Cancer Support Thread #71 - here to help if you’re dealing with cancer in any shape or form, come in and say hello.

[Brassica]

Hi again everyone and welcome to the 71st new thread for cancer support.

All those who are currently being treated, have been treated in the past, have worries and concerns and/or are having tests are very welcome to pull up a chair and chat, vent, rant, pour hearts out, share milestones and anything else! We are a very friendly and all-too experienced bunch on here and there are no questions too small or silly to ask.

Our previous thread is here .

Anyone with any type of cancer (female or male) is welcome. And we will hold your hand if you're waiting to find out whether or not you have cancer at all.

If you've got a loved one with cancer then your best place for support is probably on the Life-Limiting Illness board.

Please can I invite current members to reintroduce yourselves below for latest situations and stories so far.

Snows I am feeling fine today. I went back to bed yesterday as soon as I got home! Taking extra naps when I need them seems to be the answer. 2 sessions a day does sound a challenge. Apart from the tiredness I would have no problem driving after a session I don't think although I haven't tested that as I am lucky in that my DH cpmes with me.

Two sessions a day does sound challenging though. Will the gap between be long enough to mean that you would go back home? Might be easier if there is somewhere nearby where you could go to rest in between sessions?

Brassica thanks for your message, I wasn't all alone in hospital as my brilliant best friend came in with me and stayed for hours, and then DP's wonderful son (who was meant to be travelling with me the next day) came and stayed till I was in ACU. They both came back the next day.

I am so pleased about your scan results!

Greetings and good wishes to everyone here - sorry am not being v communicative atm and not keeping up with who's where in the process. Not because I don't care!

Hi all
Just checking in and hoping everyone is getting on ok.
Yay for fab mri brassica ! It must be great to see actual evidence of the chemo working. I had surgery first...no real discussion or explanation of that so I'm not really sure why. I would love to know that it's working....just got to assume it is I guess.
bridget sorry to hear of that horrible experience and hope you're feeling better now.
pudding were you getting results today? Thinking of you and hoping the news is what you were wishing for.
penny do you have a date for your next biopsy now? Is the waiting going ok?
meercat rads still going ok? Are you using anything on your skin to keep it in good condition?
snows hope your good spell is continuing and that you had a nice lunch yesterday
TQ thinking of you and hoping no more lock malfunction!

I'm supposed to be on my good week prior to FEC 3 on Monday, fingers crossed, but I'm on antibiotics for a urine infection which was rumbling around from the latter part of last week and I finally saw the gp 2 days ago after an uncomfortable weekend. It freaked me out a bit as I can usually figure out why I got a uti sex but no obvious cause this time, other than being on chemo obvs. So I was concerned that it might occur again when i was at very low immunity and persuaded the gp to give me 'just in case' prescription, so feeling somewhat reassured now. I've also got a sore mouth and 3 ulcers which are blimmin painful considering they're so tiny. Found some stuff at the chemists called iglu which sticks better than bongela and has helped a bit.

Feeling lethargic and done very little except lie around for the last 2 days, though a colleague came to see me last night which was lovely and I made an effort to make myself look half decent so we could go out for something to eat. Back home for half 8 though and I was already yawning!

I'm bored I think. Feel like I'm.living some kind of weird half life at the moment. I need to give my head a wobble and find some distraction other than eating!

wtf99. Oh yes to the half life thing. I have tried to keep things as normal as possible but with the side effects, fatigue and the time for all of the appointment it feels as if real life gets squeezed out to the sides

For my skin I am using E45 and Aveeno. I take a tube of E45 with me and put it on right after the treatment and I use Aveeno after my shower. So far no impact on my skin other than a tiny bit of pinkness that fades within a couple of hours

Good idea about the back up prescription in case the uti returns. Should mean you can avoid it getting established.

That's fantastic news brassica, really encouraging.
Sorry you've had other shit getting in the way WTF, but good work getting the prescription.
I may do the same as you with the E45 after the radio meercat, hope it continues to work for you.
I start my treatment next Wednesday, straight in with chemo all day then radio in the late afternoon. I'm trying to plan for it - those who have had or are having all day chemo, how do you pass the time?
I have some stuff from Netflix downloaded to my tablet, some decent books and I'm looking at audiobooks. When I was shown the chemo unit they told me that the radio is on all the time, which I will hate so I'll probably have headphones on whether I'm listening to something or not.

Aw WTF hope the mouth ulcers clear up soon, ouch!

That's amazing news @Brassica I have a scan tomorrow to see if my BC tumour is getting smaller. I'm getting quite nervous about it because if FEC doesn't work what will? What happens if chemo doesn't work?!

It was meant to be a happy face after @Brassica! Not sure what happened there!

Hi, 2nd last chemo today, 1 more to go. Can't wait to finish now - not sure what's around the corner now, either radio or more surgery not sure yet.

My question is this - does anyone find that their heart rate is much higher for the week or so after they have chemo?

Thymeout Off topic but my friend's husband has had that recently - also SE London!

@BenWillbondsPants yes I find that, especially when lying down. I think it's because of a reduction in red blood cells. The heart has to work harder.

Thanks @Diaryofalways87, that makes me feel a bit better, I've been worrying about it a bit. And yes, I find that when I'm lying down its faster. It starts to settle down after 10 days or so but I get a bit obsessive about checking it.

ben I've noticed that my heart feels a bit 'fluttery' in the week after chemo. I put it down to the impact of the steroids....but then i tend to blame everything on them!

BenWillbondsPants my heart rate felt faster after chemo, & I got breathless going up and down the stairs.

Chemo is just NASTY. (But necessary, obvs).

Yes! I get breathless doing the simplest tasks!

I was 110 earlier this morning but at 85 now. Still much higher than usual but at least it's come down a bit.

SuperMoon

Weird! I hope Brassica is OK. My dil had to have a week off work.

I'm at the drop in phlebotomy clinic waiting for my pre chemo blood test. Everyone looks so ill! I hope I don't! Number 6 just went in. I'm number 12.

I had a surprise delivery from the postman this morning.....a big glittery pencil case full of coloured pencils and a mandela colouring book with a little note...'for when you're having one of those days'. I made a passing comment to a friend by text the other day and then this! People are so kind sometimes...
Hope you're all having a good day

I'm going out for lunch later. Might give my wig its first outing as we'll be amongst friends

WTF99 That is a really thoughtful gift from your friend. How lovely.

Enjoy your lunch and be sure to give your wig an extra swish!

Just popping in to give you all a wave. End of term bonkersness here, but should be around more in the summer.

Hope all you poor chemo-sufferers are coping ok in the heat

Hello everyone. I’ve been a mumsnetter since I had my first ds 13 years ago but under a different name.

I feel like a bit of an imposter as I’m awaiting further tests but I’ve been diagnosed with a tumour on a nerve in my spine. I don’t yet know whether it’s benign or malignant or what the treatment will involve. I have further tests and immediate appointment after with the neurosurgeon on Monday. It has come as a huge shock to me as I had assumed the awful pain I’ve been feeling in my back and down my leg was another disc herniation (I’ve had surgery for this previously.)

I am a single mum to two boys and I am veering between utter shock, sheer terror and complete denial. Please tell me how all you brave and incredible people coped while having tests and awaiting diagnosis? Keeping it all together for my beloved boys feels like the hardest bit right now, not letting ok that I’m scared stiff.

Thank you in advance for any words of wisdom 🙏🏼

Hi Yogi. Welcome but sorry you find yourself needing to be here. The waiting for answers and results is so difficult and the turmoil of emotions and numbness are so hard to deal with. I hope it all turns out well for you meanwhile you have come to the right place for support, advice and company on the journey none of us wanted to make

Thank you so much meerkat 🙏🏼

You’re not an imposter, yogi - that bit right at the start, when you don’t quite know what’s up, but that it could be cancer, and you have no idea of treatment path or prognosis, is one of the very worst and most stress bits. I hope you don’t need to be here for long, and that we can wave you off as benign, but we’re right here whatever comes

tahiti - just caught up with your news and so happy for you!