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.

Oh TQ I’m so sorry to read your latest news, just as you had finally heard that the trial was doing well. I too kept my diagnosis news from my youngest daughter until exams were over, it tough but I understand your reasons and love for her. If I could I’d be driving you too.

purlpe I really hope something can be done to make you more comfortable, it must be so frustrating and miserable to have to just sit all day trying to minimise the pain.

Just wondering if anyone here has had their Chemo delayed because of a cold? DD and I both came down with the lurgy a couple of days ago. I had my blood tests done today and Chemo is due tomorrow, it would be an extra pain to have it rescheduled as DH is overseas and a friend has kindly offered to bring/collect me. I was feeling good last week as mid treatment scans showed the tumor has shrunk but this morning the red dimply skin has reappeared on my breast so I'm guessing that's not good. This is such a bloody roller coaster (with apologies to the people here who are having a much worse time than me at the moment!).

I think they probably go on the results of the blood tests Snows. If your blood is OK then I imagine they'll go ahead.

No need for apologies btw - we all of us have our worries and they're all valid. We all need the good stuff / news too - even including news of running successes .

Purple hope you get some help from the onc today.

Thanks tq. The friend who is bringing me is going to wait until they check my blood test results so she doesn't leave only to find they cancel. I'm feeling well enough tonight to have a glass of wine with my dinner so I am definitely ok for Chemo 😁 The funny thing is that all the tests have shown that I am incredibly healthy - apart from the cancer!

Snows I hope the blood test is OK. It is bad enough having to go through the treatment without having to face delays as well.

Thanks TQ, how are holding up? The antibiotics seemed to have worked a bit, it's not as bad as it was but it's far from healed.
My legs are the main issue at the minute, they're both so weak that I couldn't even stand to get out of bed this morning.
There's a local cancer charity near me who are trying to get me a stair lift fitted, I'm also getting a Zimmer frame so I can get to the kitchen and back without worrying that my legs are going to give way
My appointment is at 2:00 but since I've been terminal my oncologist hasn't been much use at all so I'm not holding my breath

Ivampire life is too short so buy all the running clothes you want to. Luckily my critical illness cover paid out a while ago so I've just bought my brother a massive American style fridge as there's only so much wool I can buy to crochet and there's nothing else I need

How are you doing MrsRhod?

@TwitterQueen1 - I'm sorry to read that you have brain mets. I cared for my friend when her cancer (she also had brain mets although her primary was different), if you or your DD's have any questions I may be able to answer please feel free to pm me.

TQ so sorry to hear your news. Lots of hugs for you.

My mum had her mid way scan for her trial and her tumours have shrunk 26%. Hopefully this will continue.

Thank you Andro
MrsEd So pleased! long that that continue

So Chemo went ahead today, bloods were fine. New drug regime for the second lot of four sessions so I am at the hospital longer (5 hours today) but apparently this drug doesn't cause as much nausea which would be great. Am currently feeling better than I have in ages but that might be the 20mg of Dexmethazone they gave me 🤣🤣 I am glad I ditched the cold cap though as that would have meant seven hours with it on which would not have been bearable.

Hope everyone has a good day, night night from Aus.

I’m doing ok thanks purple. It’s five years today since my breast surgery, it seems such a long time ago. One month more anastrozole to take.

Did your oncologist come up with anything helpful?

Quick question, has anyone lost their toenails? After yesterday's Chemo (different drugs to first four rounds) I noticed my toes were red and tingly today, the nail has totally lifted off two tonight. Not sure if they will still be attached by morning, I've put socks on and can't bear to look 😂

I haven’t toenail issues, but some posters have - I was always weirdly fascinated (sorry for that being a bit warped)

It’s a lovely sunny day here today, and I’ve been for a walk. I hope other people are having a good day (or at least as reasonable one as circs permit)

I haven't lost any nails but I have had issues with both toenails and finger nails. Mild issues but sore under the front edge and feeling and looking as if they are lifting slightly. After a few days it resolved.

Hello lovely people,

I have read the full thread and you all are and this group is just amazing been hiding for a bit as i didn't want to post my stupid dramas, but i really have no one else who knows what it is like to talk to.

So here goes I guess. Been having stomach issues for a while, admoinal pain, going to the toilet alot (poop), tired, really gassy and have lost a bit of weight due to nausea and above.

Saw doctor last week, try to pin it on anxiety had a feel about order bloods and stool sample.
Bloods showed low iron (anemic) which I always am due to periods and raised calcium level. Stool sample came back abnormal.
More bloods taken Monday, came back easier crp levels, calcium srill raised and low vit d. More bloods taken today.
No one has spoken to me apart from doctor for 2 mins Friday to say she us concerned about colon cancer and of course i have all the symptoms amongst other things. Seams like everytime o go for a test it's coming back something wrong

Sorry about the typos. It was supposed to say raised crp levels

Sorry you find yourself here flippyflapper but welcome. The bit at the beginning, when you know something’s up but you don’t know what (or what can be done about it) is one of the most demanding times there is.

Have you been referred for colonoscopy?

Hi vampire,

I was told Friday I am going to be reffered, that's pretty much all I no, I've tried to book an app with a doctor just to help give me a idea whats going on or maybe what it all could mean, but can't get one.

Im 35 and like most here have children and of course thinking the worse as Dr Google obviously don't help, which I'm stepping away from now.

Since reading this thread tho I must admit it has made me less scared, so thank you all for that

Hi flippy sorry you find yourself here and hope you don't stay for the duration!

Quite a few of us have colon cancer and I'm one of the oldest at 45. Lots of us have young kids as well so I / we completely understand what you're going through right now.

Best advice I can give you is take it one day at a time. Baby steps. Focus on the next thing and then the next. For now, make sure you get your colonoscopy as soon as possible and remember they will tell you on the day if they find something so at least there won't be any waiting after.

Also remember it might be a million things other than cancer and it's good that you're being checked out. By the time I realised there was something wrong, the tumour had blocked my bowels completely and I was rushed to a&e. So try and be as positive as you can be in this situation. Good luck and keep us posted.

I have received a lovely card from Christine's mum and family, thanking those who attended the funeral for joining the celebration of her life and also for all the cards and messages of support. She said she was comforted by having so many friends (real and virtual) around.

C's Mum has read some of the messages here on the tribute page and says she will read the rest when she's ready.

(posted on the bereavement thread too)

That's lovely, Twitter. Sorry to read your news.

I had my annual mammo two weeks ago. Have just received a text message from hosp saying I have an appt on 4th June but I haven't received a letter yet so don't know for what. I know I've fallen off the surgeon's radar as last year wasn't seen by them at all. I am hoping this is just a routine appt but a major part of me is panicking that the mammo has shown something nasty. I'm off oop north for Lovely MIL funeral tomorrow so won't be around for a letter until Saturday. Trying really hard not to panic and of course I've got half term coming up and wanted a nice time after a not great few weeks. Tell me I'm being stupid. Just the thought of going through it all again.

Dulce would you mind me asking what your symptoms were, i no everyone is diffrent.
45 is so young, its so very unfair.

Thank you so much for replying

Hello everyone.
Yay to all those with positive news, and Boo to those with crap news.
Flippy I've been wheee you are. Anaemic and abnormal faecle sample showing blood. I was referred to York Teaching Hospital and underwent an endoscopy, they failed to do a colonoscopy due to severe Diverticulitis so I ended up having to go for a CT Colonography. It was this that showed I had cancer of the colon.

I had surgery 12 weeks ago and they took 37 lymph nodes and associated blood vessels and veins and they all came back clear.
Im in remission. I need 5 years of surveillance which is very daunting and despite feeling euphoric because of the histology, I'm having problems psychologically processing it.

I'm starting some sort of text councilling tomorrow. We'll see how that goes.

I'm here if you want to chat x x x

Hi flippy - rule number 1 is that you can ask anything! Someone will always have the answer.
I started with vomiting (which I never have) and abdominal pain. Went on for about 4 weeks. Been to the doctor several times and was told gastroenteritis. Given buscopam and antibiotics. Felt slightly better but still in pain. Had an ultrasound which came back clear (!!) but the pain became quite severe so I ended up in an ambulance. I don't think I had bleeding but it can't say for sure. I also had on and off diarrhoea which I put down to low carbing.
At the hospital I was told it was probably gallstones until they did an x Ray. At that point I now know they knew I had cancer but I was none the wiser. I was rushed into surgery 3 hours after the ct scan and the rest is history!

Nothing here is fair on any of us. We all get very angry from time to time but it's the card we've been dealt and we've no choice but to handle it. Hope that helps.

Thank you both very much for being so welcoming.

Symptoms sound pretty similar, I'm expecting the worse so anything better is a bonus.

Borntobemum it seams like it all happened so quick, barely enough time to absorb it all, so no wounder you are still trying to process it all. I'm hoping I will get a letter soon I was told Friday I will be reffered so keeping everything crossed. We are also going away in 1week 4 days me and my husband for the first time alone in 17 years just for 3 nights.but I feel anxious about going now.

You really are a lovely bunch here, and I can see how you all keep each other going