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CANCER SUPPORT THREAD 58 - New thread, new year, but the lacies are still here! Please join us if you have any sort of cancer, or are waiting for test results

983 replies

WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo · 31/12/2016 20:23

Star Happy New Year! Star may 2017 bring health and happiness to us all

Welcome to oldies and to newbies. If you've just been diagnosed then this is the place for you. And if you're waiting for test results then please pull up a chair. We will hold your hand while you wait, and hopefully we will be able to send you on your way soon enough. If it isn't the news you hope for then we will be here for you.

Our previous thread is here

Following on from royalmama's suggestion (see, you're not just famous for typos!) I have compiled some of the excellent advice from the previous thread and I will post it below. I've divided it into sections to make it a bit more manageable. Please give me ideas on how to make it better for the next thread! :)

OP posts:
WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo · 03/04/2017 22:26

pepper that blue dye really lingers Shock are you quite pale? I hope the hand swelling goes down and isn't lymphoedema

Argy how are you finding the chemo? I hope the side effects have not been too unpleasant Flowers

OP posts:
mrsrhodgilbert · 03/04/2017 23:01

Thanks pepper. I still haven't had the results of the blood test taken about three weeks ago so not certain of my menopausal state. I'm not keen to move from tamoxifen as the side effects are not really present at the moment. The oncologist actually said I could stay on or return to tamoxifen if the next drug doesn't suit me. Think I'd need a second opinion on that, I've never heard of it before.

I'm sorry you've had some swelling, I have thought about how upset I'd be if I couldn't wear my rings from dh. Small problems I know but still upsetting. My blue dye lasted about 7 months, I was so happy when it went.

It's my birthday tomorrow and almost exactly three years since diagnosis. 50 was not a good year.

chewingawasp · 03/04/2017 23:11

Happy birthday for tomorrow mrsrhod Flowers Cake Wine

I hope you have a lovely day. 50 was not a good year for me either Hmm

royalmama · 04/04/2017 04:47

Wishing you many many happy returns mrs..hope the years to come are better.

ArgyMargy · 04/04/2017 07:30

Not too bad at all this time, thanks Leslie Smile

Lacies, I'm still blue, too - only 3 months since biopsy though Grin

WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo · 04/04/2017 13:36

Happy birthday mrsrhod! StarCakeFlowers

I hope this year will be much better for you

OP posts:
chewingawasp · 04/04/2017 14:02

Argy henna crown looks good. I might consider it if I lose all my hair next time round. I am not far from Brum too Smile

lookingforbaubles · 04/04/2017 15:38

good luck for tomorrow Leslie - how long will you be in for?

finally someone got back to me regarding the bones scan, it seems no one has looked at the results for my first one from 15mths ago!

its been red flagged as boarder line so they want me to take some drugs...nothing to worry about she said its not like i have kidney issues, when i pointed out i only have one kidney i now have to be reassessed!

its crazy how hospitals a few miles apart dont communicate with each other!!

Halfbaked · 04/04/2017 18:10

argy I just googled henna artists and found one on Facebook in my area. Her designs looked good and she has done henna crowns. I'm really looking forward to having it done.
Happy Birthday mrsrhod
Good luck with the op leslie
Quick pop in to wave to everyone FlowerslCakeBrew

DieDeutschLehrerin · 04/04/2017 19:43

Happy Birthday Mrs Rhod. We are birthday twins! Hope you've had a good one.
Hope all goes well for the op tomorrow Leslie.
Happy Tuesday everyone xxxx

rocket74 · 04/04/2017 20:54

Happy birthday MrsRhod - hope you have had some treats.
Good luck tomorrow Leslie Hope it all goes smoothly and you are comfortable afterwards. I'm sure we will all be thinking of you.
Chewing hope you can crack on with treatment soon after yet another mess around.

Regarding the mastectomy - I don't think surgeons will now remove heAlthy breasts on the off chance it may also get cancer one day. Unless you have a genetic strain of BC I believe. It's not something I considered but I was told this. I'm a single sided 38GG at the moment but it's ok. I think I'll have reconstruction in a year or so.

I had my last radiotherapy today! Hurrah!!
Now what do I do with my days?!! Smile
I'm off on a retreat weekend with some nice treatments and yummy food lined up so that's a start! A gift from a friend.

I also got some pottery lessons for my birthday so that's something after the kids Easter holiday.

Good luck to all x

WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo · 04/04/2017 21:05

Yippee for last radiotherapy rocket Star how is your skin? The retreat sounds perfect. I hope you enjoy it Flowers

Happy birthday to you too Deutsch. I hope you and mrsrhod have both been spoilt Cake

baubles grr! I hope your assessment goes well and that you can start the medication asap

I'll be in for at least three days apparently. My bag is all packed and I've been marked up ready for the op Grin

I'll speak to you all soon. Have a good week :)

OP posts:
freddiemercury · 04/04/2017 23:10

Just a quick one.. .

But happy birthday Deutsche and mrsrhod
And the very very best of luck for a good op to Leslie.. . Let us know how it goes as and when you can...
Thinking if everyone.. .xxx

StilaOnTheWrongPlane · 05/04/2017 00:49

Good luck Leslie thinking of you Flowers

CakeFlowers for the birthday girls , hope you've had a good day . Happy birthday!

Yeah for finishing radiotherapy rocket , when you are 1 down 'x' to go the end seems forever away doesn't it? Enjoy your weekend

Hope everyone else is as well as can be Flowers

royalmama · 05/04/2017 05:02

Good morning all.
Rocket, brill news! What to do now? Relax and pamper yourself. Lord knows you deserve that!
Leslie, sending you lots of good wishes for today.
Have a good day all.

ArgyMargy · 05/04/2017 07:26

Thinking of you today Leslie. And belated Happy Birthdays to Deutsch and MrsRhod.

aussiegonewrong · 05/04/2017 10:14

Hello everyone
Chewing, also wanted to wish you all the best and to give you some hope, my sister who also has breast cancer that has spread and initially the only treatment she has was given was hormone tablets then she went on a trial six months ago that included chemo , herception and something else which I can't recall the name of and she has just got a scan with excellent results , the chemo side is finished but the other two carry on every three weeks and seem to working very well for her

JoandtheTribe · 05/04/2017 11:32

Hi Daxaki

I had a 1cm (stage 1a) grade 3 invasive breast tumour last summer. I pushed for a double mastectomy and reconstruction due to a strong family history (BRCA negative - just had luck apparently) and whilst they were reluctant initially agreed after a psychological assessment. I was treated in Cambridgeshire.

FlippyNeck · 05/04/2017 16:23

Hello all, happy birthdays, and welcome - it suddenly got busy here!

Lesley, hope all goes well today and you're back to tell us you're ok very soon.

Yay Rocket - have a lovely time. Nice to 'see' you royalmama.

Chewing - ARRGHH. I'm glad the hospital were able to move your treatment, but it's all very frustrating. Why do we have to keep fighting for the care we should be having as a matter of course?? I hope the treatment works well for you.

Freddie, re supplements. I'm taking high dose vit d (and K2 to help with absorption) high dose iron because I am anaemic, omega 3 because my skin went to pot with the steroids and it's the only thing that sorts it out, vit B complex, and l-glutamine to try and prevent peripheral neuropathy. I did discuss all of this with my oncologist first, and checked the drug interactions. Once I've finished chemo, I intend to continue everything apart from the l-glutamine, add high dose curcumin (the active ingredient of turmeric) with peperine, melatonin, and a general high quality multi vit and mineral supplement, which might mean that I reduce some of the higher dose individual supplements. It's not a supplement, but I'm also thinking about taking metformin and/or aspirin, but that will involve another conversation with the onc/GP. It's blimmin' expensive for all of this stuff and I read a LOT of stuff around it all first.

Hi Daxaki. I had a mastectomy and full anc with immediate LD reconstruction and a reduction and lift on my non-cancer side. I expect there to be further small surgeries in future - if I want them - to even things up, colour my fake nipple, etc. To be honest, I wish I'd gone with a reconstruction from my tummy rather than my back, but now it's done, it's ok.

I met the rads consultant today (I like her!) and 'm going to join a trial to compare giving rads over one week instead of three. I have a 2:3 chance of getting the one week treatment, which I'd prefer, but knowing my luck, I'll be on the three week standard one. Either way, I do get more monitoring for the next 10 years, which can't be a bad thing.

Appointment at the integrative care centre tomorrow - I will report back!

ArgyMargy · 05/04/2017 16:53

Hi Flippy, fingers crossed you get the 1-week. Metformin?

WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo · 05/04/2017 23:19

I'm OK! Exhausted. Sorry not to reply to anyone. Love to you all Flowers

OP posts:
rocket74 · 05/04/2017 23:41

Great news Leslie. Sleep well x

freddiemercury · 05/04/2017 23:49

So glad you're ok...sleep tight...xxx

chewingawasp · 06/04/2017 08:43

Morning all.
+Leslie* hope you're feeling ok today.
Fliippy good luck with your appointment today.
Aussie thanks for that. I've not given up hope yet. Glad your sister is doing well.
Has anyone ever seen their MDT notes? I have requested mine but have to wait 40 days and pay a fee.

sunnyhills · 06/04/2017 10:10

Lovely to hear from you Leslie ,take care .

Flippy - interesting about supplements ,thank you .

Chewing so Angry on your behalf that you are having all this with treatment on top of everything else .

Love to everyone else ,especially those waiting for results ,waiting to start treatment and those laid low by SE .