Crack open the wine... it's CANCER SUPPORT THREAD 61!

[WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo]

Some of us have been here a while and others have only just joined. If you're lurking, feel free to say hello. We are quite friendly really.

You are welcome to join us, whatever sort of cancer you have, or if you're waiting for tests to find out whether you have cancer or not (we hope not!)

Our previous thread is here. Do check it out if you're new as there's lots of useful information in the first few posts.

Best wishes to everyone who finds themselves here

Aw, you lot are great
Thank you

Aw that's fantastic news wombat ** raising a mug of tea to you

mars did your scan get done yesterday?

Hi everyone. Glad to hear some of you have had some good news

I had my results appointment today. As expected, I do have lymphoma (boo) but it's low-grade & they don't think I need treatment atm (hooray).

So it's good in that it's a slow-growing one, but bad in that it's (probably) incurable, so I'm likely to have it for the rest of my life.

Just letting it all sink in atm ...

Excellent news Miles, not that you have lymphoma obviously but good that it's low grade. Will you need to go back for more scans/tests in the future?

Thanks purpleunicorns.

I'm going to see the haematologist every six weeks for a while. If I get any more B symptoms (lumps growing bigger/night sweats/ some-other-stuff-that-momentarily-escapes-me) it'll be chemo.

The chemo damps it down, rather than cures.

Relieved in a way, but I think it'll take me a while to adjust to the idea of having cancer for the rest of my life! I'll still (hopefully) be on this thread in sixty years!

Miles that sounds like good news, in the context. But still a shock that you've got an unwelcome lifelong companion I'm glad it doesn't currently require treatment and shouldn't affect your life expectancy

I'm feeling much better today. The pain has eased and I've been able to eat and drink without throwing up :) thanks everyone for showing me such kindness

I hope everyone is snuggly and warm

So pleased to hear that you're feeling better today Leslie - I hope it stays that way and you're back to choir and cheese and fabulous footwear very soon.
Woo hoo wombat - that is really great news. Also happy to hear that mrsrhod has got over the Bupa hurdle - fingers crossed the HR team come good.
Sorry I haven't been keeping up with everyone's news for a little while - this chemo isn't being as kind to me as previous regimes and I still keep getting the ascites which makes me think it's not even working. So I have been in a bit of grump and thought it was probably best for me to keep all that to myself. Love and cake to you all x

Hi Nicky sorry to hear you the chemo is proving so tricky. Will you need to be drained again? I'm doing OK on just the Caelyx though I have a very red and inflamed eyelid. The eye is OK - no gunge.

I'm seeing the consultant on Monday, bloods Tuesday and then all being well, chemo on Thursday. My OC friend is getting her gene results this coming week and I'm hoping I'll get mine in a month or so.

Leslie so glad you can eat and drink again!

Miles great news! Long may it continue.

miles sounds pretty much like a best-case scenario, which is fabulous! Nice to know before the weekend, too.
nicky ugh - so sorry this round of chemo is proving challenging. The ascites sounds unpleasant
Leslie very good news; very happy to hear you sounding better!

Oh that sucks nicky will you need draining again soon? Will you be having a scan or anything soon to check how it's working? I hope it's just taking a little while to get started

TQ good luck for next week's medical excitement. I should be having chemo on Thursday too :)

genie how are you?

I hope everyone's had a nice Friday

Glad that Caelyx is treating you well TQ - hope your eyelid calms down and the consultant appt goes well. All being well, I'll be joining you and Leslie in the Thursday chemo club. I see the consultant on Weds where I'll be asking him about a scan. I gather that Caelyx is sometimes a slow burner, so maybe I need another 1 under my belt before they make a call on what it's doing. I suspect another drain will be in order, at some stage. Thanks both for your good wishes and genie too x

That's great news wombat . Miles cheers to you too on your good news. Really glad you are feeling better Leslie.

Oneofthegrundys the calm app is just called that so you should be able to find in your store. It is subscription based though but I've certainly found it good value over this period. It has music, guided meditations for different purposes and stories which are designed to make you sleepy (just watch out for the Stephen Fry ones ).

I'm recovered from Ng/drink gate and got let out yesterday . Feel loads better and able to eat again - particularly since it's no longer hospital food (I'm going to have to get freezing tomorrow as people have bought so many 'dishes' around). Currently snuggled up in bed - although with my DD and DS (5) not DH as they had a bit of a meltdown last night (DD scared of me going away in night ).

Morning.
Pleased to read the (qualified) good news from Miles, Leslie and Tayto. Nicky I hope things improve, and your treatment does prove to be a slow burner. Hope things go ok on Thursday TQ.

Hi all, sorry I disappeared for a while and I’m back with a slight name change. Had my emails hacked so I’ve just deleted my old mumsnet account and started a fresh.

lesie great news that you’re feeling better and that the pain has eased! I hope it stays that way for you

wombat so pleased to hear your surgery was a success! That’s amazing news. Hope you enjoyed your

miles sorry about your diagnosis but like others have said, great news that it’s best case scenario and that you don’t need any treatment.

Only 2 more days until my breast clinic appointment. The wait really is a killer but at least it’s not much longer. Also, I read some stats (not sure if they’re true) that said if you find a lump in your 20s, it’s got a 99% chance of being benign. I’m trying to hold on to that at the moment. I wonder though, if it’s best to hope for the best or if I’d be better to prepare myself for the worst? I’m going to my appointment on my own as DH will be watching our kids so just want to feel prepared whatever the outcome.

Hope you’re all having a lovely weekend

good luck for your appointment Happy. I'm also mid-way through tests, waiting for a consultant appointment at the moment, and alternating between hoping for the best and preparing for the worst. Although this is in no way comparable to going through treatment and symptoms that other posters are experiencing, I am pretty stressed.

I feel the exact same TheTurnOfTheScrew, some of the people on here are dealing with so much worse. It’s still rubbish though. Hoping for best case scenario for you too

I think it helps to do both. I always consider the absolute best and worse case scenarios, and then I feel I'm prepared ish for any outcome

for Turn and Happyland and anyone else awaiting results

Tayto I'm glad you're home! :) it can be so worrying for children but hopefully she will start to feel more secure again soon. Sorry I was a bit out of it when you first posted, but I have bowel cancer so if there's anything you need to ask then feel free. Do you have a stoma or did they manage to join you back up? (Don't say if you don't want to obviously)

nicky fingers crossed for Wednesday :)

I use Headspace which is a mindfulness app. I find it very soothing. You have to subscribe for most of the programmes, but there's a free 10 day one. I also have a couple of codes for a free month if anyone wants them - just send me a PM :)

Also if you're in your 20s or 30s, you can sign up to Trekstock. They send a welcome pack which includes a year's free subscription to Headspace and some other goodies too.

Afternoon!

Those of you waiting for results: it's a truth (almost) universally acknowledged that the waiting is the worst bit. (As my first bit of waiting finished yesterday I'm hoping this turns out to be true).

The point I'm trying to make is: don't feel guilty for unloading or feeling stressed. Be kind to yourselves! Imagine what you'd say to a friend in your position, and speak to yourself in this way

Also & for those going through/ about to go through chemo or suffering nasty side-effects.

I'm feeling almost euphoric today!

I remember when my dad was diagnosed with (untreatable) pancreatic cancer I had the same weird rush of endorphins. I'm going to enjoy them while they last, because I know from experience that a crash is on the way.

Think it was me who mentions the Calm app. I find it to be wondrous value. The sleep section is so good I've pretty much ditched the Nytol!

Thanks to all for your good wishes & support X

Thanks for the good wishes everyone.
Tayto I'm glad to hear you're home, and could feel myself welling up about your little ones being scared. (( )) hugs all round.
Happyland you're nearly there. Fingers crossed for you and Miles and anyone else waiting for results
Leslie It's lovely to see you back on the thread feeling better and looking after us all

Good luck to all those waiting on tests.

Miles I knew I'd seen someone recommend it on the older bit of this thread - thanks. It really was useful in a scary time.

Leslie I didn't have to have a stoma. My surgeon explained what he was going to do but it was pre-op and I was high on morphine so can't really remember too well (he did a diagram and everything). I think he took most of colon out - will double check with him at follow up (21st March) - praying for no call from oncology before then. Did you have one (again don't say if you don't want to obviously).

Hi all, may I join you?
I'm 46 and went for investigation last week where a mammogram and ultrasound showed a small lump in my breast and something they didn't like in some lymph nodes. Awaiting a biopsy on Thursday 8th with consultant appt the following Friday 16th. There seems no doubt in anyone's mind that it's cancer.
My sister, who is 6 years older than me is terminally ill with breast cancer. We're both adopted so not genetically related.
I'm terrified. Outwardly coping but oh my God. I'm trying so hard to not panic until I know more but the lymph node involvement is freaking me out.
I have 2 gorgeous boys who are 4 and 7. The older one is already struggling with the fact his beloved Auntie is dying.

My husband and work colleagues know (I'm a Y6 teacher) but I'm not telling family until I know more about what's happening.

Bsmirched welcome to the group. It sounds like you're going through such a rough time. Some other people on here will have far better words of wisdom for you than I do as I'm fairly new to the group.

I somewhat understand your position. I'm a mother of 2 myself (4 and 1). I have my appointment at the breast clinic tomorrow and I've some lumps in my right breast along with a recurrent cracked nipple and some nipple discharge. I'm sorry you need to have further testing and that they believe it to be cancer. I'm sure your experience with your sister will massively be adding to your fears right now but something I've learned on here is that so often, the cancer can be easily removed and treated.

I haven't told many people IRL what's going on with me just now, but I did open up to my brother who gave me some very helpful advice. He said "deal with facts, not fears". You don't have facts yet so try to not get too hung up on the things you don't know just yet.

Sending lots of positivity your way. Fingers crossed for the best possible outcome for you

Bsmirched So sorry you are going through this. I don't know much about breast cancer but am hoping it isn't for you and if it is its something they can treat easily. Thinking of you.

Hi Bsmirched I am so very sorry about your sister, that must be incredibly tough to cope with, I'm so very sorry for your family. It must be very difficult when your experience of breast cancer is so horrible to then have a possible diagnosis hanging over you. I very much hope it isn't.. .but if it is it might help to remember that breast cancer is an umbrella term...there are so many different types and experiences that people have with it. My granny for example had it when she was early 50s...ignored the lump for two years as she was so terrified...ended up having a mastectomy and radiotherapy and lived until her 90s when she died from heart issues. I am 45...was diagnosed last year.. had lumpectomy...no need for chemo and did have radiotherapy and am.now on tamoxifen. I know how terrifying it can be and I have an 11 year old and eight year old....but honestly it's doable. And I've managed to carry on with my normal life as the vast majority of women diagnosed with breast cancer can. I so hope you are ok.
happy the very best of luck with your appointment
tayto completely delighted your home.. .that didn't sound like much fun at all
miles hope you are still feeling euphoric...i remember being ludicrously happy after my lumpectomy
nicky sorry chemo being a bugger this time round... fingers v v firmly crossed that it is working
twitter v good luck for your appointment and hope the trashy telly and crocheting are behaving...and that your daughters are well
turn really realky good luck with the appointments next week
Leslie sooooooooo pleased you're feeling so much better... that's just brilliant...you are made of admirably stern stuff..but v pleased you did feel able to vent on here...
Love to all...