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.

keepcalm the heart shaped cushions are good as you can keep them under your armpit & they cushion where it is all swollen. I think with mastectomies they are useful under the seatbelt in a car if needed.

My BC nurses had them to give out as people make & donate them at my hospital, but that isn't the case everywhere. I ended up with 2 as purple sent me one and I stupidly left it at home on the day of the op, so was also given one then too (I took Christmas cards to write, but omitted to bring my cushion!!) I sent that one to my Aunty who had her op a week after me in the end, but I have one which I can wash & send. I even slept with it under my arm for a while. Only prob is I won't get to the post office until my youngest is fit & well again. Hopefully that will be Monday, but who knows!

Enjoy! :) it's delicious.

Arnica tablets are homeopathic. Obviously if you're into homeopathy then that's fine, but it's different to the cream, which does at least contain arnica extract. I love the smell of arnica cream

With scars apparently it doesn't matter much which cream/oil you use, but the key is massaging them every day to improve blood flow and help them not get too stiff. (Once it's healed, obviously!)

Those cushions are lovely ranout :) your mum could start taking orders!

noodles sorry to hear that. We need an emergency cheese delivery service!

@WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo I like the smell of arnica too!
My mum is amazing she also made me some picc line covers! Photo attached! Once I'm sorted I'm going to arrange a fundraiser and get her and her sewing friends involved! (They don't know yet, but everyone keeps asking what they can do to help so I will ask, but just the once and go big!)

Keep Calm

Just checked and the bags are called drain dollies and I bought mine from the “Live Better with Cancer”website. However I’m not sure how essential they are. If you have any sort of small, light shoulder bag that might do as well? I only bought one. Not sure how many drains will be put in.

If you want I can let you know who I bought the heart shaped cushion from on Etsy? It wasn’t cheap ( about £20 plus postage) but it’s very nice and I’m happy with the quality of it.

I missed that photo, your cushions look fab ranout
A good idea regarding getting her sewing friends to make more...
I got a sewing machine a couple of Christmases ago and with everything that has gone on, I haven't organised lessons yet as I am not even proficient at threading the thing! I am hoping to make curtains one day!! Maybe heart pillows & drain bags will be a good start for me too

@noodles44 I've got a sewing machine but I always manage to somehow get the tension wrong! It's on my to do list to get sorted then I will make heart cushions and picc line covers etc for HODU and wherever else wants them! It will be nice to give a bit back!

Leslie yes I'm home with my feet up feeling very deflated but still anxious.
My DH is currently dishing up apple crumble and custard ice cream to cheer me up

Keep my bag was also a Drain Dollie.
I got a cheap, very soft pillow pair from Tesco which I used post op and tbh still use now - I'm a front sleeper and with only one H cup boob I sleep with it under me to balance things out

Mrs I took my bag off whilst sleeping as I didn't want to get tangled up - I wrapped my drain in a towel and slept with it next to me or on my tummy. The towel added weight so it stayed out.

Ranout I had a drain even with no reconstruction, they took it out too early (day 5) and then my body just filled up with fluid instead, which was drained 4 times so I hope you get on ok post op.

Addle your retreat sounds heavenly, I love reiki...

Hope this works. Photo of the cushion I bought from Etsy

Thanks KBG that’s a good tip about wrapping the drain in a towel at night. I think this weekend is a bit of a write off for me and my husband. I’ve got to be at the hospital at 7.30 am Monday morning and now I think the nervousness about the op is starting to kick in. I’m in bed already. Can’t concentrate on TV. Going to try to read a book.

@Mrstraveller thinking of you. You will do great. I haven't done this yet but maybe try an audiobook. When I used to run (trot) I was recommended my dad wrote a porno or something like that! Maybe that would take you mind off things!
I'll definitely ask about drains again as it seems unusual that the surgeon doesn't use them and they know I like to be organised!
I'm now in bed watching midsummer murders.
Got a very busy couple of weeks ahead which I'm thankful for!
Hope everyone has minimal side effects and lots of sleep!
Has anyone heard from pandora?

ranout. The Consultant’s all seem to have their own ways of doing things don’t they? I think it was the BCN who told me I’d be leaving the hospital with drains in. Are you having lymph nodes removed as well? If not, maybe it’s something to do with that? But I’m just speculating because I’m clueless .

Hi everyone. Long time lurker here and hope its ok to post. I've lurked for vicarious support because my brother has cancer and is terminal now. The support, advice and friendship here, especially from Lesley, is amazing. Thanks for all the encouragement I've had over the past couple of years. You really are amazing Lesley and your friendship and support is invaluable to everyone posting or lurking here. Best wishes.

Ah Mrs I hope you manage to have a good night. It's a big op psychologically and physically so be kind to yourself and do something gentle but nice tomorrow. Maybe MrTraveller could take you for a late breakfast with the papers? Xxx

@ranoutofquinoaandprosecco someone recommended that pod cast to me yesterday too! Have downloaded a few for going in on Thursday.

@Mrstraveller I'm not having a reconstruction and nobody has mentioned drains either 

@KnickerBockerGlooooory thanks for the towel tip!

Heart shaped cushion ordered and will have a look at the bags today. Coffers are running low however.....

Morning everyone else! @WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo, @purpleunicorns hope you're both as okay as can be

Am up with the pups but someone else did it yesterday so am not complaining. We had a lovely meal out with friends last night which thankfully wasn't full of cancer chat. We're going to try the pups on a small walk today. They're not supposed to be out till Tuesday but we're all together today so thought it might be nice. I'll laugh at that sentiment later when it all goes horribly wrong

@KeepCalm your puppies are gorgeous.
@Mrstraveller I think your right, when I asked the nurse about a drain bag and she said I wouldn't have drains I think it's because hopefully there no lymph node removal.
I'm off to check out dressing gowns and slippers (cheap ones as they will need binning after hospital)!
Any idea why it says on my surgery letter to have a glass of apple juice the morning of surgery?

@ranoutofquinoaandprosecco I have a list of what I can and can't have the night before/morning of the surgery and apple juice is a 'can have' as opposed to orange juice or milk. I can find it & copy it for you if you like?

I'm definitely having lymph nodes removed too so I imagine there will be drains.

And I just bought a new dressing gown but I like it, why would it need the bin as opposed to a boil wash?!

Off to buy new slippers as rather fond of mine

I’ve decided instead of slippers, I’m going to take in an ancient pair of slip on Skechers Go Walks. These can definitely be binned after hospital. The method in my madness is that I may then be able to leave the hospital wearing my pyjamas and my big parka over the top. There’s a back entrance to the hospital where DH will be able to pick me up.

I’m only going to bin the Skechers because I’ve already ruined the backs of them by using them frequently to go out to the bins without putting them on properly.

I’ve been told I can’t eat after midnight tonight but can sip water. I will miss my middle of the night tea and toast.

Thinking of you MrsTraveller .I think the time before the op is horrible .The anasthetic will be a welcome relief by contrast to the waiting .

I'm liking your exit plan .And you will of course need to buy a replacement for the Skechers .

Love to all and hoping that sleep was had by everyone .

Hope that they are getting on top of Purple's infection ,as others have said she is overdue a break .

I like Mrs exit plan too - it’s important to know how you’re gonna get out of there with least need for proper attire!!

My twopenneth worry is not to get too hung up on buying stuff that’s disposable - hospitals are supposed to be clean places after all, and any bodily fluids that get on you are likely to be your own (tho I had two drains after my surgery, threw up a couple of time’s, and managed to get away without any leaks or stains!) The one thing that might stain light coloured clothing is the iodine which they wash over your skin and might rub off onto whatever you’re wearing...

If you’re going home in a car consider having someone bring a pillow you can use to hold against your front... I felt every lump in the road (tho I did have a reconstruction so you might find that easier).

Finally I know it’s easier said than done - but try not to worry too much - I have had many ops in my day, and the mastectomy was the easiest of the lot - drains were a pain in the ass, but pain and mobility wise? No problem. And yes the anaesthetic is a blissful release if you’re anxious (like we all are I imagine!).

to you all, and hope you have a peaceful Sunday...

Sunday good wishes!

That cheesy bread looks fantastic. Thanks for the link.

Hope all goes well for the various ops and recoveries this week.

Yes, I just wash everything. Hospitals are very clean really, though they often feel dirty because of all the germy people in them I don't think I've ever actually got any bodily fluids on my slippers, despite ample opportunity.

Borntobeamum I hope you're feeling better today

purple I hope your infection is improving

Waving to everyone. Extra squeezy hugs to those worrying about surgery, or indeed anything else