Roll up, roll up and join the lacies for CANCER SUPPORT THREAD 59 - anyone with cancer is welcome (and those awaiting test results)

[WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo]

Hello everyone,

This is the cancer support thread, which has been running for many years under different names. Most posters have breast cancer, but various other cancers are represented too! Whatever cancer you have, feel free to join us. We also welcome those who are awaiting test results to find out whether or not they have cancer. We know how difficult the waiting can be and we are happy to hold your hand. Hopefully you won't need to join us permanently

Feel free to ask any questions. There will usually be someone who knows the answer or will know where you can find it.

Whatever you do, stay away from Google!

You can post anything you like here. We don't mind swearing or complaining or angry ranting. We aren't brave or inspirational and you don't need to be either. Nobody signed up for this, but we support each other as best we can

The previous thread is here

Ahh thank you SO much Amberlight and Twitterqueen it means a lot to know that you are 'out there' somewhere rooting for me. Thank you for the 'hands of hope'!

You are right Google does scare the be-Jesus out of me so NO MORE.

Had a bit of a meltdown last night - yes it DID need to come out at some point and I did feel better afterwards and I've had someone at work give me flowers today too, so all is good in the hood today. Long may it continue.

Are you going into work noordinary or are you off at the moment?

The waiting is awful, I went to my GP and have been signed off and given some lovely calming tablets to get me through. I spend days on end watching box sets and eating biscuits and can recommend this as a coping mechanism -some days I have gallons of wine instead

No such luck. I'm at work because I've not long ago returned from being on the sick due to being unable to walk from really bad ass arthritis (they think!) in my left hip. Thankfully I had cortisone injections on 24th July and it's help immeasurably apart from still having a bit of pain in my left knee and groin. I was actually having to use a walking stick as I could hardly walk. Just hoping now that it's not related to my leg thing now!!!!

I have also found solace in custard creams!!!!!

At the risk of derailing the thread and causing huge controversy, can I ask if you take the top off the biscuit and then lick the cream out of the middle first?

Obviously this is the correct way to eat CCs.

Oh gosh NO. Dunk it in coffee, let it soften for just a second, then eat it whole

I eat them whole as well. Current obsession is digestives though - the most boringist biscuit of them all Think my brain has gone wonky!

Nipping in to wave quickly. I'm on holiday so sending you all lots of love.

Noordinary I'm sorry you've had to join us. Biscuits are definitely the way to go though!

LittleGreyCat argh! Have you got a new date yet?

I hope everyone is having a good week!

No dunking but then eaten whole. They're my favourite busy it when I'm on the chemo ward - only time I eat them!

Hope you're having a lovely holiday leslie

Leslie Hope your holiday is going well

Littlegrey - have you a date yet?

I have had my HER2 results as negative, albeit through 2 pages of confusing (even for my consultant) numbers and margins. The MRI on ny unaffected breast shows two lesions which appear to be benign. All good news. Racing towards DIEP surgery next Saturday. Mirena coil removal Monday, CT scan on belly for blood supply on Tuesday (miles from home), plastic surgeon consult Wednesday (another two hour roungpd trio) p, admission on Friday.

No time to breathe. It's my sons birthday this weekend so that comes first.

Hello.
Leslie hope you are having a good holiday. I had a nice few days away but the heat was almost unbearable
Good luck to those having surgery soon. I haven't had any so can't offer any advice I'm afraid but wishing you all a speedy recovery.
I have to vent I'm afraid. Today I have received an invitation for breast screening which saves lives from breast cancer. FFS this just about tops all the admin problems I have had. Glad that I am soon moving to a different hospital/trust. I know they send these letters automatically but surely they should suppress such letters to those dying from cancer.

You would think so, wouldn't you Chewing... Rant and vent away.

Were you caught up in Lucifer? We've had a nice day and a half and now I'm cold again!

Hi TwitterQueen
I fired off an angry email and have received an apology already
Yes we were caught up in Lucifer. I like the heat but that was something else. Came back home to a broken boiler so am getting a new one fitted as I need the heating on. Doesn't seem like August at all.
Hope you are doing ok x

chewing I had a mammo call up 2 months after my diagnosis. I had to get dh to call and cancel it as I was too upset to ring.
Noordinarygirl my SIL had a very similar experience a few years ago. Except she's ignored hers for longer and it was probably over 1cm across when she went o the Drs. Her later surgery did leave quite a scar but cleared all the cancer. She has returned to running and as probably fitter now than ever (and she ran marathons before...)
I hope that helps
Waves to all

Thanks Pepperrabbit, that IS reassuring to hear. SO glad your SIL is back to running and fitter than ever.

I have my results/cancer support nurse/consultants appointment on 1st Sept so at least there's an end in sight to all my (hopefully) unnecessary worrying

Hello lovely lacies. It's been crazy on my side what with moving house, physiotherapy gir my lymphedema, six month mammogram and school holidays of course! Quite the cocktail
I'm trying to catch up so apologies if I miss anybody.
clean hello. I have developed lymphedema following breast conservation surgery and full axillary clearance two years ago. Although I had been careful, had done all the research and exercises, I still got it. However, I am lucky that it's not bad. I have had physiotherapy, been given a compression sleeve and glove both of which I wear only when my arm is achy or exceptionally swollen. In general the affected arm is always swollen and visibly bigger than my other arm. I've even stopped wearing my watch on that(left) wrist. I have had issues with my left breast too and the most recent physiotherapy I've had helped so much, it was amazing.
Please feel free to ask me anything if I have not shed enough light. Wishing you and everyone else here all the best.

i am 3 weeks post surgery, every thing is looking great...im driving, sleeping well, no pain killers and having to be chained to a radiator to stop me painting the kitchen ceiling!

i have also been to see the 'bone' consultant after my bone density scan flagged up osteopenia, this was before i started the letrozole, they said now give the infusion twice a year for all letrozole users regardless of scan out comings - mine is delayed until im healed etc

pathology has written to my gp regarding 'some thing' from the reconstruction surgery....they did take 3 moles off my chest so im waiting to see what this is all about - no appointments with my gp for 2 weeks! im back to see plastic surgery nurse next week so might ask her to look on the nhs portal for some details, as im getting a slight left eye twitch wondering what its all about!

regards to all

baubles You are my inspiration! Going in on Friday for DIEP on Saturday. Feel v shaky after today's appointments where they went through everything in detail, GREAT DETAIL. To hear that you're feeling so well after three weeks is just amazing and I think I love you a bit for putting my troubled mind a little at ease tonight.

for everyone who can have it.

Hope everyone's having a nice busy few days.
I've spent the week desperately searching for anyone who might want to take responsibility for my care at the moment and pretty much failing, but finally convinced my epilepsy neurologist's Secretary that i needed an MRI and she got him to make the referral so hope that's soon as, for the first time ever, I'm starting to feel anxious and fixate on negatives. My surgeon isn't due back until 29th and his waiting list officer isn't in until Monday either so I'm apparently not currently on the waiting list (for surgery I've been waiting 15 months for ) and it's all a bit frustrating. I also think my pre-op may have 'run out' as it were as it's been 4 months since it was done. Sorry to moan, just all getting a bit much atm. Love to all!

Hi ladies. Really heartening to read such a positive story about the DIEP. Anyway. I had margins redone two weeks ago today so my fourth surgery in as many months. Got a call yesterday to see the bc nurse so felt that it couldn't be bad news surely. Spent the night yrying to sleep and not go bonkers. Waited ages and ages today at appointment. Consultant did want to see me (eeek). Good news. Margins are all clear, no sign of any disease. No need for chemo. Been referred to radiotherapy. Bone density scan is fine. Am so so happy. I haven't felt like this for so long. It seemed like it was never going to end and the anxiety is so much worse than the actual surgery. Will go in next year for her to do a lift and reduction on normal boob.

Thank you for your support. Every best wish to everyone with upcoming appointments and surgeries. Hope people get a bit of sunshine today.

Hi all

Sorry, been a bit busy after my holiday. I had a lovely time and managed lots of walking - I obviously haven't been pushing myself enough at home!

Chemo today. I had some custard creams. I did not dunk them or separate them or anything else gross I've since had lots of raw onion salad (left from last night's Indian takeaway!) which has helped with gross chemo taste, and hopefully will also help if I am approached by vampires...

Flying excellent news!

LittleGreyCat sorry you seem to have fallen through the cracks. I hope you get your MRI appointment soon, and that they get you back on the waiting list asap. I'm not surprised you're getting frustrated!

Tony for you too. Good luck with the surgery. And I'm glad you had good news with the other stuff :)

looking great news about your recovery, but sorry about the extra worry. I hope the nurse can shed some light! Fingers crossed for you

royal how did the move go?

Noordinarygirl glad you've got a date

chewing I'm glad you haven't melted! Have you had any progress with the new hospital yet?

Waving to everyone

Hello, I was diagnosed with invasive ductal breast cancer, grade 2 last week. Was extremely scared waiting for biopsy results, but pleased it is treatable & I just want it out of me now.

Going for an MRI tomorrow to confirm exact size of lump as ultrasound & mammogram give 2 different sizes, this will also determine what sort of mastectomy I can have & if I can have a reconstruction.

Please can anyone give me their experience of this cancer & surgery. Thanks

Hi Sass, sorry for your news. I was diagnosed with grade 2 stage 2a (lump was 2.5cm) no node involvement. I had a lumpectomy...which was absolutely fine. They then sent lump for oncotype which came back with a low score so no chemo, just radiotherapy...which was tiring but doable.. .
I was v v lucky in the scheme of things...
Do you def need a mastectomy??
Hope you're feeling ok....i know i felt much happier when the tumour had been chopped out...a month after diagnosis. My top tip is make sure you like and trust your consultant.. .my first one was terrible...made it all feel very scary. My second was brilliant and it all felt far less frightening.. .
Oh and mine was er/pr +8 and her2-
I wish you all the very best...and while everyone has different experiences...mine so far has been fine...im now on tamoxifen with no side effects at all!! Take care....

And hope everyone else is doing well.. .er chewing your hospital never fails to deliver a WTF moment...honestly...that was crap!!
How's it going at new hospital?

Baubles...delighted your diep experience has been so good

Littlegrey...er truthfully I would nag nag nag....

Tony ...good luck with op..

Leslie so glad you had a brilliant holiday...you deserve it...chuckling about your vampire prevention methods!!

Hugs to all...

Hi

Glad you had a good holiday Leslie
Littlegrey you may need to make a bit of a fuss - I know how frustrating it is
Tony good luck
The consultant at the new hospital is still doing all he can to get me immunotherapy treatment as it is unlikely that any more chemo will work. The lump has really grown since treatment was stopped and is getting painful so I am awaiting urgent radiotherapy to hopefully break it down a bit. It would be nice if I get the appointment without having to chase it but what are the odds?