We're not that old but we're losing our hair... Do you still need us, now we're sixty four?! - CANCER SUPPORT THREAD 64

[WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo]

Me again. Even attempted a vaguely witty title. Hopefully not in poor taste

If you have cancer, or you're waiting for test results to see if you do, then please pull up a chair and introduce yourself!

Some of us have been here for ages and others are just going through the testing process now, so there's bound to be someone who understands what you are going through.

Whether you are a newbie or an oldie it can be helpful to post a quick recap of your diagnosis/treatment to date just so that other posters can keep track without having to search previous threads :)

If you have a relative who have cancer then there is a thread just for you in the Life limiting illness topic, with lots of others who are sadly in a similar boat and able to support each other. Other threads in that topic might also be of interest. We wish you and your loved one all the best

Below are some links that might be useful. But feel free to ask any questions at all. Nothing is off limits here.

Cancer patients are eligible for a medical exemption card for prescription charges - there is some information on the NHS Business Authority website or you should be able to get the form from your pharmacy or GP surgery

You can find information about the individual chemo drugs or regimes on the Macmillan website here

See if there is a Look Good, Feel Better workshop near you - they are especially useful for advice on disguising missing eyebrows and eyelashes

Ellie's Friends
Something to look forward to
Cancer Research UK
CRUK science blog - this is interesting and very useful for getting the facts behind any big cancer headlines
Breast cancer care
Shine cancer support (for people in their 20s, 30s or 40s with cancer)
NHS What do cancer stages and grades mean?
Macmillan staging and grading (this is in the breast cancer section but applicable to many other cancers too)
CRUK stages of cancer
CRUK cancer grading
Don't forget the kids

Pandora that's rubbish of them when I was having chemo the only thing that stopped me feeling sickly was eating and I think I put about 2 stone on so I don't know how they expect you to lose weight. And there's no way I would have been able to stick to slimming world as I was craving all the sweet stuff which slimming world are quite strict about, the slimming world recipes for sweet things are nowhere near as good as a actual bar of chocolate

They could have told you this before starting treatment so you could have had a bit of a head start

Oh @Pandoraslastchance that's rubbish. Just what you need in top of everything else.
@FuzzyWhiteLegs I had my picc line fitted on Monday it was fine. I was worried about having it fitted but the nurses were fab. My mum is a bit of a master sewer so I have all sorts of covers for the day and then I slip the cozy one from hospital on at night. From the ladies I spoke to in hospital on Tuesday that had chemo without the line then had it fitted it has made a massive difference to them.
Hope everyone had had an ok day and looking forward to as much as they can this weekend.
I made myself go out today as I was getting cabin fever so I've had scampi and chips (oops forgot scampi was seafood!) and then managed to get the kids school shoes and jumpers so that's a good job done.
Also on a good note my tumour is showing 0.5cm less that we thought on my MRI and nothing is showing in my lymph nodes so I'll take that!
all round.

Ho ladies I'm back from holidays. Have had a quick read of messages and already forgot who said what.
Quick thing - has anyone heard from planned? I've pmd her and unsurprisingly she hasn't replied and I'm just wondering if any of you have spoken to her. I hope she will come back here for support from us.
Re weight I've also put on over 2 stone and I feel totally crap about it. Nothing fits anymore and things hurt my scar as it goes down most of my tummy. So I need to do something. I'm sort of planning to start on Tuesday. Good luck Pandora with it but as the others said it's not easy given the circumstances so try to be easy on yourself.
Waves and hugs to everyone else!

@purpleunicorns sorry you've got this extra pressure re weight/reconstruction. It's a really hard time to figure out surgery options (I was due a lumpectomy, then it switched to mastectomy just before chemo finished and I have very little time to work out what to do re reconstruction). I'm on a great mastectomy/reconstruction support group on FB and it really helped me figure out my options. Was originally wanting a DIEP recon but it was too much to cope with after chemo (I have limited support plus toddler and disabled 5yo) so have gone for implant as an interim/long term option. Shout if you would like the details of the group!

@ranoutofquinoaandprosecco fab news re scan! I didn't get lymph node all clear for 7 months and the worry nearly sent me over the edge!

I'm currently enjoying my first foreign holiday since pre diagnosis. So far we've been on the road for 14 hours and nowhere near our destination!

Thanks Eagleray but it's Pandora having surgery not me I hope you're a bit closer to your destination and you have a fab holiday

I thought so purple but I'm so bad at remembering who posted what I was convinced I'd got it wrong. How are you anyway? Hope you're feeling stronger x

Just checking in quickly. Bloody freezing at the festival, but fun. My lungs aren't happy, but when are they ever?! Sending lots of love to all

Quick one ladies is there anything I can take to help me naturally poop?! Thanks!

Sorry @purpleunicorns - I selected the wrong name from the list! Arrived at destination now but nearly lost my mind after our epic journey. @Pandoraslastchance I checked the group I mentioned and there's quite a few BMI related posts which may help

@ranoutofquinoaandprosecco I had monstrous constipation after the FEC chemo rounds. I got Movicol prescribed after the first round but not sure what else to suggest. It was one of the more memorable aspects of chemo!

Have a lovely weekend everyone - hope the weather holds up in the uk!

Ouch that sounds painful Dulce did they say how long the scar will take to heal? I've resorted to wearing leggings and comfy pull on summery floaty trouser things so they don't hurt my stoma. It's still a bit sore but I can now sit down and stand up without swearing
I haven't heard from Planned either, I hope she's ok

Ranout stay away from jelly sweets and marshmallows as they cause constipation I have learned from this thread! Try lots of fresh orange juice and I get Laxido (the same as Movicol I think) you have to mix it with water and it tastes vile but it does work. Your local chemist should sell it. Good luck, I had really bad constipation a few month ago and it's awful

Glad you're enjoying the festival Leslie. I have no idea where you get the energy from but I'm glad you're having fun

Eagle-thanks I'll have a look at that group.

I mean I get it from a professional view why high bmi is dangerous from a risk of anaesthesia,post op complications and wound healing etc but given what it's for you would think they would be a bit flexible. But it's ok. I've got 12 weeks on sw which works for me and I live down the road from a quiet pool and I've been cleared to swim. I just need to kick this dizziness.

(Plus when they take my breast that will be a loss on the scales as well

I've been big all my adult life but now I've got to do something about it.

Ranout-natural remedies um.....prunes,lots of water,orange juice with pulp,lots of veg. Failing that senna is a gentle medication.

Hope everyone is well.

Hello everyone. Finally finished my radiotherapy today. It seems to have been going on for ever. Will have an appointment with the consultant in the next 8 to 12 weeks.

Glad the treatment is all over but not sure what to do or feel now . Not sure what normal life is anymore if that makes sense

I know what you mean Chase... when your life is no longer dictated by hospital appointments it's difficult to know what to do or how to feel...

Ah well done chase you're a couple of weeks behind me and I am just getting my skin back

Oops posted too soon! I have definitely enjoyed not having to get undressed and have people's faces hovering about just above my boobs! Hope you're not feeling too tired and enjoy the BH weekend. Do you have any plans next week? Maybe go and do some frivolous stuff to give your day a new focus?

TQ your other thread is awesome, well done. I have only one family member (and no friends) who have kept track and regularly asked how I am. Showing solidarity through head shaving is a poor second to actually caring and helping those who are suffering xx

Hello Knicker. My skins not been too bad tbh bit like mild sunburn. They told me to keep using the cream they gave me for another 2 to 3 weeks.

Nothing planned at all next week at the moment but my DD will probably think of something

Might go back to work (phased return) the following week that's something to look forward to

Thanks Knicker! I have to admit the whole BTS thing drives me INSANE. I hate it with a passion - as you can see! It's so patronising (and many other things too) and I say this as someone who was actually not phased by losing my hair because I'm old enough (59) and ugly enough not to be worried by my physical appearance. Although my 75 year old fellow chemo patient cold-capped because she desperately wanted to keep her hair.

And my family seem to think I'm better because I'm not currently having chemo. I don't want to disillusion them.

Chase and Knicker how long after being told your lymph nodes were clear did you start radiotherapy?

Hi Minnie. It was nearly 6 weeks all together. Saw the consultant oncologist after about 2 weeks after finding out no lymph nodes involved then CT scan for planning 2 weeks after that then just waited for a phone call.

7 weeks for me. Met with the oncologist 4weeks post surgery, planning appt the week after and then radio started 2 weeks after planning. I signed up to the breast cancer care forum during rads as I found it helped to be keeping in touch with ladies having treatment at the same time. It might be worth a look x

Minnie when was your surgery? I met my surgeon 2 weeks post op and was told then that margins and lymph nodes were clear.

TQ: I’ve just been on the BTS thread as well. It’s definitely Not In My Name

And that’s not just because, as you so rightly nicely parody it, I’m one ... “who hasn't lost their hair clearly isn't suffering enough.... you obviously don't have 'real' cancer if you're not bald.....”

I might have to post again about narcissistic marathon runners, if anyone raises that aspect again

Hi. I’m Marylou, from New Jersey. Diagnosed last year with uterine cancer. During surgery found a brand new shiny ovarian cancer no one suspected. Finished chemo in January. In two weeks have a cat scan scheduled of the pelvis and abdomen prior to seeing the doctor. On a soapbox about the diagnosis of gynecological cancers. Why does it take so long to be diagnosed? I realize I was very lucky for ovca to be found stage one grade C. It all started with vaginal bleeding very scant, nickel sized. Women, please have ANY bleeding checked, especially postmenopausally.

Thanks Chase and Knicker.
My lumpectomy was on 17th August. I get my results on 5th September.