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Original poster

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

995 replies

purpleunicorns · 25/06/2018 18:01

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 Grin

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

OP posts:
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9
chasegirl · 29/07/2018 15:05

Hello. Just popping in to wish everyone well for next week's appointments and treatments.

It's cooled down a lot here and is raining so looks like I will be back to mowing the lawn next week.

Penapple they couldn't tell from the scans if it was cancer or not for me. I had a biopsy taken the same day under a local anaesthetic bit uncomfortable but not painful. I then had to wait 3 days for the result and was then booked in for a lumpectomy the following week so from mammogram/biopsy to lumpectomy was 10 days in total. Hope you get your appointment soon and that all is good news.

ranoutofquinoaandprosecco · 29/07/2018 15:21

@PenApple I went to a breast one stop shop, mammogram, ultrasound then biopsy all in 2 hours. Biopsy uncomfortable but fine.
They then told me there and then that it was cancerous. I'm not sure how they knew, didn't think to ask at the time!
Have my first appointment to discuss treatment on Tuesday.
Definitely chase them up tomorrow. X

mrswhiplington · 29/07/2018 15:38

Hi everyone. I posted last week about going into hospital on Friday for a lumpectomy and would like to thank you for your good wishes. The operation went well. I'm a bit sore but just taking it easy for now. They think the lump, a phyllodes tumour, is borderline but veering towards benign. Get the results in 2 weeks. Hopefully with good news.

ranout it's easy to forget to ask questions when you've just been told news like that. I had a mastectomy 6 years ago and I remember leaving the hospital after my diagnosis in complete shock.

Good luck to everyone.Flowers

ranoutofquinoaandprosecco · 29/07/2018 15:41

Thanks @mrswhiplington. I have a notepad and pen to take with me on Tuesday, oh and DH!
Glad your op went well. Hope the weather isn't too hot with you and you can get comfortable.

mrswhiplington · 29/07/2018 15:51

It's a lot cooler here today. It was pouring down with rain this morning!!

It's a good idea to take notes and definitely DH. One of the nurses told me don't Google the symptoms and what was the first thing I did when I got home, yep you guessed it. Just try to take things one step at a time. Easier said than done I know. When I found this latest lump I was so pissed off thinking I had to go through it all again when I had just got the all clear last year but the lump's out now and I will deal with anything else as it happens. Stay strong.

Original poster
purpleunicorns · 29/07/2018 19:43

Aw Year your DH sounds lovely Smile have you been back to the doctors yet? Please just keep on going until they take you seriously, you can't carry on like this

Fingers crossed for your results MrsWhip, it sounds like it will be good news Thanks

OP posts:
mrswhiplington · 29/07/2018 20:06

Thanks purpleunicorns, I've decided to forget my troubles for tonight and have a glass of wine. Cheers to everyone.Wine

WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo · 29/07/2018 20:27

Hello all

I got a bit soggy and coughed quite a bit but camping was great fun Grin we had storms both nights - so refreshing!

mrswhiplington I'm glad the op went well. Speedy recovery and good luck with your results Flowers

PenApple sometimes they can be pretty sure what it is from the scans, other times not. They won't be able to give a definite answer until they have the biopsy results. You should be able to phone the hospital/clinic to chase up your appointment :)

To be honest most of us aren't keen on being described as brave. This is the hand we have been dealt and we don't have any choice but to get on with it. Unfortunately the media seems to love the whole brave cancer fighter thing! Hmm

addle glad you managed to get reasonably priced insurance :)

tsonlyme sorry you had a rough night. I hope you're feeling better today Flowers

noodles I've definitely found my mouth is much more vulnerable to mouth ulcers if I catch it at all. It's annoying. I haven't found any of the mouthwashes or gels particularly helpful. I hope your PICC line settles down soon Flowers

Mrspotter welcome back :) how are you?

purple I hope they can squeeze your op in soon

I'm waving to everyone! I hope you had a good weekend and that everyone has had cooler weather today :) bit disappointed to see that it's going to heat up again from tomorrow

noodles44 · 29/07/2018 20:40

Enjoy your wine & relax & recover from your op MrsWhip there is nothing you can do until you get the results and fingers crossed it will be good news.

Glad you are back home ok tsonlyme I hope the symptoms don't flare up again later (but if they do, get yourself to hospital)

I spent the afternoon at hospital after being told last night by the on call oncologist to get myself there to get my PICC dressing changed. The cancer ward is M-F so I went into A&E. As everything was hurting in the general PICC area I was worried I had moved the PICC line when I caught it, so after waiting in my own part of a&e (they directed everyone away from me due to potential infection risk for me as am on chemo) I had an ecg and chest X-ray to check the PICC position and infection risk, before they cleaned me up. I feel really well looked after, but also that I probably panicked a bit re the line as it still feels odd as is so new. Back there again 2mo for my appointment. I should have a season ticket! I got chocolate milk and New York cheesecake slices from a Waitrose services on the way home Grin so glad I am not nauseous today!

My girls are having a sleepover at my friends, so am about to go to bed and taking my iPad for the next episode of Unforgotten if I am still awake at 9pm

Have a good night everyone

YearOfYouRemember · 29/07/2018 20:41

purple - dh generally isn't lovely but tbh things haven't been great and I suppose he needed to make this gesture. Haven't been to doctor as not sure of the point. If there's no results we don't need know what is wrong so can't treat though having said that I've been in a lot of new pain today which has increased.

YearOfYouRemember · 29/07/2018 20:42

Generally IS

noodles44 · 29/07/2018 20:47

Cross post Leslie glad you had a good camp even if a wee bit soggy.

Can you remember how long your PICC line took to settle down? I think mine is resting on a nerve somewhere, but hopefully I will get used to it soon. I have not quite got my head around how it looks yet either, so it is making me cringe a bit if I am honest. I am not normally squeamish, but this is making me so!

WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo · 29/07/2018 20:56

Sorry noodles I have a portacath rather than a PICC line. It didn't really bother me that much after insertion. I'm glad they sorted you out at A&E. Good luck for tomorrow's appointment :) it does take a bit of getting used to having something inside your body, but hopefully the benefits will outweigh the squeamishness soon

tsonlyme · 30/07/2018 05:30

Quick early morning post from me

Can anyone think of any pertinent questions I should ask at my appointment tomorrow? I’m making a list but don’t seem to have very many.

Good idea to take notes - I’ll use my phone rather than pen & paper.

Off to work this morning, god knows when I’ll be back after today, I guess it depends on what I’m told tomorrow.

tecovax · 30/07/2018 05:38

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

ranoutofquinoaandprosecco · 30/07/2018 06:42

Good morning @tsonlyme. Following your post! @tecovax reported.

Minniemountain · 30/07/2018 07:27

PenApple in my case the person who did the scan wasn't convinced it was a fibroid as the consultant thought. But as PP have said, it's often only confirmed by the biopsy results.

tsonlyme the Macmillan website has lots of information which should help you work out questions.

PenApple · 30/07/2018 10:12

Thanks for the info (too many to mention!)

Sorry about the ‘brave’ - loose lips with wine. All the positivity on here is awesome though, and makes me feel more confident about upcoming tests etc.

Don’t think postie has been round yet so I’ll wait until this afternoon to see if I can chase breast clinic. When appointment comes through I’ll think about telling my mum, but to be honest I think if DH can’t come I’d be better by myself as I can get a bit over emotional, which is worse when shown kindness or sympathy!

mrswhiplington · 30/07/2018 10:30

PenApple I know what you mean about having other people there with you. I went on my own to the clinic when having all the tests because they said it could take most of the day and I didn't want to sit around making chit chat with someone when I felt so nervous. I knew I would have to hold it together if I was on my own.

They told me what they thought it was but obviously had to wait for the biopsy results. It is definitely better to have someone with you for the results though, especially if you have to drive home. Good luck with everything, hope you hear from them soon.

PenApple · 30/07/2018 11:01

Nothing in post so I called breast clinic and secretary has said the consultant has downgraded me from urgent to standard! So 6 week wait. I said I’d found bigger lumps but hadn’t gone back to GP as didn’t think there was any point if I’d be seen at clinic any day anyway. So now I’ve got to see/speak to GP again and see if she’ll get it back to urgent as secretary said that’s the only way to get seen sooner.

I should be relieved the consultant isn’t worried but it’s frustrating, and wish I’d been told about the change.

ranoutofquinoaandprosecco · 30/07/2018 12:25

@PenApple how frustrating. Keep on at them.

YearOfYouRemember · 30/07/2018 12:30

PenApple I would go back to the GP as I wasn't seen when I was expecting to be and so she referred me under the two week wait as I had more symptoms.

I've just received my results. No evidence of any cancer or hyperplasia (no idea what the latter is).

I started bleeding yesterday and still are today, just like a period but I'm not due yet but I do have cramps. Does anyone know if this is normal for being peri-menopausal and/or because I'm taking HRT?

Thank you to everyone for putting up with my being stressed.

I wish everyone well and will still check in on you all if that is okay ?

PenApple · 30/07/2018 12:48

So pleased for you year! I’m afraid I can’t help with what’s normal, are you due to see GP again?

My youngest is actually seeing GP this afternoon as he’s poorly so I’ve phoned up and she’ll squeeze me in too so I’m relieved about that.

Original poster
purpleunicorns · 30/07/2018 12:56

That's brilliant Year, at least you know that it definitely not cancer. Hopefully now that's ruled out they'll find out what's causing all your problems

OP posts:
YearOfYouRemember · 30/07/2018 13:04

The junk mail with the post was for a funeral plan Confused.

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