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!).

@MiriAmmerman hope you are seen soon. Let's hope it's indigestion. At least your in the right place.

Little feline Hermione waiting for us to come home from the fireworks! Bless her, she's not normally a lap cat.
Her sister Bellatrix is living up to her name and is no where to be seen!
Enjoyed the fireworks from the inside of the car! Kids seemed to think that was fine.
Hope everyone has had a good weekend.
@WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo are you home yet? If your not have they sorted your pillows out?

@MiriAmmerman ah feck that is beyond shite. Sending the most soothing thoughts your way 

Miri chest pain is the absolute last thing you need right now. Hope they can rule everything serious out ASAP

Oh no Miri - like everyone else I’m hoping it is just indigestion

Hope you’re ok Miri - sounds awful 💐

Thinking of Leslie too

Hope everyone is having a nice a Sunday night as possible xx

Okay hair loss peeps. Mine is falling out by the handful. Should I wait and see or just get it all off.....?

Get it all off KeepCalm. It's so much easier and much less trauma. You're not watching the shower water every morning. Also, when it's your choice, it's very liberating. And IME, hairdressers won't accept payment.

Once mine was coming out in handfuls I just wanted rid of it as it was a pain cleaning it all out of the shower every morning and leaving hair all over the pillow.

My husband cut mine with some clippers. At first I was a bit nervous of him getting too close to the scalp so had it very short but some hair left. After about a week I had it all shaved off.

Also for me it was more upsetting looking at it coming out as I found it a reminder of the cancer. Now I have no hair I find it less upsetting than the falling out stage

KeepCalm I lost my hair with my first chemo in 2014. As soon as it started to fall in clumps, I cut it close to my scalp with scissors and then went over my head with a LadyShave ever the professional
I had been incredibly anxious about losing my hair; actually felt much better when it was gone. I hated waking up every morning to more on the pillow.
Good luck.

keepcalm Shave it off!! I've got an appointment on Wednesday to get mine off. I start chemo on Fri and my nurse told me I will definitely lose it very quickly. I think I'd find that really upsetting so I'm just going to get rid.

Me losing my hair is something that I know my DH and my dmum is going to find upsetting, because they'll feel bad for me iyswim. They don't know I'm getting it all off on Wednesday - if they don't anticipate it so soon, they can't "dread" it as much, right?

I've bought soooooo many hats in preparation.

That's what I thought. I have a massive amount of hair so even after having it cropped a few wks ago & after my shower this morning using the hairdryer was like a snow storm with stuff flying everywhere and then subsequently shedding everywhere I went.....

Tomorrow it is then..... ✂️ ✂️✂️

Good luck, KeepCalm. I think people are probably right about taking control x

Hey keepcalm - I’m in a similar position. Since my second dose of chemo last week my hair has been falling out by the handful - despite using the cold cap . My hair is now very very thin with a bald patch on top. I have resisted shaving though as when I wear a hat it looks like I have normal hair as it shows round the edges. I always wear a hat or wig out now as it looks awful as is. I haven’t washed it for over a week. I may change my mind and shave it soon but at the moment I’m clinging on to what I have.

Miri hi, that sounds terrifying and an awful lot to get your head around and quickly too. I hope it was just indigestion last night and nothing more sinister.

Emily fingers crossed your symptoms are nothing to worry about and we wave you off after your appt, the waiting is the worst bit as your imagination can run away with you.

purple is it Wed that you get scan results? I hope it shows the chemo is doing its job well if so...

keepcalm another one here who shaved my hair off. It was less upsetting than waking up with a mouthful of hair. it definitely felt better than having a thinning odd looking hairdo and I was so much happier once I shaved it off (well a friend came round and did it)

Leslie I hope you are recovering well and will be out of hospital soon. Thinking of you

Are you having bloods done today ranout? Is it 2mo for your next chemo? I hope the bloods are up again for you if so.

I hope everyone is feeling as well as possible today.

Thanks noodles and Namechange. xx

Hi all

I was diagnosed with Neuroendocrine cancer in June 2016, my tumour was in my small bowel but had spread to the lymph nodes. Since then I've had half my bowel removed and half my thyroid removed due to a dodgy looking mass on scans. I have blood tests every 3 months and scans every 6 months as well as the odd endoscopy and colonoscopy thrown in! My cancer although not currently visible on scans is incurable as now it has spread to the lymph system I can grow a tumour anywhere that has Neuroendocrine cells ie nerve or hormone cells.

I have more problems as a consequence of surgery than I do from my cancer currently but am always nervous about what is around the next corner. I have decided they can take away whatever they want as long as I'm still here!

@noodles44 well remembered I've just heard from HODU and my bloods are go to go tomorrow! First round of Docetaxel and for once I'm booking the sofa for the rest of the week. I haven't done that so far but I'm about ready for a rest. I'm hoping to get Xmas organised. My DH will be quaking when he sees me with the credit card out!
Hope everyone is ok and I'm always reading even if I'm not posting.

Welcome likeazebra - but sorry you need to be here.

Good luck with bloods/chemo ranout and with your results emily

Hi likeazebra and welcome. The surgery sounds tough .

I have a week of appointments including chemo and a lung scan. Today is an appointment with the surgical Consultant. It’s 3 months since he delivered the news about my cancer.

Hi @Mrstraveller are you up with steroids like me!

Hi ranout. No steroids start today at breakfast - 8 a day for 3 days. Day before chemo, day of chemo and day after.

I have this strange sleeping pattern where I go to bed, fall asleep quite quickly but then wake on the dot at about 1.30 am. I have tea and toast and spend a couple of hours surfing, reading and usually manage to sleep again. Happens every night. I’m used to it now!

With the steroids I struggle to get to sleep at all so that will be tomorrow night!

That's interesting @Mrstraveller I'm having chemo today, first Docetaxel and it's the first time I had to have steriods the day before they said 8 with evening meal. Usually I try and take them before 11.30am and only 2 a day. I've got some wireless headphones so I may have to bring them upstairs to arm myself for tonight!
Hope your back to sleep soon.

@ranout

Are you having chemo today? Mine is on Wednesday

I’m on Docetaxel too. I think with these steroids they said to me to take them at breakfast and lunch. We all seem to be told different things sometimes!