The Lacies are back for cancer support thread 56 - all welcome!

[WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo]

Hello again, and welcome to our 56th thread. Some of us have been here ages and others have just joined. I hope you've all made it safely over to the new thread.

An extra special welcome to anyone who is lurking and feeling a bit shy. We are all quite friendly and we definitely don't bite, so please do say hello if you'd like to.

All are welcome here. We started off as a breast cancer support thread many years back, but all cancer types are welcome and at any point in the "journey", even if you haven't yet been diagnosed. We have all had different experiences but there's almost certainly someone here who will understand how you are feeling.

Our previous thread is here.

I have started the new thread a little early, and I will explain why in a moment.

In with the outlaws. The BCN is your point of contact for any questions worries etc during your diagnosis/ treatment / after treatment. I phoned mine a few times whilst I was waiting for results,or waiting for the final plan, and when I was struggling after surgery.
You are playing the waiting game now I remember how stressful that was. I honestly think it's probably the worst stage! This time will pass and you will get a plan soon, but do ring her if you are worried about any delay.

Leslie, I also suffered with a sore throat throughout chemo, I seemed to develop little raw lumps at the back of my throat. I tried sipping icy water during chemo session but not sure if it helped, maybe it did! I found drinking milk helped to sooth it and help it heal, it seemed to coat the saw spots.

Leslie Previous threads on here have recommended the ice water but also gargling with Aspirin and Difflam mouthwash.
Outlaws I spent a couple of hours with my BCN yesterday after my standby op was cancelled. She ran between departments, surgeon's secretaries and booking clerks getting me a confirmed date. She wont give any results over the 'phone.

Thank you! I might call her tomorrow - it's just hard during the day with the little ones around and evening gets too late to call I imagine.

My lump feels like it's grown a lot over the last week, to the point it's gotten quite uncomfortable to lie on that side (it's very close to my armpit). There's a growing ache as well. It's stressing me out as it's difficult to ignore (which was my master plan to get through this two week period). Not sure if there's any point mentioning it to her, not like I can get in any earlier to see the consultant, boo.

The biopsy wounds do hurt, and bruise really badly, more so than the actual surgery (in my case). I asked my surgeon at the pre-op about the growth (I perceived mine had grown too), but he said it was just bruising.
Hang on in there. Sorry to be crude but one of the toughest things, is that it is a complete mind fuck.

Fresta I think I had some little lumps the other day. Thankfully gone now. I wonder if you had mucositis too! It's harmless really unless it gets extreme. I tried to drink cold drinks during chemo, thanks for the tip :) I love milk so any excuse to drink it.

Tutti thanks. That may well have been me recommending Difflam, under a different name. I'm quite a fan

Chemo went well. I feel a bit sick, though it's wearing off, and just that kind of bleurgh post-chemo feeling. My throat is fine now, thankfully.

Outlaws I hope your BCN will be helpful :)

An extra hand squeeze for those who are waiting for results, or are anxious for any reason

Aah! Thanks tutti I didn't consider the biopsy wounds at all - it's been a week since so it was clean out of my mind. Bruising wasn't too bad but I wasn't expecting quite that pain when it happened - I was so shocked! I was imagining a jab I guess.

Evening all
Still thinking of Sleepy.
Outlaws I haven't had a great deal of contact with my BCN's but have called them to chase appointments or results. I was told the result of a biopsy as the team had already discussed me at their meeting and it was negative. When I called the same BCN this week to chase my MRI results I was informed that the team were discussing these on Friday and the onc would go through them next week when I see him. I am now worrying that the results aren't good even though I know there is a protocol to follow and it's best to get the results face to face. The biopsy can cause swelling and bruising as Tutti said so try not to worry too much if possible
That French Sangria sounds good tutti
Minty sorry that you have to have more chemo . I am hoping to finish mine by Christmas too so perhaps we can celebrate the end together
Glad your chemo went well Leslie

x post outlaws. The biopsies make me feel like I've been hit by a hammer. The last one that took 7 or so samples seemed to go on forever.

Outlaws, mine were like a gun trigger sort of firing into the tissue (?) I had six in the breast and six underarm; and I have to say that they weren't as bad as I'd feared (and I was bloody terrified) but by God the bruising and pain was bad afterwards.

My BCN said that a lot of women find the after pain worse that the wide scar incision. I think they're quite deep and the body tries to stitch together all the holes. At least that's what it felt like.
I know my bruising took over a week to start appearing and had still not gone away five weeks later when I had the surgery and they were still a lovely blue and yellow. I think the bruising has to work its way up to the skin. You're probably sore deeper in the tissues and have forgotten it because you don't have any physical evidence.

leslie at the risk of quoting your own advise, have you got any ginger for the nausea ?

Re joined the gymn on a six week membership and had a lovely swim. It's really helping to get more movement in the arm and has eased off the pain going down the arm.

Hi Chewy. Don't go near the French sangria. It may look innocent with all those apples and pears floating in the jug; but it's the devils work

My BCN has said that they're just not allowed to give any results unless they've already been discussed by the team., so I know it's easy to say; I genuinely don't think you should read anything into it.It appears to be a well defined protocol and agrees with what mine said.

Really feel for you ladies waiting for results, it's like torture! My BCN never gave out results until the Consultant had given the say so.

Does anyone else find that stress causes pain or tightness in their scar or am I going a bit loopy?! Just had a stressy few days as we moved house last week and my scar feels really tight. It's been a long summer holidays too, love spending time with my 7 year old but he needs to go back to school now!

Good morning lacies. So my reports are now out but can not be discussed with me until I see my doctor next week
It does not help that I have a troublesome cold and very sore throat now. I just want this all to be over.
Sorry not in the right mood and feeling really poorly.
Wishing you all a good day and for those waiting like me a knowing holding of your hand.

Sorry you feel poorly Royal. It's just so horrid waiting.

Waiting is horrid Royal I'm sorry
I'm always jealous of those with nice BCNs they can ring. There are some here but you don't get a named one so never see the same one twice and I've only seen them at appointments
Just had to change that as autocorrect thought I wanted to say you never get a naked one 😳

Sorry you are feeling so rough royal mama take care of yourself x

Sorry you're feeling poorly royal and are having to play the waiting game again. A double whammy of the worst kind

Mum glad you corrected your typing, a naked BCN doesn't bear thinking about!

Missy, sorry I can't help with your question. My scar is still too tight and new to say

Royal and Chewing I'm sorry that you have this long wait for your results. I don't think anyone can know how hard the waiting is until they have had to do it.

So sorry you're feeling so ill Royal. The waiting is stressful and negative. We swear by honey in this house for colds and sore throats.

Missy. I don't think you're going loopy. There are a number of very valid studies showing a negative impact from stress on wound healing and scars. Moving house is one of the most stressful life events, so you're bound to react, hopefully with little one back out school, you'll get a bit more "me" time.

Royal, I'm so sorry you're having to endure an extra wait for results and that you're feeling grotty anyway, colds are horrid.

My local hospital employs three BC nurses and if I call the office I can speak to any of them and feel they remember me. I have called to get test results, the older one who is now semi retired is particularly good at checking the system. The younger ones are a bit more cautious but haven't refused. However I should stress I didn't need chemo and there has never been anything particularly difficult to discuss.

I haven't kept up very well this week, DH is taking holiday so we've been busy everyday. Sounds like there is a lot of stress around at the moment though, I'm thinking of all of you suffering.

Got my contrast MRI for next week. That was quick (saw consultant for post op 26/8). I'm thinking that they are worried about secondaries. Is this a normal time scale ?

I usually get appointments quite quickly after seeing my consultant tutti (some within a few days) so I wouldn't really worry about the timescale tbh.

Hope you feel better soon Royal
I am really tired today so just off for a short nap.

Tutti, there are timescales for MRI appointments that they aren't supposed to breach so don't read too much into it, also you may have been given a cancellation appt to get you in within the time frame. I'm glad you aren't waiting too long.

Interesting what you were saying about stress and scars, it makes sense. I'm starting a mindfulness course soon at a local drop in support centre for cancer patients, so I'm hoping that helps. Oh I've signed up for their Nordic walking as well, always fancied that!

Thanks, that's reassuring Chewing and Missy.
Missy I have to say I had a great time researching that last night. DD and I got my (very old) A Level and her (current) A level Biology books out and had a great time; and tried to work out an hypothesis.

Missy try the dead sea salt as well. I'm noticing a really good improvement after every use. I have a soak in the bath in the actual salt and then I then put a dead sea moisturizer on in the morning and the Emu oil at night, as it's more greasy. The brand is Magik and it's on offer on Ocado.
I got the dead sea shower gel today for the gymn (going back to my calisthenics class ) next week. Nice to get a bit of normality amongst the chaos

Enjoy your nap Chewing.