Cancer support thread # 75 - come on in!

[Bloodybridget]

This is the new thread for anyone at any stage of cancer, from noticing a possibly warning sign, through tests and scans, diagnosis, treatment and beyond. Come on in for advice, sympathy and support.
The last thread is here.

If you've been on a previous thread, please come and say hello and introduce yourself!

If you are a relative or friend of someone with cancer and looking for support, there are other threads on this topic - this one is for cancer patients ourselves.

@SnowsInWater what lovely news, I'm so pleased for you! Wishing you many good years to enjoy your granddaughter !

Thanks for kind thoughts. I have a lung function test tomorrow week, and an appointment by phone with the surgeon on the 16th. So DP and I are nipping up to Norfolk for a couple of days next week to see family, that will be good.

Huge congratulations to SnowsInWinter, that's just marvellous news!

I called my nurse specialist today, and she's going to change my phone appt to a face-to-face with the oncologist, and arrange an MRI to take place before I see him.

@BitOfFun I always think it's easier to have a face-to-face conversation. Will your DH be able to go with you?

@Thymeout I think I’ve been incredibly lucky, but it’s a fact that recovery from keyhole surgery is faster than from open surgery so there’s that too. Can’t remember whether I posted above that my GP was super-impressed with the nice neat job they did.

Congratulations @SnowsInWater!

@KentishMama if it’s shallow to care about your appearance, then I think most of us are guilty. Perhaps my mind’s meant to be on higher things now... but it’s not

Just had a skim of posts in the last few weeks since I was on here.
@Bloodybridget Sorry to hear about your lung thing and surgery, you've done your bit already. All I can say about hospital without visitors is that you will be spared Other People's Visitors.

@InOtterNews I live with fatigue as I have RA and during my chemo it was worse. I had 12 weeks of weekly chemo. My plan at the start was to walk every day. Some days I managed it but there were days especially by the end when I could not manage more than a walk around the garden. Don't set your sights too high and don't judge yourself, even worse don't compare yourself with people who manage much more than you Learn to plan around it, so if something is planned in the morning rest for the rest of the day. I have learned that trying too hard just knocks me back for days.
Also those on chemo with multiple hospital visits for bloods and PICC line flushing. I managed to get a weekly visit from the district nurse who did both. Not all areas allow it and they definitely don't offer it you have to ask.
It was a massive help.
I had my one year mammogram this week. I had to chase it 3 times and instead of the promised mammogram followed by consultation with the breast surgeon to discuss the results I was given a leaflet and will get the results by post in 4 weeks. I am thinking of asking for a FTF because I Have pain in my breast. Everyone I speak to brushes it off as normal. Perhaps it's yet another thing they don't mention pre-operation - you will have permanent breast pain and never be able to sleep on that side.

Wow after a quick read through the past few weeks you've all had a pretty crappy time bloody Bridget I hope your lung op goes OK.
Kentishmama I'm sorry you had shitty results 😔
Inotternews I'm always tired a small walk I nearly fall over all the bloody time its like tripping on air but never tired enough to sleep
I finished chemo last week neuropathy is bad I cant type very well so I apologise for spelling mistakes. Now I just have radiotherapy to go. Ill be refered back to my original hospital but the treatment will still be at the QE. I cant wait to have eyelashes and eyebrows. I cant wait to taste food properly again. I cant wait to hug my friends and I cant wait for the kids to go back to school

Hope everyone has a decent weekend.

@Bloodybridget so sorry to hear your news. I'm sending positive vibes your way.

@skap thank you. I've given myself a good talking to over the last few days. I've realised that I will have to acknowledge all kinds of things (I haven't quite got to "accepting" things yet) and my body being a bit broken and battered is one of them. I've started pacing myself a bit more.

Blood Cancer UK also have these great little videos of strengthening exercises and low impact cardio - even one which you can do lying down - all around 10 mins long. So I did 25 mins of that and then cooked dinner. This is the most active I've been for about 4 weeks. I feel tired, but good tired.

I'm now on the countdown to my transplant...2 weeks. Eek!

@InOtterNews
Thanks for the strengthening exercises recommendation. Just what I need.

Still not back to pre-surgery a year ago. Chemo and shielding paused my recovery. Still can't walk v far. I'm OK with a shopping trolley. It helps to have something to lean on. So I borrow an M&S one from the car-park to get round the shops and put it back where I found it when I get back to my car. Image is everything. I don't feel ready for the square tartan shopping trolley yet!

There used to be a charity called Look Good Feel Better, with make-up lessons and high end freebies. Wonder if it's been able to start up again now regulations have been relaxed?

@LucyWarlowsRightHand - Sounds as if you had a good surgeon. Mine said I was a good healer, but I wouldn't recommend him for a tummy tuck. Just as well my bikini days are behind me.

@Starmer re tingling fingers, remember to keep up with the moisturising. I escaped mouth ulcers, but my finger-tips are still v sensitive and have to be careful carrying a hot mug of tea.

Best wishes to everyone else.

Look good feel better is an online zoom call with no high end freebies now I was sent a letter with an invite that fell on a chemo day with no way of asking to change the date. The letter is still on my table I bet

What a shame about the Look Good Feel better courses. I think it might be too risky to do FTF just yet. 12 women in a room around a table trying makeup products with a beautician demonstrating on us all in turn.

All those high end products were donated by make up retailers. I went on a course when I was mid chemo. I wasn't keen at first and it was very emotional for some. But at the age of 61 I actually learned how to put makeup on. The eyebrow tutorial - we were all bald and browless, was amazing and I imagine could easily be reproduced online.

I'm currently doing the breast cancer Moving Forward course online. I think I would have skipped this if it had been in person because there are big chunks I'm not interested in but online I can pick and choose. It's over four weeks so I'll report back if anyone is interested.

@Thymeout here you bloodcancer.org.uk/support-for-you/living-well/keeping-active/

Today I did the warm up, strengthening (without weights) and cool down. Followed by 2 mile walk.

That'll be it now for today. I'm might clean the bathroom later after a little rest.

@TreeWitch - hope you’re having a soothing evening

I’m deeply in denial that anything will be happening tomorrow.

I’ve just rung for a takeaway, will be opening a bottle of something to go with it, then having a long bath

@InOtterNews - goad you’ve found exercises you like the look of. Even when my foot was completely knackered, I found going out for a walk did me the power of good.

Another site which has lots of good resources for gently getting more active is www.weareundefeatable.co.uk

and restarting some time in the autumn
www.movedancefeel.com

which in RL takes places in Maggies and Paul’s in London and Penny Brohn in Bristol, but in these Covid days can be zoomed in to from anywhere

I did a LGFB a while ago - definitely recommend them for when they can get going again. But I guess they would be fine online for things like how to eyebrows when you have done

All the best to everyone

@iVampire I am slightly terrified as I am still so sore & bruised from the last biopsy which was 4.5 weeks ago. Not looking forward to that bloody mammogram clamp. Sending you all my best wishes for tomorrow

The bit I’m looking forward to least is when they inject the local - it really stings!! Plus all the awkwardness of sting in the clamp for however long it takes

It does feel as if I’ve only just got over the last one! I have left-over prescription strength cocodamol for afterwards (so will be woozy the rest of the day). I’ve treated myself to a new wireless bra for the occasion

Voice of doom here - they told me there was more bruising with this procedure. Not looking forward to that, especially as I need to get an ECG done on Wednesday

Yes I spent my Xmas vouchers for M&S on two new sports bras and an under wired bra. I have Arnica tablets ready to try minimise the bruising this time

Done!

Staff are so lovely - I was wittering on, non-stop, about all sorts of random crap (both a stress reaction and a distraction technique) and they said they didn’t mind at all. They topped up the local so I didn’t feel round 2 at all!

Best bit - 3 day ban on housework (and all other forms of exertion)

How’s yours @TreeWitch ?

3 day ban on housework, I think I love you for this @iVampire. My appointment is 1.30 today will report back later. Hope you are not too sore

@iVampire

Done!

Staff are so lovely - I was wittering on, non-stop, about all sorts of random crap (both a stress reaction and a distraction technique) and they said they didn’t mind at all. They topped up the local so I didn’t feel round 2 at all!

Best bit - 3 day ban on housework (and all other forms of exertion)

How’s yours @TreeWitch ?

Staff are so lovely - I was wittering on, non-stop, about all sorts of random crap (both a stress reaction and a distraction technique) and they said they didn’t mind at all. They topped up the local so I didn’t feel round 2 at all!

Health care staff can be absolutely amazing can't they @iVampire? I remember being asked random questions about the Coronation (NB I was not even close to being born then!) when I had to have a very minor procedure a few years ago. I was nervous and the lovely assistant was doing everything he could to distract me!

I'm continuing to do really well following my operation, obviously super-tired but nothing unexpected.

I'm finding random fearful thoughts creeping in now and then about the cancer coming back/further treatment not going as predicted. Think I'm going to have to be stern with myself if it's still like this in a week or two, because that fear is probably never going to go away and I don't want my live my life constantly scared of dying. But for today I'll cut myself a bit of slack!

I did the school run yesterday afternoon and wasn't expecting all the attention I got and how concerned everyone was --> I think it's really given me the fear!

Anyway enough about me. I don't have much to report other than my Kindle jigsaw puzzles and reading material that have been keeping me busy lately, which is probably part of the problem

Hello everyone, just catching up with the thread.

@BitOfFun well done getting the nurse specialist on the case, hope the appointments come through soon.

@KentishMama that is a great idea re eyebrows. I'd not thought of it and think I've left it too late now so am going to have to learn to draw them on (or not bother or maybe just hibernate!).

I had another appointment with the oncologist today. My latest biopsy results were back and there is more cancer elsewhere in the breast. I have an appointment with the surgeon for Thursday but it sounds likely they'll recommend a mastectomy given these results and then the decisions will be whether to have reconstruction and how many lymph nodes to remove (and that will depend how I respond to the chemo). I won't be having surgery for months so there's lots of time to think about things.

And my chemo starts on Friday this week. So pleased it's soon now, even if it's a bit terrifying. Lots has been going on but I'm really conscious I haven't actually had any treatment yet and it'll be a relief to start no matter what the side effects are.

Sending positive thoughts to everyone x

Done - may nobody ever have to go through an excisional biopsy while still bruised from the last one. It started bleeding and would not stop. Took 4 attempts to get a heavy enough sample. Very sore, very swollen (my new lovely support bras no longer fit round my rib cage) and feeling very sorry for myself now

Oh TreeWitch I’m so sorry! That sounds really rough

Are you able to nest on the sofa and not move until bedtime?

@iVampire I am in my bed so as to avoid all parenting duties

[quote TreeWitch]@iVampire I am in my bed so as to avoid all parenting duties[/quote]
Good to see that you still have your wits about you!

You poor thing though. It sounds hideous.

Well I just found out that I’ll be needing chemotherapy. Some bright spark (more likely a system error that happened automatically) put the hospital specialists’ report on my GP’s internet portal for me to read. I got an email that there was a message for me. Had a bit of a cry (I mean fuck, it was a shock, I wasn’t expecting to hear until next week) but I’ll just have to get on with it really. Cancer is now staged at 3b (was 1 or 2). I’m genuinely much more upset by the shock, it’s not like it’s terribly bad news but it’s not nice to get a random professional report telling you the news rather than a professional of whom you can ask questions. So I’m not best pleased just now.

Oh @TreeWitch that sounds really tough. Wishing you a speedy recovery.

Sorry i didn't see your post until after I'd just posted @LucyWarlowsRightHand. That is a terrible way to get news, of course you're shocked! I have a stage 3 diagnosis and it was a shock to get this news in the normal way. Thinking of you xx