CANCER SUPPORT THREAD 66 for those with cancer or awaiting cancer test results. Rant, rave, laugh, cry, joke, scream - whatever gets you through the day.

[TwitterQueen1]

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 have a loved one with cancer you can get support on a different thread here

For old and new posters it's very helpful if you (re)introduce yourself in your first post with a summary of your diagnosis (chemo brain is a real thing and my memory isn't what it used to be!).

Leslie. Glad you are back

I took the prescribed cocodamol for joint pain last night for the first time. It completely knocked me out and slept through the night. First time I’ve slept through the night since my diagnosis. Still feel a bit spaced out now!

@Mrstraveller think that's what I need. Are you having the Docetaxel now?

Hi ranout. Yes I’m on Docetaxel at the moment.

If you want something to deal with the pain it’s good stuff! However given the effect it’s had on me I couldn’t take it and drive or anything. But my worst days after chemo are the Saturday, Sunday and Monday (usually have my chemo on a Wednesday) and I don’t generally go out anyway on these 3 days. By the Tuesday I’ve usually started to pick up a bit and the joint pain starts to reduce.

Thanks @Mrstraveller I had my first lot on Tuesday and then started with the injections on Thursday. Thursday mid pm and Friday weren't horrific but weren't ok either. I'm dosed up on double strength paracetomal this morning but I'll totally ask about more pain killers for the next 2 cycles!
Hope your feeling ok, even if you are out of it a bit!

I’ve just checked the box and it doesn’t say cocodamol actually. It’s a mixture of codeine and paracetamol. Not sure if that’s the same thing!
It’s working for me and I don’t think I’ll need to take anywhere near the maximum daily dose if it keeps on top of the pain as it has done. Only caveat is I won’t be able to do much and driving is definitely out but I’m usually at home these three days anyway.

Xx

Also they do warn you that it causes constipation so I’ve go some Laxido to take for the next couple of days whilst I’m taking it.

Xx

Thanks @Mrstraveller I've got some of that drug and some Laxido, I'll see how I am after lunch and I may just dose myself up!
The packaging with the whole l, only use for 3 days, may become addicted stupidly put me off! Like it matters!

I’ve gone from paracetamol to over the counter cocodamol to this prescription stuff over the course of my cycles so far. Don’t want the 3/4 days of pain any more if there’s a way not to suffer it! The times when I just had paracetamol were horrible looking back and I probably should have asked for something stronger sooner but at the beginning I was just told paracetamol!

purple I hope you see some improvement today. It's grim. I hope you're managing to get some sleep. Seems like the best way to pass the time

for everyone with aches and pains

Laxido is good stuff- two sachets in a tall glass of water shifts most things

KeepCalm, it's so lovely when you find your people on here, isn't it? I've made so many amazing friends through MN, it has really enriched my life.

Mrstraveller yes cocodamol is simply a brand name for OTC strength paracetamol/codeine.

The 3days warning is for OTC use. It’s perfectly safe to take opiates for longer periods under medical supervision and according to need.

I (just about) coped on OTC strength after bone marrow aspiration / bone biopsy. But if that ever needs doing again I shall ask for (and have been assured I can have) prescription strength or other opiate (I cannot take aspirin or NSAIDs because of adverse interaction with main cancer med)

keepcalm I'm in a FB group of about 30-40 women who I met on one of the due in threads a few years ago. We are all besties. If someone has a hard time, we chip in and help them out, we talk about everything from sex to horrible life stuff. I love them! So grateful to MN for stuff like this.

Mrs hope you enjoyed the longer rest!

@ranoutofquinoaandprosecco @Mrstraveller am docetaxel too. Second dose yesterday and feeling fine but I got cocodamol after the joint pain the last time.

Like @Mrstraveller it was about 3/4 days after the chemo that the joint pain kicked my ass and paracetamol was like sweeties!

@BitOfFun and @Tahitiitsamagicalplace it truly is a wonderful place indeed. We have holidays etc together and have been to weddings, business openings etc

I stayed away for a while because I was wandering about not knowing anyone and a lot of the posters seemed a tad 'mean' and I'm no wall flower lol

Anyway. I'm very grateful to have found you here for the hand holding and advice. Thank you

Hi all...
I've been lurking for a couple of days.
Letter arrived from the hospital today for my 2 week referral...20th November. Possible ovarian cancer. I'm in pain which just seems to be a constant reminder that something isn't right.
Eldest dd's 32nd birthday tomorrow and she's home for the weekend...all I want to do is hide away. And I still have to make a birthday cake...since I'm up at 5am thought I'd pop one in the oven in the morning. Trying to get on as normal but cancer is all I can think about.
How the hell do I get through the next 10 days.
and in advance to all of you.

Hi Cally

You get through because you have to and you remind yourself that most people get great news and put all this behind them. Oh and by talking nonsense to us to pass the time!

What are the cake plans?

Hi Cally you will get through this, just try and keep yourself busy until your appointment to pass the time. Our TQ has ovarian cancer and I'm sure she'll be happy to answer any questions if you have them

But keep in mind it could be something completely harmless!

Hi @Cally62 as everyone says keep really busy, you've got a good excuse. Go all out on that cake.
And yes, it may well be nothing.

Oh thank you for all your words of encouragement and the

Just about to go to bed as I'm exhausted...today I have made the food sluts Nigella's carrot and ginger cake, walked into the village for brunch with dp, dd1 and her bf. Shopped for food including birthday cake making stuff, had a mooch in TKmaxx and bought a lovely Poetry jacket for all of £27...bloody bargain, and I have just eaten a very tasty monkfish sri lankan curry made by dd1's bf.
Is that what you all mean by keeping busy.

namechange Cake will be a rose, pistachio and semolina and I have one single pink rose outside the back door which I will pick in the morning and brush with egg white sprinkle with sugar and bake to pop on top of cake.

prosecco you are so right it may well be nothing...tell that to my brain please.

Cally I have stage 4 ovarian cancer. Ask me anything. PM me if you want. I've had hardly any pain at all - only back pain caused by fluid around my lung and massive ascites (fluid - 9 litres of it). Has anyone talked to you about cysts? I believe these are very painful but eminently treatable. What other symptoms have you had?

I had major lack of appetite (because of cancer in stomach lining), inability to eat much more than about 5 mouthfuls (see above), breathlessness (lung).... This is obviously a really scary time but pain does not mean cancer.

Thank you so much TQ pain does not mean cancer....I needed someone to say that.
My GP told me that my CA125 was raised...she said was referring me under the 2 week rule and not to worry as it was early stages. So jumping the gun a bit I think.
I thought it was just a uti.weeing for England...lower back pain, nausea, pain in right side like a bullet has gone through me, some tummy pain and all I want to do is sleep. Blood in urine for which I had 3 lots of antibiotics in the last week. No infection apparently when urine was e

Oops. Eventually sent off. Had symptoms for 8 weeks now.

You all are pretty bloody amazing having to deal with this cancer shit and listening to me rant.

Off to make a cake....with the help of a big furball. Cat hasn't,t left my side or bed for weeks now...promise to post pics later.

Cally keeping everything crossed for you. The waiting is the hardest part! I find looking towards the next appointment and no further into the future than that also helped. One step at a time.

Your baking sounds wonderful and has me inspired to dig out a cake tin and recipe book It's a pity we can't share cake via MN.