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

chewing I may be a bit biased. I'm never keen on anyone who promotes unproven stuff. It just doesn't sit right with me, even when they give various disclaimers. I personally feel that we are incredibly fortunate to have access to so much knowledge, and that science is a real blessing, as well as being utterly fascinating. So I can't understand people who actively reject scientific findings. Also I was completely put off by her attitude, as though she's some sort of super special princess and the NHS is lucky to be allowed to treat her it does have some good points too though

Anyway I am in danger of going off on another rant. Sorry, last night's post ended up being really long!

amber it's lovely to see you

Argy I hope you can relax a bit over Christmas

I'm sending Christmassy wishes to all lacies. May you be free of side effects and have lots of fun

I feel a bit of a wally for recommending that book now I read her blog and kind of look past the alternative medicine bits that I don't like!

Wishing all you lovely lacies a very very happy Christmas. Thank you for being there during one of the worst years of my life.

Jo you're not a wally at all! Sorry, I didn't mean to be so enthusiastic in my criticism honestly, she does give some useful advice about the emotional side of things. I'm really sorry for being rude! I hope next year is much better for you

Please don't apologise leslie it's interesting to hear other people's opinions - no-one could accuse you of sitting on the fence and having not actually read the book in its entirety I probably shouldn't have recommended so hastily - and you weren't rude at all, I completely respect your perspective and opinion . Hope you have an amazing Christmas x

Wishing you all a happy and comfortable Christmas x
Thank you for being here for me during this utterly shite year, your support and comfort and humour has kept me strong many times.

I've dropped in to wish you all as good a day as you can possibly have tomorrow, wherever you are and whatever you're doing.

Merry Christmas Lacies, I hope you all enjoy the time with your families and have the best one you can!

I was the first one awake. Father Christmas has been! my mum still sneaks down to fill everyone's stocking. I hope you all have a lovely day. Please be gentle with yourself if you're feeling a bit delicate for any reason. We put so much emphasis on this one day. But it really is just one more day. Enjoy what you can and don't beat yourself up if you e need to rest or you can't manage all the usual excitement I will almost certainly be taking a small nap later!

I've been somewhat OTT this year because I keep thinking it has to be extra special in case it's my last Christmas. There's no particular reason to think it will be. Yesterday I got a bit overemotional when my sister was moaning about our plans so I went and wrapped myself in my duvet for a few minutes of quiet

Anyway, happy Christmas to all lacies

And love to departed lacies and their families at this difficult time of year

Bless you leslie and I hope you have many many more christmases to fret over!
Peace to all lacies past and present.

Merry Christmas all. Love and light for your celebrations.
The DC have been up for several hours already after DD was still awake at 1am. I shall be a tired lacie today!

Merry Christmas lovely Lacies. I shall raise a glass to Sleepy and Lily today. I hope you all have a lovely day

Thinking of you all .

Posting this in front of my lovely Christmas tree with it's fairy lights .Nice man in local shop made me a lamp tester from 9v battery and wires yesterday . Son in bed .Turkey soon to be in oven .Factoring in that depleted electricty .

Take it easy out there .

Happy Christmas everyone. I'm having an evening lull between lunch and what must be eaten later. I hope you're all surrounded by loved ones and being looked after. Thank you for yet another year of support, I wouldn't have coped without you all. I'm also thinking of the families of sleepy and Lily. X

I just wanted to share this beautiful illustration that my stepdaughter drew for me. It makes me want to cry. It's both strong and gentle and comforting at the same time.
I'm really touched by it.
She's 18 and I think has been quite affected by my diagnosis. She is such a sensitive and thoughtful person. I think I may have looked like the girl in the picture 20 years ago!!

Strength to all of you today and the rest of the holidays x

rocket that is an amazing illustration by your daughter! It makes me think of "For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack" from The Jungle Book. Hope you're enjoying the Parma ham and smoked salmon.

gingeroots, how'd the turkey go? I bet it's all gone by now

chewing, just seconding the virgin coconut oil, though I've only used it for non-cancer related purposes like putting a tablespoon in when making Thai green curry and using it as an occasional hair treatment. Lots of and

Argy, Halfbaked, royal, hope the uncertainty ends soon and that you'll get more clarity on test, scan results etc.

leslie, mrsrhodgilbert, Mysillydog, pepperrabbit, Fresta, Flippy, Jo, helly18, Newstart2017 and everyone, hope you had a lovely Christmas and are looking forward to a relaxed Boxing Day!

I've been amusing myself window shopping for a medical ID bracelet from Lauren's Hope with a lymphoedema alert (www.laurenshope.com/lymphedema-alert-protect-yourself-after-breast-cancer). It's US based and I'm thinking if I buy one, I'll have it shipped to relatives in the US and getting it from them when we meet up in summer

www.laurenshope.com/medical-id-bracelets-for-women

I got the pathology results after my mastectomy -- essentially I got a 2.6% Predict! score which means no chemo (I also won't need radio)! Started tamoxifen now. I feel a bit sheepish now panicking about ports and PICCs

A question for anyone who had to return to office-based work: I'm meant to go back to work 6th February and I'm due to get a call from occupational health nurse from my company on 3rd January. Is it just talk about a better mouse and office chair for me? Maybe setting up one day a week for me to work from home? I can't imagine what else I would need to bring up...

I hope everyone has had a lovely day. Mine has been really pleasant. After yesterday's little grump I have been much more relaxed. I have had some very thoughtful presents, including some goodies from my specialist nurse but more importantly I've spent a fun day with my family

rocket that's beautiful. Thank you for sharing it with us. You obviously have a great relationship with your stepdaughter

java that's a lovely quote, and quite appropriate for our little pack too! No need to feel sheepish, but I'm glad you won't need chemo or radiotherapy. I hope the tamoxifen side effects are minimal.

I've been mulling over what royal said a while back about all the lists and advice. I wondered about collating it into a sort of Lacies' guide to cancer. We will need a new thread relatively soon so then I could post it at the start of that. Do you think that would be helpful for newcomers?

If I get a chance I will do that tomorrow so that people can see and give feedback before the new thread. Then we could copy it over to each new thread, just adding new ideas as they come up.

Anyway, let me know if you think it's a naff idea!

Goodnight all, sleep well

Good morning lovely bright lacies.
I hope each and every one of you enjoyed Christmas with your loved ones.
Rocket that is a lovely picture. Thanks for sharing. You must be very proud of your relatio ship with your stepdaughter.
Leslie excellent idea indeed! I am definitely in support of this Lavies cancer guide of sorts. It will be ever so helpful for any new joiners. What about also compiling Amber's posts as they bring so much well informed, scientifica based comfort for us all?
I am trying to keep as busy as possible. I already know that my pelvis MRI will be on the first day of the second week of the new year.I have yet to find out when they will have tha biopsy done to my left armpit. Untill then I fluctuate between immersing myself in things to forget and fearing the worst.
Have a lovely day all.

Just saw my typo upon typo up there.. @labies guide!

You and your typos! I've started typing up the lists. That's a good idea about amber's posts. I will check with her that she is happy for me to do so before I post anything

Good that you've got a date for the MRI, though it's a bit of a wait. Have you had an MRI before? I hope you get a date for the biopsy soon. There's not really anything to do but try and distract yourself as much as possible if someone invented a cure for the horror of waiting for results then they would make a fortune

Right. We are off to a family gathering in a bit and I need to go and cook our offering for the buffet! Have a good day everyone

Yup, if it's already on here, no problem with it being transposed to a new thread x

Hello everyone! Leslie, I think that's a brilliant idea (lacies/lavies/labies guide) - I know I would find it really helpful. Not long for me to wait now as appointment is Thursday afternoon. I've been on the Cancer Research UK website and found a good guide on "questions to ask". Just off to print it out now. Love & best thoughts to all.

I think a lacies guide to cancer would be a great opener.
I keep thinking about snippets of info I've read on here but can't find so would be great to have a base point to refer back to.

I know there is a similar thing on the relationships board which is really a good source of information too.

Fab, thank you amber yes, it will just be some "highlights" from your recent post (and anyone else who has shared research/stats)

Argy good luck tomorrow I hope the questions are helpful. Are you taking a notebook to write down the answers?

I'm glad people think it will be helpful. If there's anything in particular you feel should be included, please could you PM me? The first one will be a sort of test anyway and then we can perfect it for the next thread

Belated Christmas greetings - we went to my parents over Xmas and so I have not had much time to do any internet stuff but I hope everyone had a peaceful and relaxing time.

Leslie I think that is a great idea.

Just psyching myself up for Round 2 of the FEC tomorrow morning. My hair started shedding Xmas Eve and I had a good cry then, but I washed it this morning and huge handfuls were coming out and even more when I combed it afterwards and it is bloody well everywhere now - I'm moulting worse than the cat and have had to resort to wearing a hat today to stop it getting in food etc. My hair is normally quite thick but I reckon I've lost two thirds now.

I wish I'd had it cut short before I started the chemo - I have an appointment Friday to get it shorn. I hope to God it comes back again!