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

@tsonlyme it will be 3 weeks when I found my lump tomorrow, so it's not been too bad. They can't get the results any faster than the 31st so there's nothing I can do till then. As my mum's said, I'm still the person I was last Thursday!
I'm glad you've been telling people. So far, that seems the hardest part. I'm sure I'll be saying differently in a few weeks. I must say, I can't believe how supportive people are.
If your happy to look into alternative therapies frankinscense is supposed to have healing properties so I'm off to and get a candle in a mo! I'm also trying to get loads of fruit and veg and turmeric! Might as well give it a go!

Turmeric, that’s a good idea! Not buying those overpriced capsules though, I’ll go to the Asian spice shop and buy a massive bag of it. I’ll eat it off a spoon if I have to 😂

I rang the hospital, got passed around several depts and eventually spoke to someone who confirmed that I’m being discussed at the MDT meeting tomorrow. Phew. Should get a call tomorrow with an appointment time.

@tsonlyme that's good that you've eventually found out that their talking about you!

I've also been told to eat ginger, garlic and black pepper so it looks as if we'll be having loads of curries!

Just a word of caution about alternative therapies - it's worth checking with your medical team first as some can interact with conventional treatments. For example turmeric can reduce the effectiveness of capecitabine, which is a chemotherapy drug used for colorectal cancer, amongst others.

Thanks whatwould that’s useful to know.

I’m not an alternative therapy kind of person and I’ll do what the doctors tell me but I’m not averse to trying anything
I bought my dad hash when he was ill (pain relief obvs but I don’t think he minded the other effects 😂) - I don’t mind bending the rules a bit but definitely don’t want to discard western medicine in favour of woo.

Ive been taking cannabis pills and when I asked the oncologist he said they might help with nausea and even potentially kill cancer cells - although it's not proven - but in any case they won't do any harm so he was happy for me to take them.
I think they eased off the nausea during treatment but I'm not 100% sure it was them. Like you I'm not a fan of this stuff but willing to try anything as long as doctor says it's safe.

Absolutely about checking first. I haven't had anything in capsule form just using it in my usual cooking. I'll mention it on Tuesday at my appointment.

Where on earth do you buy cannabis pills Dulce ? Do you think I’d get a ticking off if I ummm smoked it? Do you feel stoned at all with the pills?

Er yes dulce - where d’you find those?!

Erm addle I have a friend who is quite fond of the stuff and has even grown it in the back garden who made the pills for me. They have told me they are happy to make some for any friends of mine but it depends if you are happy to take homemade stuff. If you are , send me a pm and I can ask how much it would cost you. I know they sell online for £5 a pill so they are pricey. I haven't paid for mine up until now and will pay for the next lot if I decide to carry on taking them. I'm still not decided.

Leslie I just have to say I'm in awe of you. You were less than half my age when you were diagnosed and you're so incredibly resilient and positive. You really are an inspiration and I feel humbled by your attitude. Sorry if that's too soppy but I had to say it.

Tso sorry missed your post. I was worried I would feel high as I've never smoked it but I don't. I just feel hungry so must be the munchies :)
I don't know if smoking has the same effects but I can ask my friend and let you know

I can tell you now that smoking it gives you the munchies 😁
I had a little a few days ago for the pain, it worked a treat but it immediately made me v hungry and very stoned (a tiny bit!). Now whilst the positive effects are great I can’t spend my life in a fog, I have things to do!

Those of you who have had a lumpectomy followed by radiotherapy, did you need a particular type of sports bra during treatment?

I've realised that I won't be able to do my great love- swimming- for a while once treatment starts, so I'm reluctantly going to run instead.

So my fistula isn't an emergency and I won't be having the operation for at least a month. It's not much fun to live with but means I can get on with my chemo without any delays

Waves to everyone 👋 hope everyone's managed to survive the heat today

That gives you a bit of time to get your head round the stoma I guess purple how did I miss your photo last night too, that cannula made me wince and it has been nowhere near me! I hope you made it to the bench for a while today. When can you go home?

Addle how is the move going? I cannot think of anything worse in this heat (it was 38' in my car earlier)

My Mum (of all people) said she had heard cannabis oil helped with side effects. Am not sure, but think you can get the oil in capsule form from health shops...

Dulce I agree with you totally with what you say about Leslie I too am in awe.

Hello to everyone, my parents have gone home today (eek) so am home alone with the kids. My picc line has had a dressing change and is still achey. Just hoping the kids go off to sleep quickly tonight (what are the chances in this heat?!) so I can catch up on Unforgotten from Sunday

I'm home 2 days in hospital for the sake of a 10 minute scan

I keep my windows open and curtains closed during the day which seems to keep the heat out of the bedroom a bit better for the night, no idea if that would make any difference for the kids Noodle. Do your parents live close by if you need them? I'm sure you'll be fine now you're over the first couple of days

I'll third that, our Leslie is pretty awesome

Hi Minnie,
I didn’t buy sports bras, I just wore non wired bras. I didn’t have any skin issues during radiotherapy. I moisturised twice a day with Aveeno cream for dry/sensitive skin if you need a recommendation.

Hi Catsforme I meant for actually running. I think that will be ok once my lumpectomy has healed?

They live nearly 200 miles away purple they took my dog as I haven't been up to walking him, plus it is so I don't have kids and a dog to contend with.
I am lucky as they are retired and are due up on Wed in time for my next infusion on Thurs. I am not sure how I would have managed without them as Mum stepped in to do all the kids school runs etc & cooking/bath/bed etc.

Glad you are out of hospital

noodles I love Unforgotten. Nicola Walker is one of my favourite actresses. I hope you're now enjoying Sunday's episode with your feet up :)

purple yippee for being home! And it not being a rush. Have they given you more details about the surgery? As noodle says it does give you some time to get your head round it all.

Dulce that's very kind of you. To be honest I think being younger made it easier. When I got my secondary diagnosis a couple of years ago though I was a mess! It was a huge shock. I've had time to come to terms with it now :)

I went to the podiatrist earlier to have my infected toenail dealt with once and for all. (It's a side effect from one of my drugs so it has been infected for over a year now.) I had a bit of the nail removed under local anaesthetic. It was quite bizarre having a completely numb toe. It is just starting to wake up now!

Waving to everyone

Oops! I use to run. Haven’t managed to get back into it yet, sorry.

Purple I'm glad you're not having the op immediately. Hopefully this will give you time to adjust mentally and it won't be so much of a shock when it happens.

Leslie I'm hoping that pesky toe is now a thing of the past, once you get past the initial pain.

Goodness dulce that is pricey! I guess I’ll stick with old fashioned tablets for now but I’ll keep it mind!! I think the heat is the main problem at the moment!

Thanks for asking noodles - it is hard going! Not being able to drink cold stuff means I think I’m getting dehydrated, as who wants to drink non stop tea in this weather?! Then the dehydration is making me light headed and lethargic so I’m not getting much done but as the poxy oxi wears off that should improve! Although the dire rear is more controlled, I get exhausted when I eat and then feel like I have a bag of wet cement in my tummy for ages after.. ok I’m stopping with the moaning now!!! I know it will get better but mentally I want to get on and do stuff!!

Hope everyone else is managing rest and fluids and not mumsnetting in the middle of the night like me

Oh and sending healing vibes to your toe super-Leslie - I hope it’s not sore now the numb has gone

That's ok Catsforme. I'm dealing with waiting for things to kick off by planning and organising.