It's not summer yet, but we are on cancer support thread 69. Join us if you've got cancer or are having cancer-related tests.

[WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo]

Good evening lacies and welcome to another thread. We filled the previous one rather quickly with dog stories

Hello to any new posters. Feel free to join us if you've got any sort of cancer, or if you're waiting to find out if you have it. We are always happy to share our experience and hold hands, and even happier when we get to wave goodbye to people who have had the all clear :) (please do come back and let us know either way - sometimes people just disappear into the sunset, leaving us wondering whether they were OK or not!)

It's helpful if you can post a quick (re)introduction, even if you're a regular on the thread, to save people having to remember or to refer back to previous threads. There's no need to "catch up" - just join in whenever you want to.

Sorry to hear that KeepCalm. We want and expect treatment to work don't we? But they're right in saying there's no point carrying on with something if it's not working...
I don't think mine is working very well either... Small reduction in size in the 2 largest tumours but an increase in others, which are becoming 'measurable'. Sigh. I think they'll wait until end of April, when the next scans are due and then put me a different course of treatment...

I've just started to bake SoupDragon's flapjack recipe and discovered I have no Golden Syrup! Really?! It's two years today since I was admitted to hospital and dx with ovarian cancer and I deserve a treat! I'm going to have to go out and buy some as I've already melted the butter and sugar....

Oh bum TQ I hope you have your flapjacks now. I love that recipe.

Huge hugs for KeepCalm I suppose it's better to avoid further side effects if they don't think it's having the desired result, but yet another nasty surprise for you! I hope you and the pups managed a walk.

Wombat yes, indeed only a little bit. But it's a nice treat as I don't have much appetite for food anymore.

purple I hope you've had a comfortable day at home and that the new meds are working. How did things go with your family?

Visitors today. My mum sensibly scheduled a pushy aunt at the same time as another one, so she didn't get a chance to be too intense!

Love to you all :)

Caz having to drag myself through to the hospital everyday was the worst bit of radiotherapy for, it didn't help that it was rush hour when I left and it took me an hour to get home. I think that's what makes it so tiring

Baby I think my family knew deep down but admitting it would seem like giving up if you see what I mean

Keep I hope you managed to get your electrics sorted out and that it wasn't quite as expensive as you were hoping. Would insurance cover it if not? As worrying as it is having treatment stopped it's better that they're doing it as well as they can rather than carrying on and it not being as effective as it could be. I hope you get your new plan sorted soon

Oh TQ I really hope that your treatment is just taking its time to kick in and that your scan shows an improvement in April. If not and they change treatment would it still be in the same hospital or could they move you closer? Are you still managing to drive around ok? I've had to stop driving as I wouldn't feel safe at the minute with the painkillers I'm on and I'd never forgive myself if I caused a crash. It's surprising how much I miss just being able to pop to the shops when I feel like it

And I've just bought the Bohemian Rhapsody dvd so I'm going to watch it tonight

Leslie my medication is definitely helping although the new dose of oxycodone is making me quite lightheaded, but it gets rid of the pain so I don't mind.
My granny square blanket to crochet arrived today so I'll make a start on it once I'm finished my hippo kit that I'm working on.

I'm glad you have so many visitors, I know they must get annoying at times but it's nice to know how loved you are. I don't know what my mams going to do when I die as she doesn't really have many friends and they'll only be her, my brother and son left so I'm looking for support groups to see if there's anything for bereaved parents. My brother has his partner and my son will live with him so I know they'll be ok (well ok as they can be) I just worry about my mam being lonely

Hi Everyone, not posted on thread for ages but pop in and lurk from time to time. Delurking to send my thoughts to Purple, and a wave to everyone else- I think of you often Leslie and wish you to be as peaceful and comfortable as possible- I'm so grateful that you are still keeping this thread together and I know it's somewhere I can pop into if I ever feel I need support and advice. Once you have had cancer it is never far from your mind. Lacies Forever [Star]

Hello lacies.
fresta nice to hear from you. I've been away too for ages, but always think about this place.
leslie hope your visitors kept you entertained
purple I can understand your worries re your mother. If you could involve her in your DS that would probably mean a lot to ger as well as give her a sense of purpose? Obviously, you've made your plans regarding your DS, but talk with your brother and see how they could involve her.
Best wishes for a pain free day for all

Purple I am still driving - it's just the traffic that is so awful. Oxford is dreadful. Plus there are so many cyclists and they frighten me because you never know where they're going to appear from... Though cycle lanes are well marked.

I would still be at the Churchill if they change treatment - I think I'm on the trial for good. The next option would be Olaparib plus Taxol, so tablets and IV.

Is your mum working? I'm not sure if she would be old enough to want to go to all the clubs for retired people. It's a tricky one. Can you get her into knitting and crocheting? We have a couple of places locally where people can go for a knit and natter.

Leslie I got my flapjacks in the end! I realised after going to the shop that I could have just used maple syrup... Going against the MN grain here (or should that be oat!) but I think I prefer them without condensed milk. I like mine a bit crunchier.

Bunch of feckers. Am now making flapjacks.....

My flapjacks never come out right. Might need that recipe TQ...

Been on my chemo slump this weekend... I feckin hate it. Feel like cancer is the fun police and I can't even enjoy a cup of tea. Poor DH is busy doing EVERYTHING despite his own worries and DD2 is not coping very well, not helped by the fact her mum can barely get out of bed

Sorry for the misery post. Especially when so many of you have much more serious things going on

Purple do your brother and mum live near each other? I'm sure your DS will benefit from having them both look out for him going forward xxxxx

Thanks Leslie and yes purple the traveling is a real drag. Even though I'm not driving, it's still getting to me and all the waiting around means my 15 appointment takes 4 hours or more.
I think I have exhausted myself this weekend. My friend bought me a slow cooker so I've made a huge veggie curry. But I started feeling sick, so I'm having a lay down. It sounds like my daughter is enjoying it at least. Hopefully I'll be ok in a little while so I can have some.
Really sorry about your news purple
Hope your treatment plan gets sorted soon KeepCalm.

fresta how nice to see you, i mainly lurk too, but as you say, cancer is never far from my mind. Other people have forgotten, so my work colleagues are sometimes re-surprised if i mention it
royalmama I have a bobbly lump on my collarbone, it can be in front or hidden.. every single time I have been at the hospital it has hidden. They did ultrasound it (It hid...) but assure me they believe me that it's fine. I work on the principle it hasn't changed in 2 years now and I (mostly) try not to worry about it.
Had clear mammo and smear tests in the last few weeks.
leslie and purple glad you are both as comfy as you can be, it is still so unbelievably shit that you have to go through this.

I’m an occasional reader on this thread - purple, and anyone else it might help, the charity The Compassionate Friends might give your mum support. It’s for people who have lost a child, at any age. My MIL found it useful when BIL died.

All the very best to all of you. Some of you are having an unbelievably awful time. UnMumsnetty hugs to everyone who’d benefit.

Hi Leslie and Purple - hope you’re as comfortable as you can be

Knicker - the collateral damage to our loved ones is shit, isn’t it XX

Thank you for sharing BikingBeatrix, and sorry about your BIL's death

pepper good news about your smear and mammo, and the mystery lump :)

Caz I hope you've been able to enjoy some of your curry now. When you have more energy there are lots of threads in the Food/recipes section with slow cooker recipes. Hopefully you can get a restful night's sleep ready for another week of zapping

KBG oi! Be gentle with yourself. You're all going through a shit time, but you do need to rest as much as possible

The flapjack recipe is the first reply on this thread. Sorry that it wasn't your cup of tea, TQ, especially after all the extra effort you went to!

Waving to royal and Fresta - lacies forever indeed

purple hopefully the lightheadedness will wear off with time. I'm glad it's helping though. No advice about your mam. But I know how it feels so I'm just sending a huge hug

Dropping in to say hi and hugs to all. Just in bed as only just remembered I have a 9.00am appointment at local hospital for Herceptin jab so need an early night. I then have an appointment at the Christie at 19.20 for radio. Think tomorrow is going to be a long, tiring day. Keep Calm. Never got to the bottom of why my radio was cancelled. I’ve done 4 now. Skin is starting to go a bit pinkish. I’m very tired and developing red, puffiness round my eyes. My weird nail pain is also still going on. Just small irritants in the grand scheme.

Love to all xx

Good luck tomorrow Mrstraveller. I hope you sleep well

Long day indeed Mrs. Your radio appt is late - hope you find time for a siesta this afternoon!

Leslie thanks for the reminder on the recipe xxxx

Welcome to Monday morning everyone - best go shout at some kids or we'll be late

I wrote a post yesterday, that doesn’t seem to have posted!

Basically I was bragging about my DMum’s flapjack being the best ever.

And I’d been hideously active yesterday - last time was about the time of leslie’s cheesy kitchen visit. Hoping to odd excursion round the house might still be possible!

Love to everyone, and hope the coming week is uncomplicated for all

TQ I'm glad you're managing to drive still, it's full of bloody cyclists here too who apparently don't understand what the cycle lanes are for

My mams only 55 and both her and my brother work full time but they aren't really close, although I'm hoping that will change. They only live 20 minutes away from each other and my mam is finally trying to make more effort with us. Even though she only lives 5 minutes up the road from me we used to go months without seeing each other

Good to hear from you Pepper and iVampire

Thanks Biking, I'll look into that

I hope today doesn't drag on too long MrsT

Thanks @Mrstraveller still no call from the hospital other than an apt with the oncologist next week

Have now made myself sick eating cheese & onion crisps and kit kat bites🙄😳

So sorry to hear your news Purple I'm glad your son can live with your brother. I hope you are not in too much pain.

I was PenguinPandas before but now we have a couple of indoor rabbits. We don't have indoor penguins and pandas unfortunately, only DSs large toy ones

Hope Leslie and her rabbits are as well as can be too.

Hi everyone,

Sorry I am sleeping so much or charging around after children that I keep losing track of who is doing what.

Well done for telling your family purple & like you say, hopefully if there is any silver lining to your situation it is that it will bring your Mum & brother closer together eventually.

Leslie that flapjack recipe is very good & gooey... my girls both think it is too sweet sadly, so I do one from.an Alleges McEvedy cookbook with just butter & syrup. I am fancying a flapjack now & will have to make some 2mo!! I ordered the Green roasting Tin too finally yesterday, so looking forward to perusing That & making some of the dishes. My friend has given me a recipe from her Ottolenghi cookbook of a peppercorn tofu dish which is apparently delicious (there is no way the girls will eat that tho!!)

I hope you are feeling ok knicker I have lost track as to when your last chemo was. How many more do you have to go?

cazy & mrst how are you finding radio?
My nipple skin looks to be peeling off a week after my last one. It is bloody sore and have a cushioned plaster type thing over my nipple at the mo as even putting a vest on brushing on it is so sore! The rest of my skin is ok mainly. Just stabby pain in my boob & armpit, but apparently all normal. Not too bad in the scheme of things though thankfully.

keepcalm what day is your onc appt next week? I hope they come up with another plan swiftly for you.i hope you are feeling less sick after munching the KitKat bites. My guilty pleasure is peanut m&m's & I can devour a (big) bag in one sitting. I think I have done well if it lasts 2 days! Yum

Best wishes to everyone & sorry for not remembering much. The radio has knocked me out. So glad I am no longer doing the 2hrs of driving each day to & fro hospital. My iPad is still doing a constant refresh when on the internet, so am managing on my phone which is not quite as easy to post from! Anyway, hopefully I will get on top of keeping up with it again fairly soon. Off to bed now (this is a late night these days!!)

Xx

@noodles44 the Onc apt is for my MRI results. I phoned and said I wasn't in the mood to wait till 13th May!

Am hoping to hear from radiotherapy tomorrow 🤞🏻

I made it!! Still very early days but feeling positive x x

Born - great to hear!