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

Thanks, so it looks like everything will be done then and there then! Phew!

Swaying I really don't like the "you're so brave, you're so strong" comments either. In fact I find them quite upsetting. I don't have a choice. I hate what's happening and I hate what I've gone through already. It's very traumatic. But screaming and shouting isn't going to help anyone - including me. And it's almost as if that person is being dismissive by saying "oh you'll be OK because you can cope with it...."

And I'm ranting again.... I'm good at that

Leslie watch out for attack cats if you're in the garden..

Swaying So sorry to hear you've got grade 3/4 cancer and people are expecting you to be strong. I really dislike that type of comment, I stop telling people who make stupid comments which drives them mad 😉 Saying you can't be upset with a grade 3/4 diagnosis that's crazy.

Glad you've got an appointment MrsP.

I've just had my private test approved for funding. Laptop has died but under guarantee. Took today off sick but loads of emails. Got Lyme blood test form.

Hope you are enjoying the sunshine Leslie and those bunnies aren't too dangerous, don't know if an ambulance would risk bunnies. 🐇

Love to everyone else.

Mrspotter yes they generally do all the tests in one day. You might have to go back for results a week or two later if they do a biopsy. And occasionally they need to do follow up tests for whatever reason.

TQ I mostly seem to be at risk from overly-enthusiastic mating pigeons at the moment well, not right this moment as I'm now safely in bed, which is thankfully pigeon-free.

penguins bum about the laptop. I hope it can be sorted quickly. There must be something in the water as I'm waiting for a replacement screen after cracking mine I like tinkering so I'm looking forward to fitting it. Did your sock day help? Emails can wait good luck with the various tests

I'm thinking of you all, especially those who are quiet for whatever reason at the moment. Sleep well lovely lacies

Sick day, not sock day. Though maybe you wore magical healing socks...

A sick day was lovely Leslie. The socks remind me of the old lady with the dog who was wearing red trampolining socks, think the hospital issue them. Laptop is under guarantee but 7 days so might need to buy a second one but DD is very happy about that, good job I got a bonus.

Its a good job you are so healthy Leslie as I don't think ambulances would risk mating pigeons and bunnies. 😱

I haven't been back since I mined about chemo. Ive just finished my final round now so am a bit more upbeat about it. Totally agree with the eye roll at being strong and being brave comments. I know it's meant well but they really have no idea what I am like when I'm on own and how fucking angry I am.

grismo I haven't had my mastectomy yet but I had my pre op the other day and we discussed reconstruction options. Will you have reconstruction? I came away massively relived as I looked at photos and it is so so so much better than I thought.

mrspotter when I went to the breast clinic I got my results the same day, not definate results but was told in all likelihood it was bc. I was totally unprepared for that and actually went on my own so just a heads up.

Morning all and thanks so much for the warm welcome; I really appreciate it.
I'm typing this from hospital as DD had a 30 min seizure last night- she's epileptic but that's a longish one for her. I feel like my family is really giving the nhs a workout this week! She's fine now, just groggy, but I guess we'll be here til ward rounds. I'm going to take the day off work and see if I can beat your 5 nap standard TQ.

I'm sorry to hear your news Swaying and totally agree re the 'brave' comments. I think there should be some sort of cancer-news-giving bingo game where you score points for people's cliched reactions. 5 points for 'you're so strong', 8 points for 'if anyone can handle this, you can', 10 points for anyone who starts banging on about their second cousin twice removed' s best friend's mum who had exactly the same diagnosis and has now just run a marathon so you'll be fine etc etc

Good luck with your appointment mrspotter. My experience of the bc diagnostic people is that they're hugely sensitive and kind - hope you find the same.

Thanks for the mastectomy reassurance sharpandshiney, that's really good to hear. When's your op? Hope it goes super smoothly and hooray for being through the chemo.

Wishing sunshine and gentle side effects to all. Or big loud colourful angry sweariness if that's more today's mood...

Attack cat is out in force today, she jumped on the bath and in one go knocked into the bath two bath foams, one shower gel and one metal comb in and is now a quivering wreck. 😹 I almost want to phone 111 again and when they ask if I have dogs that might attack say I have a guinea pig and see if they ask if that is likely to attack.

Taking another day off, won't be popular, but am shattered and work are on bombard mode.

@penguinscat

Hello all. I'm back again.
I haven't been posting but I have been reading.

After getting the all clear from the lung cancer, I have been having some tests in relation to hypercalcemia (too much calcium in my blood). I had an ultrasound on Saturday morning to check for kidney stones and was told at the time there were no stones. I went for a routine chest appointment yesterday and was informed that the ultrasound has shown a fast growing tumour in my liver. I am booked in for an urgent liver biopsy next monday and hope to get the results on Thurs.
This was completely unexpected and floored me yesterday.

I read on the cancer research website (I know - I shouldn't google) that a biopsy is only performed if the tumour is inoperable, due to the risk of spread of the cancer cells. Does anyone know if this correct or have any experience of liver cancer?

So sorry to hear that wombats. I hope that's wrong and its not cancerous but I don't know anything about it. Will be thinking of you and wishing you all the best - this is the nearest I could get to a good luck wombat 🐗🐨

Penguincat has just had her second heart attack of the day as DD was doing gymnastics and nearly landed on her.

Sorry wombat I'm not entirely sure. I think that's probably something to ask when you go for the biopsy. I'm sure they'll have considered the benefits and risks before recommending it, and they should be able to justify the decision to you. I hope you get the best possible results

penguins I hope you're resting, and not being disturbed too much by penguincat's antics!

Grismo you poor things. I hope DD is recovering well and that you've managed to beat TQ's napping record

Sharpandshiney I'm glad chemo is over and I hope the side effects don't lurk too long. Do you have a date for your surgery yet? Good luck

I had my hair cut today for the first time since I started chemo nearly two years ago. It was really nice to be "pampered" a bit and I feel much less scruffy now! :) it's growing back quite unevenly but she did her best to straighten it out, and reckons by next haircut the short bits should have caught up. I stopped for a drink and cake in the bakery on the way home. I love doing "normal person" things. It feels like such a novelty

Wombat so sorry to hear your news. I don't know about liver tumours at all I'm afraid. It's shit whichever way you look at it. I will keep everything crossed for you.

Grismo did you get your naps? I've been OK since then - the tiredness is because of #4 chemo and I'm nearly neutropenic.

Thanks for the good wishes.
Leslie that sounds like such a lovely day, especially considering how crap you have been feeling the last couple of months

Hi everyone, I haven't posted in this section before.

I feel a bit fraudulent because I'm still awaiting test results but I'm just so worried, I'm not sure where else to turn.

I've had a simple ovarian cyst for years. I actually had one removed in 2012 which was fine. I discussed with doctors removing my latest one as it was over 5cm (only just) but I then fell pregnant and DS is now 11 weeks. The cyst was scanned in January and looked fine, then I was scanned again last Wednesday and was told the cyst had developed a septation, a thin wall of tissue in the middle. They didn't seem concerned but took a blood test to check my CA125 level. I've stupidly gone home and googled septation and found it is a signifier of malignancy.

Also at the appointment I mentioned light spotting after sex, and I mean extremely, extremely light on two occasions since giving birth. Since my smear is due in the next couple of months anyway she performed a smear there and then.

I'm now also worried because I've had an dull ache/numbness in my leg for well over a year now, which google thankfully tells me is a symptom of advanced cervical cancer.

I'd like to think if I had advanced CC it would have been picked up on my pregnancy scans or indeed on my transvaginal scan last week but I don't know if that's the case.

Part of me feels sure it will be fine but part of me is convinced it will be bad news. I keep looking at my beautiful baby and I'm so scared I won't see him grow up

*helpfully, not thankfully 🙄

Duckland sorry you've got these fears hanging over you. Do you have a date for getting the test results? The chances of you having both cervical and ovarian cancer would be very slim indeed. Hopefully someone with more specific experience will be available to advise soon :) and hopefully this is just a series of coincidences which will turn out to be harmless so you can get on with enjoying your precious baby (congratulations, by the way!)

wombat thank you. It was such a treat! Hopefully you've got some nice things to look forward to as well. You've not exactly had the best time of it recently either :)

TQ I hope your neutrophils get their act together soon

Duckland Welcome and sorry to hear you have tests. I had every symptom of advanced uterine and cervical cancer and both back negative, hopefully you will shortly have the same. I think the doctors have a good idea so if they aren't worried that's a very good sign.

Leslie Glad you had a nice day.

Thank you for your kind replies. No idea when I get the blood test but the smear can take up to 3 weeks i think.

I've only just had the results of a breast lump biopsy (clear thankfully) so it just feels like one thing after another.

Duckland I have cervical cancer and as Leslie says it's extremely unlikely you have cervical and ovarian cancer, the bleeding could just be your body getting used to all the hormones as it hasn't been that long since you gave birth. Please don't google! You end up thinking of all the worse case scenarios when it's probably nothing to worry about.

Aw wombat I really hope your results come back clear

I had a CA125 when I was pregnant with a large cyst (came back clear) very quickly. I was told big cysts were linked to IVF but harmless.

Duckland oh no, you poor thing! Hopefully it's all part of your hormones fluctuating after birth, but it's rubbish timing it's always better to get things checked so you aren't worrying, but the whole process is very stressful.

mrsrhod you weren't wrong about the weather - wow! what a difference. I hope you get a chance to enjoy it.

Happy Wednesday everyone

How are you Leslie?

Managed to wfh for 2 days and hopefully a third today, though got some odd bleeding and bladder pain now. I was hoping to go a whole week inbetween hospital / doctor visits but hmmm may not happen. 😂 I remember getting very excited before that I had a week with no hospital visits then DH got 2 reminders through on his phone for appointments that week for me, argh. DH in France today so will leave 24 hours.

I have lovely colonoscopy meds on Mon and no eating, didn't realise you weren't supposed to take iron for 7 days and took some last night oops but its only otc so not a massive amount. Was a bit concerned on the meds it says if you start being violently sick take a 30 mins break before taking more. 😱 I have a sickness phobia. If I start being violently sick I won't be taking anymore. No eating for 2 days, argh. Still I will get thinner for summer.

Love to everyone else.

No eating for 2 whole days penguins? are you allowed smoothies or soups? Or is it nothing at all? Fingers crossed it goes well and you aren't sick from the meds

I think its no eating on the Monday and Tuesday before procedure which is at 2pm so Tuesday night should be able to eat. Rest of the time it has to be clear so think basically liquids. 1.5 days of lucozade!

Was reading up and it seems to vary with meds from people who said they were disgusting but didn't bother them too much to one who said they had to stop the car for her to be sick eight times on the way to hospital.