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

Did you have Emend last time? It usually works well for me. Anyway, I hope it won't cause too many issues and that they will give you better medications if needed

I'm alright thanks. Been feeling a bit grim today, but better than yesterday :) I don't usually feel this bad during/after chemo but I suddenly came over really hot and a bit dizzy during the second infusion. They thought it might be a reaction but it didn't get any worse, so just something to keep an eye on in future :)

Oh dear, hope it wasn't the start of a reaction. I sometimes struggle regulate my temperature in hospital going from freezing cold to boiling hot. Hopefully it was just something like that.

Yep I had Emend last time which did help but didn't completely eliminate the nausea. Apart from having a dodgy breast my main body weakness is my digestion so I'm not surprised I suffer in this way

Ah a fellow nausea champion actually I think I remember your problems last time! I get car sick on five minute journeys nowadays but thankfully this chemo is a lot less nausea-causing. I have only thrown up a few times in eight cycles. I hope you can get yours under control asap.

I find that too about hospitals and temperature. Not helped by having heating on full and windows wide open yesterday!

Yes last time, I came on here asking if there was any cbt type therapy I could have as the thought of the ward or even the word chemo made me feel sick!

Glad to hear that your chemo is kinder to you nausea wise but it still doesn't sound good .

Heading off to bed now, hopefully I'll get some sleep

Morning all .
Good luck to those having surgery or awaiting tests in the next week
I wrote loads yesterday but it didn't post so I went to bed in a huff and will try again now. Struggling to keep up with everything so apologies if I leave anyone out.
All the pink cancer stuff everywhere is getting on my tits!

Leslie great news about your chemo and I hope you are feeling a bit better today.
Pepper hope your hot flushes have eased a bit. I get some now and again but thankfully they are bearable.
minty hope you're getting on ok. I have to take chemo tablets too after IV and they are as big as bullets
Outlaws hope you are feeling a little better. I will be having a GCSF injection next week so I look forward to that
Tutti Hope you are enjoying your break and winning lots of pennies
I have been a bit down the last couple of days as the reality of it all sets in. Seeing onc on Monday before more chemo on Tuesday so will be asking a few questions about the treatment ahead.
Hope you all have a good weekend.

Afternoon all, thank you for your kind words, I haven't achieved much more sleep unfortunately. I've realised the extreme tiredness has killed my fight or flight instinct and I've been left with blub or sniffle as my options under pressure , not ideal at work or play. The BCN was lovely and suggested I ask the GP to try venlafaxine in a half dose, a whole dose is an anti depressant which I don't need but apparently half can ease the hot flushes. BUT, it may take a couple of weeks to kick in, and I felt so sick last night after I took the first one . Leaflet is terrifying (as they all are) but implies the nausea may last for a couple of days. I'm like a zombie today.
Cat cost me a fortune at the vets and is refusing to eat the gold plated prescription food. She and I look similarly pissed off with life today!
Interestingly to me the GP said that as the hot flushes started with the 2nd chemo cycle and have got progressively worse since, that it may not be the tamoxifen, it may be a sudden harsh menopause that chemo has triggered. This would be good news as may mean I can move to letrozole asap and not need the oophorectomy. Obviously only in Cancer Land is that good news!
Dh has bought me lovely flowers today to cheer me up and bullied the kids into doing their homework, now they are all secretly cooking my favourite dinner so all is not so bad really
minty , leslie and outlaws hope you are feeling better, or at the very least better than you feared you might today!
Waves to everyone - sorry not quite up to a full namecheck to all awaiting procedures and results.

1st of 4 EC chemo's yesterday. Initially felt fine, even the cold cap wasn't as bad as I was anticipating, but at around 3pm the nausea kicked in and I was sick from 5pm on and off all night. Took the anti-sickness tablets and steroid as instructed and now just feel very sick and washed out.

Wasn't expecting SE'S quite as quickly as this. I guess everyone is different. Hoping they pass soon.

Hi to everyone else - especially those joining me in their 'sick' beds. Here's hoping we feel better soon.

Hello lacies.nothing much to report on my end. It is the case of wait and see what happens for people like mysel now who have completed the major treatment. I am still working out which I am feeling proud of I must say, but I am still stiff. From the Tamoxifen especially when I am getting up from having been sitting or lyong down for a while..oh and the mornings! I can barely walk when I get out of bed.it is like I have trotters not feet!
chewing I am so sorry to hear you have been feeling down. Cancer is many things but it is not fun. I hope your oncologist gives you all the answers you need. I am 100% with you re the pink attack!
pepper you have a mixed bag there but it must be so comforting to have your family eager to support and care for you as such. Nausea is horrid for sure.
joandthetribe so sorry you had to deal with the SEs so quickly. Did your team advise you to take your meds / steroids before it actually kicks in? My onc stressed I. Was to take mine before not after it had started. We may have different regimens, so not sure.
Leslie how are you doing now?
Waving to everybody else.

jo when I was on EC the sickness kicked in within 3 hours of treatment so I feel your pain. If you haven't been given it this time definitely ask for Emend next time. It didn't stop the nausea completely for me but did stop me wrenching

pepper after the 2nd cycle of chemo my periods stopped completely and never returned (I'm now 2 years period free). I was hit by horrendous hot flushes but unfortunately have to say that I still haven't shaken them off. Only up side is i don't have to worry about my hormones luckily

royal there's nothing like cancer treatment to make you feel old before your time. I hope the stiffness get worse as we get into winter

I've not had too bad a day although I still feel like I've been nursing a bad hangover. If this is as bad as it gets on the new drug I'm hoping I'll make it through the course ok

chewing sorry you're feeling down, but not surprising given all you've been through. It takes a while got it all to sink in, and all the drugs don't help with moods either sometimes it all seems rather relentless, with no time to get your head round one thing before the next hits, and you have had more than your fair share of surprises. I hope you get some answers to your questions.

pepper I'm glad you're being well looked after, especially the "surprise" dinner I bet they'll be so proud :) I hope the nausea wears off and that the medication helps the hot flushes. An old poster on here tried it, but I'm afraid I don't remember how she got on. The menopause situation sounds like good news, especially if you can avoid the extra surgery. But another thing to get your head around

minty glad you're feeling vaguely OK. I hope the next dose will be easier. Did you get some sleep?

Jo there's always room for another under the blanket, but sorry you are joining us. Keep taking the medication even if the sickness has worn off. An ounce of prevention and all that. Also keep a note of the timings and symptoms etc to tell your nurse/doctor next time. I hope you feel better soon

royal I'm alright thanks, just rather worn out. I stayed in bed most of the morning :) how are you? Well done on working out creakiness in the morning sounds wearing. Were you trying glucosamine or was that someone else?

I think I may be in danger of using up all the at this rate! Waving to everyone. I hope some of you gave fun Saturday nights planned we need the more hardcore lacies to balance out those of us who will be spending the night on the sofa

Hi all,

I've lurked on this thread for a while and whilst I myself don't have cancer I work in a breast cancer centre so am familiar with a lot of your situations.

Just wanted to say to you all, and wish you all well. What a fabulous support thread this is x

Hi Valid good to see you again
Everyone is really supportive here - even to the 'odd' ones like me

Just popped to say it was my 10 year cancerversary yesterday 😀
I had triple negative breast cancer and 10 years ago the prognosis wasn't wonderful. I had WLE, FEC/Tax chemo and rads and here I am. It can be done and I wish you all love and luck with your treatments.

Congratulations Mouse

Hi valid it is indeed a wonderful thread :)

How are you today chewing?

Congratulations Mouse
Hi Leslie I feel a little bit brighter today thanks. Hopefully will feel better after the appointment tomorrow.

Chin up chewing you are doing amazingly. The days before any kind of results appointment are especially tough and you seem to have had it tougher than most.

Thank you for all the lovely kind messages. Haven't been sick since yesterday which is great, but feel washed out, nauseas and shaky - I actually feel 'toxic' which I guess is to be expected. Have been keeping a symptom diary which contains far too much info and will be pleasant reading for the nurse in 3 weeks :)

Hope everyone else is on the mend and able to enjoy a bit of the autumn sun that has made an appearance here. X

Congratulations Mouseinahole that is absolutely wonderful! That is really uplifting news for all of us. Wishing you many many more years to come.

It's so good to hear positive stories like yours mouse, thanks for popping in.

Waving to everyone else! Will catch up later with you all but wishing those having treatments a good week ahead.

Oh mouse it's fantastic to hear from someone who was where we are 10 years ago and you beat it and are fighting fit thanks for posting.

Hi may I pop in? I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer 5 weeks ago following a full hysterectomy. Its stage 1c so I am lucky it was found. Basically I had a large cyst 20x18cms, so was fast tracked and mri picked up a smaller growth behind the cyst. The everything happened so quickly, in for surgery and now 6 cycles of mop up chemo starts this Tues. My husband is in his 6th year of remission from stage 4 bowel cancer so I half know what to expect re the chemo .Just want to get on with it now, as many of you have said once you know and have a plan in place you can deal with it.............still scary though! Good luck and love to you all. x

Welcome triplets but sorry you need to join us

Sorry, in total chemo fog today so not up to posting anything very useful. Waving to all!

Hello triplets welcome to our thread. You are very fortunate to have been caught early. That is great news concerning your DH being in remission now for four years. I guess as you said you have already been here with him! Hopefully your chemo SEs will be mild and as you said it is so much easier when you actually do have a treatment plan. Bst of luck.
Leslie sorry you are not very well. Hope it subsides soon.

Hi Triplets So sorry your family is having to go through this twice, but great news that yours has been caught early - certainly not nice by any means though.

Leslie I really hope you are on the mend soon, you've had a tough few weeks.

Welcome triplets, I hope tomorrow goes smoothly and your side effects are mild . Mouse - lovely positive message thank you!
Sorry you're still feeling rough leslie, hope it passes and you have plenty of meds to help. Jo and chewing hope you are ok.
My nausea has mostly passed, no real change to the flushes yet but it's early days and I'm feeling quite positive.
Waves to everyone else