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.

And for AllOverTheWorld (AllOver feels a slightly inappropriate nickname )- wishing you strength and serenity. Oddly, it gets a bit better once you have A Plan, I think x

Just wondered if anyone has heard from leslie?
💕

We've flushed a few lurkers out lately and I'm just wondering if there are any men out there reading but not writing. If so, you are more than welcome . This thread is on the General Health board and we do not discriminate .

I was in 4-bed ward today, which made a very pleasant change to the usual private side-room, and 3 of us had a lovely chat. (4th person didn't turn up 'til much later. One of the patients was a young man with lung cancer who'd already had one lung removed and is being treated for cancer in the second. I got the impression he found it good to talk to others who know what it's like to have cancer.

I much prefer being in a ward with other people, although I normally get stuck in side room as I'm usually there with some infection or other.

I've just checked (stalked ) Leslie's Facebook and she was online an hour ago so hopefully she's sleeping or having nice visitors

I've managed what was probably my last trip to the seaside today for fish and chips and ice cream with my poor husband pushing me around in my wheelchair when I got phonecall to say my mams had a heart attack. Luckily it wasn't a big one so they're hoping to manage it with medication

Aah Purple- you can’t beat fish and chips at the seaside! That’s one thing I miss since we moved down South from the North East!
Hope your Mum’s ok.
Feeling really frustrated as DD refused to go for her hospital checkup today. I know she was tired from Tuesday’s chemo but she missed chemo too last week.
Rant over!

Oh purple I’m sorry to hear about your mum. I hope she recovers OK.

Sometimes I just want to shout “No, that’s fine - just make my life HARDER!”

I’ve been off the thread trying to get my head round a few things.

We found out last week DS will need an operation on his leg over the summer- it’s good news in that it will make his mobility better in the long run but I still worry about him.

Also my mum went back to her own home from a care home last week and it’s not going well- I had lots of late night and early calls from paramedics, neighbours etc. I went to visit for the weekend and it was a nightmare.

As for myself I’m in a weird limbo between recovering from the op and starting immunotherapy. And crying a lot. I’m getting a psychologist referral so that may help.

Sorry for the self-centred post. It’s been good to hear from those who have finished treatment. Hope everyone else is doing as well as they can

@Toofaroutallmylife absolutely NO need for apologies. That's a whole lotta shit going on there on top of your own health. 

@purpleunicorns sorry to hear about your mum too, hope she's doing okay overnight 

@TwitterQueen1 nice to have some company! I don't find myself at ease with my own thoughts at all these days 

Morning all else!

@WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo never far from my thoughts darling.

I'm on my 9th radiotherapy session today. I have Sat/Sun 'off' but back up at the hospital for DD1 getting an MRI on her hips.

Doing okay but was in my bed by 8pm last night. Not sure if it's the rads or the fact I did two long walks with the pups yesterday.

Have a VAT inspection as well as Rads next week. That should be a fecking laugh

Purple so sorry to hear about your mum. I hope she's recovering well. It never ends does it .

And what joy KeepCalm - rads and VAT.

Waving to everyone and wishing you all a good day and a restful weekend.

One year since my diagnosis was confirmed. Feel so sad and overwhelmed. I told dd (5) that one year ago mummy was very poorly and she said yay you're not poorly anymore and I don't want you to ever die. I've spent the morning silently crying in her bed while she slept.

Oh dulce that broke my heart reading that. Xx

Dolly is there a reason she refused to go to her appointment? Do you think she's trying to bury her head in the sand or is she worried about what they'll say? It must be really frustrating when all you want is the best for her. Does she have a Macmillan nurse she can talk to? I have one and he's absolutely amazing, I can talk to him about anything that's worrying me and he always has an answer

That sounds tough Toofar, can your mum get carers to see her a couple of times a day if she's struggling so much? You already have so much to deal with

Oh Dulce that made me cry I'm so sorry you feel so sad and wish there was something I could do/say to make you feel better. I know it's not the same as being there in person but we're all here for you whenever you need to rant about how bloody unfair cancer is

Thanks for the well wishes for my mam, they're transferring her to a different hospital for a scan to see if she needs a stent fitting. She's the most stubborn woman I know and is already talking about going back to work

Sending love to Leslie 💜

Oh @Dulcedelecherocks massive MASSIVE love from me. My 10yr old is so happy that my cancer is 'gone' since my surgery.... it's the most heartbreaking but isn't it

9/15 rads done.

A little running about for work done.

Collapsed in heap on couch done.

Laughing at DH who has discovered the kids have been eating his home wheat biscuits but turning the packet round so he didn't notice. Done

So sorry Dulce - children can break your heart, can’t they?

keepcalm - another one down! Enjoy the sofa and your amusement at your DH’s expense! Thanks for your kind words earlier

purple glad your mum is sounding strong- I think your mum and my mum could probably have a “most stubborn mother” face off! My mum has carers going in 4 times a day (but forgets they’ve been). It’s the nights that are the big problem- her social worker arranged a night sitter for her on Monday but mum claims she didn’t know so called the police when the poor woman arrived!

@Allovertheworld64 I had cervical cancer over five years ago. It was diagnosed quite suddenly and they told me it’s usually much more slow-growing than mine was. From what you describe, it sounds like your abnormalities, whatever they may be, are certainly taking it slow! I was 27 when diagnosed; they removed my cervix and stitched the top of my vagina to my womb, and I managed to have a completely normal pregnancy after . So, my guess is, they’re making you see an oncologist to rule cancer out. Worst-case scenario, it is cancer at a very early stage, since you’ve been closely monitored. In which case, you’ll have it surgically removed and will be absolutely fine. Are you sure you don’t want to tell your DH? It could make the wait easier.

Oh dulce - I am there with you . Anniversary in a week. I'm not allowed EVER to die either. Feels like I've let them down by being ill. We are all here for a handhold.

babygaga I hope so! I’m just shocked my gynaecologist didn’t deal with it but anyway I will know soon what is in store. I’m 55 and very much menopausal.. never missed a smear test. Fingers crossed all will be fine.

I'm sorry to intrude but I have been a long time lurker since my father was diagnosed and later died of kidney cancer. I have found you all to be such an inspiration and you always provide such wonderful support and advice to anyone who needs it. It really is humbling and extraordinary in equal measures.

The reason I'm venturing to say something today, is because I wanted to send my love to the remarkable Leslie.

Leslie I hope you are comfortable and surrounded by the people you love most. I am thinking of you often. You never realised it, but on this forum you have helped me come to terms with what happened to my father, simply by sharing and being you. I am eternally grateful. 💐

At Leslie's request, I will let you all have news of her when I have it.

Thinking of leslie so very much... she is a marvel.

TQ just reading that felt like a punch to the stomach. Leslie is such a very very special person and this is not what I want for her at all.

Much 💗 Love to Leslie and her lovely mum, dad and sister. Someone who has done so much good in such a short time.

Hugs to everyone else.

Thinking of Leslie

Just dropping back in also to send lots of love to Leslie

Oh god TQ I think my heart broke a little just reading your post...

Leslie you are my absolute hero and I know you'll hate me for calling you that but you've helped so many people especially me. You've been a true friend despite what you've been through yourself and I wish you nothing but love, peace and comfort. I wish I could articulate what a difference you've made to me over the last 18 months but I've never been good with words.
I just hope you can feel the love we all have for you 💞

Me too. Coming out of lurkdom to repeat my admiration of Leslie's grit and gratitude for all she's done for so many people, including me during my cancer scare a couple of years ago. I wish you peace and freedom from pain, Leslie, and your family the strength to support you with the dignity I have no doubt they possess, being related to you.