Lacies, elephants, potato-based snacks... Whatever we are, this is our 57th CANCER SUPPORT THREAD

[WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo]

Welcome everyone to another cancer support thread. This thread is open to anyone with any sort of cancer. And we have plenty of hands to hold if you're undergoing tests for cancer. We are always pleased to wave people off with an all clear, and there's plenty of room here if the news isn't what you hope for.

So don't be shy! We are a friendly bunch and there's probably someone who has been through something similar. Nothing is off limits here. Scream, shout, swear, stamp your feet...

I'm sorry that anyone needs this thread, but very glad that it's here. Cancer is shit. But it's a little bit less shit when you have people to share it with.

Our previous thread is here

yes yes to speaking up ,so agree with tutti

really anticipated through this process; and tough when you are feeling vulnerable and weaker than normal. Please do it though if you can

I had to wait months to have a feeding tube removed from my abdomen ,it was weeping ,intrusive under clothes ,meant I couldn't have a bath
It was only when I got firm /angry that I got a date within the next few weeks . I hadn't like to make a fuss as my dx and treatment were finished and always felt that people still in the midst of it all should take priority .And then I realised it wasn't a question of staff prioritising but just being forgetful and couldn't care .

Anyway - love and strength to those particularly under the cosh at the moment -dahliaa, userpopper chewing tutti and lesley.

And to those I've missed and those who read and are not posting ..

rocket is it where the hairs are falling out or more, erm, intimate? Moulting can cause itching. I've found the best thing for that is Eurax cream. But you couldn't use that on sensitive bits.

I have an extensive knowledge of nappy creams I'm not sure how much Metanium would help with itching, to be honest. Though it's good for sore/broken skin. It will also destroy your underwear and anything else it touches I'd be tempted to try Canesten cream just in case it's the start of thrush and because that's safe for the genital area. I think you can buy the cream on its own.

To be honest my best tip for thrush is natural yoghurt (no sugar). It's very soothing so might help itching even if not thrush. If you decide to try it let it warm up a bit rather than using straight from the fridge! Apply to the affected area, wait a bit and then wash it off.

royal that sounds really positive I think we sometimes get carried away about different foods and exercise and their specific benefits. Rather than just doing/eating things because we enjoy them and they make us feel good.

I might be allowed to go home today, but it's not clear.

Sorry not to reply to everyone. My legs are suddenly very achy so I'm going to see if I'm allowed out for a walk! for all who need them

Hi
Just popping in to say hello and offer support to all those who sound as if the going is very tough right now. I've lost track of the thread and finding it hard to catch up with everyone, but really sorry to hear of your diagnosis user, I hope you are able to get some better news soon. Lesley, hope you get out for your walk and are able to go home.

Waving to royal and amber, hope you are both well.

I've just returned from a holiday in Italy, it was so nice to get away!

Afternoon all.
Leslie I hope you get to leave hospital today and can have the comfort of your own bed and nice food.
Rocket Hope your itchy bits feel better soon but I have no advice in that area I'm afraid.
Tutti I'm glad that your deep veins protect you from trauma - is that perhaps why they made so many attempts with the cannula?
Thanks for the pm with the hospital info. I will look at that over the weekend.
I agree that speaking up about what you want gets results. After my meeting the other day I have today received an appointment for ultrasound scans in a few days time so they must have requested these urgently. I wonder if these would be happening if I hadn't made a fuss. My appointment with the head onc was only arranged because the consultant told onc's secretary that I would not continue chemo without seeing him . Why should you have to do this sort of thing to get things moving?

Waving back to fresta so good to hear from you! Great that you had an Italian get away. Holidays are extra special and necessary for us lot!
Rocket i am sure I read somewhere that chemo does cause itching and dry skin, but in your case it could be thrush as the chemo does kill off the good bacteria that keeps the balance. No harm in trying out yoghurt as suggested by Leslie. Hope it is resolved soon.

Royal, you asked how life is treating me - think I'm OK, though in for a few heart tests soon. Exercise-induced heart rhythm changes. Probably just one of those things. Otherwise, still alive, thanks x
Waving to all.

rocket - I'm thinking it's the hair loss that is causing itchyness and that you're not talking about a thrush type afflication .
Soooo - how about anusol www.drugs.com/cdi/anusol-hc-cream.html or
lanacane ? www.amazon.com/Lanacane-0006220005011-Anti-Friction-Gel-1-Ounce/dp/B004X0AY5O

leslie I'm hoping you're not stuck in the void that is hospitals at the weekend where everything assumes a holding pattern and decisions and actions don't happen .

good to hear from our resident prof Amber whom I'd like to ask does your reading and knowledge focus mainly on breast cancer or does it extend to other areas of cancer ?

love to everyone else ,special thoughts for user ,dahliaa and poppy

For itchy skin that just needs soothing but not medicating, Aveeno products might be good. You can get them in Boots and they include cream, lotion, and wash-type stuff to put in a bath. It's oat-based so even a handful of real oats can be put in a bath to take the 'heat' out of skin. Sorry to butt in - best wishes to you all.

P.S. I think - but not absolutely sure - that GPs can prescribe Aveeno items too.

You're not butting ( could there be a pun in there ?) in , nice of you to take the trouble to post with helpful advice .

Hope everyone is hanging on in there ,lovely autumnal day ,good for resting up on a sofa with a rug .

gingeroots, the pun thing might depend if we're talking about 'front bottoms' or 'back bottoms'.

As the thread has now descended into front and back bottoms, may I suggest that as well as the live yoghurt, and oats, Rocket should add a few nuts and she'll have a really healthy meusli in her knickers, should she get "caught short" and need breakfast "on the go".
I'm sorry, I'm tittering like Mutley. I shall get my coat.

Ha ha!! Feeling slightly vom at yogurty muesli knickers but much appreciate the interest in my lower regions!
Not had a chance to get out today but will pick up some remedies tomorrow. I've been distracted by my first ever cold sore all over my top lip. A very attractive side effect.

Hope you have had a good Sunday.

Rocket. I second the Aveeno. My DD has chronic eczema and uses it, and it helps.
I'm also going to recommend the magik Dead Sea Salt (again). I got mine from Ocado. It really really takes the sting out of any sore bits. Even DD uses it for her eczema and it has improved it. It worked wonders on my ANC scar when it was really sore and inflammed because the weather was so hot.
Hope you get some relief in the pant department

Also hoping that Leslie made the great escape and is having lovely warm buttery toast in her own bed.
user. I hope that you are adjusting to your news and are starting to feel a bit better

Of to the hospital now for my heart doobrie, waves to all the Lacies and hope you all have a good day.

Good morning all.
Waving back to Tutti may the heart forces be with you!
mrs hope all goes well today.
Leslie hope you are back home and doing better.
Take care all.

Thanks royal, not really looking forward to a third hysteroscopy but needs must.

Tutti, hope you have a successful appt today.

Leslie, how are you doing?

Everyone else awaiting news or digesting news, thinking of you all. Some very difficult situations here currently, I wish it wasn't so.

Good luck mrsrhod

rocket another thought, don't use anything moist down there. E.g. aloe vera gel. The moisture and warmth can encourage fungal infections.

Have you had cold sores before? And do you have a breast nurse? It's probably worth contacting your team about the cold sore as they may want to give you treatment.

Hi Puppet have you posted before? If not, welcome to the thread :) do you want to tell us a bit about yourself?

Fresta I'm glad you had a good holiday :) I hope it's not too much of an anti climax returning to this lovely British weather!

gingeroots I did indeed get caught up in the weekend void. But it actually turned out to be for the best as I was very ill yesterday afternoon/evening. Lots of retching and throwing up. They gave me IV anti sickness and managed to get it under control, which wouldn't have been so easy at home as I kept throwing up my tablets. Touch wood, I seem to be OK today so hopefully they will let me out :)

Waving to everyone. A belated happy Diwali for anyone who celebrates it and a hand to hold for user and anyone else who is scared or sad

Good luck for your appointment today Mrs.

Leslie would you like me to knot some sheets to aid your escape from hospital? I really hope that you are home soon.

Rocket I found I was very tender in the lady area during chemo, and am still a bit more tender. I particularly found that washing myself with shower gels that I have used for years irritated me, and it felt like I had cystitis when passing urine for about an hour afterwards.

I'm thinking of you all.

Morning all
Good luck to MrsRhod and Tutti and anyone else with appointments and tests today.
Thinking of user and dahliaa
Last day of school hols here so I have a list of things to do and am also preparing for my onc appointment and chemo tomorrow.
Hope you all have as good a day as possible.

Good luck to all with hospital appointments and strength to those who are waiting . +

leslie so sorry about the retching and hurling as they so aptly call it in Amerikay .I'm guessing something like buccastem ( which dissolves on the gums) wouldn't cut it long enough to get any meds down you ?

Thank you for all your ongoing support. I hope you all have as good a week as possible and all appointments go well

Thinking of you leslie and hope you get home soon. Sounds like you've had a pretty miserable weekend .

Hope you get your chemo tomorrow chewing, fingers crossed

tutti hope your heart scan went OK. I've had all my surgeries on my left left breast so it can be a bit uncomfortable but is absolutely fine. I've tried to watch the screen whenever I've had the scans but it's all gobble de gook to me!

Thinking of everyone else waiting and having treatment.

I've got another dose of chemo on Thurs all being well. They gave me some powerful anti sickness drugs for the dose last week which worked but pretty much wiped me out the next day. Cant win really although anything is better than vomiting throughout the night!

I've had a very positive appt with the gynaecologist, who was very happy to adopt a watch and wait approach to further surgery. I've had no bleeding since the spring so he didn't perform the hysteroscopy either. I didn't want surgery but didn't want to go against medical advice so this is a good result for me, he's going to see me again in six months. By that time I may have been moved to anastrazole if the illusive menopause is deemed to have kicked in.

Hoping everyone else has similarly satisfactory experiences this week.

Glad to hear you had a positive talk with your doctor mrs

That's fabulous MrsHodge. Nice to hear some positive news.
Not so great that it knocked you sideways Minty, but I'd take sleeping over vomiting any day.
Leslie. What an awful time you're having. I hope they get it sorted out.
Only just back from the hospital, because I "found" an 85 year old (I've still got it, even though I say so myself ).
When I got there for my 8.15am, he was already there in his dressing gown and in a wheelchair, with an ambulance man (playing with his 'phone).
They'd picked him up at 6.15am and he hadn't had a drink or breakfast or anything , so I went and got him a cup of tea and when I got back the ambulance man asked if I'd look after him till they opened the doors of the unit.... and promptly buggered off
When the lady opened the unit, it transpired that he didn't even need to be there, it was just the heart monitor that he'd been wearing for the weekend that needed to be returned !
Worse still, they weren't picking him up till 1.30pm. So I couldn't leave him, and took him to the cafe and got him breakfast/lunch after my 10 minute appointment. It's been a long day already.
Apparently the ambulance service are getting stroppy with the unit and vice versa over something, an absolute disgrace that an old man like that was caught in the crossfire