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Original poster

All the fives... Tamoxigang cancer support thread 55

926 replies

WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo · 12/03/2016 14:01

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.

OP posts:
royalmama · 02/04/2016 18:35

Many seem not to complain only because they feel those around them do not understand and find more support and comfort amongst other cancer sufferers. I mean there is only so much you can tell those who have no idea what it is like, which is why forums and threads like this one here are such a helpline.

lozwil · 02/04/2016 19:17

Thanks Leslie I am going to try the senna and fingers crossed I spent some of last summer on really strong antibiotics so I dread to think what damage had been done to the balance in my digestive system so will try the things you have mentioned.

Hope everyone is having a good weekend x

pepperrabbit · 03/04/2016 19:23

I've been thinking about this as well, and personally think it gives a very contradictory picture to the MacMillan adverts (for example) which more accurately portray how isolating and downright frightening it can be, when the media consistently laud the bravery and fortitude of famous people with cancer.
I see myself as more of a battleground than someone in battle.

royalmama · 04/04/2016 06:58

Exactly pepper and it pressures many already stressed iut cancer sufferers as they feel like they have to be "strong " and "fight " and not complain so as to be worthy of "respect" ..blah blah blah

Lilymaid · 04/04/2016 09:45

Back home at 1:20 this morning and now at hospital for chemo. Feel somewhat knackered and have a mini mountain of washing to do when I get home.
Been a good girl - no sunburn! Next holiday at May Bank Holiday!
Best wishes to all.

mumto2andnomore · 04/04/2016 10:36

Glad you had a good holiday Lily Smile sorry it's back to chemo today hope it all goes smoothly

SleepyForest · 04/04/2016 13:44

I have just had bad scan results again. You would think that I would be used to it by now.

New tumours in my liver and effusions in both lungs. Probably explains why I feel so crappy. I have lost two stone since Christmas and look pretty shocking. Struggling massively With depression and anxiety.

I'm sorry to be such a downer. It's all a bit too real.

royalmama · 04/04/2016 15:41

Sleepy, so sorry about the bad news. Damn the cancer. Lots of virtual hugs and holding your hand. Is there someone there for you?

fresta · 04/04/2016 15:46

Hi Sleepy, glad you are back, I'm sorry to hear that news, I don't really know what to say to help but sending you hugs. It's always a shock when the news is not what you wanted. Bloody awful disease. Have you been given a treatment plan to help get your cancer under more control? Flowers

Glad your holiday was nice Lily.

Original poster
WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo · 04/04/2016 15:52

Sleepy I'm really sorry to hear that. Fucking cancer. It is so unfair. You are not a downer. Though obviously we would all prefer for you to have better news Flowers

Did you have effusion before and have a procedure for it? Either way, I hope they can do something about it ASAP as it sounds nasty.

Sorry, I have nothing at all useful to say. I wish this wasn't happening to you x

OP posts:
pepperrabbit · 04/04/2016 16:01

Welcome back lily, seems a harsh welcome back with chemo and washing!
sleepy - so sorry to hear your scan news. How utterly rubbish. Are they able to offer you treatment to manage the symptoms as well as the anxiety and depression?
helly and elmindarina - I hope you are both ok, I have my first chemo next Wednesday, with the PICC line apt on Monday and I've arranged to see the wig lady on the Tuesday (my boss wondered if I would be in that Tuesday Hmm ?), so cancer all the way next week. It's DS2's birthday on Monday as well - he'll be 10 and a more sparky little boy you couldn't hope to meet Smile.
royal - I hope this last week of rads is bearable.
leslie - I've been reading your posts with interest, my mum is having treatment for polyps (she had a sigmoidoscopy?) which they originally actually told her was almost certainly cancer but then the first one was benign, she has 5 more to be removed and we're awaiting the biopsy result of the biggest at the moment.
I'm going to have to wave to everyone else!

pepperrabbit · 04/04/2016 16:02

You all type much faster than me!

GingerLeaves · 04/04/2016 16:54

Hi there,

My DS has cancer. Am I still able to join?

I really hope so - this thread looks fab! Smile

mumto2andnomore · 04/04/2016 17:27

Sleepy a big hug from me I'm sorry the news wasn't better. What is the treatment plan now ? I'm not surprised your struggling emotionally it's a lot to take in x

Ginger of course you can join us you are very welcome, I'm sorry about your DS though

GingerLeaves · 04/04/2016 17:33

Ah, thank you Smile

DS2 is 4, he has neuroblastoma - he is going strong.

mumto2andnomore · 04/04/2016 18:11

Bless him is he having treatment at the moment ? We are at all different stages here, I was diagnosed with breast cancer 3 years ago and back to work etc ages ago but still struggle to get my head around everything emotionally. This is a lovely group to be part of despite the circumstances :)

GingerLeaves · 04/04/2016 18:13

Ah, I'm really pleased that things are going okay with you Thanks

Yes, he's currently have chemotherapy and radiotherapy Sad

royalmama · 04/04/2016 18:36

Hello Ginger and welcome you are of course. I am sorry about your DS. How is he coping bless him? And what about you? Please feel free to ask, complain, seek support or just chat with us all here.
Pepper, thanks for the mention. I finish the rads after tomorrow. I can not wait for it all to end. I do not think it was easier than the chemo, but it was a different kind of difficult. My skin gets worse by the day :(
Waving to everybody else.
May we all find comfort and support in each other.

GingerLeaves · 04/04/2016 18:42

He's doing okay, it's a bit sad because he sometimes thinks he isn't as good as his brother, as he was the one chosen to get it Sad that was a long conversation...

Apart from that, he's coping really well. Me, not so much... DS1 is in the West End and I'm due a 3rd DS (I'm 30 weeks)...

It's all a bit much, but I'm doing just fine.

You seem like a very strong person Thanks

Lilymaid · 04/04/2016 22:24

Ginger there is a thread on Children's Health called Children with Cancer (or something similar). It used to be fairly active but when I searched, there didn't seem to have been any posts since last November Sad
You may wish also to post there to see if you can revive the thread as there were a lot of people there with experience of going through the process with their DCs.

dinster · 05/04/2016 01:34

Sleepy so sorry about the scan results. More virtual support from here and pointless but fierce rude gestures at the f-ing cancer. I hope your medical team are on the case with a treatment plan?

Ginger welcome and best wishes for the pregnancy and all you're going through and especially to your DS.

Lily hope the laundry mountain is diminishing and this chemo dose is gentle on the SE front.

Congratulations on getting to the end of rads royal! Your poor skin should get a chance to heal soon... Though I know it takes a couple of weeks for the effects to start easing. Do you have anything nice lined up for after? Or maybe you don't feel like it just yet?

royalmama · 05/04/2016 07:31

Good morning all. Ginger, strong is not the word I would useGrin i just tend to take each day as it comes and try to cope as best I can, which seems you too are doing. Bless you.
You have quite a lot going on and I can hardly imagine what it must be like. I truly do feel for you. Please come on here whenever you feel like a good rant. We never judge and we DO listen. I hope you have good family support as well?
Thank you Dinster! No celebrations I am afraid as I am quite sore:( but I have been doing some fun things with the DC this easter break. Not wanting to sound miserably pathetic, but at times I view all the activities I do with them as good memories for them if I should leave them. I tell myself, at least they will have all these good times to hold on to. I tend to even spoil them now I have the cancer, probably cause I worry I will leave them. Oh well!
A new day. A new dawn!
Have a good one all.

FlyChickie · 06/04/2016 00:02

Hello All

Am totally new to this and the lingo so bear with me!
I have just been diagnosed with breast cancer, a month after my mum passed away from cancer and 2 days after my DD's first birthday - great timing eh? Awaiting genetic test but have lumpectomy booked for May 6th in case the genetic test is negative. If it is positive well then that's a whole other ballgame...double mastectomy, wider repercussions for family etc

Either way, short term I'm looking at surgery, radiation therapy and tamoxifen. Chemo will be another discussion to be had down the line apparently - all depends on pathology.

I'm honestly ok as nothing is as bad as losing my mum, this takes the focus off that (in a weird way) and I have a path to beat a way through, got my machete in hand!

But I'm struggling with a couple of things - I'm 39 and if it's not genetic well then WTF?

Not many 39ers around with BC...

And Tamoxifen - argh?!

Anyway, here I am Grin

mrsrhodgilbert · 06/04/2016 08:23

Morning fly, firstly I'm very sorry about your mum. Sometimes life throws so many things at us at once we wonder how to cope.

Your treatment plan is exactly what I had two years ago, are they going to take some lymph nodes from your armpit too, called a SNB?. I just want to assure you that it's very doable. I was through it in just over two months. In fact I felt a bit like I was cheating as I didn't have to have chemo. You'll find that there are plenty of young mums here, it's not so unusual sadly and I'm not sure any of us have a family link, just bad luck. Ask away if there's anything you're wondering about, much better to ask us than google. If you've been allocated a breast care nurse use them too, mine are great for information or a calming word.

Royal, finally you've finished though it sounds like it's really taken it out of you. It's not an easy option when you have that many sessions. I'm hoping you heal quickly physically and mentally.

Welcome ginger, sorry you are going through this, I can't imagine coping if it were my child.

Sleepy, as everyone has said I was so sorry to hear about your latest results, are you still on the trial?

I've been reading but not commenting too much recently, it's 2nd anniversary time, mammo next Tuesday. Keeping my head down. Hello to everyone else.

FlyChickie · 06/04/2016 08:57

@mrsrhodgilbert thanks for the words of support. I've just had the phone call to say the genetic results are negative which is super news. Yes, they will do an SNB. How long before you were able to be back to physical normal? I know everybody is different, I'm just trying to get a picture. I'm a stay at home mother with a very active 1 year old! DH can help but I want to be back in action asap...

Also, does anyone have recommendations for natural ways to counteract the SE's of Tamoxifen?