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

I had my first look around the Chemo unit today and met the nurses there. I am steadily feeling calmer about it and that the process is losing some of the fear and mystery. I start next Thursday. I'm quite relieved about the week wait as I feel totally battered and bruised and slightly traumatised by everything in the last week.
I had an infected molar removed yesterday - bloody hell!!! Thank fook that is over.
And it means I get to go out to a charity comedy show tomorrow night, eat pizza and laugh and drink with friends. And it's not a cancer charity so I can forget about that for a while!

Hello lacies.mrs i was just saying how annoying Ifind October with the torrent of pink and shoving breast cancer info into our faces everywhere!it is ironic how the campaign skips around us real cancer patients..it is almost like BC paparazzi
Good luck tomorrow Bob and it is totally understandable what you feel re your body. We have no choice in this and it is your body after all! Once they get the damn cancer out you may feel like looking into what options there are if you are not comfortable with the look of your breast.
Waving to everybody else.

Good luck tomorrow bob. It's amazing how you can come to terms with your new body. Before I had my reconstruction I met a lady who had had the same op 5 years ago. She lost her nipple but had one created and then tattooed. It's faded a bit now and she told me she probably wouldn't bother getting it re-tattooed, she is totally at peace with her body. I was in awe of her and just wanted to be in that place as at the time I was so upset at the thought of losing my breast. Now, 2 months on I'm glad the cancer is gone and even with a big circular scar and no nipple I can look at myself in the mirror. I will get one created though in due course just to tidy things up

rocket glad you've got a date to start treatment and good that you've seen the ward and met the team.

Sorry for not picking up on anyone else (absolutely exhausted today) but a big wave to you all

I'm having the operation next Thursday the 13th not tomorrow sorry, it's awful what cancer does to us I hopefully will have a better day tomorrow, I know I'm lucky so far it's looking very treatable so hopefully it stays that way it's all very daunting.mintyneb yes I want to be in that place too, where I'm happy with myself again will take time I suppose.

I'm at the chemo unit so posting quickly. Waving to all.

Yesterday's appointment brought good news. My scan showed that the chemo is working :)

I hope you're all having a good day

bob none of the people I know with reconstructed nipples had them made from bits of labia I think it was skin from the thigh or somewhere. But there are definitely other options to enquire about, if it's something you are interested in :) there is no need to worry about that for now though. Just focus on getting through the next few weeks

Afternoon Lacies

Hope you're all doing well. Sorry for not reading back, just back from hospital and getting ready for Dorset. DD has texted me and we have adopted another child again.I love my daughter's friends but could do with a bit more notice nowadays.

PS Chewing , mobile again so let me know the hospital.

Got rid of the drain (yay); but wound still a bit sore and angry so re-dressed this time, but I can take it off myself in two days (and have a look).

Took next door neighbour's sister for her histology consultation as well, she waited for over an hour; only to tell her that they hadn't got them back. She was very upset.
I thought it was odd that she had a consultation so early, however she had really fast track surgery (I confess I was really jealous).
We've rearranged for both of us a week today.

Had a really good chat with my BCN. After we emailed the photo's on Monday she said she would talk to the surgeon when she next saw him, but he wasn't due in clinic till Tuesday. He's already requested a report from the head of department apparently.
Had a good discussion about another lumpectomy/mastectomy and have almost clarified/come to some terms in my own head. The MTD meet on Monday but she's going to get permission to ring me with results on Tuesday (even though policy says they can't. My consultant thinks I'm really sensible (sticks tongue out and says, "so there"). The man is obviously deluded !!!)
In the mean time Instead of circling the drain of indecision and waiting, I have to focus my mind on my gambling strategy. I'm going in cool as a cucumber. Rats will get splatted and pennies will fall.

I love those games tutti! I am at the vets so posting quickly!
Finally rang the BCN about the sleepless nights and hot flushes as I'm in bits most days and almost dreading going to bed. So I ended up crying to the answerphone as they weren't there then had to come out.
They're probably talking to DS1 who'll be home now and won't have a clue where I am.....
Good news Leslie

Oh pepper You sound at the end of your tether Hope you get some sort of resolution.

Somehow though, I don't think the vet will be much help

leslie that is just the best news! Hooray

pepper sorry you're struggling with the nights, hot flushes and insomnia are a potential mix. Hope the tears have done you some good

tutti have a fantastic break, I'm envious of you getting away from all this rubbish. Good to hear the drain has gone and fingers crossed it all heals nicely

So I just scraped through on my bloods (no alcohol gin or otherwise for me for a while) and now tinder myself in the strange position of self inflicting poison before I go to bed. Because the chemo comes as a tablet and there's anti sickness meds to be spaced out around it I've been advised to take it before bed. All feels very strange. Hopefully I won't be up through the night feeling rough but at least I could have a conversation with you pepper

Sorry pepper post should say potent not potential!

Your post wasnt there as I was typing (really long and slow)

Brilliant news Leslie Wish there was a champagne and fireworks doubrie thing.

Minty great news on the bloods. Hope the chemo tabs and anti sickness work. Good Luck and fingers crossed.

Don't worry Tutti I often press post and then find a whole lot of new posts have arrived! :)

I'm still in the chemo unit. It's been quite slow today. I feel rather sick. Bleurgh.

Good luck with chemo tablets minty I hope they don't cause many side effects. What ones are you on?

pepper I hope you hear back from the BCN. Sorry things are so difficult

leslie so pleased for you re the scans showing the chemo doing its thing! That should make the sickness more bearable :)

Leslie excellent news about your response to the chemo. Hopefully you are home now with lots of antisickness meds. I know there's one called Emend which is not prescribed initially because it's expensive, but can be given and is supposed to be very good. I just muddled through with the standard ones but I was never actually sick, so I don't know if Emend is a tablet or injection.

Pepper I'm sorry that you are struggling with the tamoxifen. My hot flushes peaked at about week 3, and have eased now. I still can't sleep well though. I go off ok, but wake about 5 times in the night, so you have my sympathy. Apparently my liver enzymes are misbehaving, although my GP is not too concerned, and thinks it's an after effect of chemo. I rather think it's the tamoxifen because my LFT on chemo was usually in range, with only a wobble on one occasion.

Emend is a tablet. Well, three tablets. One before the infusion and then one each for next two days. I couldn't have it with my last regime as I was on fourteen days of oral chemo. But thankfully my oncologist remembered my amazing nausea abilities and prescribed it this time.

I have had the usual pre-chemo cocktail, including Emend, and then some cyclizine this evening. But still feel rather sick. Usually the best cure is sleep so I will settle down soon.

I hope everyone is having a good evening :)

Hello all! Apologies for not having read through as yet...gosh this moves fast! After a relatively smooth first FEC and complicated but ultimately successful PICC procedure I've been brought resoundingly to my knees by the GSF (?) injections - I have been in excruciating pain, my bones are screaming, I cried on the helpline call today, so embarrassed - I got codeine but I'm still in agony. Yesterday I thought I'd pass out for the pain at a couple of points. Am really struggling. Neutrophil count was low hence had these for 3 days...I expect if counts are low right off the bat then there will be further lots as treatment continues. It's insane how much it hurts,

Outlaws. That sounds miserable. Forget about being embarrassed, you're not Superwoman; you have every right to cry. Hope you and Leslie got some sleep

Outlaws you poor thing. My onc loved the GCSF injections and gave me the highest dose which was normally reserved for people 13 kg heavier than me, despite me protesting. I got away with SE's though and only felt a little achey.

Unfortunately GCSF does tend to be given during chemo, and particularly on docetaxel. However, after FEC I had weekly paclitaxel and got to avoid them altogether then. Maybe you could ask about weekly tax for that part of your treatment if you are already suffering with bone pain?

Outlaws I've not had the injections, but it sounds similar to pain I had after an iron infusion. I think Voltarol gel helped a little, but I mostly tried to sleep through it. Not so practical when it is several days and you have little ones though! Definitely tell your doctor how bad the pain has been at your next appointment (I don't know about you but my helpline number is just whichever nurse is on duty in the ward)

Morning Lacies , hope Pepper had a better night too.

outlaws sorry to hear you're having a tough time. I didn't get the injections but had the most horrendous muscle and bone pain from the paclitaxol that over the counter medicine couldn't touch. You have my sympathies.

I took my first chemo tablets (leslie ive been given vinorelbine) before I went to bed last night. I was told the SE would probably kick in overnight and lo and behold I woke up several times feeling sick. Have spent the day on the sofa dozing and drinking lots thanks to a killer headache. To be fair I felt much worse on the EC but I really don't fancy having to go through all this again next week (am on a day 1, day 8 regime for 4 cycles).

Sorry you're suffering minty I hope it wears off soon. Have you been given antisickness meds? Could you take some when you first take the tablet, if even a little before, so they can kick in overnight?

Thanks leslie I got the usual ondansetron to take half hour before the chemo and 12 hours after. And domperidon to take before meals as required. They don't think it needs the steroid anti sickness I had with EC but obviously I'll ask for extra help next week if I don't feel great over the weekend

Hope you're feeling OK?