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Original poster

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

989 replies

WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo · 09/02/2018 23:16

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 Flowers

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5
Furryface · 17/02/2018 20:57

Thanks Leslie. Your sensible words are much appreciated. I'm having tests as GP found something on my cervix and I'm bleeding a lot. I'm 52 so right age for allsorts. I'm just struggling to keep my anxiety under control and it's feeling horrible. Will try some mindfulness stuff and keep busy. Thanks so much for your support. How are you doing?

Original poster
WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo · 17/02/2018 21:08

Do you know what tests they're doing on Wednesday? I hope you'll get results soon so you aren't left worrying too long Flowers do you have any medication for the anxiety? If not, you might want to see your GP on Monday (hopefully it would warrant a same day appointment or at least phone call) as there are various medications that can just take the edge off. Mindfulness is a good plan. I hope it works. I use Headspace and I find it very helpful :)

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purpleunicorns · 17/02/2018 21:09

Another handhold here Furryface. I remember the absolute terror when I was waiting for my first appointments and I know there's nothing anyone can say or do to make you feel much better, but it will get better. Hopefully it's nothing to worry about but if it is more serious then things will happen quickly with regards to treatment and once you have a treatment plan in place you'll feel much more in control Thanks

freddiemercury · 17/02/2018 21:11

Furry so sorry you're having such a horrible time. I can only echo what Leslie said...no bravery, just getting thru the days. But in my opinion this is the very worst time.. .the waiting for tests and results is a nightmare. I remember rereading my favourite books and rewatching favourite films/series to distract myself. And er also I got sleeping pills from my GP and beta blockers.. .you WILL get thru this...but lots of hugs...

Furryface · 17/02/2018 23:41

Leslie, I don't know what tests they are doing. Thanks Purple and Freddie too for your kind words. No-one I talk to irl seems to get the fear. I struggled to go out today and that's not me at all.

This thread is amazing and thanks so much for your support. Sending big hugs to all.

Mamia15 · 18/02/2018 10:59

Thanks for remembering me Leslie Smile hugs and handholds to those who need one on this crappy journey.

Radiotherapy is going well so far thanksSmile

Original poster
WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo · 18/02/2018 13:57

Mamia I'm glad the radiotherapy is going well. How many sessions do you have left? I hope you aren't having too many side effects :)

Furry I hope you managed to get some sleep Flowers

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MarsBarsAreShrinking · 18/02/2018 14:34

Hi everyone; hope it's okay for me to pop in and say hello.

I went to my GP a couple of weeks ago with vague symptoms of something not quite "right"... bloating after meals, getting full very quickly (when I'm usually very much a 3 courses, thank you very much, type of person), almost constant nausea, stomach cramps, tiredness, aching. He sent me for blood tests which I went for last Tuesday. Got a call from the GP's receptionist on Wednesday afternoon asking me to go in. Saw GP on Friday and he told me the CA125 reading was very high (I didn't think to ask how high though) and that he's doing a fast track referral for an internal scan. Apparently I should be seen within 2 weeks, so just waiting for the appointment now.

My mood is all over the place. One minute I'm feeling positive and telling myself that surely it's unlikely to be anything serious (I'm only 43 after all)... then the next minute I just feel wracked with worry.

Original poster
WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo · 18/02/2018 15:15

Welcome MarsBars but in the nicest possible way I hope you won't need to be on this thread long :) I'm glad they are taking your symptoms seriously and investigating straight away. Hopefully you'll get your scan appointment soon. There are lots of other conditions that can raise CA125 levels. Your emotions sound perfectly normal. Not knowing is the worst bit Flowers

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TwitterQueen1 · 18/02/2018 15:17

MarsBars just replied to you on my other thread. Glad you've found this one too. Sadly there are lots of us waiting for tests / had tests / undergoing treatment. I hope we'll be waving you goodbye soon, but if not, we're here for you.

MarsBarsAreShrinking · 18/02/2018 16:12

Thank you Leslie and Twitter this really is a very lovely and supportive thread. You're both very kind and it helps massively (more than I could have expected actually) to talk to people who know exactly how you're feeling. I'm trying to keep a brave and positive face on around my H but it's nice to know I don't necessarily have to do that here.

ggirl · 18/02/2018 19:55

Hi everyone , can I ask about recovering from surgery ..I had my right hemicolectomy - converted to open surgery on the 30th ..I really thought I'd be bouncing around like normal by now ..but I'm not.
I am feeling tired and a bit pathetic to be honest. I'm having twinges of pain but nothing paracetamol can't deal with. My appetite is ok and my bowels are ok.
I need to get another sick cert from the GP next week and not sure how long I will need to ask for.
How was your recovery?
Btw I'm 55 , had a caesarian 15 yrs ago which was a piece of cake compared to this!

Furryface · 18/02/2018 21:25

Hi Marsbars and sorry to hear you've also got to wait for the two week appointment. I'm the same as in very up and down with anxiety. Hopefully yours will all be fine and there will be another reason for the high reading. Take care and thinking of you.

I've had a better day today but Wednesday feels like it's looming large and I'm wondering if my life will look different after. Trying to be positive but not always successful! Lots of love to everyone CakeWineFlowers

Original poster
WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo · 18/02/2018 21:34

ggirl I'm afraid that sounds quite normal. I reckon you would need at least another three weeks, so six weeks from the op. I was signed off for twelve weeks before I'd even had my surgery. I was feeling much more normal after six though.

You're recovering from the anaesthetic itself, healing all those layer skin of muscle/tissue etc and bits of bowel, and also your bowel is adjusting to having a bit missing. So pretty exhausting work really. You're definitely not pathetic. It's good your appetite and bowels are OK. Hopefully soon your energy will start to improve. Try to be kind to yourself though as it really is quite early days Flowers

MarsBars you definitely don't need to put on a front here. Pretty much anything goes :)

TQ how is your daughter?

I hope everyone has had as good a weekend as possible

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Original poster
WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo · 18/02/2018 21:35

Furryface thinking of you as Wednesday approaches Flowers

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Furryface · 18/02/2018 21:41

Thanks for your kind wishes Leslie. Hope all good with you too.

ggirl · 18/02/2018 21:44

Thanks Leslie , you're right I'm being impatient with myself.
Thinking of all those waiting for results- hoping for mine in this coming week.

purpleunicorns · 18/02/2018 21:57

Has anyone on here been to a Look Good Feel Better workshop? I've been invited to one this week, hopefully it'll take my mind off my appointment with my consultant next week

nickyplustwo · 18/02/2018 23:30

Welcome here MarsBars - like everyone else, I hope you don't have to be here long. The two week wait is grim and scary and everyone copes differently - denial, anxiety, drugs, meditation - whatever it takes - and definitely no need for a brave front on here.

Good luck for Wednesday furry and Leslie - will you get scan results then too? And to you ggirl - hope you get good results and start to feel a bit more like yourself soon.

I haven't been to a Look Good Feel Better workshop purpleunicorns - although judging by a photo someone took of me today, I could well do with one! Look forward to hearing how it goes.

LittleGreyCatwithapinkcollar · 19/02/2018 00:11

purple I did one in January. Was quite fun, though i was in a half-full session and everyone else was at least twice my age (I'm 33), retired and all had breast cancer so I did feel a bit uncomfortable and 'odd'. But they did say usually it's much more diverse!!

iVampire · 19/02/2018 07:48

I’d be interested in how you get on with the ‘Look Good Feel Better’ workshop. People were talking about it the other week, and I was wondering about it.

I was worried I’d be s but if an imposter, as my cancer hasn’t changed my appearance, so there’s no aesthetic need. But just about everyone else said - no, you’ll be fine, they’re lovely and it’s good for the spirits and that’s reason enough.

So I might give it a try. Even finding a good shade of lippie might be s result (I’ve never been good at this grooming lark)

purpleunicorns · 19/02/2018 08:09

That's what I was worried about ivampire, I've had no surgery and luckily I haven't lost my hair. I'm not even having any treatment at the minute as I'm waiting to find out if the last lot of chemo has worked so I feel a bit of a fraud when I'm sure there's people who need it more. I've rang the them and they insisted it didn't matter and told me to go anyway.

Littlegrey I'm 34 and all my chemo sessions have been with people who are all at least 10-20 years older than me so I'm guessing I'll probably be the youngest one there. I'll report back next Wednesday to let every know how it went

Good luck for tomorrow Furry! I'm keeping everything crossed for you

Original poster
WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo · 19/02/2018 08:35

Good morning

nicky yes hopefully scan results on Wednesday

I've been to Look Good, Feel Better. I went when I had chemo first time round. I hadn't lost my hair, just looked a bit crap from anaemia etc. I got lots of nice freebies! I still have my Chanel lipstick :) I'd definitely recommend it. It makes a change from all the medical appointments!

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TwitterQueen1 · 19/02/2018 09:20

I went on a LGFB workshop too - again, in the early days so I still had hair. It was fab - don't hesitate to go! Loads of lovely freebies. I needed one of the experts to put the makeup on for me though - my shaky hands were in overdrive that day and I couldn't do it myself.

There was a mix of ages - 2 women in their 30s, up to women in their 70s. Nearly all breast cancer.

We all came out looking good and feeling better. Smile

Mysillydog · 19/02/2018 10:37

I went on a LGFB session arranged by Shine at Liberty’s, so everyone on the course was under 50 with a variety of different cancers. Great freebies but I’m still rubbish at putting on makeup. I think I’m unteachable.

Still plodding through the rads although the neuropathy and pain between my shoulders is getting worse not better.