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.

So sorry you've had a down day WTF, and hope that things look a bit brighter tomorrow for you and for bridget
I'm pleased that you have some more information skap, eve though you have a way to go yet before getting the certainty you need.
I hope that Friday's appointment can give you some more information miles.
I came through the worst of the chemo side effects at the weekend, but I took a nosedive yesterday on the way home from radio - I could feel myself getting more tired by the minute. I went to bed as soon as I got home and stayed there for the rest of the day feeling very miserable. I think it's the radio side effects joining in for fun when the chemo side effects diminish.
However, today I have felt a lot better - a bit tired, some back pain but nothing like yesterday. I don't understand how the side effects work, so I can't work out a way to help myself.
At chemo again tomorrow so back to the nausea from hell and feeling like my mouth is full of iron filings.

Thanks for concern and lovely words people....it helps xx. I also got a friend over for a couple of hours and he brought tunnocks teacakes with him so I've cheered up a bit now.

Side effects are the pits aren't they. By the 3rd cycle of FEC I knew what to expect on each day as it was similar each time so I could adjust meds or my routine accordingly. I had lots of different nausea meds to use, and some additional ones as I got it quite badly the 1st cycle, so this time around it was there but manageable.
Please go back to your teams for more meds if you're suffering.....it's important that we make this as easy for ourselves as we can.
I'm.on a different regime for the next 4 cycles so it will be a learning curve again, but I already have some great tips from you guys and I will be taking advantage of whatever is on offer to mitigate any avoidable misery.
Still raining cars and dogs here..

I intend to discuss the meds with the oncology nurses tomorrow - I received different instructions last week and they certainly didn't work as well.
Re Tunnocks Teacakes - there is an M&S foodhall on the way back from the hospital and we have called there a couple of times to get some special treats including their orange teacakes, which I have to ration as they are so good.

Oh dear, a lot of us having hard times (mine not nearly as hard as some of you). redspook your regime is really punishing, isn't it? Beastly. Skap, that must have been a shock, finding you are having surgery so soon. I must say, I was very pleased to get my op over and done with, it was such a big thing and I wouldn't have wanted to have it hanging over me. WTF hurrah for friends and Tunnocks teacakes!

If I still feel nauseous tomorrow I will ring the hospital and see if they can prescribe anything else, that's a good suggestion.

I'm glad you had company WTF. It must be really tough going through this without someone there to at least make you a cup of tea if you want one.

I really should go pack my bag for hospital tomorrow, I think we will need to leave home at 5.30am as I'm first on the list. I still can't totally get my head around the fact that it's happening, not sure if that is good or bad.

Lots of good wishes to everyone struggling today with nausea, uncertainty or just the reality of living with cancer!

Snows, hope your surgery goes very well today. It's good to be first on the list. The emotional impact of this huge change to your body will be tough, I'm sure - hope you get all the support you need.

snows thinking ofyou today. I have no boobs, not since 2014. It takes a while to get used to but you'll be ok.
See you on the other side xx

Also thinking of you snows, hope today goes as well as it can x

Snows. All best wishes for today.

WTF. A friend who knows to bring Tunnocks Tea Cakes is just what you needed. I am so glad that you had the company ( and the tea cakes).

I think Snows’ surgery is tomorrow guys, she’s in Oz so it was already Wednesday there and she said tomorrow. Anyway, hope it goes as well as it can Snows and recovery is swift.

Hope Bridget and redspook have better days for side effects today and WTF that you have something nice planned to take you out of the house today.

Skap have you tried the Calm app for help with sleep and relaxation? It might be good for you to have something like that up your sleeve when the demons pop up to worry you.

Not much to report from me, chemo #10 yesterday and we are off visiting family for the rest of the week. My gripe with their hospitality is that both homes have queen size beds for me and DH to sleep in and one gives us the smallest duvet possible and a wafer thin pillow, always look forward to getting back to our bed!

Brassica that sounds most uncomfortable - would it cause an upset if you took your own pillow and duvet? Or aren't you driving?

Morning all,

@Skap I could have joined you for 3am pacing. Am going to a yoga class with my eldest this week as my insomnia and inability to turn my brain off is driving my bonkers. Must be a shock to have surgery moved up so quickly, takes some adjusting.

Hope everyone going through grotty side effects has a better day today. Really does suck some days.

I am merrily sat here with a rainbow boob after last Fridays squishing, prodding, poking and biopsies. Results should be with MDT Thursday and my consultant wants to see my first thing Friday regardless...... my bc nurse has said they will be looking at surgery asap within two weeks probably assuming the worst results.
Bizarrely I am not overly worried by the surgery, more the chaos and stress it will cause at home. My remaining marbles are working overtime on what ifs! Seriously need to slap myself and get a grip.

No Minx you need to be very kind to yourself! Here's hoping the news isn't the worst - but you will manage, and it will be good to get surgery over.

Just wondering how to look after my bald head! What do other baldies do? Do you use shampoo, or just wet it? Or soap it? Moisturise? I don't want it to get dry and dandruffy . . I look rather like an alien. Bony, bald, sticking out ears.

With the baldy top I just used either water or a very mild wash - baby stuff and moisturised as needed. And was very liberal with the suncream as I couldn't handle a wig and was often outdoors so burnt easily.

I bet you don't look like an alien. Our own perception often isn't very kind.

Thanks Minx, that sounds sensible.

Snows wishing you well today/tomorrow.
I'm another one with no boobs (also since 2014).

I also tend to forget sometimes. A coupe of weeks ago I went swimming and met a friend. Over coffee afterwards she was moaning at how saggy her body was getting now we're in our 50's and said she how my boobs didn't look like they were heading south in my costume! I was tempted to tell her where I'd bought my waterproof ones but just smiled! Silver linings eh

Brassica you should definitely take a soft pillow or blanket, I am sure they wouldn't be offended! I'll look at the app. I was full of useful sleep advice when DS1 was very stressed last year and not sleeping, I should listen to myself.
Minx I don't get on with Yoga but do find Pilates helps me de-stress even though it's a little more strenuous than Yoga. Friday for results is very quick although I'm sure it doesn't seem so to you. Do you have far to travel to hospital?

I always sleep badly when stressed but at least I am retired and don't have to get up for work. Plus I have evicted DH into the spare room so I can fidget and pace away without disturbing him.

I was wondering about lumpectomy surgery. I wouldn't want them to do that for cosmetic benefits, if a full mastectomy would have a better outcome I'd want that. I guess I'll add it to the list of questions for next week.

Well, got up and off early to hospital for my CEA blood test.
I will ring my colorectal nurse tomorrow to see if the results are on the system.
Please send positive thoughts and prayers.
Much love to you all x x

Crossing everything born

I'm just back from having a heart scan prior to hopefully starting herceptin on Monday with my 4th chemo. The doc had forgotten to request it so I had to go as an urgent appt at 8am. My heart is normal apparently...let's hope it stays that way!

Afternoon all!

I hope everyone is having a good day.

My thoughts are with you Born

I'm seeing the cancer nurse tomorrow about my neck lump. I think I can also feel swollen nodes in my armpits, so I'm feeling very worried. Trying not to catastrophize, but I'm very frightened that the lymphoma has metastasised, which would be very bad news so soon after my chemo.

Snows I hope your surgery went ok.

WTF I hope you're not feeling so down.

wineoclock glad your ds is ok, & thanks for the reassurance

Hello all

My brain is gone to mush a bit so apologies for not naming you all, best of luck with surgery results scans and general appointments for everyone.

I met with the doc who did the surgery, no sign of cancer in the lymph nodes thankfully, the tumor was successfully removed and he's very pleased with the results, but I'm confused now because all along they have said I will need radiotheraphy so I'm prepared for that to start in the next few weeks, but now there is talk of chemo depending on the results from (and this is where I'm blank) I cannot remember what the nurse said, it's like it fell out of my brain, I've also to see a doc about a hormone tablet (again blank on that) and also to see someone about the radiotheraphy.

When the dressings came off I had a build of fluid so had to have that drained and it's been leaking ever since but seems to be easing off now.
Sorry for not making much sense, I'll ring the nurse tomorrow and write down everything she says.

Again best wishes to you all, you are in my thoughts and thanks for letting me ramble.

ellen Great news that there was no evidence of spread. Your post surgery plan sounds a lot like mine.

After surgery I was told they were pleased with the outcome, they were sure they had removed the tumour with clear margins and no spread to the lymph glands. The tests on the tumour showed that it was oestrogen and Her-2 receptive so my treatment plan was 9 weekly sessions of chemo (Taxol) Infisions Herceptin every three weeks for a year, and Zolodronic Acid every six months, 18 daily sessions of Radiotherapy and then Anastrozole tablets for how ever many years.

Given that the surgical outcome sounded about as good as it could get that felt like a whole load of treatment. They explained that all of it is to reduce the chances of cancer coming back.

It sounds like they are waiting to see exactly what kind of cancer they have removed from you and will plan treatment on that basis to do everything they can to ensure it doesn't recur.

Hope Snows is doing well after surgery; Born, very good luck for tomorrow. Miles, so sorry you have this awful worry, sending positive thoughts that things aren't too bad. WTF a normal heart sounds good! ellen, that is a daunting treatment plan, a lot to get through, but if it gives you the best chance it will be worth it. TQ how are you doing today?

Happy to report I am feeling a lot better today, just had a nice trip to the Olympic park and have walked over 8000 steps, woo hoo!

miles I hope you get some reassurance from your nurse tomorrow. The uncertainty and worry is just awful and I really do feel for you.
ellen just adding to what meercat said, I think it's likely to be the her2 status of the lump which determines whether or not you need chemo. If it's her2+ you will need herceptin which is given alongside chemotherapy. Just adding in that I'm no expert and that may be a simplistic view! Clear lymph nodes and margins are a good thing so that s fab news.
Bridget well done on your walk. I really need to do some exercise tomorrow. Today Ive had my toenails and fingernails painted a dark colour in the hope that they wont drop off with the taxotere that I'll be getting on Monday. I'm feeling really well today. It's a bit daunting to know that this will change next week, but at least then I'll be over half way through chemo....yay!

Thanks for all the good wishes. Friday morning here and I have woken up in hospital feeling fairly perky. I think the relief at having the "damaged" bits of me gone is making me strangely cheerful. Surgeon said all went well, the tumor was gone (yay for Chemo) but the preliminary pathology results will be in on Tuesday so that's the biggie. Am hoping to have at least 2/3 drains out by the time I leave on Monday. I have the strangest stick on thing attached to my (nice symmetrical) chest, connected to a machine that keeps pressure on it. I will have it for a week. I was expecting bandages and stuff!!!!!

Good wishes to all, Brassica I think it was you asking about bald scalp care? I use a nice shower oil for my body so just use the same on my scalp. I also have "moo goo" scalp cream that is meant for flaky skin that I use sometimes just in case. Bald isn't my best look either xx