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

All my reading so far has emphasized the importance of looking after your heart and your bones after menopause. Only 6% of women actually die from BC but 33% die from heart disease! It's really important to not just view your body as two breasts but look at it holistically and take care of all of it x

I really need to read that book still!

How is this for spooky..?

DH had gone out when I woke up and came downstairs. The dog had been doing his usual trick of chewing used tissues (eww, I know) and leaving their detritus all over the place. A bit stiff first thing, I thought to myself for the first time"I wish I had one of those grabby sticks my dad used to have, to save me bending down".

DH came back from the shops about half an hour later WITH ONE OF THOSE GRABBY STICKS

Hi brassica
I've got gappy eyelashes now, having had them come back thickly so i think maybe it is the synchronicity thing. I remember a previous contributor to this thread saying something about losing a lot of hair at 7 years post chemo, and that also being a cycle, though not quite sure about that....it grew back anyway. Something to look forward to lol

I also feel very stiff and achy, in the mornings especially. I didn't have this before chemo (was flexible at yoga classes for instance, and feel like an ironing board at the mo!) and at 60 I was already well past menopause so I do wonder if its something other than, or in addition to, the impact on hormones. My rl chemo buddy is experiencing similar and is also late 50s, very fit and active.

It's very generous of you to offer your wigs. I have a kind of superstitious need to hang on to mine at the moment, though haven't worn them since December. Feel like it's tempting fate to let them go. Silly, I know. They are packed away though. The flippin polystyrene head keeps falling on me each time I open a particular cupboard . I tried my sleek blonde bob on the other day but it doesn't look like me now....I'm getting used to the mid brown short bushy curls!

Thinking of those of you who have had the need for chemo confirmed. It's a bit of a shocker isn't it? Having done it, I can't say it wasnt a walk in the park, but it is completely doable. I hated the thought of losing my hair and struggled with that, but you will find a way of getting through it. For me it was cold cap, nice soft beanies, and 2 really fab wigs.

BitOfFun yay for DH! You are clearly very much in tune with each other!

Wishing everyone a good Saturday.

peaceanddove I have never been over weight, exercised and ate healthily. After the menopause I was struck with Rheumatoid Arthritis (which is now causing me more grief than the breast cancer did) and a heart arrythmia. I resent the view that it's somehow my fault because I "didn't look after myself". It's along the same lines as the helpful folk who suggest that you wouldn't have got cancer if only you did this/ ate that.

@WTF99 great to have no more need of your wigs, I kind of understand the superstitious need to keep them. Mine are only worn now when I go "out" with DH or adult DC.

My eyelashes fell out a month after chemo finished and I've very little eyebrow left. I decided I would try and make an effort and have microblading done. Only to be told they wanted a doctor's note! I have taken up enough of the NHS's time recently, no way on earth am I going to ask for a letter about eyebrows.

@Nonotmenori so sorry you have to go through chemo. It's because of the HER2 positive status. Herceptin is a bit of a wonder drug which treats HER2 + cancer. It's really the Herceptin you need more than the chemo but in the UK Herceptin is only licensed to be given to patients who are having chemotherapy.

BOF those grabby sticks can be put to all kinds of uses

I'm so sorry I really didn't mean to offend @skap so sorry if I did

What I meant was that even if you do look after yourself well and keep healthy you are still at risk of heart disease after menopause because nothing else is as good for your heart or bones as oestrogen. It's so unfair.

It didn't come across as personal, I don't think, peace.

Did I ever tell you that the day after my diagnosis, my mum shared a meme on Facebook about heavy drinking being a huge predictor for breast cancer? Gee, thanks .

I'm kind of back ( had Hodgkin's lymphoma 2012/13 and DD had Hodgkin age 18 2017/18) as I went to GP yesterday because I'm post menopausal and have had bleeding and cramps and general feeling very below par. She examined me and I'm on a 2 week urgent referral. Obviously she couldn't diagnose anything but she saw a growth covering my Os and said it didn't look like any polyp she had seen. So, waiting for Monday when hopefully I will get a date. Life sucks.

Oh that really is shite, I'm so sorry! I hope it turns out to be something benign.

@Sooverthemill so sorry you find yourself back here fingers crossed that it isn’t anything serious.

Do you know what pisses me off? The fact that I can feel my sodding jawbone with my tongue, and that my tongue is really fucking sore because it's grating against the exposed rough bone.

It's shit. It's really, really shit. And I'm fed up.

Just popping in ( see what I did there — popped like my ear ) ) to say that I blew my bloody dripping nose - thank you Herceptin- and now have earache .
I have a warm pad on it and feel very sorry for myself . I think I may have popped my eardrum .

I was planning to try to get to Manx dancing tonight but perhaps spinning fast will put me on the floor !
I last danced with the group in public on our National day in July just after I was diagnosed and we have a small concert coming up that I could do one dance in ...it felt like a landmark .
One step forward another back .
Ecg on Monday . Herceptin 4/18 next Friday .

@Skap . I have always been fit and healthy but am certainly finding my late 60s a pain with one thing after another !

Just mulling over whether to ring ooh drs to talk about my painful ear every so often I get a stabby pain . But it’s 30 mins drive and meh !

Trumpton your popped ear sounds a real (Literally) pain. It is. Just one thing after another. If you think it could be a popped ear drum you probably ought to talk to someone in case there is anything they should or could do about it.

Bitoffun that sounds truly horrendous for you. Have they worked out what they can do about it?

@BitOfFun that sounds horrible, everything in your mouth always seems much worse because your mouth is so sensitive. It sounds make shift I know, but could you put some chewing gum over the rough bit? I did this as like a temporary dressing when my crown broke and was rubbing my tongue. Then you need some Bonjela on your tongue x

BOF I'm so sorry. Most if us on here can hold on to the thought that we will get better I can't imagine how hard it is knowing that isn't going to happen. Could you get stronger pain relief?

@Trumpton popped ears are up there with toothache. The bloody runny nose seems to be something everyone on herceptin gets. I suspect you were trying to get rid of a blood clot, sorry if TMI but I find I just have to do that. Blocked nose = breathing through the mouth = disturbed sleep and sore throat. I'd love to know how to manage it.

Oh it’s minor in the grand scheme of things but irritating . I have just woken from another nap .
I second the idea of padding your tooth with gum Bof it’s so weird that we just can’t help searching out the sharp bits with our tongues .

Lovely sunny windy day here but I think I will stay wrapped up and direct the days doings from my bed .

HMS Prince of Wales sailed past on Thursday ! Never a dull moment .

You guys are so bloody amazing!

@BitOfFun I honestly think you and your fab (dark...which I love) sense of humour are a legend. Asda sell dental kits that might help pack the area? I don't know if that would help. Thinking of you
@trumpton definitely see someone because it can get infected and you don't need to have any more crap pile on to you.
@Sooverthemill the 2 week wait is rubbish. Hope it's good results.

Just sorting stuff out ready for surgery next week. Trying to make it as low stress as possible for dh, he's got the 3 kids that live at home and still in full time at work. Wishing you all a relaxing day and relief from the strains of this crap xxx

I promise if it’s still sore in the morning then I will get gp to see me ( they are fab )
Also have ecg at hospital in afternoon .

@BitOfFun that sounds so general. Sorry no advice. I’m not surprised you are fed up of it all.

@trumpton ear aches are dreadful, I used to get them quite regularly but now don’t. Take some pain killers that’s a pain you don’t need to put up with.

Left the house yesterday for the first time in a week (apart from going for a blood test).
Finished my injections, couple more days left of my just in case antibiotics .
Next blood test on Tuesday morning to see if chemo goes ahead on Friday.

Thread newbie.

I'm terrified. I'm 18 weeks pregnant. I've had heavy bleeds throughout. EPU referred me for colposcopy which I had on Tuesday. The Dr said he wouldn't do a biopsy and would wait till 3 months postpartum. During the colposcopy I bled heavily and the Dr said he was worried by what he saw and would need to take a biopsy and I would get the results within the week (which scared me already!) skip to the day after the procedure and out of the blue I get a call from the MRI department to come on the next day (even more frightening!) had no indication that this would happen at all. As you can imagine I'm really scared I'm a single mum of 5. Had a call yesterday to say the consultant needs to see me on Tuesday. Exactly a week and I've had colposcopy, biopsy, MRI and follow up appointment. In my head I think it can only be bad news as it's all happening so quickly. I'm so snappy and emotional (not helped by pregnancy) I've had symptoms before pregnancy but the doctor only gave me antibiotics for post coitial bleeding.

@Robstersgirl, you must be all over the place you poor thing. All I can tell you is that when I went to GP at the beginning of my Hodgkins Lymphoma journey it all went off at a very fast speed, within days I was having biopsy and starting treatment. It obviously sounds like it must be the worst news but it still may not be. Try try try not to worry about what you don't know ( trying this on myself and it doesn't work). On Tuesday you will know much much more. Everyone in this thread will hold your hand through this. Huge hugs and sending the best possible vibes your way

@Hippiechick162 thanks. I really do t think it will be good news but I am a pessimist!

Sooverthemill
Thank you. I’m driving myself crazy!

@Sooverthemill not at all, I'm exactly the same. DH says it's pessimistic but I say it's preparation so anything that is better is good! I'll keep everything crossed for you.

I'm a bit of an emotional wreck today. Prepping for the DIEP and mastectomy knowing I can't see my kiddos because they are too young to come on the ward and then my 5 year old fell down the stairs and split her head open. DH was flapping so I sorted it and we took her to get head stitched. All I could think was thank goodnes that wasn't next week! I know he'll be fine and he is a great husband and father but can't help worrying.

I think a glass of gentleman Jack is in order tonight!

@hippiechick it must be so hard preparing to leave your kids for a long time! I’m also worried about it when I have my op.
Hope your DD is all stitched up and not in too much pain.

@Robstersgirl it must be so much more worrying going through tests when you are pregnant. This bit of not knowing is definitely the worst. Fingers crossed for you!!!

@Hippiechick162 - I'm sure your DH will rise to the occasion and muddle along without you. Just prioritise yourself for the next couple of days. Poor DD - hope she's not feeling too sorry for herself.

@BitOfFun - when my DDs had "jagged bits" on their train track braces they were given a special mouldable wax to cover it and protect the inside of their mouths. A high-tech version of chewing gum, I guess. Presume you can buy it from a chemist, or dentist surgery? Sorry you are having to endure this.