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.

Hi Harry. How are you doing with the haematoma? Have you had to have it drained? I had one also after lumpectomy last April. I do hope you are not too uncomfortable with it. With me they didn't want to drain it (due to possible infection risk I think) but postponed radiotherapy for a few weeks to try and leave it to resolve a bit further. Without going into too much detail I had to start radiotherapy without it having resolved much, but it does seem to have broken down further since then. You have my sympathies though as it does come as (another) bit of a nasty and painful surprise

Amber Lovely to hear from you. I was only a lurker on behalf of a non-tech relative with bc, but we both found your contributions so helpful.

A few months ago, I actually sent a dm to Leslie, wondering if you were still on Mumsnet, because I thought that the influx of newly diagnosed Lacies would benefit from your factually-based reassurances on new treatment and long-term survival.

Delighted to hear that you're doing so well.

Hi @peapod66, no they didn't drain it, they said there were lots of little ones rather than one large one so hoping that they will absorb over time. I'm feeling much more comfortable today than I have been since it happened, so although I'm still swollen and bruised, the pain is much more manageable. I'm not sure when my radiotherapy will be now, I'll have the chemo first so I'm really not sure. I'm so anxious to see the oncologist, just so that I have more info etc.

Harry glad you are feeling more comfortable today. I hope that your oncology appointment comes through soon so you can get your treatment plan and don't have to wait too long.

Last radiotherapy today and I now have two weeks OFF from going to the hospital

Hi Amber, I was thinking about you and your knowledge too! Hope you are well.
I had a phone call from the GP and everything seems to be fine. Bit of degeneration of my spine but that's all.

weebarra that's excellent news, you must be relieved.

@KeepCalm hurrah! So nice to have a bit of respite from hospital visits. Enjoy your time out!

And fab news @weebarra

Hurrah for spine degeneration weebarra, that’s fantastic news, you must be so relieved.

@LondonHuffyPuffy thank you! Am still working but less of a juggle 

Anyone else feel like everyone all of a suffer wants photos with the 'cancer kid'

I mean aunts crawling out the woodwork that I haven't seen in 8yrs have visited 3 times since diagnosis. Not for anything practical or super supportive - just to check in on what's going on. It's almost as if to make sure they have up to date news to tell their friends 

Great news @weebarra & long may that continue!

Morning all else. It's raining here. Completely my fault as I remarked to DH yesterday how nice it's been the entire time I've been having rads....... sorry

It never fails to amaze me how cancer shifts your teams of reference. Such that spinal degeneration is good news......

Ah.... Amber the cogs turn very slowly these days but I remember now that Leslie mentioned you on various occasions as someone who was very knowledgeable and reassuring about all things cancer-related. Hello!

I agree Ivamp you go quite quickly from 'shit that's awful ' to 'ok it could be worse '

Harry I was terrified of having chemo, got my head round it finally a few days before - as in let's just crack on - then spent an hour with my BCN who slowly and steadily went through every side effect possible from head to toe! I didn't need it, I'd read the bloody literature! So if, like me, you prefer a fairly brisk and breezy approach do tell them. Conversely Noodles has one with no bedside manner whatsoever basically I'm trying to say, control the bits you can, and recognise the approach that suits you best. I was introduced to a lady on my first session and told 'you'll see x every time as you're on the same schedule so off you go' to which I was a bit meh at first... but you do bump into the same faces every 3 weeks at bloods and chemo and it is quite nice to build a rapport if you can.
I was ECx3 then THx3 - let us know your regime when you get it and we'll help where we can

Watching Great British SU2C Bakeoff - the bit where they do the text info and say "one in every two of us will get cancer at some point in our lives."
I said: "S'alright, I've already donated..."
DD thought I said: "S'alright, I've already taken one for the team

KnickerBockerGlooooory Thank you, your post is so helpful. I've an appointment with the Oncologist next week so I'll find out the plan then. I feel really pissed off today and I'm not sure why.

Nice one TQ and DDs

ivamp, you're so right!
DS1 (11) loves Bake Off but find the SU2C one hard to watch. Because he was 6 when I was diagnosed he remembers everything and he's still quite affected by it, probably more than I am.

Harry they go through all the side effects just incase you do get them but you'll probably only have a few. I don't think I know anyone who's had them all.

Weebarra that's excellent news! Not about the degeneration of the spine obviously

TQ I like the thought of us taking one for the team I always think that it could be worse and it could be one of our kids

I saw my oncologist for the last time on Monday, I can make an appointment if I need anything but he said that there's nothing more he can do. I've got months left at best and he's told me to discuss hospices with my Macmillan nurse as I think that's where I want to be when the time comes to it, I'm worried about being in pain and the amount of time it would take for the nurses to come out if I need them, but if I'm in a hospice I can get the drugs straight away if needed.
I told my mam and brother yesterday but I'm putting off telling me son just yet as I don't want him worrying any longer than he needs too

Didn’t post much yesterday as I was still somewhat out of it on midazolam.

I am sounding the good news klaxon - colonoscopy yesterday and my innards all look normal and free of polyps. Biopsies were taken, and have outpatients booked just after Easter for final results. But I was done by (lovely) consultant who said unless biopsy turns up something very unexpected, he’ll be waving me off to the dieticians with a diagnosis of IBS (probably exacerbated as (known) side-effect of long term leukaemia meds)

My post crossed with yours purple

Really sorry that your news was bleak - there’s something quite final about end of appointments, even when it’s not really a change from what they’ve been telling you for a while.

So very sorry to hear your news Purple. It's all happened so quickly really hasn't it? So unfair.
I would probably make the same decision re hospice care. Also, I wouldn't want my DDs having to care for me - that would be so stressful for them. I hope these threads will still give you some kind of comfort.

iVampire Good news indeed!

Also very sorry to hear your news Purple. I had been wondering how you had got on with your appointment. Sending lots of love, support and . Your posts are always so thoughtful and helpful, thinking of others, as TQ says I hope you continue to find comfort here.

PS. iVampire good news indeed. I am hoping I will have a similar verdict (IBS from meds) once I have the colonoscopy. I chased my appointment but need to wait for it to come through the post (nothing again today). CT and ultrasound appointments came through very quickly, but I think as they were clear I'm on a slower path for this.

I’m so sorry, purple. I know you knew that conversation was coming but it must have been bloody hard, nonetheless. I would be the same as you re hospice care.

DH and I are considering a move to South Africa (his home country). Given that my treatment can now only ever be palliative, I think my quality of life will be vastly improved by some sunshine, sea and mountains. I may need to have a foot in both countries for a while, rather than move there completely, otherwise I will no longer be eligible for NHS treatment (am a UK-born citizen and taxpayer. I don’t want people to think I am taking the piss 🙈). So might be a case of taking a couple of extended holidays there for the next couple of years. We were supposed to go for 5 weeks over Xmas but then I got my diagnosis.

When the treatments stop working and I run out of options, that’s where I will go for the last stage. They have good hospices there.

So pleased for you, iVampire and peapod. Great to have some good news xxx