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

My hairdresser is poorly, so the chop is postponed until Friday.
I feel a bit relieved as not sure I was ready to say goodbye to my mop really today. Am going to head out to the cancer centre and see if I can try on some of their wigs instead.

Have a good day everybody

I've just checked and my hospital has a place where you can try on wigs and scarves to see what suits you. I'll see how I'm feeling after Monday's chemo and I might try and book an appointment next week

Don't worry Noodles it wasn't flippant at all I need to stop comparing myself to tins of beans They wouldn't tell me how long I have left as it depends on how react to this chemo but I'm aiming for at least 2 years until my son turns 18

Thanks year, I hope you're feeling a bit better

Feeling utterly exhausted and sick tbh, purple.. I have my scan this afternoon then meeting with consultant where I assume I'll find out what is wrong.

Good luck Year. That's quick going. I have to wait 2 weeks for my scan results to be examined by the radiographers before they get passed to the consultant.

Afternoon everyone.

To Noodles and Purple, I bought only one wig and I wore it from May to Dec. It came with a stand, wig comb and shampoo. If trying wigs on make sure you go outside with a mirror. Colours can look very different outside. Noodles, when you collect your anti sickness tablets before start of chemo, my pack up included a tablet for acid reflux, omeprazole I think. I also had a prescription for difflam mouth wash, so I wouldn’t worry too much about buying everything in advance. I know I sound very matter of fact, sorry. I think i used that as a coping mechanism and I’m only just beginning to take in everything I went through.

TQ - I don't know I'll be getting results. I just don't know why I'll be seeing the consultant otherwise. Just trying to drink a litre of water before I go. Feeling very nervous. Busy rest of the day as dd has an appointment then home to start dinner, out to get DS, home to finish dinner then the ⚽️ 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿.

Good luck year and to everyone else!

Cats I think bring matter of fact is a good thing, being practical and doing things that need to get done helps you feel more in control. I've ordered a pink wig from eBay, I thought if I'm going to do it I might as well go for something a bit crazy I've ordered a boring brown one too just in case pink is a bit too mad

Good luck Year, let us know how you get on

Afternoon all.

Just waiting around for the football to start in this house. (I'm not that bothered, but I do hope we win).

I've bought some alcohol-free prosecco to drink while I watch. I feel like my liver and kidneys have enough to process at the moment without adding booze to the mix.

TQ: that is rubbish that you had to give up your dog. I've got two hairy nutters in my house. They stink the place out and shed everywhere, but I wouldn't be without them.

Seeing the nurse on Friday, and will find out what this new chemo has done to my blood levels. Feeling human again this week, so am dealing with all the kids end of term stuff with a reasonably light heart.

I really appreciate feeling well: it feels so precious.

to all you lacies!

Addle I've been taking loperamide on and off as I don't actually have any diarrhoea, just a sore bum when I do go if you know what I mean? I'm sure that's more than you need to know anyway! I'm coping sort of ok with it and the cream for now.

Purple I think you're coping ever so well even with the tin of beans comparison! And it's not vain at all to worry about hair and eyebrows. We are women and that's a big thing. Would love to see the pink wig!

Good luck noodles and tq.
Waving to everyone else

This is the wig. Although I very much doubt it will look that good on me, but it was only a tenner if it's rubbish

I have a friend who dyes her hair that exact colour! It will sure turn some heads and I kinda like it even if I'm not sure if I would be brave enough to wear it. Kudos to you lovely lady :)

I'm back

Wasn't just what I expected and didn't go as well as hoped.

Need England to win now to cheer me up.

Hope everyone else is doing okay.

What happened Year? Obviously don't tell us if you don't want to but talking/having a rant might help

Sorry to hear that Year we are here if/when you want to talk about it

Sorry for being AWOL. I've been having nausea and then adhesion pain etc. I finally gave in and asked the district nurse for an antiemetic injection (levomepromazine). I fell asleep afterwards and then I've been able to drink without throwing up. I hadn't kept anything down since yesterday so I was getting quite dehydrated. Now I'm hopefully well enough to go ahead with chemo tomorrow. At least I'll get fluids and antiemetics and whatnot there!

I didn't cut my hair before chemo, but it fell out quite slowly. I went to a bob when it got thinner then finally shaved it. I clung onto it a bit too long really. It was very straggly. But there was a good a chance that was the last time I'd ever have hair that long so I wanted to make the most of it! :)

My wig gave me a nasty headache but looked really nice. Better than my real hair. The brand was Rene of Paris. They do some nice synthetic ones at reasonable prices. I had it fitted by a wig specialist who trimmed it and flattened it down to look more like my natural style.

noodles no need to stock up on medications as they'll prescribe everything you need. And lots of chemo regimes, including several breast cancer ones, cause constipation rather than diarrhoea so the Imodium may be of no use :) I'm guilty of saying "journey" sometimes, though I always put it in quotation marks, because sometimes it's an easy (lazy) way to describe it! It makes feel icky though

Dulce have you tried metanium cream? Don't use it with knickers or trousers that you care about. It will destroy everything. But it's very good on sore bottoms. I have a lot of experience in this area after my previous surgery. My skin used to be raw from digestive enzymes and acidity. I used to use Bepanthen daily and then Metanium (the yellow one) when it was really bad.

Miles fingers crossed for you on Friday enjoy your prosecco! I hope it tastes nice. I don't drink anymore. I've never been that fussed about it and I don't think my body needs the extra work. Plus I'm dopey enough from all the drugs so heaven knows what alcohol would do!

offside there are a few threads in the Life-limiting illnesses topic about supporting relatives with cancer, which might give you some ideas. The main thing is to take her lead and offer the help she needs rather than what you think she needs

purple very cool! I think that will really suit you. I used to do that with use by dates too. The flip side is that we get to say "ha, beat you!" if we find anything out of date

Tayto I hope you can get things under control before tomorrow. Unfortunately the gut inflammation can last quite a while.

Sorry I know I've missed some people but I'm losing patience with my iPad's scrolling issues and starting to get drowsy again so I'll leave it there for now. Waving to you all

That wig looks ace purple not sure if I could carry that one off as feel a bit too old & wrinkly. I didn't end up trying any on today as had to meet my ex to go through house sale stuff and then had a school play to go to, so had to be back at school much earlier than usual. So glad I saw it and a real tear jerker as they were all brilliant and threw themselves into their performance. Relieved it didn't clash with a scan or similar. Perhaps 2mo for a wiry on, if not Friday. The is a wig fitting/advice service at the bigger hospital which I attend next week (Monday's) and I have my MRI Mon pm & have got an oncologist appt Mon am now too where I think I will have the heart scan which needs to be done before Friday. So I may see about wigs there too as I will have time to kill.
I definitely like the idea of a fringe (to hide wrinkles and eyebrows!)

shop.wigsbuy.com/product/Most-Popular-Shaggy-Bob-Hairstyle-Short-Straight-100-Human-Hair-Wig-10-Inches-10191814.html

That is a pic of one I like the look of, but it is £110 - so will def try out the ones at the cancer centre before I buy anything.

dulce have you tried peppermint oil capsules at all? That is supposed to help with the digestive system and it may make going to the toilet easier. I guess just drinking lots of water is probably good advice too.

miles glad you are feeling well today.
How are you doing Leslie? Have you progressed from ice chips on the sofa? I hope you are feeling a bit better now the heat has calmed down a tad.

Thanks purple & yes, please don't go and compare yourself to beans again

cats thanks for the advice & matter of fact works for me. I think I like to be aware of facts and as prepped as possible when something happens to me. Hence me getting the meds in just incase. Mainly because I am home alone with 2 young children and if I feel rubbish it is a big mission to get everyone out to get meds (made worse by not being 100%) so I try to preempt stuff where possible.

My cotton bold beanies arrived today & they are lovely, so my head will be toastie at night now & around the house.

year sorry it wasn't what you expected & looks like England are obliging your cheering you up request (fingers crossed)

Sorry. Just wasn't sure what to say.

I was expecting an external stomach scan but also had to have an internal one. Then saw the consultant. I have a fibroid which he's not overly worried about. But he then wanted to examine me. In my stupidity I thought he meant feel my stomach so I wasn't prepared for the internal / biopsy taking. Is the only thing a biopsy is taken for to check for cancer?

I await now the results. 6-8 weeks.

Wig try on 2mo, not a wiry on (whatever one of those is!)

year That must have been a shock when you were not anticipating that they may do a biopsy.
I may be wrong, but I thought if cancer is suspected it is usually a 2 week window. Is there's number you can call 2mo to see exactly what they are testing for as that may put your mind at rest.

I don't think I have a number. I can check though. It felt like I couldn't ask what they were testing for as it seemed obvious .

What did they biopsy? Hopefully someone who has had gynae examinations will be able to answer your questions. Not nice to have an unexpected biopsy though and that's a long wait for result too. Hopefully that means they are not expecting anything sinister.

noodles it got very grim last night as even ice chips were making me throw up but I've had some juice and chocolate milk now without incident, and planning some pea soup for dinner. Fingers crossed! Good idea to be prepared. If you haven't already, you can look up your drugs/regime on the Macmillan website to see which side effects are more common :)

I crossed posts with you leslie - glad you have had some meds and are improving now & will be fit for chemo 2mo

I had an endometrium biopsy. The wait is that long regardless I think.

Ooh Noodles that's lovely, it looks natural and really manageable too

Year I've just had a quick google and they also do those biopsies to rule out infection and to check for polyps and fibroids as well as a couple of other things. Please give them a ring if you find the number so you can put your mind at rest. Not knowing things makes it seem so much worse

That sounds uncomfortable Year I hope you're not too bruised or sore. It sounds like maybe they're testing for infection or something if the results aren't being rushed. But I hope you get some more information soon :)