Cancer support 67. Waiting for tests, just diagnosed or needing a handhold through treatment

[purpleunicorns]

Welcome to the 67th cancer support thread, the previous one can be found here.

If you're looking for advice, have any questions or just need some support while you're waiting for test results or treatment to start then pull up a seat and make yourself comfortable. You can rant, cry or scream if you need to but we do have some laughs along the way

No questions are silly so please don't feel embarrassed about anything you want to post. The chances are at least one of us has been there at some point!

There's a whole variety of people with different cancers at different stages and nobody goes unanswered, the people on here are amazing (even if I do say so myself ) and they have been a massive support to me over the last year.

If you have a friend or family member with cancer then there's a support thread for you here with lots of practical advice to help you support your loved ones

At the beginning of each thread we give a brief summary of who we are and what we have to save us trailing back through old threads

Here's mine: Im 35 and was diagnosed last October with cervical cancer, despite chemo and radiotherapy I found out in June that it had spread and I'm now having palliative chemo to keep me stable. A scan a few weeks ago showed that there was no new growth after 4 lots of chemo. 2 more chemos to go for me so I'm hoping it stays that way

Yay to oxygen-free wheelchair outings Leslie! that's fab.
Here is the list of films.. though it doesn't include "It's a Good Life" I see... Also there are at least 5 Die Hards I think? though I don't know if they're all set at Christmas...

It also doesn't include The Greatest Store in the World

Leslie well done for getting out and about. Sounds lovely and it’s such a boost to the mood. No oxygen is definitely a win too

I got new stents! And a general anaesthetic! I've never been so pleased in my entire life, they weren't completely sure what I'd end up having done until I was in theatre so when I woke up I cried all over the nurses as I was so relieved not to have tubes coming out of my kidneys
There is still a chance that these might not work but hopefully they'll do the job for a good few months yet.

Noodles I hope you've had a better nights sleep

Fabulous to see Leslie out and about!

Waves to everyone else I'm wishing time away as they won't take my catheter out until 6:00am and it's so uncomfortable. Hopefully I'll be home by dinnertime

Yeah @purpleunicorns that's great news about your stents. Roll on 6am for your catheter.
@WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo sounds as if your managing to get out a bit more, which must be great. Have you a list of outdoor trips to make over the festive season? Hope you enjoyed your takeaway.
Hope everyone else is feeling alright and isn't suffering from SEs too much.
Glad to hear your update @noodles44
I'm supposed to be going on a work do tonight! I think I'm going to have to nap all day to have the energy! I get to around 6pm and I'm ready for my nest!
I've also decided it's time to start feeling festive, so watch out world today!

Fantastic news purple! I hope you are now catheter-free and more comfortable. Do you know how long you'll be staying in? Wishing you a speedy recovery

ranout yes, I've started planning some trips mostly food-related. Someone very helpfully tipped me off about portable oxygen machines so I'm going to get one of those, mostly for peace of mind I have a couple of portable canisters, but I worry about them running out and needing to save them for hospital trips etc. Enjoy being festive and I hope you have a relaxing day before tonight's do

Namechange are you feeling better today? I hope so

It's chilly here today. I nearly had to put a hat on the night. Stay cosy lacies

Woohoo to purple

And hi to everyone else! Currently drowning in end of term/Christmas things but thinking of all you other lovely lacies! X

Great to hear good news about getting out, stents and operation from Leslie, purple and noodles!!

I’m in London enjoying a week of eating out, and visiting various museums, galleries and movies...! We had this week booked and paid for a while back, but since I’m only 4 weeks out from surgery we have come at it with the attitude that we will do what we want, when we want, so as not to put too much pressure on! So every day is beginning with a nice lie in, and then out for brunch

I got a call from my BCN yesterday letting me know the MDT had finally looked at my case and decided I don’t need radiotherapy...yay!! I guess I will have to think about planning to get back to work pretty soon... it feels like a whole world away tbh

Wishing all a good day... bundle up and stay warm!!

That's great news about the radiotherapy Fuzzy and I'm glad you're enjoying your London trip

addle I hope you get a chance to relax in between all the festive excitement!

I've just been to the supermarket. It feels like a huge achievement. I took my oxygen and my dad wheeled me round, while my mum pushed the trolley and I chose things. But I've left the house two days in a row!

@FuzzyWhiteLegs brilliant news about radiotherapy. Enjoy your trip. If you can't live in the moment now, when can you.
@WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo brilliant that you're out and about again. It's the little things that make the difference isn't it. That cup of coffee sat outside, l love hearing the birds or even the wind through the windows when I'm in bed! Enjoying your food when your tastebuds come back!

Purple so glad for the GA and stents! brilliant. I hope you're home and comfy soon..

Leslie wow! go you! that is some achievement..

Fuzzy lovely news for you. Waving to everyone else.

I'm off to Oxford tomorrow for the pre-treatment scans and I'll hopefully find out which arm of the trial I'm in.

Glad that you are getting out Leslie and sounds like you are having a lovely time in London Fuzzy. How are you getting on today noodles?

I'm feeling much better, the bruising is going down and it's all freeing up and feeling a lot less stiff. I'm not sleeping that well, probably subconscious worrying about the results which I'll get on Monday. But hopefully if they do have to open it up again and take more out I'm hoping it won't be as bad as I don't have to have the injection and dye before hand again.

Great you are managing to get out and about Leslie. I actually enjoy mooching around a supermarket provided it's not too busy. So nice to be able to choose one's own food and other stuff.

Fuzzy great news you don't need the radiotherapy.

Purple - good news you still have stents - not sure how it all works but glad you haven't had to have the thing you didn't want!

I've had my "good" week in between chemo appointments. I went to one of the "Look Good Feel Better" sessions at my nearest Maggie's Centre. I am not hugely into make up in normal circumstances but have started wearing it more frequently since my diagnosis when I go out. The session was good as they take you through applying the make-up and you do it yourself in front of a mirror. And the bag of products you come away with is great. It's all top notch stuff; Lancome, a Bobby Brown lipstick, Liz Earle, some No. 7 stuff. I went on my own but everyone was chatty and friendly - everyone at different stages of treatment.

Went for MRI this morning. Unfortunately took 3 attempts to get a cannula in but they got there in the end .

Hope you've managed to rest plenty before the works do tonight Ranout
*
Fuzzy* London sounds fabulous! And even better knowing you don't need radiotherapy

Keeping everything crossed you get a good trial TQ

Caz hot water bottles are good for the pain if you have one handy

MrsT I still have loads of makeup left from my LGFB workshop I went too, the eyebrow pencils have come in handy

The stent news isn't as good as they first thought as my kidney function blood test hasn't changed since getting new ones in so I need to get my bloods redone on Monday and if there's still no change I need to go back into hospital next week to see about getting the tubes instead. But I'm home for now so at least they didn't keep me in

No idea why that's all gone bold. My eyesight is also going rather dodgy with all the steroids

Thanks purple, I think you mentioned that before but I forgot. Dug the hot water bottle out but now my daughter has decided that she wants it! I'm having trouble warming up after going out earlier. I would normally have a very hot shower but I can't get the dressing wet. Glad that they didn't keep you in the hospital, sorry that the news isn't as good as they first thought x

Oh bugger purple I hope things improve by Monday

TQ good luck for tomorrow

Caz I'm glad you're a bit more comfortable and fingers crossed for you for Monday

Mrstraveller glad you got to a LGFB session. They're fab. When do you get your MRI results?

ranout I love hearing the rain or wind when I'm snug in bed too little things indeed.

I'm ridiculously excited as my portable oxygen machine is arriving tomorrow

Mrs Good to hear about your LGFB session, I was looking into those earlier in the week and it sounds like I should make the effort in the new year!

Leslie so nice to hear you getting out and about and yay for portable oxygen. My neighbours baby grandson stays often and obviously needs bottles too as I see them being delivered regularly; the look very unwieldy!

I'm feeling ok today thankfully and hoping I'll make it to my work do tomorrow night. I was absolutely traumatised yesterday at the thought of all the toxic fluid rattling round my veins, coupled with low level nausea I decided to just head to bed early and switch my poor brain off. I have done nothing but wee today, don't know if that's normal or just the increased volume of water I'm drinking. Still thirsty though!!

Good to hear you post op lacies are on the mend, I'm 6 weeks post mastectomy today and definitely much much better, I can even take my jumpers off properly now

Purple I hope you manage to have a decent weekend xxx

Hi Leslie

MRI results should feed into appointments with oncologist and Surgeon next week. Should help with the decision as to which op I have - mastectomy or lumpectomy. As usual with scans there is a bit of anxiety....I always fear that they see something new that wasn’t there before!

Hi,

Glad you got the stents purple fingers crossed they all behave as they should over the weekend and you don't have to switch to the tubes. I would hate to not be able to have a bath, so for that reason alone they sound bad.

Good to hear you are up & out Leslie you are sounding brighter than a week or so ago too. It is amazing what a difference it makes if you are fit enough to get out & about.

Good luck for 2mo TQ I hope you get the trial you want too. I agree re GA - I wish someone had told me too as I did cry on pretty much everyone. The nurse too who was just lovely... Like you say Leslie hopefully they are used to it!

I am ok thanks caz sore, but doing my shrug and shoulder roll excersises. The nerve pain is the worst and am also not liking the numb armpit too... The BC nurse advised shaving that armpit in front of a mirror in future as you can easily cut yourself due to the numbness, I think it could stay numb for a long while.

MrsT hopefully there are enough Christmas prep distractions so that this week will fly by a bit quicker for you. I also have a fear of something new popping up, I am hoping they will give me another CT after treatment to put my mind at rest that it has all gone at that point.
It does feel nice to know the tumour and offending node have gone now thanks to the op.

I went to my daughters music concert at school this aft, but it has wiped me out (& I only had to shuffle 100 yards or so!) I'm in bed already whilst I type this! I am not doing too many of the end of term stuff addled as it does seem to go a bit nuts & I just don't have the energy! My friend came over & sorted the kids tea and left after bath time. Mum & Dad arrive 2mo (but are staying in a B&B for a couple of nights so I have a double bed to myself for longer)

Enjoy the rest of your week in London fuzzy sounds like fun and I hope you have a good night tonight ranout...

How are you doing keepcalm, pandora and simmi? I hope not too many side effects.
I hope everyone is feeling as well as possible (apologies to anyone I have missed off, am wilting now & need to shut my eyes!)

Meant to add KBG glad the jumpers are OK to get on & off now, I am struggling with mine badly at the mo... I hope you have a good night too & the low level nausea has stopped.

Hi Noodles. Hope you have a good sleep.

Yes in a strange way I can’t wait for the op (whichever one it is) to get rid of the offending lymph nodes and lump.

I’m in bed too. Knackered after MRI. I know it’s just lying down in a tube but the whole palaver including all the waiting, partly due to the cannula issues, took about 2.5 hours.

Yeah the weird armpit thing is very strange noodles but honestly by 4 weeks or so you really will be on the mend.
Sweet dreams for now though

I knew the GCSF injections could cause aches/bone pain, but they seem to be targeting my knees of all things! Argh. My legs are already so weak. I'm dreading trying to get up the stairs for bed, so putting it off for as long as possible, but I'll have to go soon... they're absolutely throbbing I've taken paracetamol, which has at least taken the edge off.

I hope everyone sleeps well tonight.

Hello all, all ok thanks. I have been a bit better last few days so trying to get out a bit - definitely helps with the mood. With eating I go between wanting to be very healthy and just eat organic broccoli and green tea to bring a bit yolo! I’ve spent most of my adult life avoiding treats to avoid weight gain but part of me is like - screw it I’ll have the cake . Having said that are there any good tips in the taking breast cancer off the menu book KBG? I also went to a LGFB workshop last month - I got a benefit fibre gel eyebrow brush thing which is definitely coming in useful these days. Eyelashes still hanging in there for now but I imagine they’ll go when I start the taxol.

Glad you’re a bit brighter leslie and glad op went well noodles. I agree there’s so much end of term stuff - it’s exhausting! Hope everyone has a good night