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

Good luck for Friday Mrswhip, keep in mind it's more likely to NOT be cancer than it is to be cancer. Let us know how yo get on

TQ good to know that it's possible that I won't feel worse and worse after each one. I think I can just about manage a few bad days each cycle

Glad your feeling a bit better Noodles

It's far too hot here ☀️ although I'm not sure if it's the weather or the menopause

Addled if trapped wind is an issue ask the docs about peppermint tablets, I had to take them when I was having radiotherapy. They're very effective

Hope you're feeling better soon

Year I'm afraid I don't know much about gynae stuff, but it's rubbish that they didn't explain things fully at the time. Can you speak to your GP? They may have had a letter from the consultant to explain what's going on. But it doesn't sound like they suspect cancer if they're writing with the results. You'd usually have an appointment with either the consultant or a specialist nurse to get a cancer diagnosis. I hope the bleeding stops soon. That must be exhausting

Should've refreshed before I posted as I missed lots

noodles well done on doing your first one :) I find it helps to just grin and bear it and try not to feel sorry for myself as then I'm more timid and it takes longer!

addle sorry you're suffering do you know how long until the cold sensitivity wears off?

purple too hot here too! Bleurgh. I hope you get some relief soon :)

Thanks purple yes I had peppermint tea last night before bed - the wind has settled just a bit of low grade nausea now and waiting for the capecitabine dire rear to kick in so I don’t take the loperamide too early like I did last time!!

Leslie I think it’s at least another week-10 days until I can chance and ice cream and last cycle my fingers weren’t completely back to normal by the 3rd week so it may be longer but we shall see! I shouldn’t whinge really but it’s just feeling tired and sick all the time is wearing, as you all know!!

Year I know you didn't have time to ask questions and were shocked at the whole thing it is very difficult to take everything onboard, which is why you should take advantage of all of us! Ask away!

Remember, no question is too 'stupid', no fear is unknown; between us all we have been in very similar situations.

But bear in mind these two facts:

• No-one would tell you to go home for 7/8 weeks and wait for a letter if they thought you had cancer.
• Worst case scenario: the 20 YEAR outlook for endo cancer is 80% success.

Addle I managed a lolly on the 7th day. Ie felt a bit funny but I still enjoyed it. As for the sore bum have you put some cream? Any good baby bum cream helps. I didn't get trapped wind but did get weird bowel movements. How many days have you got left?

Welcome to the newbies and sorry you find yourself in here. There's some seriously knowledgeable and lovely ladies in here and I'm sure you'll find lots of answers.

Hope those of you having chemo are feeling a bit better soon.

I'm feeling sort of normal. Just very tired. Dd turns 5 next week so I'm focusing on that and trying not to worry about how many more birthdays I'll see.

I agree with TQ and Leslie etc in that they wouldn’t be so blasé as to say 8 possible weeks of wait if they are seriously worried, and yes because of the high rate of symptoms early on in endometrial cancer it is often caught v early so fingers crossed it is more likely to be inflammation or something like that Year...

Thanks dulce - my bottom is actually fine - it’s just there is a point in each cycle where I suddenly start with dire rear and I have to avoid taking the loperamide too early and get constipated which is painful! I still have 11 days of tablets left but I can manage that now I know the evil oxi is done with!

And happy birthday to your DD dulce! and

Thank you TQ and addle..

I'm feeling confused. I've been poorly for nearly three years then the last two have been really difficult with personal stuff. My mental health has been terrible and I've had many an occasion where I haven't wanted to carry on.

I tell myself it can't be bad as it's gone on so long but then what is it? Then I don't care if I have it as I am so unhappy anyway and no one would miss me. Then I'm scared as I'm scared of dying. I just know I'd hate myself for all the time wasted with bad mental health but there's been time when I couldn't snap myself out of it.

I do think he said he'd get me back in but I'm not certain.

I just don't know what to think. I'm just so tired.

Sorry.

Thanks for kicking me up the bum last night. I had a phone call this morning asking me to come in to the Christy in the morning as my bloods the dr did have come back with high cancer markers or something I couldn't really take it in. Gave me a ward and stuff.

Bit of a shock was getting an extremely positive pregnancy test result this afternoon which has me reeling. I had a v v v v v heavy period last week so either I've had a miscarriage and only just picked up the symptoms and test or I'm pregnant and have a very high chance of breast cancer. All a bit shit really!

Year it's definitely not true that nobody would miss you. Your lovely son certainly would! Have you got support in real life for your mental health? I can't remember exactly what your symptoms are, sorry but I expect there's many possible non-cancer explanations. The fact it has gone on so long and yet nothing showed up on the scan is a very good sign I would have thought?

addle it's such a balancing act isn't it! I hope you time the loperamide just right this time :)

Dulce chances are you'll be here for many, many more birthdays!

Fatty try not to panic. Easier said than done, I know. I'm very sorry about the possible pregnancy/miscarriage. What a confusing time for you. I really hope that it all turns out OK

I hope everyone is having a relaxing evening

Fattygettingthin - you must be reeling. You poor thing. I hope you get some answers quickly.

WWLKD - I'm currently coming off my meds to help with my MH and I'm not coping well tbh. I just want time without worrying and bad stuff happening. It's all probably nothing but I keep bleeding and I don't know why plus the pain comes as a shock and really hurts.

I've arranged to go back to my home county next month so will be seeing a couple of friends. Always bitter sweet and I usually cry on the quiet .

Aw year people will miss you! Please ring the doctors again and try to see a different one if yours isn't helping. It could be something so simple that's easily fixed

Good luck today fatty let us know how you get on.

year hopefully these tests will put your mind at rest, but do chase up the doctors and see exactly what they are checking for. It may stop you fretting so much whilst you wait. I did think there was a 2 week window if cancer is suspected. Your doctor should be able to help with your MH meds too if coming off them now is not right for you.

Everyone on here is so positive. It's great . I get my results from biopsy on weds . My sister is coming with me as DH is working away a couple of days . I have convinced myself that I won't see Christmas 🎄🙄!!! It's horrible waiting . I am still on bereavement leave and a bit of a wreck anyhow . I have had to come off the HRT so every symptom is feeling exaggerated. It's exhausting. Good luck to everyone. Xx

The GP said to come off my MH tablets as she said I was doing well and she was hoping the HRT would take over. They were supposed to help me get some sleep as I was getting 2-4 hours a night and she said everything seems worse when tired. I've been struggling with anxiety after my h hurt me and have had counselling. I just feel so stupid that I didn't ask anything proper but I was so stressed plus worrying about dd as I had to get her to her appointment and as the letter for my appointment came the day after it, I didn't know I'd be at the hospital 2-3 hours.

Fatty How did it go today?
Noodles are you feeling any better?

How's everyone else doing? I'm really not enjoying this heat at all. DDs are in the Borders, where it's apparently a gently and enjoyable 21 degrees or so. Oh for some cool, cloudy, rainy days...

Eve you WILL see Xmas! Good luck for your results on Wednesday

TQ I'm really struggling with the heat too, I've just been sent home from work as I threw up. I used to love summer and the heat. I think I would gladly commit murder for a bit of snow

So I had the biopsy and ultrasound it doesn't look good but obviously they can't tell me until the results come back how bad. Definitely looks like a cancerous lump though so I've been referred for termination of pregnancy because I'll need chemo and surgery.

Think the first bit is counselling if I'm honest. I'm totally gutted. We had an ectopic in May and now this we have no friggin luck

Oh FGT. (can't call you fatty). I'm so sorry. .

So sorry to hear that Fatty - not just one bombshell, but two. It's crap isn't it?

Fatty sorry this is happening. I'm sure there's someone here having chemo while pregnant. Is that an option at all? Having to terminate when you want the baby is just not what you need. Good luck.

I love the heat but woke up with a serious case of the runs today and am wondering if it's related.

@Fattygettingthin that's horrid news

Hope it's OK to just jump into this thread but first Fatty and to all here going through hard times.

Finding this hard to speak about in RL. Someone I love very, very much has cancerous cells in breast and needs an op then radiotherapy. Roughly how soon after the op would radiotherapy start?