Cancer support thread 63 for a handhold or advice and anything in between

[purpleunicorns]

Continuation of the lovely Leslie's thread here as it was nearly full

If you're worried about symptoms, waiting for test results or just need a safe place to vent then pull up a seat, we're a friendly bunch and we don't bite too much

There's quite a variety of cancers on this thread so hopefully one of us will have some advice and hopefully you don't need to stay for long.

I'll start with my story:
Diagnosed with stage 2b cervical cancer in October 2017, 25 lots of radiotherapy, 4 internal radiotherapy and 5 lots of chemo. Was told last week that it's spread and is incurable, palliative chemo starts on 16th July

Morning folks, glad I'm not the only one who doesn't remember everyone!!!

Ok I'm still trying to decide which treatment to go for. I should have the results of my "new" cancerous bits by Friday. But in the meantime, Can I pick your brains noodles?
(Tell me to mind my beak if you want xx)
How many lymph nodes did you have the cancer in?
Is it anywhere else or just breast and lymph?
Did they offer a mastectomy?
Did they offer any other treatment?
I ask cause we see quite similar except for the mastectomy and that you've gone / been sent straight for chemo.
Thanks xxxxx

Morning morning!

Thanks for all your kind words :) . I don't know why I feel like that on threads: I was like it on my baby threads, too. I know it's all coming from me, and it's barking.

I didn't have any side-effects from this treatment, although it seems to be taking me much longer to recover. My mum took us out to lunch yesterday, and the sweat was just pouring off me. Maybe it's the menopause, sparked by the chemo? Don't know, but I wish the weather would calm down a bit.

On a more up-beat note, my tumours are definitely shrinking, and with my new regimen, I won't have to miss my holiday at the end of August. Hooray!

We're off to Cornwall as well: hope you're enjoying beautiful St Agnes, TQ.

Leslie: hope you continue to improve.

I'm going to knit now. Working on a tea-cosy a Christmas present for my mum. (Looking ahead to the winter when this bloody treatment should be finished).

Hello everyone

TQ - even though you've paid you should still demand they make good the damage. There must be protection there.

I have my scan appointment. Wednesday afternoon. Noticed on the first scan they had the wrong date for my last period and then I've started again yesterday. Makes me mad when they make mistakes as it could be relevant. I'm decluttering and cleaning in case it's bad news.

No chance of me overdoing anything today Leslie, I've sat and watched 4 episodes of Breaking Bad. I haven't even got round to washing up

Fantastic that your tumours are shrinking Miles! I'm the same in this heat, the sweat is dripping off me. I'm assuming mines the menopause caused by chemo too, although it's now raining here and cooling down a bit so I'll see how the next few days go

I wish I could knit but I don't have the patience to learn, I have just bought a crochet unicorn kit though to keep me busy on Monday while having chemo. Apparently it's for beginners so we'll see what it ends up looking like

Purple I love breaking bad!! Enjoy

Tayto when was your last pill? I'm also fed up of feeling icky and hope I can feel normal again - whatever that is!

Noodles hope you're feeling ok

Leslie what are you taking now? I know I've asked before but I've forgotten. You said this one is long term? Do you get breaks? Take it easy x

Dulce if you like Breaking Bad watch Better Call Saul, it's a spin off and it's really good. I'm watching it again once I've finished Breaking Bad for the second time

Purple I've watched it straight after! Loved it as well.
On a different note I loved suits. Absolutely loved it. If you need something to binge on try that!

Hello all. Been a bit radio silent due to utter exhaustion and having to lie down all the time but feeling a bit better now! Not getting far with the house move due to unhelpful husband but love the new house and can’t wait to get settled!

Leslie sorry you’ve been feeling bleurgh. I can sympathise if you have been like me for the last 10 days - it’s miserable so glad to hear you’re slowly picking up!

Dulce congrats on finishing last of the chemo! I’m so pleased for you and a little jealous!! Last poxy oxy for me is a week on Thursday...

TQ lovely garden!! Very smart! Hope you’re enjoying it in the hot weather if you can stand the heat!

to everyone else! I’m still not quite with it yet so another one here who’s not great at name checking! Off to a wedding to see some friends later this week which will be lovely as long as I can stay awake!!

addle glad you like your house but don't let your husband get away with being useless. He's an adult.

Spoken to GP and the letter from my surgeon said that he recommends chemo so the trial best matches his thoughts (he's been doing a his for 25 years) so feel a lot more comfy with the trial choice - as does DH and my mum!
Still got a second appt with oncologist to talk about things more!

Hello everyone. Had my CT scan and tattoos today in preparation for my radiotherapy. Went OK but found out it won't start for about another 2 weeks and I will be having more sessions than they originally said.

This means I have to cancel my holiday. My DD10 can still go my sister will take her. There's a big group of people going with lots of other children to play with so she will still have a good time.

My Mom was going too. Her first holiday for years as she was a full time carer for my Dad who died last month. The holiday was giving us all something to look forward too. My Mom now doesn't want to go as I would be left on my own for a week and having treatment.

Just so disappointed.

Chase that sucks. Sorry to hear that. Is there no way you can go? Will you be having radio everyday? I too had to cancel a holiday of a lifetime and it really upset me. I'm trying to think I'll go next year instead. But it's harder for you with it being a whole family thing especially with your mum.

Adle you're not far away. Sorry you're feeling crap and don't let the husband be useless! If there is a time to be looked after this is it.

I feel very meh today. Very sore bum and still knackered. From what I can tell that will last a while.

Just read that back. It seems really shallow of me - it's just a holiday and I was very lucky my BC was caught so early.

From what they told me today I don't think I can go. They don't like to have breaks in treatment.

The dates were fine with the information I had a few weeks ago. Every time I go to the hospital everything changes from what I was previously told.

The radiotherapy is Monday to Friday every day. I need 23 sessions.

Dulce hope you can rest and take it easy

It's not shallow in my opinion. I was very sad to cancel mine. Of course in the scheme of things it's not major but is something you've had to give up.

Thank you Dulce. Cancer turns life upside down completely

Hi Chase...I had to cancel a holiday for radiotherapy too...as the hospital caused delays. I was properly upset...
That was one time I cried... the other was buying the hideous post up bras (I'm a terrible lingerie snob...used to review it and have an astonishing collection!!)
I think it's a stark reminder that so many choices and decisions are taken away from you.
And for you it's far worse.... you absolutely deserved that holiday after your loss. I'm so sorry....but you're right to focus on next year. To be honest radiotherapy does knacker you out so you might not have been able to make the most of it...
TQ your (Not lady) garden is looking v trim!!!
Leslie I hope your recovery continues...
Hugs and waves to everyone else...

chase I also cancelled mine and it sucks - big time (also made get have to cancel Lapland at Christmas which is even worse for us) so no, not shallow at all xxxx

Hi everyone,

I have pre chemo head (is that a thing?!) from info overload (again) and a crap day. Apologies for the lack of name checks, but there are so many posts since I last looked, I don't think I can do it! Thanks for the hello's etc though & , , to all X

mrspotter I have got it in just the breast and one node that they can see. It is the only enlarged node. My CT was clear last week and I had the bone scan today. It is hormone + & HER2+ & they are doing chemo 1st to catch any stray cancer cells & then an op. They put in markers on Fri & expect it to be reduced massively by the op. The consultant said he thinks I will just end up with a slightly smaller boob, he also says he will take out all lymph nodes from that arm pit, not just the swollen one. I guess that could change when they come to do it. A mastectomy has not been discussed even. I will have radiotherapy after the op.

I booked into a feel good look better course for 17th July whilst at hospital today and on the way home had the call from the chemo ward. I meet the chemo nurse on 17th to go through everything. I get my 1st chemo on 20th. So had to cancel the look good thing once I got home.
The logistical nightmare of chemo, whilst solely looking after kids & trying to plan when Mum & Dad can come to help, around when other people can help has made my head spin. Probably a hangover of my marriage break up as I am really upset I do not have someone here with me for support etc. I do not miss my ex one bit, but am missing the idea of a partner (but a much nicer version than the ex!) It just feels like it will be too hard to organise at the moment as I will feel rough but probably be looking after kids on my own for a lot of it, so less able to rest up etc. I have been to hobby craft and stocked up on tat to paint etc which will entertain for a few hours, but had a bit of a cry earlier about it all. Does anyone drive themselves to chemo at all?

I took my dog for a walk for an hour in the woods when I got home from hospital which helped clear my head a bit. The bone scan was fine though. MRI next week with the heart scan date yet to come through.

mrsp I feel for you - it is a lot to organise. My husband has been unable to get out of set work commitments for all my chemo sessions. His job is a nightmare. I’ve had to rope in friends and parents to come with me/pick up kids and I would not recommend driving - after chemo it’s not really sensible.

It has made things harder but as long as you can actually get people to help it is doable. I think I’ve just filed it under ‘cancer is shit and chemo is horrible’ along with many other things as it has to be done doesn’t it? I have just tried to do nice things before each cycle with anyone who is helping me so that I feel I’m sort of treating them to say thanks in advance.

Not sure if that helps but hugs and too

Oh FFs that was for noodles!!!
Chemo brain!!!

Noodles I drove myself to my radiotherapy appointments and would have been fine driving myself to chemo too but my DH came with me to keep me company, if you can get someone to take you to the first chemo just in case you do have a reaction to it. Definitely try and get the look good workshop booked again if you can, it's fab and you gets loads of free stuff.

I'm starting chemo again the same week as you so we can complain and compare together

I'll catch up with everyone else's posts tomorrow. I'm off to bed and since it's cooled down a bit I may actually get some sleep

Noodles I had very sore arm after chemo and was not able to drive for a few days. How far is it? Could you uber it? Other issue call in on a friends favour? I know what you mean re missing a partner. I was having serious issues with dh and on the verge of a divorce but thankfully we sorted it just before I got sick. It did make me think how hard it would have been to do this alone. I feel for you.

On other news my bum is still sore. I've had enough of this now. I just want to poo in peace. Is that so much to ask?

dulce have you thought about getting the gp to have a quick look in case they can give you some ointment which might help things?? Or anything else to calm it down?! though