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

Appointment a week Tues. I'm freaking out massively today. User147, have u got appointment yet? I must admit, I've made classic mistake of googling which hasn't helped....

This may also be too much info(!) but we always hear about looking for changes, including nipple suddenly becoming inverted. Well, I'm experiencing the opposite, I have always had an inverted nipple and it seems to not be so, since this pain worsened.
Anyone had pain in arm or any arm lumps too?

hi i am an extreme health anxiety sufferer and am having a colonoscopy next week and terrified of results, my GP didn't wane me to have one but a gastroenterologist i spoke to said it would be best to , i am not coping well. my symptoms are apparently not extreme
but i wonder if i could ask permission if they sound like alarm bells to any of you/ i wanted to ask first.
I am 43 x

Nat99 I'm awaiting a colonoscopy and CT what are you symptoms if you don't mind me asking x

Cookie that's fantastic bit disappointing to still need the radiotherapy, but I suppose better that they're being thorough. I hope you'll still be able to work as that sounds really positive

charlie sorry to hear about your mum. I hope it's nothing to worry about

VLCos I'm sure it's nothing to worry about. Doctors often have their own preferred way of doing things. I hope you get an appointment soon though.

Blossom STEP AWAY FROM GOOGLE! there's a lot of nonsense out there. If you really want to read up, then stick to the cancer charity websites

Nat what are your symptoms? I hope you get some reassurance soon. Are you having any help for your anxiety?

user that sounds like a nightmare. I hope you can get it all sorted soon

It's a gorgeous day here again

@WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo thank you ! Was your a CT of the abdomen ? Would this include all organs and bowel ? I've had an abdominal ultrasound for gallstones . They said they couldn't see the tip of the pancreas due to the bowel being in the way. I wonder if they would check it out again .
Should definitely get CT appointment Tuesday forgot Monday was a bank hol ! Hopefully will get colonoscopy appointment next week.
Have to see gallstones surgeon next week to.
Beautiful day hope everyone is enjoying it !
@Blossom4538 hope your appointment goes OK .waiting is the worst x

I had chest, abdomen and pelvis. It'll show all the organs and they'll examine all of the images, not just your bowel :)

@WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo thank you ! :-) how are you doing ? Any plans for bank holiday?

VLCos hope you manage to get some dates-the waiting is the worst, and I find my mind goes into overdrive-I am quite a worrier and tend to think of the "what ifs" Since all this started I feel like a different person almost because I am constantly on high alert for any pains/symptoms and always worrying! Just want it all to be over and done with-my app is not till June 6th so still a bit to wait(I hope like you I will be told within 3-4 weeks)
I still get stomach aches but thankfully not had one that's stuck around for days at a time as this is what causes me the most worry,still burping like a trucker and either going twice a day or not going at all yet feeling like I need too!
Hows you doing?

@charliebear78 I am to analyzing every twinge like crazy things before this I wouldn't have given any thought to.
My stomach ache is more in the evenings like when the colon is doing its work .
Wind still bad. Bloating has eased a little.
How is your mum doing ?

Z

Leslie how do you manage to keep on top of everyone's posts?! :)

So I had good news in that I got awarded full PIP, including the mobility element so now can apply for a blue badge.

annoyingly my PICC line got a tear/leak so had to have it removed :( I have ONE chemo left next week before three months off...

So potentially I need to go to hospital on the Tuesday for blood tests and to see the consultant, then Wednesday for a new PICC line as they don't do them on Tuesdays, hen chemo pretty much all day Thursday and it's half term....

although I want to throw everything at the cancer I'm actually hoping that they say to just not have the last chemo session as it would be so much easier.

Hope everyone enjoys the BH as much as possible.

how to i reply to vlcos so she sees it please ?

VLCos my symptoms are for 3 months changento going every single morning and much softer and also lately undigested food from sometimes night before so fast transit . i was always very random times and days and harder stools. does this sound worrying? doctor said no but gastro i spoke to privately said tibber safe hasve colonoscopy so as i have health anxiety i am thinking worst case scenario now and terrified. Has anyone else had this?

@Nat99 my symptoms are more constipation and bloating as well as stomach ache.
My dad had similar symptoms to you and he has crohns . Lots of bowel problems apart from cancer have very similar symptoms . When is your colonoscopy ? At least having it will put your mind at rest x

leslie did u see my symptoms? i am back on sertraline for my anxiety x VCos has your dad always had chrones tho? i've never had bowel issues before or maybe it's not an issue i don't know, i just know my mind is doing overtime been shaking and crying most days....colonoscopy is next thursday x

can it be normal to go from erratic
and harder (sorry ) to every day and softer, same time ish too!! wary of docs not being worried as they weren't worried and kept sending me away when i finally got a BCC diagnosed on my chest after going to a private doctor!

@Nat99 he was diagnosed in his 50s.
Next Thursday OK get the bank holiday over and it's not far away. Try to take one-day at a time. Each night is getting you closer to that appointment . That is the only way I am getting through waiting.
I know it's really difficult is there anyone you can share your worries with at home ?

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28544393

Waving to all. Sending love to those waiting, undergoing tests and treatments, and enduring the myriad eekness of cancer.

That link - the latest data about breast cancer. 98.6% still alive at the five year point, and counting. Blimey, things have improved in the last few years....just in case that is cheering. It isn't for those in the 1.4% of course.

amber that's amazing news thank you for sharing. I am sure it'll be reassuring for those recently diagnosed

Nat yes, I saw, and saw your separate thread too. I know it's easy for me to say, but it doesn't sound majorly worrying. They tell people to report a change in bowel habits, but that doesn't mean that all changes indicate a problem. Hopefully the colonoscopy will reassure you. I hope the sertraline will start to help soon

VLCos one day at a time is the way to do it :) I'm good thanks. I have so much more energy afte my blood transfusion on Monday! I feel so well that tbh it feels absurd that I have incurable cancer I went to a garden party today which was lovely and relaxed. No plans for tomorrow or Monday yet. How about you?

fluffy good news about the PIP, but grr to the PICC. Can they do it via cannula for one session? Fingers crossed they just cancel it!

I hope everyone has had some sunshine today

thank u leslie and VLCos x when is yours booked? x

husband doesn't think i should b getting it done as it's stressing me and doctor said not concerned x

Leslie I'm so glad you're feeling good! Hope it keeps up.

Amber that's great news and I'm going to read that paper now to cheer me up, as I'm feeling proper ill for the first time since starting chemo 9 weeks ago. Hopefully I can convince myself that this is worth doing!!

Waving to all the lacies - it's a beautiful morning here and I hope you all have the best day possible.

@WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo aw glad you are feeling good . Makes the world of difference im sure.
Garden party sounds lovely.
My OH is a journalist at the Manchester Evening News so this week has been a little bit crazy for him. He has a rare weekend of so we've been doing lots with the little ones . Swimming, went to a fair, BBQ been lovely

@Nat99 I am still waiting for my appointment consultant said 2/3 weeks been a week.
If it was me and I was so worried I would have it done for peace of mind. No one wants a colonoscopy unless they have to . Not the nicest of procedures x