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

Flippyneck so sorry to hear about your situation ,hope you get a plan soon and that Thursday comes quickly .

leslie - 2 return trips to A&E ? Bums!

I'm sorry to post about me when so many on here are in the middle of it all but Amber if you're around and can bear it ( and not having heart scans yourself ) I had adeneo cancer ,junction of oesphageous and stomach .Stage 3 ,moderately differentiated ,some query over node involvement ,but confined to region of 6cm tumour ..So T3N1M0 .So probably good but of course the stats are less encouraging ...any insights ?

Thank you Cookiepuss. Hope your consultation went well. I went for a private consultation too as the waiting list for urgent referrals in my area is around 6 weeks! No insurance unfortunately, but it wasn't too pricey and I was referred back into the NHS super quickly - where I'm seeing some of the same people.

Ginger Aha, yes, it's a encouraging picture. More papers written on this than you could shake a stethoscope at, recently. And very interesting recent picture about a chemotherapy combo for stage III, showing 79% survival over three years (which of course is as much data as they have....they do not cop it at the three year point). Docetaxel/cisplatin/5-FU is the combo that seems to be getting them there. This indicates that we have a pretty good idea what works and what doesn't...and there'll be real enthusiasm behind tailoring combinations for any recurrence. Hope that cheers a bit?

Well had appointment and consultant is pretty sure that it is cancer. I guess I was partly prepared for the news as my GP had pre-warned me that she thought the same.

I had mammogram and ultrasound where they actually found two lumps (the one I could feel plus another) and possibly a dodgy lymph node. I had biopsies taken at the same time - 3 from each area.

Results back in a week or thereabouts but consultant wasn't prepared to discuss treatment until he had the full picture as he said treatment would be 'tailor-made' or words to that effect.

I'm petrified to be honest particularly as I had a mammogram at the end of Feb this year and got the all clear. I can't help but think it must be particularly aggressive/fast growing given there was nothing there 8 months ago.

Cookiepuss, it's always a huge shock when we get news. Especially in the waiting bits before a treatment plan is in place.

If it helps, it's actually often good news these days if it's a faster growing one. I know that sounds weird, but (generalising) faster growing cancers are greedy, and drink chemotherapy and other potions at top speed... thus dying horribly and fast. It's the slower growing ones that can be more tricky. On the oncology graphs, the difference in life chances between slow growing and fast growing is barely enough to register. Both are excellent now. It's just info for the specialists, so they know which potions and zappings to use.
Your odds, as things stand, are indeed excellent. No guarantees, but on the info you have at the moment, that's the case.
Hoping you get some useful news on treatment soon

i had a letter this morning from the plastic surgeon who was supposed to have done my reconstruction last week - she had a letter from the urologist updating her to my diagnosis of 'complex cystic disease of the kidney'- she was just writing to say that i was being put on hold until i wanted to see her again.

i had an ultra scan last week - friday at 4pm with a woman who had wasnt a people person...she turned the screen away from me when she began to wildly hunt for my left kidney!!

just the ct scan tomorrow to see if its spread to my lungs and then back for me to see the urologist/surgeon at some point...the waiting is endless

i have cleared the back garden, filled many bin bags from a clear out in the house and am now eyeing up the kitchen ceiling which could do with a paint

im rubbish at remembering names but hello to every one waiting or having treatment and a thank you to those who keep this thread going

Taken a week or so off from cancer mainly because I was knackered. My lead up to chemo was a right bloody scrabble; and out of the 10 days prior to chemo, I was at the hospital for 9 of them (it's a 2 hour drive). Knackered doesn't even cover it.
So... First FEC Chemo. Honest review for all heading in that direction (but SE's do vary greatly).
Bit of a headache which has persisted. Bit of a sore/metally mouth and throat. Outrageous Rage from the steroids. Sickness really well controlled. Bit of heartburn/indgestion.

The injections are shitty stingy little fuckers and do make you feel a bit unwell within about an hour of injecting... l. APART FROM I FUCKING HATE IT

All well until Monday night when I thought I was going to have to call an ambulance.

Lacies. I've had my bum for over 50 years, and taken it with me everywhere.
It's been to India, Egypt, Asia and dealt with any street food I've thrown its way... it's been inoffensive and just carried on being attached quietly to the tops of my legs; but it has let me down badly during this whole cancer saga.
I've had really bad constipation after every surgery and unexplained bleeding, so I shouldn't really have been shocked by the events of Monday night.

I almost died of farting. My stomach swelled to the size of an overdue pregnant elephant. The pain felt like my appendix was bursting, and the uncontrolled flatulence sounded like claps of lightening... and it went on for hours, all night; and was bloody agony.

I'm guessing that all my good stomach bacteria had died and started to produce anaerobic gases; the rationalisation got me through it. Maybe bollocks but got me through the night.

Soooo.... very sad to see so many new bottoms on seats . We're all here to help.

Evening all. There's been a lot of posting recently so please excuse me for not name checking everyone. to all the new visitors but sorry you are here.
Floppy I have had 2 stereotactic biopsies and thought I would be lying down but they were both done in the chair. They did take a bit of time to do and were uncomfortable but bearable.
Tutti you do make me . Every time I am a bit too windy I blame it on the dead bacteria but I'm not sure my family believe me . I hope your bottom sorts itself out soon.
Leslie hope your cold is better and that you managed to have your chemo.
baubles hope your scan goes well tomorrow. I have mine on Monday and was really bruised after the last one so I'm not looking forward to it.

Tutti I really hope your bum is feeling better. I've had my DD4 avoiding 'smelly mummy' and I am convinced I smell of dying cells or God knows what. My sense of smell is so bloody heightened though that I cannot stand to be around myself either which is a bit of tough shit considering. Scented candles, wipes, anything smelly drives me mad so I can't even pomade or douse myself in perfume or whatever it is ladies do!

I've just completed day 7 post chemo #2. No surprises but I can't shake this constant bleurghhh/meh feeling. Hoping Thursday is my day to turn like last time. I want to return to the real world.
I'm struggling to imagine I have another 4 rounds of this - with a drug change - so SEs might change. Not sure my mind is strong enough. Or my body.
I'm overweight and my tummy tire now feels like a numb mass of skin that I'm carrying around?
My hair has thinned but not in chunks - so far but I can grab lots when I run my fingers through it - it's a matted mess which doesn't help. My DH is collecting it in a bag. No idea what for but it seems important to him.
I guess I need to make a decision before I cold cap again - hoping it stays put for now.

Hope you are all bearing up on this monumental Fart of a day

Oh Rocket Fart of a day ...I like what you did there ! .Respect to be funny when you're feeling so rough .You will get through this ,it will end .

tuttu yes you make me laugh to.How unutterably unglamorous and awful .As if everything else isn't enough to cope with !

Baubles and Cookie - it's agony having tests and waiting for treatment plans .I do feel for you

Amber thank you so much ,yes I do feel better for reading that .You're a star .Hope your heart tests are finished and you're ok .

Leslie thinking of you and sending positive vibes .

Fart day indeed .

Evening all, to all waiting for results, having treatment or hearing difficult news. I had my first check up today and being back in the clinic took me right back to those very tough days.
Saw the oncology registrar and she was lovely today. My nipple is fine (I know you've all been worried ) the yellow bits she thought were a reaction to rads and she said I needed to moisturise again.
She also said I had some cording developing! I had surgery 8 months ago, but I'd noticed the pull on my arm over the last few weeks. Hadn't quite realised the exercises were forever, not just after surgery.
In good news I should avoid the oophorectomy as she thought my menopausal symptoms were quite advanced (yay!) Next bloods in Dec to check and then hopefully switch to letrozole.
Quite relieved.
Tutti hope your bum calms down!

Hello lovely and fragrant lacies. Sending all support and hand holding encouragement to everyone going through tough times; I'm so sorry to read of many suffering here.

For anyone who might be mildly distracted by hearing of bad hair regrowth as tracked by awful celebrity barnets, I can report that having survived the Virginia Wade/badger weeks, I have now gone full Leo Sayer. It's not good. Next stop: ageing Kevin Keegan.

Tutti have you considered the possibility that your bottom has been attempting to vote Trump?

So sorry for suggesting my hair might be in any way distracting. Of course I don't mean that, so sorry for stupid insensitivity. It's only that being lacking in wisdom, big dollops of silliness are all I have to offer!
Will re lurk again now but am reading and rooting for everyone here.

Carry on with the silliness Dinster and it's not insensitive. I am taking joy from your Leo Sayer
Have you ever thought of setting up a tribute act ?

My bum was trying to eliminate Trump, not vote him methinks. It sounded like rapid machine gun fire, so I'm thinking it was involved in a long distance noxious attempt to disable him.

Hope all the Lacies doing OK today.

Your bum was trying to ass ass inate Trump

Amber - thank you for that information; do you mind me asking how you are so well informed, eg are you in the medical profession or do you do lots of research? I find myself overwhelmed by the amount of information that is out there and never know whether the sources are reliable or not. I am sticking to the McMillan and Cancer Research websites at the moment but any useful links or pointers would be appreciated.

Yes please carry on with the silliness - the description of Dinster's Leo Sayer hairstyle and Tutti's 'One Woman Orchestra' made me snort out loud, whilst obviously sympathising.

I was feeling a bit bruised and battered yesterday after the biopsies but much less painful this morning and, joy, I could have a shower after a 24 hour ban.

PS Why is the thread named "Lacies, Elephants and Potato-Based Snacks" - I think I might have missed something!

Cookie Lacies came about because someone (can't remember who) made a typo (should have been ladies). This stuck and we have been lacies ever since. Elephants was a topic of discussion for a while as several of us love them and several of us have the memory of one
The potato based snacks started with a discussion about what we looked like due to hair loss e.g a frazzle, King Edward etc.
No topic is out of bounds for the lacies

Cookie just some silliness really (it's hard to think of original names for each thread!)

The potato based snacks are related to our various weird chemo hairstyles I look like Mrs Potato Head. I think it was Tutti whose hair colour was like a Frazzle, which I fear might not actually be potato-based.

Elephants are because minty suggested I was like the matriarch of the thread and we got into a discussion of elephant matriarchs

We call ourselves lacies because of one of royal's infamous typos grin

I'm glad you're feeling more comfy and I hope you enjoyed your shower. Did they say when you're likely to get the results?

I'm in the chemo suite. I hope everyone is having a good day. Tbh I quite enjoy chemo days!

Tutti sorry you are having digestive issues. I'm rather a prude so I will refrain from any further comment. If you need probiotics I like Bio-Kult and they seem to work for me

dinster you were not insensitive at all. It's the silliness that keeps us going sometimes I had to Google Leo Sayer but I am impressed - lots of volume! How are you getting on?

My hair has grown more in my little chemo holiday. I've gone from Boy George to Sinead O'Connor!

pepper great news about your nipple! And the menopause. Only here would we be celebrating that good luck with the arm exercises

Sending love to ginger and glad that amber could provide some reassurance

rocket sorry to hear you are struggling. Please mention it to your team in case there's anything they can do to help. And fingers crossed that today is a turning point for you

Good luck today baubles it sounds like you've been very productive! But I hope you get a proper explanation and treatment plan soon

I think I will leave it there as it's tricky scrolling up and down on my phone. Waving to everyone. Happy Thursday y'all!

Ah a much more succinct explanation from chewing. It must've taken me half an hour to type that post

Hello Lacies:) yes indeed t'was moi who initiated "lacies" on account of of my endless, notoriously numerous typos!
There havebeenmany posts and Ia mever sosorry if I am unable to mention each one of you, but I do read the posts everyday and am sorry for those who are at that point where they are not sure what, if any,cancer they have as well as dealing with or having dealt with loved ones with cancer.
Tutti In my case Iwas belching like crazy ..the gases decided the trip downwards was not for them ..my DC wanted to know why mum was burping all the time! It. Made me feel ever so sexy and attractive of course
Waving to everybody else.

Hey Lacies. Shuffling in to ask if I can have permanent seat. Met surgeon today for results; I have HER2 oestrogen and progesterone positive cancer and cancer cells were in my lymph node biopsy too. It's all a bit of a mish mash now, but he talked about surgery, chemotherapy, and herceptin and tamoxifen were mentioned too. I had my third biopsy for the calcifications afterwards, and the results of that will inform the treatment plan. Going back next Wednesday to discuss. They've also booked me a bone scan on Tuesday and trying to get me an appointment for a CT scan as well. Entire team have been very positive, so prognosis appears good at this point.

Although I know the tumour is small (7mm) I'm petrified it's spread - doc said he would be amazed if it has, but I've had pain in my kidney area for months - I did have an ultrasound on it which was clear a few months ago though, but I can't help worrying.

Luckily my wonderful friend came with me for results, and I've just about managed to keep it together until DS has gone to bed. Can't even begin to get my head around how he will deal with it. Just feels so fucking unfair when it felt like life was getting back on track after the most shit year of DP's diagnosis and death. Can't believe I'm back on the cancer treadmill.

Sorry lacies, I'll stop now because this is a very sorry for myself me me me post, and I know there are others who are dealing and have dealt with far worse. Hope everyone is doing ok today.

sorry to hear your news Flippy

I don't have anything very useful to say. But I really hope that your scans are clear. It's a good sign that your team are positive.

I'm sorry yours wasn't a flying visit. We will do everything we can to support you though. Welcome to the gang!

Gosh flippy that does indeed suck, for what must have been a dreadful day.
If it helps, mine was 40mm, with lymph involvement and despite being absolutely convinced it must have spread further by the time it was that big, my bone/CT scans were clear. As you say, prognosis is good and you just have to take one day at a time. Hopefully you'll get the rest of the results as quickly as possible and crack on with treatment.
Hope you're ok after chemo leslie
dinster you cheered me enormously with your hair description , aging Kevin Keegan
DD told me my hair reminded her of The Grinch last weekend..... so cruel that innocent child honesty!

Flippy
So sorry you had bad news - life is very unfair sometimes . It's good that it's small and you're getting scans done quickly. Once a plan is in place you will feel a lot more in control.

baubles hope your scan went ok.

Flippy, I'm so sorry you're having to join us, you have already suffered so badly at the hands of this awful disease and my heart goes out to you .

The good news is that your tumour is small, like Pepper's mine is larger at 35mm and I also have macromets in the lymph..... but my prognosis is good. When you get that plan in place, it will seem a lot better. Hang on in there and we're all here.

Waves to everyone, and hoping that today brings better news for those waiting for scans and results.