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

Good luck purple

I can not get my head straight at the moment. I'm thinking of all the things I can do for keepsakes for my children.
I don't want to die. Please don't let me die

Just popping in to wish you good luck purple. Take care and god bless x

noodles nobody is entirely sure as my lungs are a bit of a disaster zone - tumours, pulmonary emboli and now asthma as well. The chemo also affects my breathing but only for a couple of days each cycle. I have inhalers and tablets, but the inhalers don't really seem to be doing anything. Exercises do help a little as well. I've got an emergency GP appointment so hopefully they will have a solution.

I hope you have a lovely family day today :) the felting kit is very cute!

Bravo I hope a run helps burn off some of the stress

planned are you home now or still stuck in hospital? I can't promise you won't die, but there's a very good chance you will be absolutely fine

I'm still in hospital until at least fri. I FaceTimed my girls and my 3 yr old was just crying "mummy mummy" it's ruined me.

Hi I posted in another area of MN but was directed here, hoping for a hand hold/reassurance please.
I check myself pretty regularly as there is a history of breast cancer at a youngish age in my family. My Mum had it at 45 and then again at 52. I'm 36.
My DS has lung issues and as DH was away for the evening I put him in bed with me around 3am, he's 9 so I don't do it often but I had been in and out of bed so thought sod it.
He's a fidget and managed to turn and elbow me in my boob. Not hard but I felt this sharp pain and obviously rubbed where it had connected.
Its about the size of an egg and it's hard. I can't feel it when sitting up but it's obvious when lying down.
I've been to my GP, I saw a very nice locum who has already referred me. I was originally given an emergency GP appointment but when I got there it was with a male locum buy luckily I know the Secretary really well (I'm a lucky person who has nice ladies on reception at the GP) So she managed to squeeze me in.
I'm just really nervous. Its school hols so I won't be able to take DH with me.
Its probably nothing but it's still scaring me. I've been given an appointment next Wednesday but no idea what to expect. I'm also a huge needle phobe so that's not helping matters.
Would just like a hand hold really. Or what I can expect at the hospital?

Hello NewCross... I am currently in the process of tests and biopsies at the local hospital Breast Unit. I'm in limbo now waiting for results.

If your DH can't go with you, do you have a friend that could maybe go? I'm sure you would manage on your own, but it's always good to have some support around as it's an anxious time for you.

Most likely they will give you a mammogram first and also give you an ultrsound... both of which are fine. They may then want to do a needle biopsy as they did with me. That came as a bit of a shock to me as I wasn't expecting it there and then, but they do it to try and sort you out quickly and get results for you asap.

If you do need a biopsy (many women don't - they can see enough from the ultrsound) then please don't worry about needles.. likely you won't even see one with machines and positioning etc. They will talk you through everything and have a nurse to hold your hand... and I honestly didn't feel anything past a scratch for local anaesthetic. It also healed really quickly. Results take about a week.

I've now had a second lot of more invasive biopsies and got to wait for those results.

There are lots of women on here far more experienced than me who will be able to help you I'm sure, but didn't want to read and run

Hello onlyliving. I had a breast lump a few month ago and at my appointment they had a feel, did an ultrasound and a mammogram and then I got told it was nothing to worry about. You MAY need a biopsy but if you do it'll be over in seconds
9 out of 10 lumps are completely harmless so the odds are in your favour

Planned you will not die. I know it feels like forever but it's only 2 more days. You can do it

Thanks everyone. Still waiting to go down, it could be after dinner time. Hoping not cos I'm starving!

planned, I don’t have much in the way of useful words of advice I'm sorry, but I sympathise, it is so hard thinking of our kids (I have a DD, 9)... and I know being stuck in hospital uncertain about the future can mess with your head! I think for me I would allow myself a damn good sob somewhere under a blanket or in the toilet, and then probably try and distract myself with something really undemanding - a trashy magazine, or a colouring book or similar...

TheOnly my Breast clinic appt was a remarkably efficient one stop shop that incorporated mammogram, ultrasound, biopsy and meeting with the consultant. Then back a week later for the verdict (for me this was “surprise! You have cancer!” But for most people it isn’t...) The waiting is truly the hardest bit tho...

Cross posting this morning! But yes Breast clinics seems to be very well oiled machines, and in terms of all the tests none of it was painful at all, for me, even the biopsy which I too didn’t expect (this was my second time in the breast clinic - back in 2012 I just had a mammogram I think...).

Oh planned I feel for you. they really know how to break your heart - but don’t worry they won’t remember it later - you get that privilege - it is awful though so hugs and this morning

Waiting for Onc follow up appointment. Feel nervous for no reason. Think this is the likely feeling j will have at any appointment EVER from now on. Thanks cancer

to the rest of you beautiful Lacies!!

And forgot to say also planned that I get those feelings too. Just let them settle and then squash them down - you need to stay as positive as you can for your DD and yourself. When they come I let those thoughts have minute and then I work on doing something distracting - difficult in hospital I know

Morning lacies!

Chemo for me tomorrow. Having stern words with myself to not snap at the children, carve some time out for meditation & stop worrying about my rapidly-increasing weight.

Oscha I'm so pleased you got the all-clear

Thinking of you today purple: good luck

Leslie one of my jobs is actually teaching breathing techniques. Two tips: when you breath in, push your tummy muscles out, and when you breath out, let them slowly collapse. After a while, you start to feel your diaphragm pushing down as you breathe in. This really helps me. (I have asthma & swollen nodes in my lungs)

Second tip: if you're really breathless, gently smack your lips together as you breathe out. I have no idea why this works, but it makes each breath last longer. Hth.

Planned for you. It's so bloody scary. My kids seem to be handling it ok, bar the odd angry outburst at me.

to everyone else: I've run out of remembering.

Hey ladies! Portacath has been fitted. It was under General anaesthetic and now I'm feeling all dopey.

I'm laughing at the cod liver capsules nipples.

Cyclazine done as an injection? Fuuuuck noooo. It need a to be diluted in a bag of fluid or as an injection.

Planned big hugs is there anyone who can talk to you whilst you are an inpatient?what about the hospital chaplain? I'm not religious but our one is amazing just to sit and chat with.
FaceTime is amazing. My kids used to love using the different filters when we were talking.

Hello all!
I have hormone receptive, HER2- breast cancer. Had a lumpectomy, mastectomy and started my first round of chemo last Thursday. Having three rounds of EC and three rounds of T chemo.
Am trying the cold cap but nurse told me it prob wont work for me as hair is fine.
Felt really sick with chemo and today really, really tired.
Hello to everyone, so many new people, sorry you are here - but hope everyone is doing as well as can be xx

Good afternoon ladies I'm in an acupuncture bubble at the moment. If you fancy it and they'll let you have it try it. I'm going to try it with chemo as it's supposed to help with the side effects. The practitioner is also a surgeon (breast!) so I feel in good hands.
@plannedshock have you thought about breathing techniques or mindfulness their not for everyone. It's something you can do with your kids too. My 4 year old finds the breathing helps him calm down at deal with his emotions. I had massive anxiety and thoughts about leaving my kids when I was first diagnosed but now I just want them to have fun with me and not be all about the cancer. Are there any games you can play online with them eg scrabble? You do one word they do the next etc?
@Oscha woo hoo
@BravoOscarOscarBravo if you feel like it go for your run. I've been for my last spinning class today as I've been told I won't be able to do them once my picc line is fitted on Monday. If your used to exercising go do it.
@plannedshock hope your feeling a bit better.
@purpleunicorns let us know how you get on.
@WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo hope you've got some answers from your GP.
@addlebrained have you any answers yet?
@TheOnlyLivingMumInNewCross I found a lump under the same conditions as yourself! Late at night sorting my DD out. The breast clinic was amazing lovely staff I had a mammogram, ultrasound then biopsy's. They were done under local and we're not that bad at all. I was told there and then I had breast cancer. To be honest that's the worst bit. What I think is really worth thinking about is that there's lots of lumps that are not cancerous but the best thing is to get it checked out. Let us know how you get on.

planned you poor thing. Are they not able to visit you at all? I hope you get a treatment plan soon then hopefully you'll feel a little more in control

OnlyLivingMum welcome, but sorry you're here fingers crossed for you

purple hopefully you've gone down by now :)

addle how did your appointment go?

Miles thank you - that's really helpful :) I already do that with my muscles, but I'll try the lip thing. Part of the problem is that I've always had a small lung capacity or something - in yoga when everyone's moving with their breath I'll be flapping about at twice everyone else's speed! Good luck for tomorrow's chemo.

Pandora I hope you are recovering well! All set for tomorrow?

Mrspotter sorry about the sickness and tiredness. I hope it eases up soon

ranout glad you enjoyed your acupuncture

The GP wasn't convinced that it's my asthma. Partly because I'm not wheezy and my peak flow is fine. But both of those are "normal" for me even when my asthma is bad anyway she sent me to the hospital just in case it was another pulmonary embolism. They couldn't find anything to worry about. Probably a virus aggravating my asthma. I'm to go back if it worsens.

I hope everyone is having as good a day as possible :)

Ugh I've been here since 7:00 and I'm still waiting to go down. I'm sooo hungry I may end up eating the surgeon. I'm not even allowed to have any water

Oh no! You must be so bored. Are you wearing your glamorous compression stockings?

Oh Purple! I would have expected you to be top of the list . I'm sure HANGRY doesn't even begin to describe it. How long is the op likely to last, do you know?

TheOnly Glad you found your way here. We try to summarise what we've all got at the beginning of each thread so if you feel like catching up on who's got what you can read brief histories there.

I've just trailed round 4 chemists for antiobiotics for the UTI I had in July that didn't really clear up. No-one has it in stock so I have to wait until tomorrow, which is fine really. My worry of course is that it's not a UTI at all, rather new tumours growing. I know one kidney was having a few ishoos previously but I never did quite understand what they were other than 'pressure'.

Hello Ladies - well this afternoon I had a surprise call from the breast unit and my results were in early. My radial scar is benign. They are happy to leave it where it is, no further action.

I just want to say thank you for all the support you've given me over the last couple of weeks. You have really helped and been so supportive when many of you are going through all kinds of treatment.

I wish all of you the very best indeed - you are an amazing bunch xxx

What wonderful news Pebble and great that they told you early too :) all the very best to you too

TQ hopefully it is just a persistent UTI and the antibiotics will sort it out when you finally get them

Hurrah Pebbles!!! Go! And don't come back! It's lovely to have some good news. [Flowers]

let's try that one again....

Great news pebbles!