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

Leslie thanks for taking the time explaining and answering my question. I agree it seems simplistic to generalise. I think I read it on the bowel cancer uk website but I could be wrong. It was right at the beginning when I was totally lost and I hadn't found you lot yet

Adle I haven't had a look at that forum. I did have a read at some stuff in give Macmillan website but if I'm honest it caused me to panic so I stopped.

Sorry I'm still crap at name checking. My brain seems to have gone to mush. Managed dd sports day today and pleased I was there for her big man I feel shit. Only 12 days left.

Chase I've still got my 3 radio tattoos, tiny green dots that only take a couple of seconds to do.

Do you know when you'll be starting the radiotherapy? I had it 5 days a week for 5 weeks and it was fine, I had no side effects at all other than being tired from having to drive to the hospital every day during rush hour

Dulce 12 days will fly over, just remember how far you've come! I think it took me about 3 weeks to recover from chemo and get my taste buds back

chase your worries are only natural, but hopefully they'll pass soon and you'll feel a bit brighter

Dulce sorry I couldn't give you a more satisfactory answer. To be honest it's not something I've ever questioned! :) well done for getting to sports day, especially in this heat. Now take it very easy and wait for the horridness to pass

I gave got to wait for a letter. Should be about 2 weeks.

I have to have 4 weeks in total. 3 weeks 5 days a week radiotherapy then 1 week of a booster to the tumour site.

The consultant thought I should be able to cope with it OK.

Leslie your answer was accurate and clear which is what I wanted. Thank you. It's all a minefield and my mind is not in a good place right now so I'm questioning all the ifs and buts.
Thank you for the good wishes.

Chase waiting is a pain but is good to have a plan and good that doc thinks you'll be able to cope ok.

Adle good luck tomorrow x

Waves to everyone else. Watching football and had to put telly up to cover up dd snoring

Thanks dulce - feeling anxious and exhausted but going to bed now so hope to get some sleep. Forgot to answer your previous question - I take 3 big tablets and 1 little one twice a day so not that different to yours really. Find the tablets hard at the beginning as I don’t want to eat much due to nausea but they are a breeze compared with oxi! Hope you feel better soon and
to everyone else!

Good morning

Dulce I hope you feel a little better today.

Good luck to addle for today's chemo and noodle for your appointment

addle did you manage to get some sleep?

It's the stage of the chemo cycle where I get ulcers on the sides of my tongue so I can't talk properly

Good luck Noodle

Good luck with the chemo Addle, if they give you steroids to take home have them as early in the day as you can tomorrow as they keep you awake

Ugh Leslie, plenty of ice lollies will hopefully help🍦

Good luck adle and hope you managed some sleep

Leslie that sucks. How often do you get them? I'm assuming you're not on oxi so can have lollies? They help with ulcers I think. I was told to expect them but luckily they never happened.

Noodle good luck

Tayto are you finished??? That's cause for celebration. What next? Scan?

I still feel crap but slept better. My eyes are teary and sting like hell, does anyone have that? My tastebuds also hurt when I first eat anything which is annoying. And my hands are way more tingly than the previous time. So I'm overall a misery. But 11 days to go.
Have a good day everyone x

I get sore eyes. I got some Optrex eye wash yesterday. I was a bit nervous that it would feel horrid but it was so soothing! Might be worth a try?

I get the ulcers every cycle. They don't hurt too much, unless I eat chocolate! Lollies definitely help :)

Sorry you're feeling so shit Dulce I hope the side effects wear off soon.

Thanks. I spent yesterday dealing with my ex. He is upset I am not taking him today, we have been separated for 2.5 years and he is not very nice, so not sure why he feels he should be included for this appointment! Honestly only he could make this about him. He also then sent me a message saying that cancer can be a symptom of stress, he caused it and it is his fault I am ill. It could yet be benign & all I need is the lumpectomy.
I was angry with him yesterday and today have gone the other way & been quite tearful at random news stories already. I am most definitely not chancing mascara today!

Thanks for the good wishes and also the advice pre appointment. I thi I would have been a nervous wreck today without it. Will report back later (appt is 2:30pm)

X

Good luck today Noodles - will be thinking of you. You could really do without ex's unhelpful comments!

Thank you everyone for the wishes! Just getting anti sickness now and start chemo in an hour.

I know how you feel dulce - I have had similar with my last oxi but it’s only the first 3-5 days and then I found it was more pins and needles and capecitabine side effects - so much more bearable! anyway though

Oh and good luck noodles!

Did you all have a bell to ring at the end of chemo (for those who finished a course?)?! A man opposite has just finished and ring the bell and everyone cheered and clapped!!

No bells in my ward. In many cases it's inappropriate as patients won't know whether the cancer has gone or not until they've had confirmation from a scan, and some will know that they'll be starting more chemo or a different treatment in the near future.

But hey, if you have a bell and want to ring, ring! Finishing chemo is a marker that some like to celebrate.

No bells in my ward. In many cases it's inappropriate as patients won't know whether the cancer has gone or not until they've had confirmation from a scan, and some will know that they'll be starting more chemo or a different treatment in the near future.

But hey, if you have a bell and want to ring, ring! Finishing chemo is a marker that some like to celebrate.

Whoops! I don't know how that double post happened.

Those bells make me feel quite uncomfortable to be honest. My hospital doesn't have one.

Sorry I don't join in as much as everyone else. I find it really difficult retaining information and have done for a couple of years now. I do think of everyone though. I've not rung for my results yet. I'm going to wait until next week. I was told by the receptionist they would ring if doctor wanted to see me so I figure I'll wait. I haven to got time at the moment for bad news.

noodles sorry about your ex being a self-absorbed wanker. I hope your appointment went smoothly

That's OK Year just post whenever you feel like it :) fingers crossed for your results though

My hospital doesn't have bells either, I'm with Leslie on this one. I'm not comfortable with it at all

Year don't you worry about joining in if you don't feel up to it. We're always here when you do want to post. Good luck with your results next week

I made it home straight after chemo this time! Wonder drug! (So far )
Typing difficult but so pleased to be home, and exchanged contracts on a house today too!

I saw the bell in ours - it is very discreet away from all the other chemo punters down a corridor and the nurses just come and clap for the person and their family. I see what you mean but I do like the way they have done it. I haven’t decided if I will do for my next LAST one...

to all you lovely lacies x