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.

Just popping in as an ex poster here to say don't be ashamed babayagga ! We've all been there and we've all had ,and have ,days where we perfectly understandably feel sorry for ourselves .
Would be v odd not to in the circs wouldn't it ?

And I think every single person on here would agree that the process of having tests and waiting for results is a special sort of hell .It completely dominates every waking moment and gives you no peace .
Even getting bad news is better than no news as then you can get on with stuff and plan .

Don't compare your position to that of others ,it doesn't make your suffering less .Just try and keep busy - I always envied those who were drawn to cupboard cleaning at these times .My response was always to eat my body weight in sugary food! Get outside if you can ?

.+

Sending love to everyone else and apologies for not name checking .

Tho purple that sound awful - pulling on tubes and the ?sciatica .I so hope pain relief can be tweaked to work !

Love to our infinite Leslie as well .

Oh Twitter just read your last post .What a bugger ! If you need any help with the screaming and shouting just say the word . Or even with pulling the duvet more firmly over your head .

I hope you're in less pain today MrsT
*
TQ* hopefully it just takes a while to start working and your scan results will see an improvement

Oh Keepcalm that's a lovely blanket. I got one in the summer and I love it, it's so cosy

Baby I'm sure we were all kicking and wailing at one point, I know I was while I was waiting for results. This part is honestly the worst part and you'll feel much more in control once you get your results back

I slept much better last night although my leg woke me up at 6:00 this morning. I start my steroids today so hopefully they'll help although I'm hoping I dont put on another 2 stone like I did last time I was on steroids

Thinking of you Leslie, it's freezing here so I hope you're nice and warm and comfortable

Ahhh why is everything in bold?!

purple your post looked fine to me. So glad you had a better night

babayagga - this waiting and uncertainty is the hardest thing. If you can find things to distract yourself it can help a bit. Just be kind to yourself

baba don’t be fooled- we’re all falling apart! actually though as everyone said, the waiting is awful so actually in a lot of ways you have it worst right now. Mortgages and houses sort themselves out (IF there is a problem) and support appears from where you don’t expect it. Just worry about getting to and through the colonoscopy. I’m sorry I’ve been useless- when are you scheduled for?

@babayagga we're all up for a pity party here too so don't feel you have to chipper if you're not!

I haven't made it out of bed. Have wished DH well and on his way. He has an interview today and if he doesn't get this he will be devastated. Cross everything ladies, everything x

Keep Calm

Keeping everything crossed for your husband's interview.

I had an 08.50 appointment at the GP. We tried to go in my car, got it defrosted and everything, my husband reversed out and then we couldn't get it up the hill of our road due to snow/ice. He just about managed to get it back on the drive. We then went in his which is a bigger, heavier car and managed ok. He is supposed to be working from home but has now decided my car is useless in the ice/snow (which it is) and is googling 4x4s.

I think there is a small improvement in the swelling and consequent reduction in pain over the last couple of days. I am managing to sleep ok.

xx

Sorry you're in so much pain purple I hope they can get that under control ASAP

Waving to everyone else

I was really drowsy all day yesterday. I dozed through my auntie's visit but it was lovely to have them here. I'm a bit more awake today but feeling quite melancholy so not sure if I'd be better being asleep!

Morning @WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo your allowed to feel melancholy. Is there anything we can talk about to change your feelings?
@purpleunicorns don't worry about the steroid weight gain - more of you to love! And I hope your pain has been sorted out.
@Mrstraveller is there a new car in the offing then?
@KeepCalm Everything crossed for your DH, let's hope for some fab news. Will he find out today?
@babayagga As the others have said the waiting is the worst. I haven't got a baby mine are 5 and 8 and we've no family locally either. We have been amazed with the amount of support from friends locally and school mums (and dad's) I've had all my chemo and surgery and my DH hasn't had to take any time off work. He's managed to work from home when I've needed him close by. When you know what's definitely going on, speak to your cancer nurse and they should point you in the right direction if you need financial help. Everything does fall in place.
@TwitterQueen1 blinking markers need to start behaving themselves don't they! I hope you've better news at your next appointment.
To everyone else, waves. Hope your all wrapped up. It's minus 5 here today but no snow and sunny so I've had a walk into town and back (fuelled by a coffee and toasted tea cake stop)! DH was beginning to get worried as I said I'd ring for a lift home but I was on a roll! I'll be napping to something crap on tv soon enough!

Ah bollox I have a 'pocket' of fluid under my left arm which, if I poke, moves through to my (non existent) breast.

I'm going to have to go get that drained amin't I

@ranoutofquinoaandprosecco he'll find out fairly quickly but probably tomorrow. It's more of a yes/no situation for promotion within his organisation.

*Keep Calm”. I had some fluid drained on Monday by the BCN and it didn’t hurt as everything is numb down there anyway.

Thanks @Mrstraveller I just don't know if am wasting their time but have phoned and left a message asking them for a call back.

I was only just examined on Tuesday but they said there wasn't anything worth draining at that point.

Maybe it's my imagination but I feel there's a 'pouch' that's movable if that makes sense?!

keepcalm my DP is also waiting for result of a job interview. He should find out today. It’s partly why I kept my symptoms a secret until now- didn’t want him worried and distracted. But now if he doesn’t get the job, all he’ll have to look forward to is my colonoscopy

Which, by the way, is on Wednesday. I’ll have to stop breastfeeding for two days, so we know there’ll be lots of crying and sad accusing looks from DD.

Oh @babayagga that's rubbish sorry.

Will keep my fingers crossed for them both.

Am going in to see the breast care nurses at 2pm today. His interview is 1.30 in another city so will just not mention till he's home

Thought you ladies might get a giggle out of this.

Love it @babayagga!

ranout - I don't really want to spend loads on a new car as now I'm not working, I really only tootle around the locality. My car is an Astra and has everything I want/need, it has just proved itself on a couple of occasions not to be great in the snow and ice which we still seem to get quite a lot of up here (I'm not far from the Peak District).

My husband needs little incentive to spend hours looking at Autotrader online.

If I didn't have all these medical appointments to go to, I would just not go out on these days or just walk to the local shops if I needed anything desperately.

On the other hand given the shit cancer has thrown my way this year maybe I should just spend the money!

xx

@Mrstraveller I'm the same. I'm West Yorkshire and can walk into our little town no problem. I'm not usually interested in cars but after my diagnosis my DH took me to the mini garage and ordered me a convertible! He basically said I know you always wanted one, why wait! I didn't want to argue! We've both kind of put life especially finances on hold the last few years, mainly so that if either of us lost our jobs etc we'd be ok but I think we've both realised we need to find a balance between having savings to fix the boiler and enjoying ourselves! The kids are enjoying the meals out and takeaways we now have!

@ranoutofquinoaandprosecco I test drove the mini and LOVED it!! There are 5 of us and two Dogs so no :(

Then again I have just given back my 9seater long wheel based ford van

Fluid drained and I was very brave and didn't watch or look LOL

If anyone else needs to get it done it it utterly painless and takes seconds, promise

Keep I had mine drained 4 times before it settled down, thankfully not painful except for the parking charges!

I had a mini clubman on 48h test drive early December - absolutely loved it and even the large Labrador got in the boot! Maybe a nice shiny new car will come my way this year

Still feeling quite diabolical BUT I did pick up my posh new boob this morning...

@KnickerBockerGlooooory it was the clubman I had. Weren't the seats SO comfy!?!

Tell us about your posh boob! Am still working away with my 'softie'

KBG - drained 4 times?! Remind me how long is it since you had your op? In what way are you still feeling bad? Don't worry it won't upset me just like to be prepared!

I've got an appointment for the prosthetic thing next week.

I might have a look at new cars online tonight - I do like looking but when it comes to going to garages and test driving, I lose interest. I tend to keep my cars for years and years because these days I can't be arsed with the hassle of changing them (showing my age).

Keep Calm. glad you found the draining to be painless.