Cancer support thread #74 - come in, we're here for you.

[Hippiechick162]

Welcome to the new support thread for anyone who has cancer, at whatever stage of treatment, is worried about symptoms, or is waiting for tests or results.

This is the place to worry, moan, ask questions, share experiences and good and bad news, and celebrate milestones!

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

Our previous thread iswww.mumsnet.com/Talk/general_health/3760336-Cancer-support-thread-73-come-in-were-here-for-you

Current members, please do introduce yourselves smile

Zorgothslugofdoom.. well it’s something good out of this pandemic that we get access to this ..I had surgery ( lumpectomy) 2 and half weeks ago and wound on breast healing very well. I did have a seroma under my arm where the lymph gland was removed and got that aspirated last Tuesday as it was very swollen and sore.. the relief was immediate! The lymph gland wound was a little red and a little swelling around it so I’m on an antibiotic for that.. it’s taking its time to work.. Re your cellulitis ..Do you feel ill? Temp? Hopefully antibiotics will work...
Just in relation to radiotherapy, is it your right or left breast that is affected? It’s a little trickier if it’s your left because of your heart, they have to protect it obviously but it hadn’t occurred to me. Mine is actually the right ...anyway hope you get started soon and I’ll be very interested to hear how this radiotherapy goes. I anticipate it will be more tiring but very doable..I haven’t had the marking yet. I anticipate it starting in about 5 weeks. Best of Luck

Well they took a biopsy, so hopefully I'll find out soon

Morning troops .
Hope you are all coping .
I did a big sort out of paperwork yesterday and collated what I needed the rest went into the bin < < dusts hands off >> >

I have a copy of this book if anyone wants it .

Although it’s only 99p on Kindle .
@Skap suggested it to me and I found it very useful .

Free to a good home .

How is everyone?

I had to stop the filgrastim injections after 5 days (I still had 5 to go) - the pain I was in was unbelievable. The hospital said they would review going forward - maybe a lower dosage depending on white blood cell count. I've never had children so I can only imagine the pain but think this has to be on par - I was crying it was so bad.

My next cycle of chemo starts Tuesday next week which will mean 4 days as an inpatient. So had my PICC line fitted today.

I shaved my head on Sunday as I shed quite a lot in the bath that morning. I feel weirdly okay about it and am enjoying not having to think about har anymore. It's a bit nippy in the wind though, so I now understand why hoodies were invented.

@CrymbleCrumble did they give any indication of what they thought? Do you have your appointment for results? It's a very tricky time waiting for results, no doubt worse because of lockdown. Fingers crossed for you.

@Trumpton Hey are you feeling better?
Yes I can recommend that book and her website.

@Zorgothslugofdoom interesting about the accelerated radio being implemented earlier than already planned. I had the same for my Herceptin. At least it's reassuring that your treatment won't be compromised. I had zero side effects from radiotherapy but it was the old 15 session regime. As for your swelling, they had specialist nurses at the radiotherapy unit I went to and you could ask to see them at any time for advice.

@Skap
Yes everyday is better .
Check your email .

Fantastic news @Trumpton - hope you enjoyed your celebration.

I am booked for a PET scan on 1 May, the first scan I have had since finishing treatment in September. I know I have been told I am all clear but God it would be nice to have it confirmed by a scan!

@Snowsinwater
Thank you .
I am at hospital tomorrow for next Herceptin injection #6 of 18 .
The skin-expander put in when I had the mastectomy on 17th March is still very uncomfortable .
I might ring bcn and ask about it . It hasn’t been expanded yet and apparently they are reluctant to as they would need to inject into it , no rush about that but I would like to be more comfortable .
Best wishes to all .

Ended up back in A&E last week with my sore boob. They swapped me to a different antibiotic and sent me back to the Nightingale centre for an ultrasound and to see the consultant. Turned out I also have a seroma- which they drained (revolting - they sucked out 240ml in a massive needle, although it didn't hurt as they went in through my scar which is still quite numb). Boob feels less sore now, but no improvement yet on the cellulitis. My BCN is phoning me on Monday, and if it's still red, I'll be going back to the Nightingale again.

Went to Christie's yesterday and had my marking up appointment (got my 3 tattoos! ) - will be starting on 7th May (would have been next week, but they want my infection to be cleared up before it starts). Had the herceptin nurse come out today, so it's been a busy week with all of the appointments!

Hope everyone is doing ok and able to enjoy the sunshine.

@Zorgothslugofdoom oh that’s awful for you . My stitches burst during the night with my seroma .
Left me gibbering and weeping in the corner of the room whilst screaming for a towel . “ Any towel , I don’t bloody care ! “
But the relief was immense .
And similarly I was given antibiotics as it was not recognised as a seroma at first .

I had my first outing for three weeks to the hospital oncology unit for Herceptin today . I even took a coffee in my reusable cup to drink in the car !
It felt quite exciting!
DH had to call In at his mothers (96) as she had got her meds in a tangle so I was able to wave at her through the window . I hadn’t seen her since 14th March .

Hi everyone, I'm just checking in. I'm 3 days post-mastectomy. I'm sore and tired but doing ok. I have to wait two weeks for the biopsy results. How long did others have their drain in following surgery? I know not all surgeons use them. My original surgeon said I'd have 2 drains but she ended up in isolation so a different surgeon did my op and I've just got 1 drain.

Yesterday I had the good news that the insurance company have accepted my critical illness claim. My mortgage will be paid off next week and the outstanding balance will be paid into my bank account (which will pay for a much needed holiday). It put into prospective how seriously ill I am, but hopefully on on the road to recovery. I'd forgotten I had the insurance until I saw it on another post.

I had mastectomy with single drain on 17th March and drain out 3rd April . Longer than they wanted to leave it but I was still draining a lot and they wanted it down to 30ml a day . We got it down to 40ml and I was very glad to get it out !
So 2weeks 3days .
My pathology took 5 weeks ... that was a long time but all clear !
But... the plural of anecdote is not data and we are all different . I was warned that pathology would be slow .

Hi all. Waving and reading through.
I'm still OK at year 9 and a bit, and still wading through some useful papers etc. [BC, HER2+, HR-, Grade 3, Stage 2, all the usual treatment/lumpectomy fun 'n games plus bonus additional op for odd skin tumour in radiation field]
@Citybumpkin, - the order of your treatment. I think quite a few teams are experimenting more with that order. If the surgery and rads zap it completely, they can be kinder with chemo types. Should work ok.
@Trumpton, hurrah!

@Trumpton thank you. I'm 3 days post surgery and draining 80ml. The ward sister said it wouldn't be in long but didn't clarify what that meant. The district nurse said the longest they left them in was 2 weeks. It's the drain stitches which are the most uncomfortable at the moment.

Hi everyone 🖐🏻 how are we all doing? Yesterday was chemo session 6 so I am officially half way though yay! Feel fine today which is a relief, but hairs downstairs are falling out so that's great news too sorry if tmi! I've been given those filsgrim injections again so I, starting them again tomorrow but this time they've given me codeine for the side effects so I'm hoping that will help as I don't think I could take another 8 days of torture. Currently cooking myself my second roast dinner again this week. I've also gained a whole 10 lbs since April which is terrible considering I've had no takeaway or much alcohol. I'm already saying to look like Matt Lucas twin with my bald head 😂 really need to get on top of the crap eating!

Hope all is well xx

Hello all! Still struggling after surgery. Aching and in pain. It seems I have cording under my boob. Basically it feels like my skin is being stretched very tightly. My physio has been great and has "popped" two of the offending node strings. It was OUCH when she did it but the relief afterwards. I'm off to have an ultrasound next week to see whats going on.

Treatment plan wise, I'm now having chemo next. The Dutch are pretty good at listening to patients concerns etc. I'm dreading it. The side effects and having to look after a 1 year old

Anyone any recommendations for chemo before, during, after?

@ barberousbarbara

Yes . I was over the days recommended but was in quarantine for 14 days after return to the island so not a lot of choice . No district nurse either for the same reason but we bumbled through.
The stitches pulling on the drain were not comfortable as apparently the body is working trying to eject the tube .

I was pleased to see hair returning ( not so much the nasal hair ! ) proper eyebrows and some eyelashes !
Last chemo was mid February.

@Nonotmenori watch out for constipation with codeine . I took lactulose which helped ease things .

@citybumpkin

What drugs will you be on ? I had Paclitaxel and the side effects were not too bad . Tiredness mostly and a bit queasy . Lemon ,fresh ginger and honey helped with that .
The infusions took 2 hours and I was always cold ( was winter tho )
Headphones, iPad with film , kindle , insulated cup , earplugs and sleep mask , you might find you doze off particularly as you have a one year old !

@Trumpton I'm having AC every fortnight (4 sessions) then taxol every week (12 sessions). Planning on cold capping but will see how it goes.

Thanks for the tips. I'm thinking the worst re side effects! Haha re the napping! Its a rarity these days. DD is very active!

Yes indeed . But I found that just laying down i a quiet place whilst having the infusion was enough to make me drift off .
I also went in alone each time so I didn’t have to think of anyone but me . Hence the earplugs to filter out the chat from other people .

@Trumpton thanks I've got prude juice from the days after surgery when I was so bunged up I wanted to throw myself off a cliff it was that bad. Never again!

@Nonotmenori if it's any consolation I put 10lb on during chemo but it all dropped off again within six weeks of stopping.

DCIS is the diagnosis. They were very shocked as I'm 28. They've offered a lumpectomy and radiotherapy, but I'm going to ask for genetic testing and a mastectomy

I had DCIS and had lumpectomy x2 but they couldn’t get a clear margin and fish results showed I was HER2+ so went for chemo followed by mastectomy.
But I was told that every case is dealt with on its own merits .

While the thread is active I an unworn wig and a copy of “ ticking off breast cancer “ if anyone wants .

But the book is only 99p on kindle . Quite happy to send either / or .
PM if interested .

@Skap I'm only half way though my body can't take another ten pounds 😭😂😂 hope it drops off too like yours otherwise I'll have to take drastic measures xx