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

Hi Everyone,
Just had a quick read through the posts,sorry to hear some of you have had bad news lately.

Wanted to let Leslie know that I had an Endoscopy last week and everything is fine.

Thinking of you all and wishing you a Happy and Healthy New Year

cleanasawhistle that is excellent news happy New Year to you too!

Cookie good luck today. Sorry your hair has started falling out you'll probably feel much more comfortable once you've had it shaved

I won't be having chemo today as I've got tonsillitis again

Cookiepuss hope that Round 2 has gone well and you're not feeling too bad. Good luck for the week ahead - sorry it had to fall in the middle of the holiday.
Sorry about your hair too - hope you are coping with the new look

I'm having a little internal strop today but trying to keep it in. My sister and BIL were meant to be coming today - been planned for ages but she msgd yesterday to say they want to come tomorrow so they can go shopping today. I was just so upset. It's made me realise how few people I see and that I had kind of put all my hopes for a great few days on them coming to stay. It's about trying to make the most of my good week. Now they will only be here for one full day in total.
It's a bit boo hoo me I know but feeling like shopping is more important right now

rocket that really sucks. I'd be upset by that too. It's hard when you don't get many good days or much chance to socialise. Couldn't they shop online from your place if it's that important?! I hope you have a lovely time together even though it's a shorter time. Try to let all your bad feelings out today so you can enjoy yourself tomorrow

Leslie hope the tonsillitis clears up soon
rocket I understand it's really upsetting when your plans get changed, especially as you feel they have prioritised shopping over you.
ArgyMargy hope you are ok? I think it was your results today

I'm having a self indulgent moan too. I have just had my appointment to see the oncologist, but it's not for another 2 weeks!!
I have contacted PALs but there is little else I can do. It means I wouldn't start chemotherapy until mid-late January almost 2 months since diagnosis.
I know it's been Christmas and I do understand the NHS are stretched but I was hoping for something sooner. (I was told target date was 5th Jan) I've been told it's a grade 3 aggressive cancer and it is currently causing me pain daily.
I'm seeing my GP later, not sure what she can do really. I feel totally lost, I thought an appointment date would make me feel better not worse!

Yes, I hope your appointment went OK Argy I hope they answered all your questions satisfactorily, but please ask anything here if you need to

Halfbaked I really hope that your GP can speed things up. Do you have a specialist nurse? They might be able to book you in for chemo very quickly after your appointment. But even so, it's a while to wait!

Back from the clinic. Yes, it's a grade 2 DCIS cancer. They need to do a couple more things before deciding treatment plan, including another lymph test and MRI scan. Also another biopsy as there is a small lump behind the nipple. Original lymph sample was clear but the repeat will make sure. Hormones were positive (both scored 8) so that's good. The consultant and nurse were brilliant and I have lots of literature to read at my leisure, as well as copy of pathology report. I will see them again in 2 weeks by which time the MDT will have discussed everything.

Thanks to you wonderful people I was able to accept this news calmly (even though I was still hoping for a miracle). I asked my questions and I wrote things down! Even so, I'm sure there will be things to ask the lacies, so thank you Leslie for the offer. Love & hugs to all.

Hello. I wonder if it's okay to ask you guys a question?
I had aggressive nonhodgkins lymphoma in my thoracic space (chest) back in 2004 when I was 26. I had 6 rounds of chemo then 4 weeks radio.
I now am considered high risk for developing breast cancer due to the radio and have entered into the early screening programme so have yearly mammograms and breast MRI.
At my last appt in September I was told I could be eligible for an elective double mastectomy. My mammogram was clear.
I am considered to have a similar risk as those carrying the BRCA genes i believe.
My cousin is an oncologist and my godmother (her mum) a retired Macmillan nurse and they both think I am mad for even considering this option. That I don't have BC and even if I did that it is "extremely treatable" so why would I even consider this?
I feel like I am living with an axe hanging over me... that should it fall I would likely need to get a mastectomy anyway, and I am so fed up of not having any control over stuff happening in my own body... that maybe this could allow me to decide.

But then. Then it is my boobs. They're not perfect by any means but they fed my four precious babies over many many years and still provide a lot of fun (!) for me and my lovely husband.
And the operation itself is not a walk in the park. And... and....and.

I'd really appreciate thoughts from some people who have an inkling of the thoughts I might have and who know what yearly check ups actually feel like... I know I am so very lucky to be viewing my cancer journey from a 12 year distance but that distance is sometimes far too near when I'm waiting for an MRI or another test and I'm bang back in patient mode and feel I will never ever be free.

Sorry for my epic post.

Isadora, I'd say it's very normal indeed to not want the endless 'rollercoaster' of painful testing and scary waiting. It's a very individual decision for you. (Me, personally, I wonder about the logic of teams suggesting you can avoid radiation-caused breast cancer, by re-irradiating your breasts with a yearly mammogram. The dose is different and smaller, of course, but it's still radiation. They could use ultrasound instead.)
No wise answers, but I can see why you are thinking about all of this.

Argy and for you. How are you feeling? I am glad you have got some answers. It sounds like you have a good team. Fingers crossed for the other tests. And ask anything at all that you need to. Nothing is really off limit here!

Isadora welcome to the thread, but sorry that you need to join us :)

Like amber I am a bit surprised about the additional radiation when they are looking for cancer caused by radiation. Why do they use mammogram and MRI? I know someone else who has breast MRIs due to family history of breast cancer, but she has those instead of mammograms.

Anyway, that aside, have you been offered any counselling to talk this through?

And have they discussed the various reconstruction options with you? If that is something you would be interested in.

I suppose the benefit of being in this situation is that you can gather as much information as possible and discuss it with anyone you think might be able to help you to decide.

Breast Cancer Care has a bit of very general information on their website here. It is about genetic risk, but the bit about surgery is presumably very similar. If you go right to the end, under the bit about Raloxifene, it says: Being told that you have a moderate or high risk of developing breast cancer can be very upsetting and it can be difficult to decide about risk-reducing treatments. You can call us on 0808 800 6000 to talk about your options. You can also talk to one of our volunteers through our Someone Like Me service. We can put you in touch with someone who has had to make the same sorts of decisions. I think their helpline has qualified nurses, though I am not sure as I have bowel cancer so I have never used it. But that might be helpful if your medical team have not given you much information.

Sorry, this is really rather a useless answer. I didn't have breast cancer so I can't really advise about the surgery itself. Feel free to ask as many questions here as you need to though

I hope everyone is having a good Friday night! I have been working on our Lacies' guide to cancer ready for the new thread, and I am now waiting impatiently for us to fill this one up (I will probably make a new one tomorrow even if we haven't quite filled this one as it seems like a nice idea to have a new one for the New Year)

ArgyMargy I hope you are looking after yourself, I found the week after the diagnosis was confirmed was quite surreal.

Isadora I echo what Leslie has said I was going to suggest the Breast cancer care people. I don't know where you are but some hospitals have cancer centres, maybe you could try there to get some support. It's a big decision to make.

Well I have contacted PALS as my appointment far exceeds the recommended targets, but oncology didn't get back to them so I will have to wait until Tuesday now.
My mums sent a complaint off too, but I'm not sure it will make any difference.

I have been wondering whether to go back to work next week (teacher) they have my temp replacement ready to start. Pyschologically I'd prepared myself not to return until chemo was over. I'm a little worried about finances and keeping myself busy over the next few weeks.

I am in some pain and finding things very tiring, so not sure that work would be a good idea as it is so full on. My GP said they would support me whatever my decision.

Anyhow Happy New Year to all lacies xx

Hello all Lacies. Would like to wish each and every one of you a happy, healthy and peaceful new year to come. I have been on here for just over a year now and though I have absolutely no "real life" relationship with yoy, we have so much that binds us.
May it be a year of few pains and many many joys for us all.

Thank you Amber Leslie and half baked.
Funnily enough my appt at the breast clinic came through today for the 19th January. So not too long before I go. It's also the day before my MRI so I can ask about continued radiation from mammograms as well.
It's also good to know I could use the phone line. I am hoping that they do offer some kind of counselling or advisory service but also wondering will they be more like my aunt/cousin and asking wtf I am doing coming to the breast clinic when I don't even have BC?
I emailed the consultant who oversaw my radiotherapy (different region from where I live and had my chemo) to ask about the exact dosage and area radiated but haven't had any reply.
In some ways I would like to just ignore it all and forget about it and take my chances... but then I imagine how I would feel if I developed BC in 5 years time and what if it wasn't picked up quickly enough or was present elsewhere by the time it was found. And the thought of facing chemo again is just awful... sorry preaching to the converted here I'm sure.
Thank you for this outlet. Being so far from my own cancer journey I feel I can't really bring it up to many people IRL. My poor mum hasn't really even gotten over the fear for me and my dad has had a bad year health wise too so I wouldn't add to her worries. DH is lovely and suppprtive and just a saint... but he wasn't in my life when I had cancer (I was married to exH) so I'm not sure he really gets just how it was for me... I know he doesn't.
So I appreciate the space here.

Wishing you all a good Hogmanay tonight and that 2017 brings you peace and love ❤️

I just want to wish you all a happy new year, personally I will be glad to see the back of this year and hope that 2017 will bring some happy times for us all.

Tonight I will be eating steak with my family and playing some board games. Along with 2016 I will also be bidding a sad farewell to George Michael. I was such a huge follower of his and so upset that he's gone, so young!

Love to you all and your families.

Hello lacies and best wishes to all for New Year's Eve. I hope 2017 brings better things for all of us.

I've been thinking about your dilemma, Isadora - such a difficult one and I can't imagine how you are expected to make this decision without counselling. If there was ever a time to ask for a second opinion (maybe not your relatives!) this must be it. I wonder if amber is searching the literature for you...?

As for me, I told my (grown up) children yesterday and realised afterwards that telling them was the thing I was dreading most. Once I told them I felt so relieved and able to face the next steps with a positive mind. Now just waiting for MRI, another biopsy and repeat lymph thing.

Dear lovely lacies the thread has been quite busy so I am not going to try remembering who is what where. Welcome to those who have unfortunately found their way here and thank you to those who continue to support the thread especially mama elephant leslie. After 10 months off for surgery, chemo and rads I am returning to work in January and I would rather poke my eyes out with a pointy stick however I am taking heart that I feel ok ish at this point to do it.
I will not be sorry to see the back of 2016 however I have been amazed at people's kindness and have met some amazing people both in the real world and cyber space. I wish everyone buckets full of love, kindness, strength and peace for 2017 and have been thinking of those who gained their wings this year .
Helly

Thank you argymargy. I am glad telling your children meant some weight off your mind. ❤️️

It's a bit early, but I have started our NEW THREAD here

I have posted the first edition of the Lacies' guide to cancer, and what I have catchily titled amber's words of wisdom

I am slowly filling up the new thread with my own posts so hopefully someone will join me there. I expect you all have more exciting plans that I do for tonight!

I'll just catch up on the last few posts here but I will reply on the new thread so as not to cause confusion!