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Original poster

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

999 replies

WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo · 07/01/2019 13:33

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.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
19
Borntobeamum · 09/02/2019 19:35

I really don't think I can keep it from them. We live away from them and visit frequently as my mum has also been ill and hospitalised. The hospital is 20 miles from me and planning time off for my husband is difficult. Our children know. But are sworn to secrecy but are finding it difficult not to mention it.
It will be sheer devastation for them. I know. I'm the strong, coper of the family x

FuzzyWhiteLegs · 09/02/2019 20:34

Leslie that sounds horrid... I hope you can manage to prop yourself up so that you don’t wake up feeling squished. How are you feeling otherwise? Are you comfortable? You are in my thoughts many times a day, and I am sending you so much love.

FuzzyWhiteLegs · 09/02/2019 20:53

Thanks for the sympathy re my rogue implant, purple, toofar and madrose... it’s just one of those things that can happen apparently... It doesn’t cause much pain tho, and it’s just a cosmetic complication, so it’s more a psychological knock than anything (apart from the need for another surgery, and having to revisit the whole reconstruction situation again - grrrrr).

Glad to hear of people’s surgeries that have gone well... toofar you sound like you are doing amazingly well with getting moving. I hate having catheters so I’m very impressed at your ‘strap em down and let’s go’ attitude!

purple have the patches helped your pain at all? I hope you get to try your blanket out soon, and that is it as comforting as it sounds!

Flowers to everybody - I’m hope everyone is having a peaceful evening, staying cosy out of this wind!

Toofaroutallmylife · 10/02/2019 14:33

Ah Fuzzy - the pub is a 10 minute walk from my house, so I had a goal (smashed it Grin)

addlebrained · 10/02/2019 16:51

Thinking of all of you lacies - Leslie in particular Glitterball

myrtleWilson · 10/02/2019 18:10

Hello lovely lacies... I hope you have all had restful weekends where needed and a good old knees up where you've felt like you needed that too.
A couple years ago Leslie was a huge help to me as both my mom and sister were diagnosed and died from cancer. So I wanted to pop by and say thank you (again) for all the support you gave me when I felt completely powerless and helpless. You're amazing. I hope your gravity blanket is keeping you in a warm embrace.
And I also wanted to say Happy Birthday Leslie - I hope your day has been full of love x

LillianFullStop · 10/02/2019 18:17

Joing this thread all - waiting on breast biopsy results this week. doctors at the clinic have not said anything definite probably to avoid worrying me without being sure first but in addition to the biopsy I’ve had an MRI referral (delayed until my period comes in case I am PG). They said it was because the couldn’t see well in the mammogram and ultrasound due to dense breast tissue. But the terms “very concerning”, “radiologically concerning”, “indeterminate” were used. Can’t help but think they know it’s something bad but don’t want to say the “C” word just yet. Has anyone been told cancer or likelihood of cancer in the first appointment or is it standard to not confirm anything until biopsy tests come back?

I know I’m probably overthinking and reading into things but it’s hard with nothing to go on until the results come back.

Flowers to all

CazY777 · 10/02/2019 19:23

Hi @LillianFullStop, sorry that you find yourself here. I think it is standard not to confirm anything until the biopsy results come back, at that is the only way they know for certain. I was told, however, that my lump looked 'iffy' by the sonographer when I had the ultrasound. Waiting for the results is awful I know, the only thing that helped me was trying to keep busy. Once you know, and if is cancer, they put a plan in place and things move quickly in my experience.

motherlondon · 11/02/2019 07:38

Lesley, I hope you are comfortable enough to have a beautiful day with your sister.

LIllian, sorry you are going through this. Thinking back I reckon the doctor who took the biopsy was pretty certain my lump was breast cancer, just thinking back to some of the questions he asked and a fleeting look on his face when I said my very young children's ages.

My GP confirmed it a few days later at an appointment he brought forward a few days, so I knew it was bad then.

Try not to read too much into reports - my sister has had that exact terminology but they have been cysts.

Even if it is the lower odds and cancer, just take one thing at a time and do not google or read reports, every person and every cancer is different so you're not a number on a computer screen.

Good luck.

likeazebra · 11/02/2019 09:58

Hi lacies

Hope you are all having a day as good as possible.

I'm having a panic and hoping someone can talk me down and tell me I'm being daft!

As you may remember at my latest surveillance scan I was told my uterus had gone bulky, this was 6 months after my previous scan so I'm thinking that's pretty quick! The oncologist has asked my GP to do TVS and ultrasound to have a better look as he is a bowel specialist. Anyway that was December and my GP hasn't been in touch / sent a letter etc so I've booked an appointment but can't get in for two weeks.

However I am feeling panicked because although I have gained a little weight my trousers are baggy on my legs and I am having to do my bra up tighter however I can't stand waistbands across my stomach as it's really uncomfortable. I feel a fullness in my stomach and yesterday have (sorry if TMI) started with really runny clear discharge. It is like water and as I was out yesterday and had no pads it made my knickers and trousers wet as if I had wet myself (I hadn't or certainly had no sensation of doing so.)

Anyone with experience of this either as a cancer symptom or a benign reason?

likeazebra · 11/02/2019 10:15

Sorry by benign reasons I mean like the menopause? That's what I have been telling myself until I have reached panic.

TwitterQueen1 · 11/02/2019 10:26

Zebra
I am of no help at all but didn't want to read and run. The full stomach and added stomach weight would ring alarm bells for me but I have no experience of the discharge... could you perhaps have wet yourself a little but with no sensation? I don't want to alarm you but you're right to push for the US and TVS.

Leslie I hope you are enjoying your day with your sister.

purpleunicorns · 11/02/2019 12:42

Fuzzy I hope you manage to get your boob sorted out soon, have they told you how long until they can operate on it?
The patches seemed to be helping but I woke up in agony last night with my leg, it always gets worse on a night for some reason Confused

Lillian I was told that it was likely cancer at my first appointment but every hospitals different, some doctors want you to be prepared and some don't want to worry you unnecessarily. Hopefully yours is nothing to worry about Thanks

Oh Zebra hopefully if they haven't been in touch since December that means they aren't too worried. I have the discharge thing too but I have neuropathy and don't have much sensation down there at times. Try and keep busy until your appointment, I know the waiting around is awful

I find out this afternoon if I can get on the trial, if not then there's nothing else they can do for me. Then I don't know what happens, do I just get sent home to die? Or will they give me any treatment for my symptoms? I'm not scared of dying but I hate the thought of my family seeing me in pain Sad

PenguinPandas · 11/02/2019 12:59

Hope you get on the trial Purple, I am sure they will do as much as they can for pain relief.

Hope you are having a nice day with your sister Leslie

FuzzyWhiteLegs · 11/02/2019 13:01

Purple love... you should absolutely get treatment for your symptoms... and waking in agony isn’t right. Will you have a chance to speak to someone about your pain today? Or is it just about the trial? I will have my fingers crossed that you get some helpful news. Flowers

My boob will be sorted soon thank you - I have surgery booked for a week today. It’s not a big deal in the scheme of things!

Original poster
WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo · 11/02/2019 13:16

purple good luck today Flowers whatever happens you'll still get treatment for your symptoms. They won't just abandon you. Though it does feel weird to be cut loose after being on the cancer treadmill for so long.

Fuzzy good that you don't have long to wait :)

Fingers crossed for you, likeazebra and Lillian

Waving to everyone else.

OP posts:
Namechangeforthiscancershit · 11/02/2019 13:23

purple I will be thinking of you this afternoon FlowersFlowers

Borntobeamum · 11/02/2019 13:34

update
I can officially join you. Colon cancer diagnosis this morning.
Thoracic CT SCAN tomorrow.
Looking to operate in 3-4 weeks after I see my heart consultant.

Despite this not being what I wanted to hear, I'm relieved that I now for definite and there is a plan for me.
I'd rather have been able to say Au revoir and bonne chance, but hey how.
Can you find me a nice seat x x

likeazebra · 11/02/2019 13:44

Purple good luck for today, I hope it goes well.

Thank you Tq I am worried but hopeful it will be the menopause or fibroids. Stood here I look 4 or 5 months pregnant which I definitely am not.

Thank you Leslie hope you are having a good day.

So sorry you need to be here Born there is lots of fabulous support here and I'm sure someone will be along to help more specifically. I had a tumour removed along with half my bowel but it wasn't bowel cancer it was Neuroendocrine which although still malignant was thankfully slow growing.

likeazebra · 11/02/2019 13:45

Glad your boob will be sorted soon Fuzzy

Toofaroutallmylife · 11/02/2019 13:46

Borntobe - sorry to hear that, but it’s good you have a plan xx

Dulcedelecherocks · 11/02/2019 13:53

Born sorry your diagnosis is confirmed but like you say once you have a plan in place you feel a lot more in control.

There are quite a few of us in the colon / bowel cancer club so hopefully between us we will be able to answer any questions you may have. We have al had bowels chopped off followed by chemo.

Purple I'm saying a little prayer for you to get into the trial.

Leslie hello my lovely xxx

purpleunicorns · 11/02/2019 14:12

Born sorry you have to be here but this thread has been invaluable to me and is full of support when you need to have a rant or a cry. We have plenty of comfy seats for you and please ask if you do have any questions as there's always someone on here who will have an answer. Have you told your parents yet?

Namechangeforthiscancershit · 11/02/2019 14:38

Born so sorry to hear that, but the waiting and wondering is over and you can crack on with the plan. If I can do this, anyone can.

I’m another one in team bowel, though in fact my primary hasn’t been taken out, so I can’t tell you anything about the op.

How were the team this morning? Do you feel like you’re in good hands?

FuzzyWhiteLegs · 11/02/2019 14:45

Borntobe welcome... I hope you are doing ok this afternoon.