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

ranout that sounds promising & good to have a solid plan. Just to add, my last round of docetaxel was worse than this one. I am convinced that last time I had only had EC 2 weeks earlier, so had more of that still sloshing around in my system. The side effects have been much less this time. You are 3 weekly on your EC aren't you, so hopefully it will not affect you as much when they change the chemo drug.

Yes fuzzy we are on a similar pattern/same stage. I have 2 chemo's to go now, not sure when my op will be after that. I have read that they are around a month after the last chemo, but I guess it depends on the hospital & how busy they are too. I am getting a bit nervous about the op and the recovery now. Mainly the lymph nodes all going from under my arm is what is concerning me the most. I need to make a list of questions for the consultant now it is on the horizon...

Yes I have an appointment in a week or so to discuss surgery - I’ll have to take my fingers out of my ears and stop the “la la la” for a while I guess 😂

Re docetaxel, it’s interesting to hear other people’s experience. I am on my 5th of 6 rounds of docetaxel, combined with carboplatin, herceptin and pertuzamab, and I also found that my first round was the worst in terms of ‘acute’ side effects - I remember having a mouth that felt almost burned, a sore throat, bloody nose.... just for a few days. And yet at the time I also remember thinking - ok this isn’t so bad, I can cope with this!! Then as the rounds have gone by, the side effects have actually been much less acute - like I have a weird feeling in my mouth and some taste changes that drive me nuts, but none of the soreness, no bloody nose.... the most noticeable cumulative effect has been on my energy levels, and I have spent relatively more of each cycle doing very little as time has gone on...

I guess I would say the same as I read from so many other women on these thread (while I was still lurking and reading backwards through the threads!) - it’s not fun, but it is totally doable. In every important respect it has been way less bad than I anticipated....

@noodles44 and @FuzzyWhiteLegs thanks for letting me know about the Docetaxel. I think because I've been (touch wood) so well on the EC ie life is still going at a "new normal" pace I was worried about disturbing the balance. Now I've spoken to the consultants I'm of the mind I may feel like crap, possibly for 3 weeks of my life (hopefully) and that's totally worth it if it's blasts my tumour enough!
Re surgery I've been recommended a book that is supposed to be good By Patricia greenhalgh and Liz r'iordan.
Hope everyone else has had a good days. It's been nice and sunny here.
@WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo I really enjoyed the crochet course. I know need to put what I learnt into action!

My appt was today.My abdomen seems all clear so that's good. Biopsy from lymph node didn't get enough to test properly cos it was too hard, but they think lymphoma from the bloods and scans and other symptoms. They're going to do surgery within the next two weeks to remove what they can and then I have a meeting to discuss further treatment options.

I'm scared about the surgery. But I'm glad that none of my organs seem affected. It's all a bit surreal.

Hope everyone is okay

This is Ivy.

Tahiti that sounds good to me. Well not good because we’d all rather not be here but nice clear organs sounds like a good this.

Surgery in two weeks seems like a good efficient timescale. Other than the whole
Not bloody well wanting it thing, is there anything specific about the surgery we can offer any collective wisdom (ok no wisdom from me just experience!) on?

Hope you got some sleep after the rollercoaster of scanxiety and results

Oh an hi Ivy what a gorgeous girl!

I have a farting puppy as a very effective alarm clock

Good morning

Fuzzy that's good to hear :)

ranout I'm glad you've agreed on a plan. Hopefully the docetaxel will have a stronger effect on the tumour. Looking forward to seeing some pictures of your crocheted knickers when you've finished them

Tahiti I'm glad you have a treatment plan. What are your fears about the surgery? Between us we've had quite a few ops so we might be able to provide some reassurance :)

pandora you haven't posted for a while. I hope you're OK

Thinking of planned too

I've got a hospice community nurse coming to meet me today. My GP referred me as they are available 24/7 so I can phone if I have problems with pain etc. when the GP surgery is closed. She sounded really nice on the phone.

Goodness, we've nearly filled up the thread already

I'll make a new one in a moment

Right, new thread here so do pop over when you're ready. I'm going to fill up the old thread this time so that we don't get people accidentally posting on it again :)

NEW THREAD HERE

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