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!).

@TwitterQueen1 I was in bed by 9.30 and it was the 'senacot' that had me up at 5am

I went back to bed though don't worry. I haven't moved from the couch yet either

It's freezing here today so pups haven't even been outside but they're having a ball on the old beanbag.

@CazY777 that's great news re Op! Hope you're feeling a little better after the latte!

It's certainly one thing I've found since my diagnosis is the kindness of others is overwhelming!

My iPad was playing up yest when I was able to post (& then I crashed out as was shattered again last night)

I found a blocked sink of mainly loo roll and something else in the downstairs loo this am and it turns out my youngest was sick there around teatime, didn't tell me, but attempted to clean it up herself. The first I knew was this am when I went on to wash my hands! She ate her advent calendar chocolate and breakfast fine and no sign of being ill, but have had to keep her off school... She is as bright as a button and lalala-ing Christmas tunes at the moment whilst colouring Christmas pictures!!

Aimless I am just south of Gatwick, so not far from you at all. I am happy to come up to Purley & will be good to have something to look forward to in January too

Leslie I am sorry you are feeling so terrible. I echo what has already been posted about how supportive and down right brilliant you have been towards me since I have been posting (since June)
I don't know where you are, but also would happily drive hours if I could do something to help, or bring hot chocolate/cake or just come and have a chat. I hope you are comfy on the couch (it looks hideous outside by me, I shall be dragging my poorly but not actually poorly child out for a dog walk under duress shortly which I am not relishing!)
I hope you pick up soon, If you are up to visits once I am back driving again in the new year, Please PM me. If I can do anything to help, I would be delighted.

Freddie that article sounds great, I don't think I would qualify though as I am not stage 4 with my diagnosis I don't think. I haven't actually found out yet what my stage is (I should know after my op) but it hadn't spread on my CT scan, so think I will come out as being stage 2 or 3 depending on how many lymph nodes are affected.
Thanks for suggesting me purple & TQ

The dogs look gorgeous keepcalm and a definite distraction for you when you are feeling rubbish. My dog has been really good company whilst I have been ill. He has got me out of the house when I haven't particularly felt like going out and has cuddled up on the couch or slept at the end of my bed on my feet (wherever I have been, he has basically) I need to work out how to do Instagram to see all the dog pictures! I am a bit rubbish with technology at times and have forgotten half my passwords (hence why I only use my iPad for posts on Mumsnet & emails as my iPad remembers my passwords! One day I will write them all down and put them on my phone and be super organised, but it is doubtful it will be anytime soon!)

Have a good day everyone, I hope you get some decent sleep tonight ranout before chemo 2mo and everyone who has been having side effects from the chemo feels more human today. X

caz meant to add, I am also astounded by the kindness of people (& sadly on the flip side, a couple of people who I thought were good friends that I haven't seen for dust...)

I'm glad the results were not as bad as you anticipated, good luck with the radioactive nipple injection later! I haven't had one, but it doesn't sound great (hopefully that will be better than anticipated too...)
X

Good luck Caz

Waving gently to everyone else. Thanks for your kind words.

Just flying in hoping to catch Caz, and for the benefit of anyone else, the radioactive nipple injection is absolutely nothing to worry about - in the grand scheme of blood tests, cannulas etc, it was way down the list of bad stuff, imo!! It’s quite fun to see the spread of the radioactive material on the scanner too!! And my injection located my sentinel node so clearly that my surgeon didn’t even need to use the blue dye that threatens to turn your boob blue for months

Masses of love to Leslie.. everyone else has said it so clearly, but you are such a wonderful human being, and you have had such a positive effect on my life in the last few months... I hope you realise this. I am always thinking of you, even tho I don’t post often, I read every day. Xx

Thanks everyone, and thanks for the info @FuzzyWhiteLegs. I'm hoping that mine will work that well too, so I don't end up looking like a smurf tomorrow!x

Loads of love @WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo hope your all
Snuggled up and comfy,
@CazY777 that was good news. I'm tempted to treat myself to a blue tits pendant when I have the injection! I'm currently sporting a sweatshirt stating "baubles" across my boobs from girl v cancer!
Hope everyone else is ok and not having horrid side effects.
I'm home after my chemo on the bus, which was fab. In and out in no time, relaxed surroundings and staff as lovely as ever. I feel very lucky. I've attached a photo!

Ah fuck fuck fuck!!! My consultant secretary just rang and wants me to go in early tomorrow before chemo and before clinics start. Apparently my consultant wants to see me. Fuck fuck this isn't good.
A. It's about the cellulitis and chemo can't go ahead
B.its about my hb and chemo is cancelled
C.its about hb but they will give me a transfusion after chemo tomorrow
D.the scan from Addenbrooks shows something major is wrong with my heart

Fuck fuck fuck I'm not going to sleep tonight for sure.

holding your hand until you get an answer Pandora

I'm glad chemo on the bus went well ranout :)

Oh Pan - They really shouldn’t be allowed to ring and worry people like this without giving some indication as to what it’s about. Hopefully it’ll be a blood transfusion as that should give you a bit more energy. Will keep fingers crossed for you.

Leslie - Ever so sorry to read how unwell you are. Like others have said, I wish I could bundle you into snuggly wheelchair, spring you out and force hot chocolate and cake on you. You are a Lacies Legend!

Namechange - You’re conspicuous by your absence. I hope all is ok.

Noodles - I wonder if Crawley might be a good place to meet? There’s a Starbucks in the cinema or it’s quite nice in the bowling place. Easy for parking and easy to find if anyone else wants to join us. Plus, has the advantage of not having to battle your way through Purley Cross! Roads designed and laid by Beelzebub himself.
BTW, plans to let DS3 bunk off school on Friday are off! Nutcracker experience doesn’t start ‘til Monday! Happy to meet up on Friday pm but understand if that’s too short notice and if you’ve got other things on. Quite happy to wait until Jan though and have something to look forward to

Sorry to anyone I’ve missed - literally going out the door.

Oh meant to say that chemo bus looks like a cheery place and wondered how pups got on overnight KC?

Thanks for the kind offers, but I'm not well enough to go out at all really, except hospital appointments and they're quite a struggle. Hopefully I'll build up a bit more strength soon, but otherwise I'm quite comfortable on the sofa under my blanket :)

My legs are so weak. That worries me a bit. I'm only doing the stairs once a day, but it's a real struggle. I'm trying to walk about the place to strengthen them but it's very tiring. I don't like to look at them as my muscles have gone all saggy

LOVE the look of the chemo bus. What a fab idea. I’m super lucky to be so close to my chemo unit- I don’t know how people manage when they have to tack on travel time. Am plenty knackered enough as it is!

Leslie just know that we are all on virtual tea and coffee dates with you, even if the sofa is the only place you are comfy at the moment.

Pandora I totally get it. I would be in a panic and there is nothing anyone would be able to do to calm me down- however much I knew there were potentially innocent reasons for the meeting. Hand hold until you know.

Aimless you are way too kind. I am reading everyone’s posts but feeling pretty overwhelmed with everything, plus some less than great physical symptoms. I think honestly it’s 99% scanxiety (a week on Friday is my next big day). I thought I had started to make peace with this all (ugh stupid expression) but it’s one step forward two steps back for me- emotionally at least.

Just a quick one @Pandoraslastchance have you got a cancer nurse you can call and ask for some further details for today and then speak to your consultant tomorrow? It doesn't seem right that your left hanging for a day.

Namechange are you getting any emotional support? (Or drugs?) it's a massive headfuck however much you think you have accepted it all I have my fingers very firmly crossed for you for Friday. It's amazing how many symptoms the scanxiety can magic up.

You're all very welcome for a virtual snuggle with a hot drink of your choice

Love the look of that chemo bus ranout!!

Leslie sending virtual hugs and cuppas your way - sorry your legs are feeling saggy  I agree with what the others have said about being a total star

pandora fingers crossed they have just worried you for nothing worrying at all. I think it will be impossible not to worry about everything now - I certainly miss the days when headaches and pulled muscles were the worst things I had experienced with my health 

pandora I was going to say the same as ranout regarding calling your breast cancer nurse, or even the consultant to see if the is anything they can briefly tell you tonight to stop you worrying as much.
I guess being a nurse makes you more aware of the reasons they would call you in to see them. That said, there could be a totally innocent explanation, so worth making a couple of calls just incase...

Aimless Friday is my only day of plans sadly. Although my DD will be off school 2mo too now, so won't be doing much 2mo away from the sofa! I have a consultant appt at 11am (East Surrey) and bloods too on Monday b4 my op on Tuesday, so if you could do Monday, if all is running on time I can probably meet for an hour or two then. I have to be at a rehearsal for my youngest DD's nativity play at 2pm as the performances are on the day of my op and the day after, so school have allowed me to the dress rehearsal instead! It could be a rush though if the consultant appts are delayed (which they can be) so January may be more relaxing...
Will you break your son out of school on Friday 14th for the Nutcracker experience instead?
Crawley is easy for me as am not too far away. There is also a retail park on the way to Gatwick with a big Next which has a Costa in and also a stand alone Costa (if you were after that gingerbread/cake you mentioned before)

namechange sorry you are feeling overwhelmed at the moment. It is not surprising. Not sure if you do this too, but my sleep has been all over the place, I crash out early evening and then am awake in the small hours (which I think a lot of us do) but I know when you are tired everything feels worse (& then it is a vicious cycle as worrying affects your sleep) is it worth heading to your GP about the possibility of AD's or something to help you sleep?

Leslie sorry your legs are feeling so weak. Have they given you anything you can do to regain strength in them excersise wise? Was thinking that swimming is usually a good safe thing to do, so maybe a deep bath where you can splash your legs in the water might be a good way to try to regain some strength without wearing yourself out too much in the process. Mind you, am sure it is the last thing you feel like doing whilst you feel as you do. Sorry, don't mean to sound bossy either with excersise suggestions, am just trying to think of something that might help. I hope you improve soon and feel more like yourself.

Ranout the bus looks great, even better that it is nearby too When you need it.

Aimless if you are looking to do carols by candle light, this may interest you.. Have you ever been to Wakehurst Place (near Hayeards Heath in Sussex)? They have an event on called Glow Wild. There is a walk (not too long) around the gardens which it lit by lanterns. Also, just close to Christmas there is stuff going on in the courtyard (toasting marshmallows etc) with the tallest Christmas tree (in England I think) all lit up and live music. It is part of Kew Gardens but in Sussex (& the lemon, courgette & polenta cake is scrummy if it is available)
Just thought it might be something that would interest you on the lead up to Christmas x

Hi all, I was diagnosed back in 2013 when DD was 8 weeks old. Went through the whole treatment thing (double mx, chemo, radio, oopherectomy). I do pop back in now and again to see how people are, or if there's anything I see that I might be able to help with.
I felt compelled to post on seeing that you're not too well Leslie. Like the others I just wanted to give you a wee gentle hug, I hope you start feeling better soon. You're a stalwart on these boards, always thinking of others!

Pandora I'm sure they would have told you over the phone if chemo wasn't going ahead. My bets on you having a transfusion as well as chemo although I know it won't stop you worrying

I'm jumping in for a snuggle and hot chocolate Leslie have you considered one of these? Not sure if they're any good but they are supposed to stimulate your muscles which may help

Pandora I agree with PurpleUnicorns - if they were going to cancel they’d be doing it in a way that meant you didn’t have to travel. So fingers crossed that it’s transfusion or something that has yet to occur to you but which will be positive.

Leslie - can I offer you Chair Pilates? It can be from very gentle.

I wondered about one of those gadgets purple my aunt has one. I need to double check if it's safe because I had a PE before.

I'll look into chair Pilates too, thanks iVampire

I do wiggle about in the bath noodles but I'm not sure that's very effective.

At the moment I'm just trying to wriggle my legs about as much as possible, and pottering about when I feel strong enough. It's so much easier to lose fitness than gain it, isn't it. That bloody pneumonia has a lot to answer for

Lovely to see you weebarra :) how are you doing?

After making such a fuss I now feel a bit stronger so I suppose that's good but I'm a bit embarrassed. Sorry everyone