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 - I am so pleased that you're feeling a bit stronger. There is nothing to be embarrassed about so stop that right now

For reasons of laziness no particular reason, my legs are also flabby. I find it useful to wear trousers/trackie bottoms

@noodles44 and @AimlesslyPurposeful waves to other East Surrey / Crawley peeps.

Leslie, hope you feel better soon.

Am zol aciding on Monday. Just battled through the traffic jams from hell for the blood test. Traffic round our way is nuts.

wombat they're not flabby exactly. I wouldn't mind that so much. You know how elderly/frail people's muscles sort of sag? It's like that. I've always had sturdy calves and now they're just dangling.

It sounds ridiculous but I've just been all the way to the kitchen and got myself an apple. That's quite an achievement for me at the moment! :)

I know I need to do the exercise but then I'm scared that if I wear myself out in the daytime I won't make it up the stairs to bed!

Sorry, I'm whinging on :)

Flying good luck for Monday - do you get many side effects? Sorry the traffic is a nightmare.

Mine are definitely flabby

leslie I’m so pleased to hear you’re feeling a little better, you’ve got quite a fan club here. You’re one of the few who have been around since I joined here in 2014 and I’ve seen you dole out words of wisdom to very frightened newcomers so many times. I still fully believe you have a chart, how else could you possibly remember everyone?! Now if you could just not give us all such a fright and get on with wiggling your feet please.....

I'm good Leslie. DD started school this year, DS1 is in his last year of primary! I'm still struggling to lose all the weight I put on during chemo, and the menopause is a bit pants!
I'm glad you're feeling a bit better, but take it easy!

I was one of the frightened newcomers that Leslie welcomed, just over a year ago for me. You really made a difference - as did other posters too of course - but the way you check in with each of us is really special.

For those compaining about their legs, I have a tech suggestion. Compression tights - or the leggings type sold for runners. They really do hold everything and are good for muscke recovery after exertion. I though that sounded like a load of mumbo jumbo designed to sell more sports clothes. But actually they are rather good.

TKMaxx sometimes sell a brand called 2XU (pronounced ‘two times you’) at a big discount (but do check it’s compression leggings not just base layer). Another good make is UnderArmour (which are usually plainer and more like normal leggings)

I was also a frightened newcomer a couple of months ago and leslie you were really lovely and welcoming.

Last AC chemo for me today before I move on to12 weekly taxol (with herceptin and perjeta).

Hope everyone has a lovely night xx

Namechange are you at the Churchill on the 14th for your scan? I can't remember whether it was you who said you were being treated there....

I had an appointment at 11am this morning with the spinal specialist. The clinic was RAMMED, and I lasted in the hot stuffy waiting room until 12:30 before a nurse announced that my doctor's clinic was running ANOTHER two and a half hours late. I did what any sane person would and stood up to go home.

At which point I realised that the leaflet I'd grabbed to fan my poor prematurely-menopausal self with was emblazoned with the title "GENITAL WARTS". Yep, I'd been waving it around to all and sundry for the best part of an hour...

It was that kind of day.

Oh dear....

But maybe the looks were envy? Recently contracted genital warts suggests you have an active and possibly racey sex life, which some may covet.

Bizarrely, I don’t mind being the patient who is kept waiting. It means I’m one they’re not worried about at present. And yes, there are often very long waits ...... so sometimes my beliefs are somewhat tested

I just couldn't bear the thought of sitting there on the hard chairs in only slightly sub-sauna temperatures until mid-afternoon, not with my dicky back. Plus I had no idea what the appointment would be for, beyond "how are you since we last saw you?"

Sounds hellish

Even in my most Candide optimistic moments, I don’t think I could stay sitting in increasing pain

Leslie I'm glad you're feeling a bit better

I spent the day at the hospital and found out I've got DVT in my arm, all along my picc line. Bugger. So now I've got to inject blood thinners every day and be on the look out for a pulmonary embolism / bleeding. I didn't have health anxiety before all this, but I'm quickly developing it!

Bitoffun sorry but the genital warts leaflet made me laugh. I sympathise with the horrible waiting rooms though. Not what you need when you already feel rough.

I always mean to comment on other posts but once I've written a bit, I forget/mix up names and my mind goes blank!

Tahiti

I’m exactly the same re other posts. I think the person who posted that Leslie has a chart must have it right or just to add to her specialness Leslie also has an amazing memory

Well the last 12 hours went quickly.
Ive got heart failure as my ventricle is only pumping at 42% when the normal is 58%or above.

Oh bugger Pandora is that from the chemo? Is there a plan?

I don't have a chart, I'm afraid! Sorry to disappoint

Tahiti a few of us are on blood thinners. They're not much fun, but manageable once you get used to them. Sadly one of the annoying side effects of cancer/ chemo.

BOF sounds grim I hope you can reschedule.

Simmi I hope the last AC has minimal side effects

weebarra I can't believe your baby is at school! :)

mrsrhod that's me told :) I am dutifully wiggling my feet. How are you?

Waving to everyone

Oh Pandora what a shock! No wonder you're so tired all the time. Is there any medication they can give you? Or an operation to fix it? Sorry I don't know anything about heart failure. Do you have real life support right now? Sending you a massive hug

Waves to everyone else, I'll catch up properly when I get home

Pandora so sorry... on top of everything else...

I'm being started on ramipril to lower my blood pressure, need to lose more weight, not get stressed, etc

Presumably today's chemo is cancelled? I hope you've got some real life support as purple says. What a nasty shock. I'm sending a big hug and you're very welcome to join me under my virtual blanket

Oh @Pandoraslastchance that's so rubbish. I suppose at least they have discovered it and got a plan in place. It's a bit harsh with the lose weight and less stress though! Lord we'd all like a bit of that! I'm sending an empathy fairy to your nurses.

Pandora that's beyond shit. Sorry this is happening xxx

Bloodyhell Pan!

You poor thing! Am so sorry you’re going through all this. Sending virtual hugs and cups of tea.

I know writing on here is the last thing on your mind but please keep us updated when you feel up to it. x x x

Sorry to hear this Pandora. Hope they’ve got a plan to sort things out for you. If only not getting stressed was so easy!