroscopy too. I've had a couple recently and they're very manageable.

Your dp must be struggling with his memories and worry about you, it's a shame he is reacting the way he is though. I hope he has a word with himself quickly and starts to be more supportive.

Hi, thanks for replying I get the results around the 22nd of this month so not too long. I think the consensus was that it's likely to be positive but should be very early stage. She made a point of saying that the cervix looked healthy for the most part but biopsied two specific areas after using the dye solution. She was fairly clear that she was expecting something but obviously can't say anything definite until the results are back. dont know what a hysteroscopy is and I'm avoiding Google if I can for the moment.
I understand my partner being the way he is at the moment, I think from his point of view it's probably painful to think he might need to support another partner through this. It's still making me sad though, I need to talk about it to someone but don't feel I can with him as he is almost acting as if it's me being dramatic and not an actual thing to be worried about if that makes sense?
I'm really frightened, I run my own business and I can't afford to be off really, I think I just need to be busy and get over the next two weeks so I know whether or not worrying is actually justified......

Hi again, I think it's actually a kindness of sorts if a dr warns you that they expect results to be positive. Mine didn't at all and I was absolutely shocked by the news. I don't know how it is for cervical cancer but for BC you are given a treatment plan immediately at the results appt. All very daunting but at least you walk out knowing exactly what they're going to do about it, I hope it's the same for you.

A hysteroscopy is just having a camera put into the uterus, samples may be taken.

Your partner must in such turmoil inside, if he's usually a lovely man. That still doesn't help you. He may well be angry too, certainly as patients we feel angry about it, so I guess partners do too. Not at you but at the unfairness of it. The next two weeks will be difficult for you both, but this is a good place to come and rant. We might not be much use with the details but the fear is the same.