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.

OMG Noodles you have just told me something my oncologist didn't. I asked why my right nostril was constantly dripping, it's particularly annoying as I don't necessarily realise straightaway, and he shrugged. Lack of nose hair, that makes perfect sense!

Bridget if you want to look for positives I used to have a bit of a blonde moustache and a few chin hairs, all gone. I think people also pay hundreds of dollars for laser treatment or waxing to get the100% hair free pubic region I am currently enjoying too 😂😂😂

Gotta take the bonuses where you can snows

WTF rounds 4-8 is dose dense paclitaxel. Rounds 1-4 was dose dense AC (so basically I have Chemo every two weeks) which left me feeling nauseous ALL the time like it sounds you are. Carbs at regular intervals alongside the anti nausea meds was the only way to keep it under control. I could exercise though (Pilates) which helped. I was very excited when I realised there is no nausea for me on Taxol but the 3-4 days of horrible muscle pains that kick in on day 3 and the low mood I think it causes have brought it's own challenges. What's your regime? (apologies if you have already said, I can barely keep my own plan in my head).

As well as a dripping nose I also get a leaky eye - my oncologist said this could be due to blocked tear ducts. So it’s great when you’ve done your make up nicely to look human/less like Anne Hathaway singing I dreamed a dream...and end up wiping drips off your face all day!

WTF yes, my hair loss pattern has stabilised as a tonsure so I have a ring of hair round the outside of my head that is a bit bristly. Not enough to worry about it be too annoying.

While we’re on the subject, has anyone found a good treatment for the scalp after hair loss? I’ve got patches of flaky skin that’s a bit greasy and wonder if I should use head and shoulders on it or something?

I also meant to ask if anyone wants to be pals on Facebook. If you do, drop me a pm. I’m not ‘out’ on there so would set up a private group.

How open have you all been on social media about your diagnosis? I have purposely not broken the news on fb because not all my friends there are really close enough friends and I don’t want to attract the aggravating comments about sister’s boyfriend’s auntie’s milkman’s budgie who had breast cancer and was cured by celery... Or god help us the motivational quotes. Nor do I actually want more people checking up on me or demanding to give help than I have! It’s a full time job as it is! What about you?

I'm seeing my hairdresser later today so may just go for it! Did any of you get bristle where the hair hasn't actually given up yet?

I shaved my head last week. I couldn't stand my hair coming out in handfuls and looking like I had a dodgy combover!

It's not as bad as I thought. I don't love it - I'd much rather have lovely hair, but I find it leads stressful than worrying about it coming out.

Anne Hathaway singing I dreamed a dream My first proper lol for a while...
Snows I'm on 3 of FEC then 4 of taxotere with herceptin and perjeta. A let up from the nausea would be great, though to be fair I felt pretty good from day 10 of the first cycle...even went out for a curry last Saturday night with no adverse consequences ( on cycle 2 now)
Ben not sure if I'm ready to bite the shave bullet, though I suspect I would feel better if I did....

@WTF99 I took a while to feel the time was right, you'll know if it is, it's not for anyone else to tell you. I didn't feel pressured at all, I just woke up with a load of hair on my pillow again and though 'fuck it'. I used DHs trimmer. It's a bit of a shock at first!

Weirdly, I felt like it's the only thing I have any control over at the moment.

Thanks for the positive and helpful comments! I don't wear makeup, so leaking eyes shouldn't be too much of a problem. I do feel surprisingly sad and losing my hair, after all I'm a lesbian, I'm supposed to have a number two crop !

Good wishes to all of you having hard and sad times, and thinking of TQ - hope you are comfortable and getting excellent care x

Blimey...I'm packing on the pounds as well!
Combination of steroids and eating to fight off nausea I think.
Any tips for healthy snacking/small meals that keep suckness at bay?
bloodyBridget

....or even sickness....

Hi Lacies

I was diagnosed with stage 4 marginal zone lymphoma in March 2018. It's incurable but (hopefully) not terminal.

Had 2 rounds of bendamustine, had a massive allergic reaction, and was moved on RCVP for six rounds.

Lost half my hair, went straight into a very intense menopause & gained 2 and a half stone during treatment.

Finished treatment at the end of October, and I'm now having Rituximab every eight weeks, which makes me a bit tired, but I'm basically functioning normally now, &
am able to go running three times a week, which feels amazing.

My hair is growing back & I'm starting to enjoy life again.

to you all.

WTF when I was in hospital post surgery, and vomiting most days, my DP brought me fresh pineapple and watermelon, don't know if you might manage them? I really struggled to drink, so they helped with hydration as well. A friend gave me Marmite biscuits - sold in Waitrose apparently, which are quite low calorie and nice to nibble too.

I've just caught up on the whole if the last thread & this one.

purpleunicorns. Bloody fucking stupid disease. She was ace.

I hope you're coping ok TQ. I can see things have been very tough for you. Thinking of you and your family

Just dipping in as an oldie.
❤️ and hugs to TQ.
Hope everyone else is doing ok

WTF99. I think suckness sums it all up perfectly. So much suckness around this disease

BrassicaI haven't said anything on fb for exactly the reasons you mentioned. I have told people as I saw them or had reason to tell them and didn't want some kind if public announcement. I held off telling my sil for a while as I know I wouldn't be able to cope with her response. She is lovely and caring but the frequent messages and questions although from a good place can sometimes be a bit more than I can cope with.

TQ. Thinking if you

Brassica, I'm not out on social media either.

Everyone has there own way of coping, but I don't want (virtual) strangers feeling they have to pass platitudes.

I'm up for a Facebook group: will
Pm you :)

I came out of Facebook because I wanted friends to know why I was declining invites and we have 3 grown up children and share a group of friends who were getting suspicious.
I found it odd that people who I thought were great friends sort of said 'Oh no, I'd no idea!!' But acquaintances who I almost forgot I had as friends private messaged me and even now drop me a dm saying they are thinking of me.
I'd be happy to join A group x x

Well I decided against the shave today and have gone for the seven dwarves look with a buff type snood thing that you can wear in different ways. I'm wearing it like Grumpy and it's keeping my hair in place, I'm less aware of it falling out and I think it looked quite nice today, and not grumpy at all! Next hair appt is 10th July so the shave might be then. We'll see. I've known my hairdresser ages and he's coming to my home for this one bless him.

I also went for a walk in the sunshine today with a dear friend and got some good support from a local chemo buddy and from my fella who was just lovely last night.

So feeling more upbeat today. Nausea still around but tolerable with distraction....and meds.

Thanks for support and suggestions all....much appreciated.

Brassica I think I have pm'ed you're Facebook.

Brassica I've PMed you

Brassica - I have been very open on social media. It was awkward at first with friends not knowing what to say but it just seems a part of me now - albeit a temporary part of me.

Thinking of TQ

Hi Miles - nice to see you back. I hadn’t noticed that you run (possibly because for a while you weren’t?) Any events in the offing?

Hi iVampire :)

I only run on my own: events don't appeal.

I'm really enjoying being able to do it again! It feels amazing after all the chemo last year.

I was reading your posts thinking 'that'll be me next year'...

Hello - not sure if this is where to post this but currently awaiting cancer test results for my DH. He has lumps on his liver and kidneys and possibly pancreas. Bloods and biopsy so far haven't determined what it is.

Got a few more days to wait and I don't think I can take this not-knowing. I feel sick and can barely function. I cry all the time. We have a 9 month old DS.

I can't talk to anyone yet until we know. The waiting is horrible. I love my DH so much I don't want to lose him. I don't want him not to see our son grow up.

feelingsicknow you poor thing.
Waiting for resuts is horrible as we all know here, but mainly from the perspective of the person with the lumps. It's very hard on loved ones too.
It would probably help you to talk to somebody close and get some support, though I can understand why you mught not want to do that until you know more.
The cancer charities like Macmillan have confidential helplines that you can call. Maybe try that? Or soeak to your GP? They can be very kind and helpful in this sort of situation.