Cancer Support #70. Please post on this thread, not #69, If you have cancer or are undergoing tests for cancer. Rant, rave, scream, cry – whatever helps. Supportive lurkers for Leslie welcome on #69.

[TwitterQueen1]

Thread #69 is filling up with messages of support for one of our own who is very seriously ill. Leslie told me a few weeks ago that she didn’t want any such messages to get in the way of those who need support through their cancer treatment so we are starting a new thread just for those who do have cancer or who are having tests. Could we respectfully ask lurkers and supportive posters to confine their comments to thread #69? Thank you.

We normally start with a brief introduction to our cancers – I’ll kick off. Ovarian cancer dx March 2017. Now on third-line treatment with a trial providing targeted and chemo drugs taken orally.

TQ that’s awful!

I’m feeling mischievous, so can I offer to make you dinner - perhaps (channeling Cluedo) I can tempt you by June with the parsnips in the roasting tin?

TQ - one can understand not calling back immediately but not calling back at all is really bad

@tq keep trying, it is awful they are not coming back to you.
@Brassica, it started with a 13cm cyst which was aspirated, then as it refilled within 4 days they deroofed laparoscopically and did a biopsy. They then came back confirmed the presence of the daughter cyst containing the cells, they have then removed that within two weeks in an open liver resection. I am waiting to find out if they got it all or if we are now moving onto chemo treatment. I can't bring myself to type in more detail as I am in denial that it may still be there and the pain meds are screwing with my ability to type! Thank you for being here as I felt so alone the last week as ppl in RL don't know how to/ what to say x

lol iVampire

TQ that's rubbish.

June is getting buried under the patio with her fucking parsnips... after Dad has brained her with a frying pan.

TQ this is bloody rubbish. No feedback since before Christmas

BlueEyed people just don't know what to say do they? There's an amazing poem on FB about how bloody useless some platitudes are but I'll share it if you need it.

FWIW, everyone in the waiting stage, this is the worst. The idea of treatment is scary but the reality is that a plan is way better than the all consuming anxiety

For those enquiring after the runners, yes I’m still at it! Planning to do one of the (free) National Trust monthly 10k trail runs this weekend. If my foot heals up - sunny weekend, nice to be outside, lovely walk, warm even hot, sandals that hadn’t been worn since last autumn. Guess what state my heels are in?

And for vicarious exercisers - one running mate suggested that if you kick your legs about in bed at 9ish on a Saturday morning, you can going that as a ‘D’ on your Parkrun alphabet (for ‘duvet’)

Radiotherapy is well and truly kicking my arse atm. All along my ribs is so tight it hurts to breath deeply and lifting my arm for the radiation is bloody agony. So I'm not sleeping due to the pain, can't get gp appointment to discuss painkillers and not seeing consultant until end of May.

I'm thinking about having my antidepressants increased as nothing brings me joy any more. I've spent a shit load of money on seeds and gardening stuff but I don't have the energy to do any of it. I'm so tired all the time I struggle to follow sentences and conversations, books and films are a total no go now.
I'm gaining weight as I'm too tired to care what I'm eating so I'll never get my reconstruction.

And most of all I'm fucking sick of pretending I'm ok. I want to go back to work but oncologist and occupational health wont let me.but who am I kidding. I get out of breath climbing the stairs and I can never remember my pin let alone do a 12 hour shift as a nurse and the longer I'm off the harder it will be to go back.

Supposed to be planning a wedding but actually I don't know why I bothering as every time I ask for input I get nothing back. Literally I've had to do every single solitary thing and I'm about to lose my mind. OH just wont help make any decisions so atm its me,him, the kids and two random people in the registry office, oh how romantic and just what every little girl dreams of but hey it's not like I've actually got anyone to bloody invite as my "friends" appear to have fallen off the face of the earth.

Oh Pandora, that sounds truly shit- definitely get your AD dose upped- you deserve to be in a state to enjoy things.

Sounds horrible Pandora on so many levels. Hope something changes for you soon.

TQ that is totally crap, it's horrible when you are relying on others and they are not cooperating.

Pandora. Hope you can get a GP appointment at some point even just a phone call. A slightly higher dose of AD’s might help. I found after every rads session my mood definitely dipped quite a lot. How many sessions do you have left?

Massive cuddle for Pandora

Do things seem a bit better this morning? You're doing brilliantly but I get that it doesn't feel like it.

Can I be the first in line to say I WILL BE A WITNESS it's going to be a long line but I'm in it!

Oh Pandora I'm sending you a massive unmumsnetty hug. I hope you're feeling a bit better this morning. Could you get a phonecall appointment with the doctor? I find I get in quicker if it's over the phone.
It will get better and I know it feels never ending but look at how much treatment you've had already, it won't go on forever.
If there's ANYTHING at all I can do or send you then please let me know. I how awful it is when you think nobody else understands but we're all here for you

TQ that's ridiculous. Although surely if it wasn't working then they wouldn't keep carrying on with your treatment so maybe it's a good sign? I'm still angry on your behalf they don't realise how much a 30 second phonecall could put your mind at rest

2018 there's a couple of people on here with their own businesses, Keepcalm is one of them. I hope you have good employees to help you out when needed

and everyone who needs them. I'm off to Seaham today for ice cream if I can stay awake long enough

Morning! Trying to have a social-media-free day today, but also wanted to pop on here to see how you all are.

purple I’m glad you love your wheelchair. Have you pimped it?

Pandora I’m so sorry for you. I haven’t had radiotherapy, but I’m wincing at your description. I hope you managed to sleep

I’m trying to come off anti-Ds at the moment (possibly unwisely), as I don’t want to be on any more medication than I absolutely have to be. So if I start going a bit weird on here, feel free to point it out to me.

Hope everyone has a reasonable day, and extra for those waiting for results.

Morning from me too. First hug to Pandora, what a dose of shit that sounds. I hope you got some rest last night and can get some help from the doc - if you can bear to push and assert yourself despite it all they will surely see you given what you’re going through.

2018 good luck getting through the working week and I know what you mean about partners being a bit moony to be around. Thing is, I still feel so completely well at the moment (apart from a bit of tiredness) that I just don’t feel in need of so much cosseting really. For comparison purposes, my lump is 4cm and grade 3 so it is seemingly fast growing and they haven’t made any bones about it being on the large side. Did you get any call yesterday?

Blueeyed that must all be scary just going from one test or procedure to the next with this C word hanging around. When are you likely to find out? Definitely people find it difficult to say the right thing. I have a cousin going through treatment for tonsil cancer literally at the same time as me, and he’s going to be a big real life support I think. Do you know anyone who has experience of anything similar who will ‘get’ what you need in terms of support?

Hope you enjoy your ice cream Purple! I might get up and have a short walk later. Am watching Fleabag and Queer Eye for entertainment these last few days which are just the trick for me.

Hope everyone has a good or at least tolerable day today.

First cold cap session nearly over. Not as bad as I feared. As everyone says, first 15 minutes was nasty but then reduced to just unpleasant. Just hope it works.

Can I join ? My fantastic, lovely hubby got diagnosed this week with inoperable stage 3/4 lung cancers. Am still in shock, he doesn't drink, has never smoked and we have a 16 yr autistic/add son just about to start GCSEs.

notapizzaeater I'm so sorry

Hi Nota I'm sorry to hear about your husband. This thread is for those of us who have cancer rather than those caring for loved ones as I'm sure you'll appreciate they are very different experiences. Most of us have never cared for others.
You might get more support starting your own thread. Good luck and all the best for your family.

Notapizzaeater
So sorry to hear about your husband. Can we direct you to the Macmillan website? You'll find lots of information there on how to support relatives with cancer.
www.macmillan.org.uk

Just had chemo number 5 so just one more to go. I'm on steroids and to be honest I had a bad night last night. Spend a lot of it in tears....
But I'm feeling good today so happy at the moment.
Hopefully after chemo can look at running again and building my strength up before surgery :)

Gib what time in the day are you taking the steroids? I was told not to take them after 1pm as they mess up your sleep. Although to be honest I think the lack of sleeping and crying during chemo has happened to all of us. I'm glad you're almost done.

My onc nurse rang about 10 mins ago. Still no news on the scan - apparently the consult will look at it in the morning.
Thyroid ok so no excuse for stupidity
CA125 still going up - now 1630. Norm is 35.

lovely people, I just got the call and I am one of the very lucky ones - it is a benign tumor. Very rare - doctor said in 25 years of breast health she has never seen this type - but benign. Am waiting for call from surgeon, since it is fast growing and must be gone.

Thank you for letting me step into your world. I'm so sorry you are all here. Sending nothing but love and well being to you all.