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

STEP AWAY FROM GOOGLE! I REPEAT: STEP AWAY FROM GOOGLE!

In all seriousness, I'm anaemic on and off and the breathlessness is quite "normal" - like if I'd run for a bus but I'm just climbing the stairs! Nothing in my throat. That does sound more like possible anxiety, though obviously I'm not at all medically qualified :) low ferritin is a type of anaemia - iron deficiency anaemia. There are loads of possible causes.

When I had the tests last year that showed my cancer had spread to my lungs, I had no real symptoms. In fact I felt healthier than I had in ages.

What I'm trying to say is there's really no way of knowing, but try not to ahead of yourself. Like you say, there's nothing you can do until you've had the tests. Most likely you'll be completely fine :) I have everything crossed for you!

I hope everyone is having a good weekend so far

Cross posted with yikes who said it rather more subtly I'm sorry to be the bearer of sad news re MAS

L slie

Thank you both of you no more google :-)

Hi all. Thank you for this thread. I have my appointment 8th June. I saw GP twice, once to confirm it was a lump, next because breast had become slightly swollen and heavier. Said she was more concerned than initially and that if it was bad news we were in a good position to deal with it. Initially, it appeared rooted near nipple and was hard, not painful and 'discrete'. Over the last week, it has become more 'moveable' and I can feel (I think) all the edges, if i lift my arm. It has become more like a large, lumpy grape, not smooth, but less rigid than before. GP has told me to expect a biopsy. I am trying to be chilled, am keeping myself very busy, but I wake up every day and hope the bloody thing has magically gone away. I have a family history of bc and am in the mammogram age bracket and am just trying to keep steady over the coming days.

Hi lairyhegs but sorry you're here let's hope you'll only be here for a short visit. Just take it minute by minute if you have to. And stop prodding the lump :) I have no breast clinic experience so hopefully someone else will advise on the biopsy

Hi lairyhegs, loving the user name!! Biopsies are honestly fine...ive had a few before my diagnosis as got v lumpy breasts. They do a local anaesthetic and it really doesn't hurt at all. I had to wait for a week for my results but have to admit they gave me a fairly clear indication that it was cancer at the time.. .so I kind of knew.
The waiting for results is the worst part.. .But I can honestly say that once I knew exactly what it was it's all been fairly straightforward.
I had a lumpectomy and tgey tested my nodes when they did it. I was lucky, it hadn-t spread, I didn't need chemo and am.now having radiotherapy which is knackering...im surprised at quite how knackering in fact.
I'm waffling...but what I'm trying to say in a very long winded way is that even if it's the worst news....its not horrendous...survival rates are incredibly positive and we are here to hold your hand.
V much hoping it's nothing to worry about...good luck...xxx

And while I'm in waffle mode...thinking if everyone.. .
Leslie...hows post chemo going
Chewing...are they finally on top of all your appointments etc?
Flippy.. .thank you for yesterday...
And um...i think someone was doing the statin/metformin thing...thinking of doing it too.. .any thoughts???
Waves to all...xxx

Thanks for the update Leslie. I shall raise a glass to MAS, Sleepy, Lilymaid and Zombie and all the other MNers who have passed away

I shall join you in a toast Mysillydog to lacies past and present. You're all fabulous

freddie I'm not doing it myself at the moment, but definitely seems worth looking into. Good luck I'm alright thanks. Bit tired, but partly due to being quite busy today and then a bit of a steroid mix up

I hope everyone has had a good day. I'm thinking in particular of all those worrying about symptoms or upcoming appointments or anything else

@VLCos yes consultant said can happen at any age but i wasn't aware of that...having said that i haven't been to the loo since the procedure on friday even after eating properly! hope i don't explode!

@Nat99 ah I see . Glad your mind was put to rest. Hope the toilet situation sorts itself out soon !!

Does anyone have any experiences of having tests done privately at all ?
I am considering it if I can persuade DH I know he will not want me to spend lots of money doing that. Going crazy waiting for my colonoscopy which is not till July. Doesn't seem long but feels it can't focus on anything else my mind is focused all the time .
There is clinic nearish which perform virtual colonoscopys which are 640 pounds. It could be done within a few days . Once i have followed the correct diet. At least then I will have some results before the actual colonoscopy. But just thinking if it shows a tumour would my existing specialist take the results onboard . Also he wants me to go for a CT of the abdomen. Which was meant to be this week but has been put back till the 27th . I obviously wouldn't want to go for the virtual one and the CT abdominal as it would be to much radiation.
Am I better just waiting ? Would love some views . Thank you x

Hi all, hi lairyhegs...I too love your username!!!

I feel for you, I've had moments where I feel it is nothing and I'm wasting their time and others where I'm preparing myself...

I have my appointment tomorrow for ultrasound, poss biopsy etc. Feeling slightly stressed. At first I was up and down and then being busy over half term with my daughter has helped really! But dreading tomorrow. They said allow 3-4 hours for the appointment?! Did everyone else's last this long?

Hope you have good news lairyhegs and sorry you too are going through this horrible period of waiting and worrying.

Huge hugs to all of the super strong ladies (and possible men?) in this group.

Hi Blossom I suspect they've given you that timescale as a maximum so you don't make plans you then have to cancel. I actually went on a Sunday morning and it was pretty deserted! I did have a bit of to & fro, as the radiologist asked for more mammograms as well as doing biopsy, then I saw the surgeon again afterwards. But it wasn't anything like 4 hours. It probably depends on how busy they are and how many staff are available. Everyone was totally lovely though and it's obvious they're conscious of how frightened you are. Try not to worry. Are you taking someone with you? I would recommend it. xx

Hi VLCos I went Private-(but was just a consultation which cost me £200 he then sent me for a CT Scan but did that back through the NHS-it still took several weeks for the scan so was not any quicker!
If you did decide to go private would you not need a consultation first?which you would then pay for as well as the actual procedure?
Personally in your shoes I would not bother-you are getting both a Scan and a Colonoscopy done(I do understand the stress and anxiety of waiting and how that is all you can think of)
I looked and a Colonoscopy was over £2,000!!!!
Hang tight-you can do it!
I am having my consultation tomorrow afternoon-and will see where I go from there-I know I will have to wait longer than I want to-but will do it as I cannot afford to do anything else and am very grateful actually for all the tests I have had thus far.
That does not stop the panic and the moments of terror and wishing I could wake up in the morning and be going for my Colonoscopy however!

@charliebear78 Hey lovely thanks for the advice I will wait I think. Yes I will still need a referral but they seem to organise that. I have been stuck in all-day because of the rain . It makes my mind go in overdrive I like to keep busy .
I am thankful he is doing both tests as I will get a good view of everything. He may even have the CT results by the time I go for the colonoscopy . A month from now they will be done that is what I need to focus on . Time flies ! You guys are keeping me going
His secretary keeps saying if he thought it was urgent he would have said so !
Let me know how you go tomorrow hope it goes as well as it can .
Was your CT just abdominal or pelvis to ?

I had to attend the breast clinic for a lump last year and have had to see a surgeon for gallstones. I think everything has happened at once. Didn't got to doctors before that for years haha

Hi @Blossom4538 when I went last year I was there 3 hours it was the wait for the mammogram that took a while. Good luck I hope it goes OK

Thank you.

VLCos Yes my Scan was abdominal and pelvis with contrast,Guessing yours will be too.
I too never went to the Doctors-since Xmas I feel like I have never been away!

@charliebear78 me to think they are sick of me !
It's reassuring that didn't show anything for you but am sure a clear colonoscopy will be even better x

Yes it is-however all I read is that the only way to know for sure is via a colonoscopy so this is why I want one.
Plus I have suffered very bad anxiety over this and I am scared it will come back as at the moment I am managing it quite well largely down to NOT googling anything anymore.
I will see what consultant thinks and maybe I will only need a flexi Sig.
Will update you anyway.
Take care all

@Charlie bear78 good luck xx

Good luck today Blossom and charlie I hope you get some reassurance :)

VLCos sorry your CT has been bumped, but I think you're sensible to wait rather than trying to go privately :) the weather sucks doesn't it. Or at least nicer weather is a good distraction from gloomy thoughts. I hope you manage to get out today and take your mind of it all a bit.

I hope everyone has a good day

@WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo thank you :-) how are you doing ?

I've had to come to urgent care. I couldn't breath . My breathing became so tight. I thought I was going to faint. I asked my OH to call an ambulance before realizing that was ridiculous . He even gave me his inhaler to see if that would help. I have never felt like that before. It's a three hour wait so am just waiting. My children are of at soft play.
It's eased a bit but is still there. I would have gone to my GPS but I am in a different town. Oh gosh lately I don't know what's wrong with me. I always prided myself on being strong and always kept going. Now i am falling to bits.

VLCos hope you're ok, and thinking of everyone who are waiting for scans, tests and results.

VLCos you poor thing. What a fright! I hope you get some answers soon. You are under a lot of stress so try not to be so hard on yourself