CANCER SUPPORT THREAD 65 - for anyone with cancer or waiting for cancer tests (pets welcome!)

[WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo]

Good morning everyone,

Welcome to the new thread, and the club that nobody wants to join. Our previous thread is here.

Anyone with any type of cancer is welcome. And we will hold your hand if you're waiting to find out whether or not you have cancer at all.

If you've got a loved one with cancer then you can get support here.

Please feel free to reintroduce yourself so we don't all have to remember from the previous thread!

Good morning all!!

KeepCalm that was a gorgeous sunrise! It’s a bit grey here in Yorkshire this morning but I’m staying cosy in bed with a cup of tea, thinking about making some porridge ☺️

It’s good to hear you are feeling ok. I wonder if the heavy limbs might also be a bit of the after effect of having a big old dose of adrenaline and cortisol in your body recently - a kind of post shock slump iykwim. I had docetaxel combined with three other drugs so not sure about it’s effects as a stand-alone, but if it’s any reassurance I didn’t have any sickness, just a few days of feeling ropey, a bit like the worlds worst hangover. I did find I got the ‘chemo blues’ esp on days 4 and 5, so knowing that was coming helped a bit as I could try and let it pass without getting bogged down.

Simmi and noodles I had a pre surgery consultation meeting with my BCN yesterday - she was just fabulous. I had seen my consultant a couple of times already and been told I would need a mastectomy, so the things I needed to think about were whether to argue to keep my nipple (decided not), and reconstruction options... the latter took up most of my time as it’s where I have most choice, although due to previous scarring on my tummy I am limited to ‘implant’ or latissimus dorsi (back muscle) recon.

So we talked a lot about the different surgical techniques, pros and cons etc. Also talked about surgery and hospital stay length, pain management and expectations, what I could expect in terms of swelling and bra/prosthesis needs in the short term... what kinds of PJs to buy etc . My BCN is an utter star so we talked about lots of other things as well, in terms of coping and wellbeing and she is referring me for psychological support, help for my DD, help re finances, and in touch with another local woman who has been through similar.

I don’t know if that helps in terms of your surgery consultations but I guess one thing to consider is that even if your meeting with the surgeon is about the nuts and bolts of lumpectomy vs mastectomy for example, there are lots of other things you might want answers to, and if you have a BCN a meeting with them may be worth considering.

Hope all doing as ok as possible this morning... I love purple looking out for our thread mama leslie because she hadn’t posted for a whole 36 hours, that did make me grin ... you are lovely people here

I was supposed to have a blood transfusion yesterday but didn’t because my Hb had gone up... so instead I got my PICC out, and am looking forward to a long soak in the bath tonight 😃

Happy Saturday all

@FuzzyWhiteLegs and @noodles44 thank you both for the reassurance re the chemo.

I'm not sure re testing the lump. Bloods have been sent to genetics lab and won't be back for a while. DC wouldn't be tested till they were 18 anyway which is a long time off.

Am still feeling fine (appetite hasn't disappeared mores the pity) and the ONLY side affect I seem to be rocking is a bright BRIGHT red like a really hot flush 

DH is freaking out and wants me to phone the hospital but ffs I don't feel ill, it's the wkend and as side affects go it's certainly not a horrific one! Anyone else had this??

I managed into town for a bit of time with littlest kid and I am now on my sofa barking instructions at everyone else. The Hoover has been turned on to drown me out 

After my first round I got an all over body red rash (that’s never come back!) - but not sure that’s similar.... it was after a couple of weeks too. Do you have a helpline number you can ring just to ask?

@FuzzyWhiteLegs so do but I didn't think it merited bothering them at the wkend. I think it's calming down now I've sat down....

*I do

Keepcalm I also get a bright red hot face but only lasts a day or so. I don't think it's anything to worry about as I've had it every chemo cycle so far

keep calm

I do seem to get flushing around my neck for a few days which then goes down.

I called the number I was given quite a few times initially and they were reassuring about any concerns I had.

Xx

I have also had a red face, along with hot sweats as have had a few menopause symptoms too.

Thanks for the tips fuzzy I think there will be a BCN present at my appointment with the surgeon next week and then they answer any questions after the consult. I hadn't thought about what to wear or much other than wondering exactly what sort of op. I hadn't even considered saying goodbye to my nipple! I sort of assumed from mastectomy pictures I have seen that it wouldn't be an option to keep, but I expect it depends on if you have a reconstruction and where the tumour was. Lots to think about. It must be nice to be rid of your picc. I have mine booked in to be removed the day after my last chemo. It makes me nauseous when it is cleaned even, so although I am grateful to not have sore veins, I will be glad to say goodbye to it! Enjoy your soak in your (deep) bath bliss

yes lots of hot sweats here too!

At first I kept checking my temperature but now I know what it is.

Thank you ladies. Most reassured now And he's given me till tomorrow for my face to calm its jets before i have to phone....

@keepcalm, think you are being amazing, wishing you all the best.
Woke up this morning feeling like there was a hand around my neck, squeezing it and making me feel like I wanted to throw up. I think it’s probably because I’m stressing and terrified about what might be found tomorrow rather than a physical blockage having developed in my throat over night. Haven’t managed to eat today but with the second cider making its way down my throat I’m starting to feel a little fuzzy.
Am so edgy, just wish I could go to sleep and not wake up until after my scope tomorrow. At least it’s an earlyish exam.
Fuck fuck fuck

You are bound to be anxious Ladymary the waiting and wondering is the worst bit, so at least you will not be waiting too much longer. Good luck for 2mo.

For the lacies having breast surgery: a friend gave my a heart shaped cushion for after my lumpectomy and lymph node removal. It really helped in the week post-surgery.

Just nipping in to say good luck for tomorrow LadyMaryC. I hope it goes smoothly and that you get some good news

Love to everyone else. I hope those who've recently been poisoned are not feeling too grim!

Hello lacies, thanks to noodles , fuzzywhitelegs and minniemountain for tips re: surgery. Sounds like there’s lots to think about. I still have another few months of chemo before surgery so I haven’t been presented with my options yet. I had an oncologist appointment on Friday and she had a feel and measure and reckons my tumour has already shrunk by a cm just with one chemo. It would want to though - as it was about 7cm to begin with! Still can’t believe I didn’t notice it! Even if the bastard tumour shrivels right down with chemo I’ll still need a mx as I have DCIS as well which the chemo won’t kill. Oncologist also warned me that for my next round of chemo (on Friday) my tiredness might last a bit longer than the first week.

keepcalm - you’re doing amazingly well

Good luck for tomorrow LadyMaryC

@LadyMaryC we'll all hold you a little closer tomorrow. We've got you, you and a barrage of MN positive thoughts will be right there in that room with you 

@LadyMaryC Sending hugs and best wishes for tomorrow x

I got given a heart shaped cushion but I don't have breast cancer so if anyone who's has surgery or waiting for surgery would like it then pm me and I'll post it to you

This week I've had my first proper side effect, which I reckon is more food and stoma related than chemo/cancer. I've managed to get the runs which floored me on Friday and finally resolving itself now. Who knew how big the bags could inflate?! Luckily I'm on drain bags atm but eve opening those got tricky. I dared try to eat fried eggs and toast at Sainsbury's with my kids after going in for a CT scan, so I'm thinking either fried eggs or cafes are out. This low fibre, low residue diet I'm on is really restrictive, and I find it interesting that normally my V strong gut has basically rolled over and played dead. Back to boiled everything and mash for a week 😒

Ooft @stationaryace that's harsh. Hope you're feeling better now. 

stationary are you on capecitabine? That gave me dreadful dire rear! Glad you're feeling a little better tho

KeepCalm you are my hero for how well you are handling this weekend.

StationaryAce that does sound rough. Wow betide anyone who tries to get between me and fried eggs!

LadyMaryC you will be in my thoughts all day. You are not on your own.

Waves and hugs for everyone else

LadyMary wishing you the best of luck for today. Like Keepcalm we've got you and you CAN get through this 💐

Stationary I remember the first time I had dire rear after having a stoma fitted. Lesson learned to put a new bag straight on instead of faffing about Glad you're feeling a bit better

Saying hi to everyone today and thinking of you Lady Mary C

I have to admit to feeling a bit shit today but days 3, 4, 5 are usually the worst so hoping I will start to improve a bit tomorrow.

@Namechangeforthiscancershit rain has ruined outdoor plans so am sitting on my Lardy arse ordering books for my kindle and booking a wkend away for when my Chemo finishes.

Nothing heroic about it  but thank you 

About to type a message to the lady I believe might be my biological mother. All rather surreal but by the power of social media.....

@LadyMaryC still sending positive thoughts!