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.

Leslie, hope your throat is feeling better?
Sleepy,go for the cake by all means
Chewing, once the treatment starts you will feel so much more in control!
Waving to everybody else.
I got some of my test results ( good) but not all..i am chasing them for the remaining .the tumour marker results are pending and I am hoping they don't show up anything too....in between getting ready for the vacation i find myself worrying and the what ifs are in abundance !

Awwwww thank you pepper

Actually pepper you have provided so much more practical tips!

Hi pepper . I'm not aware of any other professionals interested in me yet. Still waiting for bone scan to confirm that it is definitely the primary not a secondary though so that may change things I guess.

royal, glad you have got good test results but thats a pain having to wait for them all. Cancer just seems to be one long round of waiting doesn't it! Hope you get them back before you go away

leslie, sorry to hear your chemo got delayed. Lets hope its not too long till you can get going again

chewing, good to hear your scan was clear, hope you dont have to wait to long for the mri etc. At least you know that you're doing something positive towards getting of the pesky beast now. The list of side effects of chemo can seem pretty daunting, particularly when they ask you to sign along the dotted line agreeing to take the risk but not everyone suffers really badly thank goodness.

I got my ct and bone scan results and both are clear. I also took myself off to a Haven introductory day (haven as in The Haven and not the holiday camp!) and in a strange way felt a bit more at peace with myself than I have for a while. The feeling only lasted for a day but I'll take that!

So now I've just got to sit back and wait another 2 weeks to see the plastics team. The lump is definitely doing something as my breast is beginning to change shape so I have a horrible feeling that those cancer cells aren't just happily sitting in the ducts. Only time will tell.

I cant scroll back to check everyones names but thinking of those of you going through chemo and the exhaustion that it brings and everyone else in the midst of treatment

minty great news that the scans are clear but frustrating that you have a further wait to get things moving. It is horrible feeling that there is some kind of alien in your breast trying to take over . My bastard lump seems to get bigger by the day and although I'm dreading the chemo I'm looking forward to that bugger getting zapped and killed off (hopefully).

Pardon my language

Swear away Chewing, cancer is a fucking bastard after all.

Minty, good news on the clear scans and hopefully soon you will have that damn lump out and gone!
With cancer it does feel like we do not know our bodies anymore, like some alien evil force has taken control and is trying to wreak havoc. I find myself now looking at my boobs and thinking what if something else is lurking inside there waiting to make its scary show soon.
Hope you lacies have a good day ahead.

I agree, no need to mind your language here chewing

Only nipping in quickly, as I came across this article which reminded me of recent discussions about stress. Apparently a big study has concluded that stress and trauma are not a cause of breast cancer.

Oh Sleepy, you made me giggle like a naughty schoolgirl. You're damn right, just say it like it is. Envious about those lost ten pounds. No coffee cake for me, sadly.

ExitPursuedByABear hello and welcome how are you? Is this your first time here or have you name changed? (Or am I just losing it? A real possibility at the mo!)

pepper my oncologist has authorised it for any day from Monday, but it depends when they can squeeze me in. They seem to have all different cancers on the same day at mine, so thankfully I don't need to wait for a specific day! :)

royalmama tentatively good news. I hope the rest of the results are unremarkable, then you can get into the holiday mood

minty thank goodness your scans were clear, that's good news. I'm glad the Haven day was helpful. Frustrating that you still have to wait for treatment though it's a weird feeling knowing it is inside you and nothing is being done.

I have made progress in my wig search I saw an excellent wig consultant and tried lots of colours and styles. She has ordered some in the right style/colour combinations for me to try next week. If anyone in the south east, ish, needs a wig, PM me and I will give you the details of the good one and also the one to avoid!

I hope everyone has a good weekend

Oops . . .bit of a fail there , trying to move bits and pressed post by mistake!
Try again
I totally get that feeling chewing (as we all do). I bloated and after scans/ultrasounds they drained 10 litres of fluid off and 'disturbed' the cancer. Everytime i went for a wee i could smell it . I just wanted to rip it out myself . That smell was a constant reminder it was there . I didn't smell it after the op , but I did have it for a couple of days after my first chemo which I suppose was the chemo attacking the bit that was still there.
Chemo is a scary thought but as others have said it's doable . I breezed through 1 & 2 with very manageable aches and pains . However 3 came in really hard . I took myself off to bed a couple of times , nothing seemed to ease the pains . I was still feeling it by next oncology appointment . I skipped that weeks chemo and had it the following week with the strength slightly reduced and 4,5 & 6 weren't too bad.
Hi frou sorry you're finding your last chemo hard going .Hope things can be done to help for the next one.
Leslie Results on 25th , so not too long to wait. Glad you have (nearly) nailed the new hair.

To everyone 'waiting' hope things come through soon

Enjoy the weekend

Hi! I'm such a newbe!! I'm yaz and I am 29yrs old I have noticed whilst drying my hair, some patches of dimpling on my left breast!! No bc in the family. I want to attach a picture but not sure how I do it? Any help?

No I'm a newbie to this thread. Diagnosed in Feb but kept secret coz of DDs exams. I'm out and proud now. Go me!

Yaz please see your GP who can refer you to the breast clinic. You should then be seen within 2 weeks.

Exit I had to keep quiet until exams were finished too and it wasn't easy. How's your treatment going?

Stila'good you don't have too long to wait. My fingers are firmly crossed for you.

Exit welcome :) I'm impressed you managed to keep it secret so long! I hope that your DD didn't react too badly when you told her. Are you still having treatment?

Yaz I agree with chewing you need to show your GP. It's less likely to be cancer at your age, but worth getting it checked out. Good luck

Morning all. It's lovely and sunny here so I hope it is the same where you are and that you all have a good day I am looking forward to meeting an old friend for lunch.
I have received an appointment for my bone scan but it is around a week after I start my first cycle of chemo. Does anyone know if it will be alright to do the scan then? I will call hospital tomorrow but just wondered whether anyone has had experience of this. Thanks lacies.

Thank you for your replies!
Looking at it I have a couple of dimples on the side and I noticed quite a big one underneath the breast that it pulls in, it's so hard trying to feel for lumps, I had a feel and I have got a lump not sure if it it's a fatty lump or what!! It's so difficult, well my husband noticed that I have been itching my breast a lot to, is this another symptom??? Also I'm wondering maybe the doctor won't even send me to breast clinic as I have no history of bc and also because of my age? Do you think I can say I want to be checked out? X sorry for so many question x

Yaz they are usually quite cautious with breast lumps/issues so would probably refer you if there's any chance of it being cancerous. We have many, many posters who pop in briefly while waiting for their breast clinic appointment, and the vast majority get an all clear :)

Your GP will probably have a good feel. They will know what to look for/feel for, so I would not worry too much about trying to find lumps yourself. Just make sure you see your GP asap so that you don't need to wait longer than necessary.

chewing no idea about the scan, so I hope you can get an answer tomorrow. Do you have a breast nurse? I'd be inclined to ask them rather than the scan people.

I imagine it would take more than one cycle to have a major effect on the cancer, so hopefully a scan would still be accurate. But definitely better to check with your team :)

Does anyone on here have any knowledge of IBC? I am very very concerned but have been discharged by the breast clinic. I now have stinging pain daily and over the past 2 weeks have noticed the hair follicles more visible as well as having a bruised area on the breast. The breast clinic did a biopsy on the area 10 weeks ago but it was the breast tissue and my understanding of IBC is that it is the surface of the breast skin that is affected. My GP on Friday wouldn't even see me only did a phone consultation and told me to take more painkillers. I feel completely helpless as the private clinic I called said it would cost £1900 for A consultation and to biopsy the area and a further £400 to ultrasound. I just cannot afford this.

mishmash can you see a different GP? And do you have any contact details for the breast clinic? I'd be tempted to phone them and ask if the bruising is normal. They might be able to see you without another GP referral as it's still related to the original referral.

I hope you can get some answers soon.

Hello lacies. All my test results are out and show nothing concerning. What a relief!
Now I can start packing.
Crazy how cancer controls our lives.
Leslie, how are you doing now?
Mismash, leslie's advice is sound. No need to go private and worry yourself.
Waving to everybody else.
Will be off for a fortnight. Hope you all do well during this time and get nothing but reassuring news.