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

Morning,I've just been diagnosed with cervical cancer,during the lockdown my husband also unexpectedly walked out on me so I know there's never a good time to be diagnosed but there is definitely better!Im not on a treatment plan yet but have a CT scan blood and then a MRI and a PET so I can be staged and let me know a treatment plan.Im really frightened,my youngest DS is only 2.My other DS has severe learning difficulties.The worry is becoming a tad all consuming.

So a couple of weeks ago I was getting changed and noticed a dimple(dent) in my left breast. The thing is you cant see it all the time, just mostly when I tense up! Anyone else have this? ... I've spoken to gp and sent a pic and hes referred me to the breast clinic. So just waiting for a letter now.

@user1493208531 I'm currently waiting scans and results for bowel investigations so understand your worry. A couple of years ago I notice definite dimples on breast and go sent referral onwards. These turned out to be normal skin changes and nothing of concern. So hopefully yours will be too.

Hello all.
I have symptoms which I attributed to lumbar issues and perimenopause, but reading a thread earlier today I see I may have to lean on my GP more for a referral. No idea that hip pain could be a symptom of cervical cancer!?
I started a thread here if anyone wouldn't mind having a chat - ?
Loads of respect for you all holding it together with a diagnosis/treatment or waiting on test results in the current climate. My mum had BC a few years ago and we'll miss her follow-up appointments due to cv but I was just thinking how lucky we are that her treatment is over.

saffy it was on your thread that I saw that hip pain can be a symptom. Sorry to hear about everything you're going through, you have a lot on your plate.

Hi everyone. I was diagnosed as having breast cancer on wednesday. The tumour is 19mm and other breast and lymph nodes look clear. Ive had a biopsy( where they placed a clip on the mass) and i get the results this wednesday. Ive had an awful year, i have a rare chronic auto immune disease( Systemic Sclerosis or Scleroderma) and have had severe anemia for 4 months, needing iron transfusions. We were locked in a legal battle with our garage who damaged our car while repairing it. 21 year old son with ASD who cannot keep a job and is horrifically difficult to live with. Dad died 2 months ago, i was with him when it happened and was so traumatic. Lockdown. Worry the my DH with bipolar is going to lose the job he adores because of lockdown. And now this. Nice we all have this place for support.

@Redannie118 Sorry that sounds like a very difficult situation. You really do have my sympathies. I’ve had a lot of trauma in the last few years too with illness and deaths of people close to me and you do wonder when will it all end?? What is your treatment plan, do you know yet? I found when I knew my plan and schedule it was a lot easier to deal with ( I had lumpectomy end of March and commence radiotherapy tomorrow and have started Letrozole. )I am in my 50’s. I hope to return to work during the summer. I am funnily finding the Covid a bit helpful as I don’t feel I’m missing out on anything. Everyone’s holidays are cancelled, no one going on days or nights out! Hospitals are very quiet. A lot of my consultations are done over the phone which I much prefer. Anyway it’s early days for you and hopefully you’ll know your plan soon and get started on your journey back to full health.

Hello @Megjobethamy thank you for your kind words. No treatment plan as yet- will get that on Wednesday when I get full diagnosis( cancer type/stage etc)

@Redannie118
Sorry to see you here but welcome !
I was diagnosed nearly a year ago so can sympathise with you over the waiting .
My intro is right at the start of this thread .
I cannot say enough about how wonderful this thread is with it’s support .
It’s a bit quiet at the moment , I think we are all hunkered down doing the best we can but there is generally someone around to hold your hand when needed .

Come back on Wednesday ( or before if you want ) I will keep an eye on the thread .

@daisypond I agree with others that you should ask for further tests or at least a discussion about the treatment and plans for follow-up. Sorry that you have this anxiety now, that's pretty poor on the part of the hospital.
@saffy1234 that's a very hard place for you to be in, I am sorry. What's your not-so-d H like re the children, could he take over most of the care when you start treatment? Are there other people who can provide practical support?
@user1493208531 I hope you get a clinic appointment quickly, and of course that it turns out to be nothing to worry about.
@pawpawpawpaw ditto to you, hope nothing bad is going on.
@Redannie118 what awful luck for you and your family. Wishing you successful treatment for the breast cancer, and that other issues resolve themselves where possible.
Waving at everyone else here and sending very good wishes.

Hi @Bloodybridget he's good with the children but I haven't told him anything yet x

So happy to find this thread. Found a lump in my breast last night and it is so uncomfortable. Has come on so quickly.
Currently waiting for a GP phone appointment but even if it’s a video call there is nothing to see so not sure how he/she will be able to tell anything...

Savoretti hopefully they will just automatically refer you to the breast clinic. I had no lump just a nipple change my GP didnt think it was anything to worry about but still referred me and I'm glad she did.

I'm not feeling to bad but I'm afraid to stop taking the anti sickness in case I get sick 😂 I've took my last steroid this evening and I'm still using the mouthwash because alot of stuff tastes salty to me even cheese

Good evening everyone. How's things?
I'm still on the dreaded filgrastim injections and yup, I'm losing the will. I've gained so much weight it's not even funny. Well over a stone and a half and I'm hardly eating so I know it's the chemo, but still! Having an absolute nightmare with my landlord. Everything that could break and go wrong has gone wrong and now I'm stuck with a broken washing machine and sink that they refuse to repair . Anyways I wake up with a theist that feels like it's covered in I don't know what. I brush and gargle twice a day does anyone know what this could be? I only tend to get it when I'm taking Gen injections.

@Bloodybridget How are you getting on? X

@Savoretti hello and welcome, I'm sure your GP will refer you to the breast clinic. Sorry you have this anxious wait. Lots of support and advice available here.
@Lurkeycakewoman I found I could stop taking anti-sickness drugs quite soon after each chemo treatment (sorry, I can't remember where you're with treatment, are you having chemo?). The taste issues were horrible and very persistent, such a pain.
@Nonotmenori that's rubbish that you're having all the problems in your flat. You moved in fairly recently, right? Could you up the pressure on your landlord by stressing that you are vulnerable to infection and need the washing machine and sink fixed asap? I'm guessing you're waking up with a sore throat, not a believer in God covered in something or other . . I must be sleeping with my mouth open because I wake with a very dry mouth and throat often. I am ok, thanks for asking! Eating for England so my biggest jeans are rather snug, and I'll certainly never again get into the chinos I bought last summer when I was (for me) very thin!

Hi all

I'm having a horrid time following my 2nd chemo (first high dose of Cytarabine).

I've just also completed 10 days of a lower dose of GCSF injections and the pain is just as bad. The pain is pretty constant now. I'm at the hospital every other day for bloods too. It was
my birthday yesterday and I spent most of the day there waiting for the results until my consultant wandered past, saw the state I was in and told me to go home.

Blood counts are low across the board -
I'm bruising very easily and have got blood blisters on my lips from a cup of coffee. My mouth is extremely sore despite using mouthwash 4 times a day.

My third chemo is next Tuesday - back
onto RCHOP. I'm just feeling extremely poorly and woe is me at the moment

@Savoretti Hello, as others have said, your GP will probably refer you to the Breast clinic. I hope everything goes ok for you.

Hello everyone else. Sorry I'm rubbish at keeping track of how everyone is getting on.

Today I'm 3 weeks post MX and node clearance. I'm healing well, although the node clearance is still very sore. I can't detect any cording so I assume it's still healing. I spoke to my oncologist yesterday and he confirmed the biopsies were clear of cancer. He's sending me the consent form for 5 high doses of radiotherapy. Fingers crossed my treatment will be completed by the end of next month.

I've been told I can ask for a referral to plastic surgery for a reconstruction (and reduction on the unaffected side) once the NHS returns to 'normal'. My oncologist warned a reconstruction might not be possible following radiotherapy. Has anyone had a mx/dx reconstruction after radiotherapy?

@Savoretti i found my lump 2 weeks ago. I phoned GP for a consultation and following that i was brought in to see him the next day to examine me( GPs will see you if its important)He was concerned and put me on the fast path and i had a phonecall from the consultant that day. She did a telephone consultation and booked me in for the following week where i had all tests done in one day- mamogram, ultrasound and biopsy. Let us know how you get on.

@InOtterNews poor you, I'm sorry you're having such a tough time. It doesn't sound as though there's much that can be done to alleviate the side effects of the treatments, is there? Have you got someone at home to give you some TLC? Sending much sympathy and good wishes for better times to come

Inotternews so sorry you're having such a rubbish time - chemo is brutal and the injection bone pain is wretched. My gp prescribed oramorph which took the edge off, plus tramadol and cocodamol. Hope you can get something to help - I really sympathise - my husband had to call an ambulance for me once as I was in so much pain.

Had my 4th radiotherapy today - triple doses are brutal and I feel really tired. On the plus side - last one tomorrow. Had to have a tooth extraction today - not fun on top of everything else! Chemo really affected my teeth , and I'm feeling sorry for myself now (and we don't even have any icecream!).

Eeh @Zorgothslugofdoom that does sound crap. What a shame you had to lose a tooth. But it will be good to get rads finished.

Quick check in. Had app today, consultant confirmed its Invasive ductal carcinoma grade 2. Im booked in for lumpectomy next wed. If lymph nodes and lump are ok that will be the end of the surgery and in 8 weeks i will have 1 week of high dose intensive radiotherapy . If the lumpectomy shows issues or theres anything in my lymph nodes ill need further surgery and chemo as well as the radio. I feel a lot of relief knowing whats going on and how things will progress over next few weeks.

@Redannie118, sorry it is cancer, but as you say it's better to have a diagnosis and a treatment plan. And good that the lumpectomy is happening quickly. I do hope there's no spread so you just need the one week of rads .

Hi everyone. Had breast clinic appointment and doctor pretty sure I've got breast cancer again. Biopsy results will probably confirm it. It's my second go. Had a mastectomy and DIEP reconstruction 9 years ago.
Such a strange atmosphere in the clinic. I pray that they will just do a lumpectomy and not the full works. Love to all who are going through this.

Has anyone had a mx/dx reconstruction after radiotherapy? Yes me.
I had radiotherapy and then a DIEP reconstruction quite a while after that.