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

Noodles do you have everything ready for Friday? I have a handbag just for taking to chemo, my kindle, chemo book, phone charger, snacks, juice as you'll need to drink as much as you can to help flush it through. Although they do provide tea and coffee and sandwiches on my ward. Invest in a decent thermometer too as you'll need to keep an eye on your temperature when you're home.

Eveteen even if it is cancer (and the chances are it isn't) it's so treatable nowadays and it could just be a case of an operation to cut it out I found keeping busy helped to take my mind off things

eveteen I was so sad to read your posts . Look after yourself and don't try and do this alone. Your family will still want you to share your worries with them.

footballfootball - a three week wait sounds quite quick to me. I'm on a 6-8 week wait I think. I know it will still feel like ages to you. How is your mum coping and how long did she have her symptoms for?

I'm concerned I'll be signed off too soon as the consultant thinks the lining is as it was due to HRT but that doesn't explain the symptoms I had before starting on it.

Year Wow 6-8 weeks. I've got my fingers crossed that all works out well for you and you get good news at the end of the wait. She seems to be coping ok. Her opinion is "it is what it is" although I think that's her putting on a brave face for us. She went to the doctors literally 2 days after the bleeding started as she knew it wasn't right as she went through the menopause years ago. How did long did you wait before going to the doctor?

I meant have the symptoms for?

purple thanks for the tips. I do have a fairly substantially sized bag at the moment as am carrying all my hospital letters with me! I hadn't thought yet about what to take apart from my kindle. My friend is coming too & has promised to do a Costa run I think I will be there for 4 hours approx.
I will make up a nuts/seeds/ raisin/Choc chip snack box to keep in my bag and some drink too, plus some mini cheddars are a must!
Did you cold cap on Monday in the end? How was it if so?
I need to sort my iTunes out as they are attached to an ancient email address & I want to add some cd's before my 2nd one as will probably be on my own for that one. I got a radio series called Cabin Pressure which is quite funny & probably a decent distraction for a bit. My Dad has lent me some of his I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue discs too which are good fun.

The nurse recommended me to bring in a towel headband to protect my forehead and conditioner if I have some leave in stuff.
Also the girl I met at the cancer centre forwarded an email of chemo tips & if cold capping recommended layers/ blanket type cover as you can get so cold. I have a couple of big scarves I was thinking of taking.

My Mum & Dad arrive 2mo, so have really been getting straight for them & hadn't thought of a chemo bag for Friday.

Hello everyone

I'm on holiday for a few days so probably won't be posting much. Though currently having a lie down as I had a mega coughing/vomiting attack just from climbing the one flight of stairs to my hotel room

eveteen sorry I don't know anything about spindle cell either. I hope you get some answers soon. And I'm so sorry about your daughter too

purple I hope you are more comfortable today and that you've got more biscuit supplies if needed!

noodles it's quite a fun checklist isn't it most can be managed quite well. Don't suffer in silence - keep a note of what symptoms you get and ask for more medication if you need it. There's no point feeling any more shit than is strictly necessary :)

Waving to everyone

Cross-posted noodle. Sounds like you're doing well with the chemo prep! I admire your healthy snacks. I usually take Haribo and cake. I'm partial to a mini Cheddar though.

Hope everyone is ok this evening . I take it the message regarding the cheating boyfriend is a scam ? I will ignore that one. I am going to relax until I know what I am dealing with . I admire everyone's strength and take comfort from that - if the worst occurs I am in good company. I find that people are so much more resilient than we ever give credit for xx

footballfootball - I've had symptoms for years .

Leslie I have a bag of marshmallows too in the cupboard that will probably sneak into the bag

Whoops, posted too soon.

Enjoy your holiday Leslie and I hope the cough/vomit doesn't feature again.

Eveteen I think you are right, people are very resilient on the quiet.

Hi all

Sorry for radio silence - just coping with kids holidays and moving house and exhaustion generally! Off to have last cycle with poxy oxy this morning. Feeling scared as I hate it so much but also relieved it’s the last one. How are you doing tayto and dulce - has the dire rear all gone now?! Hope you’re feeling well..

Have a great holiday Leslie and good luck for tomorrow noodles.

I hope everyone else is feeling ok now that the temperatures have been slightly lower (although today looks like it will be warm!!!) and sending to everyone

Good luck today addle

Hello,
Can I join please? I was diagnosed with grade 2 breast cancer 5 weeks ago. I’ve had a lumpectomy and am waiting for radiotherapy and then 5 years of tablets.
My surgeon said this is highly treatable and she’s removed everything and it hasn’t spread and I mustn’t worry.
Obvs I’m now v. Worried! Please tell me I’ll be ok!
I can’t stop thinking the worst.

Hi Nora , you've come to the right place .. The waiting is the hardest part x

Welcome Nora when do you start the radiotherapy?

Just when I thought I could ‘forget’ cancer until my next appt in September, I’ve had a nasty reminder how waiting is the worst bit. My DMum has been referred for colonoscopy under the week rule. My DBro was with her when GP referred her, and will go with her if at all possible for appt (if he can’t, I’ll go). She’s such a bloody trooper usually, DBro says her mood is fragile at he moment. I’ll go and find a ‘helping nearest and dearest with cancer’ thread if comes to that. Right now I’m just cursing this bloody disease in all its manifestations, and all the people it touches

I think I start in a couple of weeks LeslieKnope. I see the oncologist this Friday.

Hope you manage to enjoy your holiday without any more throwing up Leslie. I'm still constipated despite taking everything I can think of to fix. None of my clothes fit as I'm so bloated. So glamorous think I may need to give the hospital a ring if it's not sorted soon as constipation is one of the things I need to ring them about

Noodles I didn't bother with the cold cap, just as well since I was in there for 10 hours in the end. I'm looking forward to using the wigs and scarves. Make sure you get yourself a Costa card if you haven't already as the points soon build up

How's the move going Addled? And yey for the last poxy oxy!

Welcome Nora if your surgeon has said it's highly treatable then that's good news, although I know it's still a scary time. Any questions please feel free to ask and hopefully someone will have an answer for you

Aw bloody hell vampire it effects so many people. Feel free to vent on here, you're don't need to go and find another thread. We're here for everyone including friends and family who've been diagnosed

I'm off to buy some hairibo, prunes, orange juice and anything else that has a possibility of sorting me out before having to go back through to the hospital

Hello everyone. Hope appointments and treatments go as well as they can for everyone.

Hello Nora. Am in a very similar place to you. Lumpectomy and SLNP for BC now waiting for my radiotherapy to start.

Got to have 23 sessions in total 15 on whole breast then 8 targeted at the tumour site. No idea when it will start which is frustrating. Feel like I am in limbo.

No Haribo purple! They have the opposite effect. Same with marshmallows. I hope you can get it sorted soon. Definitely phone the hospital otherwise. There's no point suffering if they can give you something more powerful to help :)

iVampire sorry to hear about your mum. I hope she gets good news

Nora good luck for Friday's appointment

chase I hope you can get started soon too :)

Breathing is rubbish again today so just resting this morning

Yes Chase that’s exactly how I feel. The diagnosis and surgery and follow up appointment were all quick and I’ve been waiting and waiting to find out about the radiotherapy. I’ve had 4 weeks off work so far and I’ve done nothing but noodle about and wait. It’s exhausting! The mental effects of this are worse than the physical so far for me!

Welcome Nora. Sorry you have to be here.

I'm struggling today. Sorry.

DD is not well. I phoned to let the GP know what they clinic said and the receptionist wasn't happy to let dd wait until next week for someone to see her so she's going in tomorrow.

Hugs, chocolate, thoughts to everyone.

Purple strawberries do it for me . I made the DDs bring some into hospital after my hysterectomy last year because everyone obsesses about your bowel movements...

Leslie sorry you're feeling delicate. I'm picturing you in Jane Austen mode, resting on the chaise longue..

iVamp hope your mum is OK

Waving to everyone else. I have a few days on my own, which I'm looking forward to... except for visiting spaniel who arrives tomorrow for 3 weeks. I'm looking forward to some walks on the common