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

lesley snap, my return button has just stopped working too... Glad to see your breathing is looking clearer/cough better and belly button ok now. I may have to get some of that unicorn hand wash too. My youngest wants to be a unicorn when she is old, so it may get her washing her hands a wee bit more thoroughly if I get some!

Seems to be affecting lots of people

Good morning lacies. Hope you all slept as well as you could.
You questions if you don't mind: so mine DCs are 4 and 7 not bad at hand washing etc but go to loads of activities. Does anyone take any vitamin supplements to help their immune system and also anyone wear one of those masks? I asked about the masks yesterday and the oncology nurses said it would be a good idea. I forgot to ask about supplements!

A mask? Like a surgical mask?

Yep @WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo like a surgical mask one of the mums I know wore one tons after chemo as she was taking her DCs to clubs. I think I was just worried last Thursday sat in a very confined space at my DSs swimming imagining the germs, usually in not fussed! I'll be armed with a detail spray in each hand next as well!

Eeek I’d be so self conscious wearing a mask. But I’ve only had one week of being neutraphenic (sorry can’t spell!) out of a lot of chemo rounds so I’m probably more relaxed than I should be. Leslie you’re amazing how do you remember all this stuff! Feeling ok about chemo I think but the bloody puppy decided to bark at absolutely nothing all night so a bit sleepy!

God I miss paragraphs SO MUCH

Goodness, I've never heard of anyone on chemo wearing them. I've never really been neutropenic, but I still pick up every bug going. I've just accepted it'll happen, to be honest. I would hate to wear a mask. My only concession has been to get some antibacterial hand foam, which I use when out and about. I use this one as it claims to be effective against norovirus.

Bring back the paragraphs! Sorry about the puppy keeping you awake Namechange hopefully you can nap at chemo?

It was weird for me, blood tests were all great before and after but that one time I was so low they were a bit panicked about it and I couldn’t be treated. I did stay in for a few days (except for a rebellious trip to Nandos ) I wouldn’t like a mask anyway. Puppy is now asleep on my feet like a little angel. Couldn’t do this a few hours ago?

I've never worn a mask and to be honest I would have been self conscious about it. In the end I didn't pick up quite as many bugs as I thought I would though and I also have young dd. Second the hand gel and maybe covering mouth and nose depending where you are and who you're talking to

Namechange - Being nosy here as I love dogs (I have five) What breed of dog is your puppy and how old is he/she?

Oh I can post now! Failed totally earlier- the box was all greyed out. User error no doubt.

Waiting for chemo now. Brilliantly the unit spells like deep fried food! Joy!

Stand by for more puppy pictures!

He is 75% cavalier and 25% poodle (I know MN hates designer mongrels but he’s perfect for me). 17 weeks and he is mostly adorable but last night angry

5 dogs is my dream! What are they?

Ranout maybe use a scarf to cover your mouth when you're out and about? I don't think I'd be brave enough to wear a surgical mask

Namechange I'm very jealous of you having 5 dogs! What breeds do you have? I'm allergic to most of them so I have a Yorkshire terrier who is very cute

OMG your doggies are so gorgeous.
@Namechangeforthiscancershit my chemo ward always smells of chips as that what they give you for lunch with soup and a sandwich! Your not in Yorkshire are you?

Oh I wish! I just have the one (though he has the chaos potential of 5) addle is the lucky five times dog mum!

Loving the Yorkie and also you’ve answered my question about which way a bandana is meant to go! Just ordered a Halloween one

We definitely don’t get chips here! Just manky sandwiches. The staff are so lovely though in our chemo unit (Oxford) so I’ll forgo the chips (and eat some when I get home!)

I usually send my mum to buy lunch from the café, or take a packed lunch. The sandwiches look rather unappetising. I love the grapes though and the nice HCA usually gives me extra because I'm a bit of a VIP now

Cute dogs!

I use a Buff to cover my mouth and nose sometimes as the cold air triggers my asthma. It's quite good as you can easily pull it up and down. It takes me ages to get a scarf wrapped tightly enough to stay up but so tight it strangles me.

Namechange I hope chemo is going smoothly and the food smell isn't too off-putting. My chemo unit had two sewage spills last year (through the ceiling!) thankfully both happened overnight when no one was in there and by time I arrived the smell was just of chlorine from them cleaning everything.

The smell of food cooking is awful isn’t it? But I think that’s probably preferable to sewage spills! I bet you were pleased that had been cleared before you got there Leslie!

I’ve only been for one IV chemo session so far (Next one on Thursday) but they (Royal Marsden) ask you not to bring any hot food into the unit as the smell can cause nausea so they definitely don’t serve chips!

Purple and Namechange your dogs are lovely! Yorkies are so fearless - Cute little body but the heart of a lion! We have a Cavalier and he’s the silliest dog I’ve ever had. They’re such happy dogs but not known for their intellect. Having a bit of Poodle in there should bring the IQ points right up as they’re a very intelligent breed.

Aimless that is the best selection of dogs! What a crazy mixture! Do they all get on?

Not seeing much evidence of the poodle brains here, definitely leaning more towards the cavalier end for now! But he’s happy, affectionate and loves everyone he meets so I don’t mind daft!

Supposedly no hot food here but it’s not enforced. I had a moan as I was violently sick a while ago because someone’s visitor brought in a hot pasty. I have sympathy with other patients because chemo does make you super specific with what you want to eat and when (anyone who gets between me and some Chicken Selects can attest) but this was a visitor. Go out to the corridor! Moan over. For now.

Could only post three photos at a time hence two posts.

The breeds are Dogue De Bordeaux, a Pomeranian, a Cavalier and two Chihuahuas. The Pomeranian we had as a puppy but the others were all up for re-homing. They’re all such good fun!

OMG the pale chihuahua on top of the DdB! Amazing! I love them all!

NameChange - Yes they all get on. However, the little chocolate coloured Chihuahua doesn’t like sharing her toys and grumbles if one of the other dogs tries to take one. She likes the little toys so she hides them from the others behind cushions and in my bed.

Omg your dogue de Bordeaux is amazing! 😍 what a mix of dogs! Luckily mines not a yappy ankle biting Yorkie like most are. Although she does wimper as she's too little to jump on my bed so I get woken up multiple times a night to pick her up so she can squeeze herself between me and DH under the quilt