CANCER SUPPORT THREAD 60! Here we are again... join us if you have any sort of cancer (or if you're waiting for cancer test results)

[WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo]

Welcome everyone to a shiny new thread :)

It's a club nobody wants to join, but if you need us, you are more than welcome. If you're waiting to find out if you have cancer or not then pull up a chair. We hope you won't need to be here long, but we are here as long as you need us. And if you do have cancer then this is the place for you. Swear, rant, scream, laugh, cry... someone will have at least an inkling of what you're going through!

We only have one rule, which is do not Google. Though perhaps we should update that to please Google responsibly as few can resist completely!

I hope this thread will be a source of support for all who need it

Our previous thread can be found here

Twitter and Nicky very glad that chemo seems to have gone smoothly yesterday for you both. I hope that will continue.
I'm afraid I am having a bit of a sense of humour failure today. Very very sore since being discharged Wednesday night and really couldn't sleep last night. I think that part of the problem is that I am a chesty gal - not heavy, just big on top! - and I can't get comfortable right now in any position because my breast pulls whichever way I sit /stand / lie. I called the nurse in a moment of weakness and she was reassuring. Also starting to dread results appointment next week. So just hanging in there, grateful for friends, continuing to do my exercises. Ah well - I think being tired is making me feel a bit overwhelmed today - thank you for listening. Wishing you all a good Friday.

Turn

De-lurking just to say that your scan has probably been triggered by the Ca125 blood test. Levels can be raised for other conditions, including endometriosis, or benign cysts. Endometriosis won't show up on the scan and, even if the sonographer tells you there is a cyst, most cysts turn out to be benign. They don't have the expertise to say much more.

It can be a long haul to get a conclusive diagnosis or rule out cancer. Sometimes only post-op. It's not like being referred to a breast clinic, where they can often tell you on the same day. If you're struggling to eat or sleep, a low dose anti-d and valium for special occasions can really help.

But, fingers crossed, you'll get your appointment soon and all will be well. Best wishes to everyone else.

genie sorry you're more uncomfortable today. It's probably partly all the bruising, which takes a few days to come out. Are you wearing a soft bra when you're sleeping? I'm glad the nurse was reassuring :) hopefully you'll start to feel better over the weekend

Thanks Leslie you're always so kind. The nurse said exactly what you just did - that I should start to feel better over the weekend. I am wearing a soft bra at all times; I think I just need to figure out how to rig my pillows for better support overnight! Thank you again - I hope you are feeling well today.

Would you effing believe it. DD3 in hospital in the SW (uni town). Tonsilitis 2 weeks ago. Now sore throat and cold. Went to Dr this am for sick note. They gave her blood test, pee test - blood in urine. She's now in medical triage hooked up to ecg waiting for doctor. Will wait half an hour in case they send her away with meds for something like kidney infection, and then shoot down the M5.

Oh bum Twitter fingers crossed it's "just" a UTI and she will soon feel much better

genie make yourself a huge pillow nest and snuggle down for the weekend :) I have a whole collection of special pillows after various ops. My best is a 12 foot "snuggle pillow". I can sort of wrap myself up in it completely!

I'm definitely on the mend now, thanks. Not going outside definitely helps with my breathing, but is getting a bit boring.

Ah fingers crossed it isn't anything serious Twitter, although I've had a couple of kidney infections and they're bloody painful. Hopefully it's just a water infection.

Wow lots of new people on here! I need to read through and get caught up with who's who. Good luck to everyone waiting for results

Hi genie don't worry that you're still in some pain. It's very early days and you'll still be recovering from the anaesthetic. It's natural to be feeling dread about the results appt next week, probably one of the most stressful things you'll ever do. I was a gibbering wreck for that one, definitely take someone with you, hopefully to share good news.

Persevere with the soft bras, I'm an E cup and completely understand about keeping them strapped down and immobile. How are your wounds doing, have you been told to keep the dressings on until you go back. I tried but I think I just had the strips of tape pretty much by the following week, I kept showering. If the weathers not vile with you a short walk might raise your spirits a bit over the weekend.

twitter sorry about your daughter. My student dd had three uti infections in a row last year. The first lot of antibiotics didn't shift it so it kept coming back, we had to take her to hospital eventually and be a bit insistent that they take it seriously. She also came home with tonsillitis last year, I've never seen her so ill. I hope yours gets the right meds and picks up quickly.

leslie I'm pleased you're feeling better, I hope you are not stir crazy for much longer.

Thinking of everyone else, sorry I'm a bit out of touch.

Hi everyone, so pleased I've found this thread :) .

I read the opening posts, but will sit with a cup of tea and get to know you all later.

I'm here because I've been told today that I've probably got Lymphoma. I'm having a lymph biopsy next Friday, but I had fine needle aspiration on Tuesday, and that gave the pathologist a pretty strong indication, apparently. I've also had myriad blood-tests and a CT scan.

I have lumps and night-sweats.

I have a history of chronic auto-immune conditions, which seems to be an indicator.

I also have a seven year old DD and a ten year old DS.

I've not been able to stop leaking tears since I found out, but I knew MN wouldn't let me down. Just reading some of your posts has started to make me feel more normal again, so thank you! 💐💐💐

Thank you as always mrsrhodg, how have you been getting on? Are you still waiting for the oncologist to decide to return from his holiday?
I appreciate the reassurance on pain etc. I still have the waterproof dressing on over the bandages/steri strips, but they gave me extras at the hospital so I am trying to get up my courage to change it, as I am showering and feel that a new dressing will be a good idea soon! Definitely planning to walk starting tomorrow. I have two big dogs who need a proper walk, and it will be lovely to be out with them again.
Twitter your poor daughter must be feeling wretched. I hope they will sort antibiotics and any other treatment she might need asap. Are you going to see her this weekend, then?

MilesJupp love your username! I am sorry you find yourself here, but as you have already seen, you will have brilliant company. I'm pretty new here too. I am afraid I don't know anything about lymphoma but I am sure someone who does will come along soon.

Welcome MilesJuppIsMyBitch. Hopefully they'll turn out to be mistaken, but I guess they wouldn't say that unless they were pretty convinced. Do you know when you'll get the results from next week's biopsy? Sorry you've got a bit of a wait for a proper diagnosis

We have nearly filled this thread up, so don't worry too much about catching up with all the posts as I'll start a new thread in a bit!

genie I'm ok thanks. I had a call from the gynaecologists secretary earlier and got excited from for a second, I thought she had a date for me. Sadly not, it was just a medication query. I tried to ask about dates and she was completely unhelpful and said I'd only been in the list since January. I couldn't be bothered to get into how I'd been on the wrong cancer meds since last May because I'm now on zoladex and that's taking care of things. She said he keeps going through his list to see who to give dates to, in my mind a list is something something you eventually get to the top of, not something that keeps being jumbled up and rearranged. I'm even less convinced I'll be seen in April. I'm not sure he sees me as his patient really, more like someone who's been dumped on him from another dept and he's doing this as a favour. Hey ho! Appt with the oncologist on 20th Feb, I could have been having surgery next Tuesday if the bupa staff had been able to understand the situation.

Thanks genie and Leslie.

I usually like joining new clubs, but qualifying for this one is a bit of a downer.

They are pretty sure, I think. I've been referred on the two-week thingy by my brilliant GP, so it's all happening pretty quickly. I was only referred for the biopsy three hours ago, and they phoned an hour ago and booked me in for next Friday, which seems very quick.

Which, I suppose, means they're concerned.

Do you think it would be OK if I got really pissed tonight? Or should I just listen to whale song and eat quinoa?

Hello everyone
I'm still here, reading and mentally supporting you all from the sidelines.

I have delurked to say Twitter - I hope DD is ok

and Miles - welcome to the club no-one wants to be in

🐳🍵 or 🍾🍾🍾

Thanks wombat 🙂

Miles Go for the wine

Miles this is definitely the kind of club where we would choose wine over quinoa go for it!

Things often do move very quickly once they've set the wheels in motion. It is both scary and reassuring! At least you'll know sooner rather than later :) it gets a little easier when you know, even when it's bad news. I think for some things like the biopsies they only really do them in urgent situations so they don't get booked up in advance like other types of appointments

mrsrhod hopefully your oncologist will have a word with the gynaecologist and get him to take your case more seriously

wombat how are you getting on?

Thank you for the excellent wine advice

I'm going to drink it in the bath, then DH is getting a curry.

The kids are used to me feeling poorly, so are ignoring my red-nosedness.

to all of you going through this.

Sounds like an excellent plan Miles :)

Hi Leslie I am doing well thanks. I have 'unofficially' been told that the cancer was contained in the lobe of my lung that was removed, and the lymph nodes were clear. I go back to see the surgeon in 3 weeks. Great news.

There is no decision yet as to whether the pelvis tumour is cancerous or not. It would be too tricky to biopsy apparently . I am due to have another MRI on the area at the end of this month to see if it has changed or grown. It could be an awful lot worse.

I hope you have had some relief from your cough/lung problems. I know a bit how that feels.

wombat that's wonderful news :) I'm so pleased. Does that mean you're unlikely to need any other treatment?

Fingers crossed for the pelvic tumour being harmless. It's frustrating they can't biopsy it!

My lungs are slooooowwwwwly improving, I think. It seems to be related to the chemo cycle so hopefully it's a side effect of that rather than the cancer itself. I have a scan soon so I'll know for definite then, I guess :)

Leslie I'm whispering this, but yes. Hopefully no need for chemo or rad for the lung. I was informed by the Macmillan thoracic nurse but I daren't say it loudly until it has been confirmed by the surgeon/chest clinic. Ssh!

Good news wombat - keeping everything crossed for a good MRI. Welcome MilesJupp - sorry you find yourself here though. Definitely do the wine and curry before the world starts recommending ketogenics, kale and being smiley as your cure-all!

Your poor daughter TQ - I hope she's easily sorted and it's nothing too horrible. I guess best to deal with the M5 while you're still on your steroids. Have a safe trip xx