New year, new thread - cancer support thread 68 - join us if you have cancer, or are waiting for cancer-related tests

[WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo]

Hello everyone,

Welcome to the new thread. Our previous one is here.

Anyone with any cancer is welcome, or anyone waiting for tests because they might have cancer. If you're new, just jump in wherever. Don't feel you need to catch up with previous posts. We talk a lot! Ask any questions you need to. Someone will hopefully have an answer. And feel free to post photos of cute pets too.

Whether you're new or not, it's helpful to post a little introduction on the new thread to save people trying to remember everyone's different diagnosis and treatment.

Standby

This is all very useful info so thank you for posting. I’m reassured by what you’ve said about pain levels. I’m scheduled for my mastectomy on Monday (delayed reconstruction).

Xx

Morning lacies just caught up with the thread. It was my DDs 8th birthday yesterday so I was stuffing my face with pizza!
Fab news @Namechangeforthiscancershit and @iVampire
I can't remember who mentioned they liked running and hoped to be back but I had my picc line removed on Wednesday and went to a spin class Thursday morning. Totally bonkers but great to be back in the saddle!
@purpleunicorns we need this pesky infection to do one for you now. You must be really fed up. Have they said when they think you can go home?
@WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo I've been neglecting my craft lately. My DD has taken up the mantle as such as she got a knitting bag with supplies for her birthday!
@StandByYourTesselators Thanks for the info. I'm waiting for a date for my mastectomy they said it would be 4/5 weeks after my last chemo and I'm 2 weeks in. I had an mri last Monday so if I don't get a date by Tuesday I'm going to harass them! I want to be organised!
Anyone with breast cancer in Yorkshire? I visited Haven in Leeds yesterday. I won't be for everyone but from yesterday's initial meeting I found it useful. I'm back next week and having aromatherapy and seeking a nutritionalist and then the week after a herbalist. You get 6 free sessions and then can pay for any extras.
Hope everyone else is as ok as you can be and side effects aren't too bad.

Leaving shortly for my endoscopy and colonoscopy. The Moviprep was awful and I struggled to drink it all but forced myself 🤢
I have to admit I'm feeling pretty terrified so any positive thoughts or prayers would be appreciated x x x 🤞

borntobe ugh the prep is so gross isn’t it? In my case, loads worse than the procedure itself but I know that varies for different pe

What time are they heading in? (Sorry )

Great news namechange, i-vamp and toofar glad no throwing up on or nearby the fit doctor too I had a bit of a soft spot for my anaethetist, but when he visited after the op when I thanked him and told him I only knew I had had the op as my throat felt slightly sore (from the tubes which he had warned me about) He squeezed my hand and said oh bless you and I burst into tears! Note to all about to have ops, the GA makes you very emotional as you come round!!

MrsT I slept with the drain in the drain bag (upon advice from the BC nurse) which worked well for me. Also yes yes to keeping up with pain relief even if you are not that uncomfortable.

ranout well done for getting back to spinning. I bet it felt good to be back in the saddle again...
I have a cross trainer I am going to get back into this month, then I plan to join a gym to do classes too (am waiting until after radio for that but will get my strength up with the cross trainer first) I am going to try to do some Pilates & yoga too at the cancer centre so I can see what is best for me to do & what to avoid following the op for future reference. I have heard that the downward dog position is not recommended due to the lymphodema risk if no nodes...

purple you must be so cheesed off to still be in hospital. I hope they get this infection under control and you get out ASAP. Is the private room making your stay better or is it more boring with no one else to chat to? Are you doing more crochet whilst there? You must have 2 zoos worth of animals by now if so. I hope you get some good news soon.

Fingers crossed for your numbers TQ at the next check.

Glad you are able to busy yourself with the crochet & knitting Leslie and managing to forget you are ill too. That is a nice bonus. You are probably right re cheese. My indulgent cheese treat is a baked Camembert. I chop up chillies, rosemary & add Mediterranean oil too & put on top of the cheese as it bakes and it is scrummy! I may have to stick some on my food order as I have made myself hungry now!

Poorly child update, the eldest is improving but still has no appetite, the youngest refused to eat last night, felt sick and has a temperature too. I think it will be an indoor weekend getting them over whatever this lurgy is... A good job my mum & dad took my dog to theirs for a while!

Have a good Saturday everyone x

Good luck borntobe let us know how you get on. I hope it is not too horrendous x

Morning again, can I please ask for some advice. I've just got a date for my mastectomy 23 Jan (a week on Wed). It's taken me a bit by surprise as I was expecting it to be later Jan/beginning Feb. Anyway how long did it take before you were back driving? I won't rush myself but I need to put plans in place! Thank you.

All prepped and cannula installed for whatever I can have 😔

purple that really sucks. I hadn't heard of VRE, but it sounds nasty. No wonder you feel rough.

Good luck Borntobe

noodles I hope they both feel better after a restful weekend. That baked Camembert sounds lovely. I like to dip radishes in it, which my family think is weird. I'm trying not to eat too much dairy at the moment because of this cough

Waving to everyone

ranout well done for getting to spin class. That's fantastic

ranout they said at least 2 weeks to me (no driving) but after that it is when you feel you would be able to do an emergency stop and look over your shoulder safely. I drove 17 days after for the first time (in fairness, 2 weeks after was Xmas day, so driving wasn't on the cards then...)

Does anyone want a heart pillow for cushioning? I am happy to send mine on if needed by anyone...

Leslie I must be weird too, I like the sound of radishes in cheese!
I dip a combo of any of the following tiny new potatoes, raw carrots, cucumber, custy French stick and water crackers usually. Sorry your cough is keeping you from enjoying cheese in abundance though.

Thanks @noodles44 I'm a control freak so need to be organised. It's my pesky kids and their after school activities! I can definitely ask for some help with lifts for a couple of weeks if my DH can't be at home. He'll try but it's not much notice for him to be off work as such!

That Camembert sounds fab. I've got a whole one I got for £1 in the fridge, I may have to bake it tomorrow evening!

Ranout I was driving at 2 weeks.

I bought one of those little shoulder bags from the website someone suggested on here (think it might have been KBG). I’ve also bought a heart shaped cushion from someone who makes them on Etsy.

Also have new pair of pyjamas (badly needed!)

Will be packing bag tomorrow. I’ve been told to bring an overnight bag in case I have to stay in.

Read up thread that some yoga moves not recommended if you have no nodes. I used to be pretty fit before my diagnosis and did quite a lot of gym work including, weights, press-ups, plank and yoga, Pilates. As I will have no lymph nodes on left side does anyone know if this really restricts you exercise wise? Obviously would like to avoid the lymphodoema (sp?) thing if at all possible.

Xx

@Mrstraveller you sound all organised. I've had a hospital bag packed since I was diagnosed so I need to see what I shoved in there! My lovely mum has made me a couple of the heart shaped pillows.
I asked about drains and because I've opted for no reconstruction this surgeon doesn't usually use drains?! I'll ask again when I have my pre op meeting on Friday.
It was a bit of a surprise getting the letter today to say op is a week on Wednesday and my first instinct was to put it off for a couple of weeks but I've accepted it now. As we all know t could be much, much worse.
Anyway to take my mind off things I'm off to look at a house tomorrow! My poor DH!

@ranoutofquinoaandprosecco I've been told two weeks too.

I can ask one of my best friends who is a yoga instructor regards nodes. She's brand new qualified but am sure she'll find out. Our local Maggies centre do 'gentle' yoga classes too so I could ask there?

@Mrstraveller I've got my new jammies too, I normally sleep in An old T-shirt or vest top so time for grown up nightwear lol

Hope all went smoothly born - I personally think the bowel prep (I had an enema too) was worse than the thing itself - being tipped upside down (sort of ) on a bed whilst you clench to keep the fluid in is no joke! And then walking across the ward to the loo hoping you don't expel the lot on the floor before you get there is also somewhat anxiety inducing - colonoscopy was a breeze after that (and sedation was quite nice too...)

I am at a lovely yoga retreat, finding it hard to calm my brain but relaxing a lot nevertheless whilst DH is late for things and getting cross with the kids - so far only one call from another parent wondering why he's not been picked up in time, but he still has a party to be collected from

I now have no appointment next week (because consultant gave me all info on phone) and can't be bothered to call the nurse for more info as I don't think she would be helpful... I am working out what to put in an email to the consultant which I will do next week. Just had reiki and she put a little crystal over the area where it hurts and gave me some hints for visualising making the inflammation go away so in the absence of a functional magic wand, I shall try it!

Hope you're feeling a bit more comfortable purple and you too Leslie.

to all the lovely Lacies!

@Mrstraveller what's the shoulder bag and which website?

I haven't a heart shaped cushion either, are they recommended?

And I forgot to ask about taking arnica. I'd normally start that about 5 days before an op to aid recovery. I suppose not having had any chemo since Dec 1st it won't make a difference?

@addlebrained yoga retreat sounds lovely. I keep meaning to go on one but am Lardy and not very good so worry about showing myself up

Oh no KeepCalm you mustn't let that sort of worry stop you! All shapes and sizes here and it's just about relaxation - take the plunge!! I have done many fitness boot camps and there really is a full range of people there - often the 'beautiful' or 'perfect' looking ones are not nearly as nice as everyone else so you just speak to who is nicest and don't worry about appearances, I have found...

@addlebrained I know. I'm just a chicken lol

A chicken that's googling heart shaped cushions lol

Update - the endoscopy shows a large hiatus hernia and Barretts oesophagus 😥 I will be called back at 6 monthly intervals for repeat endoscopies to ensure it doesn't develop into Cancer. They took 10 biopsies.
The colonoscopy had to be abandoned as my bowel was too stiff for get the camera round even with entenox and 2 lots of sedation. (Diverticulitis) I was physically sick during the procedure which wasn't pleasant. I'm being fast tracked for a CT scan to see the rest of my bowel.
Thank you for your support x

Borntobe sorry that it wasn't an all clear, but it's good they've caught that early so they can monitor you. The whole experience sounds very unpleasant. I hope you are home with your feet up now fingers crossed for the CT scan. Have you had one before? It should be much less traumatic than the colonoscopy!

addle enjoy your retreat

noodles and ranout I can recommend . I love garlic so I always use lots. Then I serve it with cherry tomatoes, radishes, spring onions, cucumber, carrot, pepper, and celery, for those weirdos who like it.

OMG Leslie I most definitely need that in my life... Gutted as have 2 poorly kids who have now stripped to their pants as hot and there is no way I can take them out whilst I buy a Camembert now!! That looks delish ...

Addled that retreat sounds just the job. I have never looked into them before, but a friend of mine has done them. I think that is something I may need to research in the future. It sounds very relaxing, enjoy X

Omg @WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo I so need that hedgehog on my life! I'm making it next week!
@Borntobeamum what a horrid procedure but at least it's over and done with. I hope your home with your feet up soon.
@addlebrained a retreat sounds amazing. I may have to have a look later!
@KeepCalm I've tried to attach a photo of the cushions my lovely mum has made me. I haven't heard about arnica but I'm very interested. I'll see what I can find out and post back. I used to use the cream for all sorts of bruising! If heard the tablet form is very good. By the way I've been using bio oil but as a gel the last couple of days. Mainly because my skins really dry but I also thought I'd trial it for any scars! It's really good on my skin so I'd recommend it!
Waves to everyone else.