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Original poster

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

968 replies

WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo · 29/09/2016 23:49

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

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6
chewingawasp · 20/12/2016 17:31

Evening all
royal - yes I have had the PET scan results Sad
I saw the specialist in London and have seen my own oncologist today and there are more lesions in my neck and a rib and the cancer is still active in 3 other places. Due to have radiotherapy this week then a different chemo after Christmas. I will also have a head scan as it can go to the brain. Due to it being highly aggressive they will try to keep it at bay for as long as possible but I'm looking at months rather than years. Am feeling gutted but will try to make the most of things.

royalmama · 20/12/2016 17:53

Oh chewing. I am so sorry. Bloody bloody cancer.

norajane · 20/12/2016 19:30

Hello Lacies
I posted a while back in July when I had just been diagnosed with 9cm DCIS with micro invasion. I had a mastectomy with a lat dorsi reconstruction. I'm sorry I've not posted for a very long time, but I read the threads weekly. You are fabulously inspiring, good humoured and full of helpful advice and information. Leading up to Christmas, I just wanted to wish you all the best and hope that treatment is quick with few side effects.
chewing - I'm so sorry about your shitty, shitty news. I really hope that they can find some way to zap it.
Leslie - thank you so much for keeping this going and helping cancer sufffers support eachother.
I'm hopeless with everyones names, but sending christmas wishes and bags of positive vibes and good luck. Etututi - I'm sorry you are no longer posting - your posts made me laugh so much!
I'm on the mend. The operation was much easier than I anticipated and I'm now on tamoxifen. Flowers Wine Cake for everyone

Original poster
WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo · 20/12/2016 20:04

chewing I'm so sorry Flowers fucking cancer. Good luck with the radiotherapy. How many sessions are you having? Everything crossed for the head scan

nora thank you for the Christmas wishes. I'm glad your op went well and I hope you're not having any side effects from the Tamoxifen. Have a lovely Christmas Star

royal I'm a little better today thanks, but definitely going to ask for chemo to be delayed this week. I think my body needs a bit of a rest Xmas Smile sorry you're still waiting. When is your oncologist back from leave?

rocket Flowers sorry you're struggling. I hope you had a relaxing evening yesterday and managed to get some wrapping done. You're not letting your DD down! Xmas Smile please don't put too much pressure on yourself

Argy how are you feeling?

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Fresta · 20/12/2016 20:18

Chewing, so so sorry to hear this, cancer is such a bastard! I really hope they don't find any in your brain, I am sure they will do everything they can to keep it at bay for as long as possible.

FlippyNeck · 20/12/2016 20:27

Gutted for you Chewing. I hope there is some better news from your head scan.

chewingawasp · 20/12/2016 21:34

Thanks for your kind words everybody.
Leslie I think I am just having one treatment to the spine and then starting the chemo. It was originally going to be 6-8 weeks of rads but this has changed following the PET scan. I will also be having bisphosphonates to strengthen the bones. I have been getting a lot of pins and needles in my fingers so have had some bloods taken to see if it could be thyroid or vitamin related. It is most probably neuropathy from the previous chemo but I am told that it is unusual to have it in both hands at the same time Confused

pepperrabbit · 20/12/2016 21:42

chewing so so sorry to hear that news, bastarding cancer Sad. Best wishes for the head scan and rads. I hope the new chemo will curb it to give you more time.
I've been awol a while trying to get on with "normal" life. Had my first standalone 6 monthly bisphosphonate IV on Friday. Wasn't sure how I'd feel as the first time I had it was with my last chemo (which was a shocking 6 months ago!). Anyhow, felt sick, tired and a bit dizzy that day and had some very early nights but was otherwise ok so that's good.
My oncologist had told me to ring for the blood test results for the hormone levels but the BCNs couldn't tell me over the phone Hmm and were cross with the onc for suggesting it!
Luckily I sneakily asked for a printout in the unit when I went in for my IV. So six months post chemo my white blood cells are still well below normal ranges (lymphocytes and neutrophils both low) and my hormone levels only 2 out of 3 readings were post menopausal. The other was annoyingly perky so may yet have to have my ovaries out. They've made me an onc apt for first week of Jan. I'm a bit surprised the WBC is still that low.
fresta glad you're well Smile I have started pilates over the last few weeks which I'm really enjoying. I've found a class at 8pm one evening which gives me time for dinner before and means DH should be home to look after the kids.
leslie I'd be tempted to enjoy Christmas if your oncologist is agreeable.
Best wishes to all.

pepperrabbit · 20/12/2016 21:43

x-posts chewing - I still type very slowly!

ArgyMargy · 20/12/2016 21:53

Honestly Leslie I'm lurching from "this is fine, this is nothing" to "oh shit I'm dead". But this thread puts it into perspective, reading some of the stuff that others are facing. And you yourself are suffering yet constantly have kind words for all. I'm in awe. Best thoughts going out to everyone.

mrsrhodgilbert · 20/12/2016 23:10

Chewing, I'm so sorry to hear your latest news. Nothing has gone smoothly for you since you arrived here. I hope they look after you well.

chewingawasp · 20/12/2016 23:13

Thanks mrsrhod. You are right. It's all been buggery bollocks for me. It's been good having the support of the lacies though and I will stick around as much as I can.

dinster · 21/12/2016 01:17

chewing sending my best thoughts and support and wishes to you and all the rudest swear words I know to the buggerybollocks cancer. I'm so sorry. Good luck for the head scan.

Christmas love to all lacies and much thanks for all the shared wisdom and kindness of this sanity-saving thread.

Halfbaked · 21/12/2016 03:32

So sorry to hear your news chewing I hope the head scan is clear, fuck cancer is a bastard. Flowers

ArgyMargy it is really hard not knowing, just try and keep busy.

leslie hope you get a Christmas break

So awake at 3am because I don't like taking sleeping tablets when my DD is with me.

Anyhow had been all set for finding out results after Christmas, but I got a call from the hospital today and my consultant wants to see me on Thursday morning.

I'm trying not to run through all the scenarios in my head. she said I wouldn't see her until towards the end of chemo.
I have triple negative breast cancer, which is grade 3, so avoiding Google, but I know that it's an aggressive little Bugger because my lump is much bigger than when I first found it.
They will have had all my scan results back and had a team meeting. Focusing on it being a positive thing that things are moving quickly, so I can get started on getting rid of this bloody cancer.

royalmama · 21/12/2016 06:50

Good morning lacies.
It is good to hear from Dinster, mrs and pepper .
Leslie, i am seeing my doctor tomorrow.
I know I said before that I was not anxious, but now I am. The worst scenarios playing out in my head. If something is lurking and they have caught it, I do not understand why I feel so well.
So Halfbaked I totally understand your position!
Waving to everybody else. One can only hope for the best possible outcome.

mrsrhodgilbert · 21/12/2016 09:09

Morning royal, I haven't been keeping up as well recently but I noticed you were having check ups again, is this something more than the normal checks? I hope they haven't found something new.

Original poster
WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo · 21/12/2016 09:16

royal Flowers the uncertainty is awful. I hope you have lots of distractions today!

Also thinking of chewing I hope you have a calm ish day today to process the news and recover from the stress of yesterday

I'm rushing to get ready for my oncologist appointment so can't reply properly to all, but I hope everyone has a reasonable day

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royalmama · 21/12/2016 10:06

Hi mrs this is the routine three month follow up, blood tests etc. i had them first week of December and it has taken this long to get an appointment to see my doctor regarding the results. I am trying to keep busy!

chewingawasp · 21/12/2016 10:38

royal and half baked good luck for tomorrow.
I am keeping myself busy today with housework and present wrapping.

Fresta · 21/12/2016 12:25

Good luck for tomorrow Royal, waiting for results is always the pits. My hospital don't do routine blood tests or scans as follow up (other than a yearly mammogram) as they say it causes unnecessary worry waiting for results. It would only be if you presented with symptoms they might do further tests.

JoandtheTribe · 21/12/2016 12:44

So so sorry to hear your news Chewing. You have been such a positive and pragmatic person throughout all of this. I am absolutely gutted for you and your family. Keeping everything crossed they can keep it at bay for as long as possible. Xxxx

Original poster
WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo · 21/12/2016 20:10

chewing I hope you've managed to stay busy - did you get all your presents wrapped? How odd about the neuropathy. I've got it in both hands and I know quite a few others who have too Xmas Confused

Halfbaked good luck tomorrow Flowers

Argy I hope you are firmly in the fine/nothing camp

pepper I hope your onc can advise on when your WBC is likely to recover Xmas Smile

My chemo has been delayed as my toenail is infected again. I'm quite pleased as now I can enjoy Christmas without chemo side effects Xmas Grin

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Newstart2017 · 21/12/2016 21:56

Chewing. I have been reading this thread for some time and not commented. I want to say that I'm so sorry for your news. You seem so strong and I'm amazed at your spirit. I hope you are getting all the emotional support you need which is as vital as other treatments. I hope that treatment keeps you strong for as long as possible.Flowers xxxxxxxx

chewingawasp · 21/12/2016 23:12

Thanks so much everybody Flowers
Jo good to see you. How are you getting on?
Newstart I am struggling a bit emotionally at the moment wondering how the hell i can tell ds.
It is strange that, other than tiredness, I feel fine but this thing is on the rampage around my body intent on destroying it. I am trying to be strong but crumbling underneath.

helly18 · 22/12/2016 00:23

chewing fuckety, fuckety, fuck! Sending a massive hug your way and keeping everything crossed for some positive news xxx