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

Oooh I love Ed's diner. And their chocolate milkshake is awesome. Have some for me.

Good luck noodles. Like everything else I hope the reality is not as bad as the anticipation and you feel better once it's done.

Wave to all.

I've just been for my booking in session. Will have my picc line fitted a week on Monday then start chemo a week on Tuesday. I can't really think much after that, just want to take each day as it comes.

Hope everyone has as good a weekend as they can.

Off to get a picc cover ordered now and a takeaway as it's on the banned food list once chemo starts. Hair cut much shorter booked to tomorrow.

Right, I’m off to that bridge. I wasn’t discussed so I have another week in limbo.

Any suggestions as to how to cheer myself up? A whole bottle of wine maybe? Actually my partner made me laugh a few minutes ago, he’s an absolute star.

Sorry to see some of you are feeling quite crap just now, and the newly diagnosed too. Despite GP asking them to move me back to urgent nearly 2 weeks ago, they haven’t. I phoned clinic today and they’ve said I’m on a 9 week list with delays, so it’ll be at least 5 weeks til I get letter through. Add to that last night I found a discoloured area on one breast I phoned GP earlier in a flap.

She’s going to push again for me to be seen ASAP but can only ask, they’ve prescribed something to hopefully help me sleep. Just want to scream at being in limbo.

Ranout they do some really nice ones on eBay, pretty cheap too

Tsonly have the bottle of wine, have 2 bottles if you need too. I decorated to take my mind off things while I was waiting, I'm not suggesting you do that but I found keeping busy helps. I'm glad you've got a supportive partner, it really does make things a bit easier

Pen that's ridiculous! Hopefully they'll get it pushed through sooner

Noodles I've had an email from them to say the surgeon is away until the 23rd but she's going to see if there's another surgeon available. I can't have chemo before my op as there's already a risk of infection with having a fistula and chemo will only make it worse
Good luck with the hair shaving! It is a bit of a shock at first but you'll get used to it really quickly

I did it! Oh my goodness, I never in a million years thought I would have a shaved head. I don't love it, but I prefer it to the thinning old boy do mine was turning into. The thought of doing the school run in Sept fills me with dread, but I think it will grow on me. At least my chemo will be sooooo much shorter now and the pain of the cold cap will be a distant memory

Woo well done Noodles! Just think of all the time you'll save not having to wash or brush your hair

Ran out, snap I'm having my port fitted on Tuesday as well.

I've been through the mill today
Ct scan, echo, ultrasound and 4 lymph biopsy and then bone scan. I feel like I've hit by a truck.

I don't get how people can be left dangling without appointments or answers. It's fucking horrendous!

@noodles44 well done x
@Pandoraslastchance I've just ordered myself a cheetah print picc line cover from Etsy! My DH will be having kittens at the cost! I'm having my hair chopped tomorrow it's below my shoulders but I think get it short and then see what happens with the cold cap, to be honest it's the least of my worries. I have reminded DH that the cost of a restyle is minimal as it probably won't be there long!

I'd like to get a massage sometime in the next week or two while I wait for results... just thinking a gentle relaxing massage, maybe just head and neck as I don't want to be lying on my front after two breast biopsies. Is there anything I should be aware of given I haven't got a diagnosis yet and don't know what the situation is re benign or malignant? Can I just go to an ordinary therapist as I normally might?

Hi Lacies. Survived the packing and flight and relaxing on holiday now (well as much as you can on an extended family holiday - anyone want to join the sweepstake on how long it will take for my oldest sister to say something spectacularly untactful about cancer?!).
Noodles congratulations on the head shave! Glad it will make your sessions a bit shorter.
Dulce I'm eating pretty much anything now. Still not put all the weight back on I lost (but I did lose two stone when I couldn't eat). I'm going to try to go on a health kick when back from holiday. Hopefully will help with anaemia and hair loss. Will have to cut down on the jelly sweets though!

Meant to say hi to planned too. As addled says there are a few of us with colon cancer on here. Sorry you had to push so hard for a diagnosis - I think the 'you're too young for colon cancer' is a major issue. I was also misdiagnosed for over a year but my symptoms weren't anywhere near as severe as yours. Good luck with the waiting.

pebble I haven't booked any therapies yet, but my hospital has a cancer centre attached to it. They do all sorts there... Acupuncture, reflexology, massage, yoga and pilates to name a few. I have done one pilates class before my chemo started, they have stopped over the summer holidays as the person who takes them donates her time for free, but I hope to do them weekly come September. I think I can do 6 of the therapy sessions for free though. Maybe there is something similar at your hospital that you can access?

ranout I hope you enjoyed your takeaway last night. Out of interest, what is on your banned food list? I have not been told not to eat anything when I asked. My consultant said just to stick to a balanced diet, everything in moderation and I would be fine, so I haven't really changed anything!
I seem to be avoiding the taste of chemo too so far (phew) I did get a big jar of this delicious chilli pickle incase everything tasted awful so I could have that to help, but my mouth is much more sensitive to chilli now than it ever has been, so I doubt I will be eating that for a while. My mouth just feels a bit furry like I have forgotten to brush my teeth for a while. Drinking tea seems to be helping (& that is not my usual tipple) I still cannot face coffee...

Lesley I hope you are not too wiped out, at least it is not as hot now.
purple happy wedding anniversary celebrations tsp weekend. I hope you get your surgery date on Monday to round them off.

tayto some people really manage to be tactless, my brother did similar when I was first diagnosed on our what's app chat group. I think he got pulled up by my sister in law as he sent a very apologetic msg and seems to have kept himself in check ever since! He did say he might call me a cue ball if I lost my hair (if he dares to do this it could be the last thing he does btw!!) Has your sister dropped any changers yet or will you take my sweepstake bet of lunchtime today?

Happy Saturday, am feeling less sick today, so will attempt to finish my painting whilst the kids are away, my friend is coming over to help too so will be nice to have some company.

Waves & hello to everyone.

Good morning everyone. Currently in the hairdressers getting a last dye job and having my shoulder length hair chopped off!
@noodles44 the banned food list seemed to be anything that may give you listeria. Prawns, bagged salad, ready made sandwiches, meat off deli counters, cultured milk products! Told DH champagne and lobster aren't on it so I'll be fine

Argh my iPad hates me. I just lost a really long post but I don't have the energy to retype it so I will just wave to everyone

It looks like we will need a new thread today or tomorrow. We have filled this one up quite fast so I'll finish tidying up all our useful links ready for that!

Do you want me to start a new thread Leslie? I'll let you put the links on

I've been in hospital since Thursday waiting for an emergency ct, I just asked them if they'd heard anything I've been told it's still in for the 20th.
I'm going fucking crazy.
I can't sit in this bastard bed anymore thinking it's spreading all over my body.
My children are at home I haven't seen them properly since Tuesday
Am I a crazy person to walk down to the ct department to double check I'm on the emergency list?!

purple if we just see who is around when it gets to over 990 that's probably easier :)

planned that's just bizarre - are they proposing to keep you there until the 20th?! Are you receiving any treatment at the moment? I wouldn't walk down there because I doubt anyone on the desk will be able to help, but keep nagging any doctors you see!

Right. I've had a restorative piece of halloumi so I will try and catch up again!

ranout is that list from the chemo nurses? Usually the oncologists are much more relaxed, unless you become neutropenic but you should be in hospital then anyway. The only concession I have made is to check the food standards rating of takeaway shops before I order I hope you enjoy your new hairstyle

noodles good luck with the painting and more importantly have fun with your friend :)

Tayto glad you've made it to your holiday. Good luck with your sister! :)

Pebble I would check with the breast nurse as it's so soon after the biopsies. Also most places will have a medical questionnaire which often mentions surgical procedures so I'd phone and check with them too. Hopefully you can have something

Pandora I hope you had a relaxing evening after a mammoth day at the hospital!

PenApple that's a ridiculous wait. How frustrating. I hope they fit you in sooner.

tsonlyme sorry you're stuck in limbo for another week

Joining the chocolate milk gang with addle, Dulce and noodles. It's fab for acid reflux.