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.

Popping in quickly to send love to purple and TQ - I am thinking of you amazing women every day... it’s true that cancer changes our perspectives almost beyond belief. So I can say I am so pleased to hear both your bits of good news today... and mean it wholeheartedly because knowing you are that bit more comfortable purple, or that your glimmer of hope has relit TQ really does mean the world...

Thinking of all the Lacies tonight.

TQ I just came on to look for news from you, so am very pleased to hear this!
After the initial euphoria of coming home from hospital, I'm now constipated, achey, and finding it hard to get the right balance of rest and moving around. Think I need to get outdoors every day; even when I was well, too much time on the sofa made me grumpy.

Thank you for your good wishes.
Thinking of you Purple and amazed by your strength.

The staff for my first chemo were wonderful and even though they are so busy their individual care and attention was so reassuring.
Nausea but no sickness and although tired finding it hard to sleep. I guess that the steroids are quite strong. Is that to be expected?

No no toofar you didn't put it badly at all. Difficult to know with the DDs. They took a couple of days off work and are trying to adjust and absorb. They need time. They're back this weekend.

Bridget yes, get out for a walk every day, no matter how small. Especially for constipation!!

So pleased to hear the encouraging news TQ, and that you have dates for the treatment.
Purple, thoughts of a fellow Northerner are with you.

Looking for some advice from any of you lovely people who had E/C chemo please? How did you feel? I had my first session last Wed, so day 8 now and I feel bloody grim. I didn't feel too bad the first 3/4 days, just incredibly tired but since Monday I've felt so, SO crap. Anyone else experience this on this same chemo?

Sorry pants (awesome username, but not sure about best shortening) - I had a completely different type of chemo and was then swopped to an inhibitor, so I can’t help. But I hope someone who can will be along soon

purple - at the start of the thread, you mentioned your DS’s age. So if this is Important Exam Season, can I send him all the very best too? It’s dreadfully worrying at the best of times, and I hope you have support for his needs sorted

So pleased to see your news TQ and let’s all hope they can zap these buggers into oblivion. Good to see some better news for you.

Ben I’m having EC as well. For me the usual pattern has been to feel OK (a little weak/wobbly) on the first 2-3 days after, then a decline into total fatigue and mind/body disconnection for about 3-4 days, then gradually returning to more normal energy and even feeling pretty much as normal by the time of the next one. Other side effects include food tasting like crap for a week and episodes of having a dicky tummy but I’ve had no nausea. Does any of that sound like you? When you say you feel grim, what particular side effect is it?

I’m on cycle 3 now and the interval has been changed for me from 3-weekly to fortnightly. This one with the shortened gap has been more unpleasant than the first two where I had a full week of feeling good/high energy, but I also guess there’s a bit of a cumulative effect too. I have found that broadly whatever I had in the first cycle has recurred, so I haven’t been hit with brand new side effects. Other more random things are runny/watery eyes and nose, and a compulsion to swear quite a lot more than usual .

Hey all, I Hope you don't mind me crashing the thread for some advice?

I was here under a different name in 2013 having a mx but find myself back in the breast cancer world as discovered a lump which I had removed at the beginning of May.

I'm now on day 4 of first ever FEC (didn't need chemo last time) and nausea was bad yesterday but better today....small meals and back up meds have helped.

Today the taste in my mouth is horrible! Any tips to alleviate this...it's vile!

Great to hear your news TQ and brilliant the dates are booked in. That must be a real relief.

When do you find out which hospice purple? Are you able to choose or is it the next one with an available bed? I hope your kidneys continue to behave and you are as pain free as possible and get as much quality time as possible with your family and friends. 🌷

I had EC chemo on a fortnightly basis for 3 rounds. I had constant nausea, headaches, initial constipation which went to dire rear for a day or two and it definitely followed the same pattern each cycle. I really ached the day I self injected the white blood cell boosting stuff & generally felt worse whilst having those. I used to feel more or less normal a day before my next dose! Grim! I went green every time I even looked at my picc line!!

I found fizzy water with pink grapefruit squash made my mouth taste nicer. I went off tea & coffee completely apart from an occasional mint tea. Haribo help when you have dire rear too. My food tastes went very bland as I couldn't cope with anything spicy (which I normally love) so had avocado on toast and egg & chips on my worst days or roast chicken with salad.

Good luck with it ben, brassica and WTF I had 3 rounds of fortnightly EC (accelerated) followed by 4 rounds of Docetaxel & herceptin (am still having a herceptin injection 3 weekly) I think what you describe is all normal though xx

Lovely lacies. It is with great sadness that I come here to tell you that our lovely purple has passed away early this morning. We never got the chance to get a post ready, she just asked me to let you know so I'm at a loss of what to say. I'm devastated.

Oh Dulce - that is such sad news. Thank you for letting us know. Purple bore all the pain and indignity that this wretched disease threw at her with such grace and humour, and was so supportive to everyone on this thread.

Her poor DS.

We knew the news was coming but it still comes as such a shock.

purpleunicorns I hope you are feeling the wind in your mane as you have a jolly good gallop through those stars. Thinking of your family at this sad time too. Just too young to be taken from everybody .

So sorry to read this about purpleunicorns
Although I was an oldie on this thread and do recognise some of the names still, I don't think that purple and I overlapped. She clearly was a very special person and had a big impact here. Sending love to those she leaves behind.

Thanks to noodles for your response to my query.

So very sorry and shocked to hear this news. From the first moment I found this thread Purple was always one of the first to offer support and encouragement to everyone.

Thinking of her and her family.

Fuck. That is all I have to say. Fuck

Purple thank you for your unfailing support, advice and grace in the face of this vicious relentless disease.

Oh what terrible news about purple. Knowing it was coming hasn't made it any less sad, and I still didn't expect it so soon.
She bore this illness with such dignity and still posted to support others.

Condolences to her family. Gone far too soon

Dulce I also meant to say thank you to you for letting us know. It is a horrible task. Sending my love to you

So, so sad to hear about purple, she was so supportive and pragmatic.
Hugs and love to everyone from a lurker on these threads X

Gutted to hear about lovely purpleunicorns. She was so lovely.

so so sorry to hear the news about purple - like japonica I am a lurker due to my family experience with cancer. Again, I hope I'm not intruding.

Purple was dealt a horrible hand, finding out her cancer had spread in the most awful circumstances but her posts were always full of love and support for others. I live in the NE too and will think of purple and her family a great deal.

I'm a lurker too. Having a cancer scare earlier this year has brought me here a few times. I have always been so overwhelmed and inspired by you all and the courage you show.

I remember when i first read purples introduction saying hopefully she only had months to live. I remember reading it and my heart breaking wondering what she must be going through to hope it all be over soon

Ive shed a tear at the news of her passing. Rip purple. I hope you are now pain free, and all the love to your family.

To everyone else on this thread you really are incredible. I don't know how you face everything with such bravery, courage and dignity. You are all an inspiration and warriors xx

That is such saddening news

TQ - your benediction for purple is beautiful. There is a new, unicorn shaped hole in the lace

purple and I joined this thread (part 59) within days of each other, so she always felt like ‘my’ buddy, but I never told her that and I really wish I had. She was a lovely poster - great way with words, and such a support to leslie even when so unwell herself

My 60th birthday is August 11th. My wish was always to do dude ranching in Montana or Wyoming. I used to ride (hacking only - not clever stuff) many years ago and in 2016 went to Iceland and had a lovely long horse ride. I wanted to sleep under the stars, ride the cowboy range (how corny am I?!) and kind of do the female city slickers thing. I love the west US and the peace, quiet, back to nature stuff.

That was my dream.