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.

@gillmoregirl gosh, I am sorry you are still waiting. I wonder if contacting PALS would do anything?

@Bloodybridget. Think I'll get back to Macmillan nurse next week. She was lovely. She's off this week. She had told me that they are waiting for theatre spots so that's hold up. Covid dependent.

@Lizdeflores sorry to hear about your diagnosis. When I was diagnosed one of the first things I wailed at the consultant was “How do I tell my children?” His advice was to say “The doctors have found something nasty in mummy, so they need to treat it. That means mummy’s going to be poorly for a few months, but it is treatable.”

I also talked about the fact there would be a big team of people deciding what the best treatment for me would be, which they seemed to find comforting.

I agree with Macmillan being a good source of info, but if you get assigned a nurse it might be worth asking her advice.

(I lurk on here these days and don’t post very often. My story is that I was diagnosed with malignant melanoma on my vulva in January 2019. Treated with surgery and a few doses of adjuvant immunotherapy, but the immunotherapy affected my liver so was stopped. Am now being closely monitored- scans have been clear but I’ve had two more areas of pre-cancerous skin removed from my vulva, the most recent just over a week ago

Hello everyone!
Hope everyone is feeling a bit more comfortable now that the weather is less hot and sticky.
I have a question for anyone who has had chemo, has anyone started stuttering after a cycle? I really struggle to get my words out after chemo, but I never stuttered before. It's a bit of a mystery and I wondered if happened to anyone else?
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@romola, no, I never had that after chemo, although I did feel pretty dozy and absent-minded, the well-known "chemo brain"! Are you worried about it? You could mention it to a nurse or doctor, maybe? How are you apart from that?
I am glad it's not roasting hot now, but am missing having meals in the garden!

Thanks @Bloodybridget, I do have a definite case of chemo brain which makes homeschool fun.....
I was enjoying meals in the garden right up to the moment I realized that wasps have made a nest nearby and since then have retreated inside. This year just keeps on giving.
I'm deciding whether to stop my chemo at 5 cycles rather than 6 because the side effects have gotten so bad. I'll be discussing it with the oncologist in a few days. Did anyone else stop early?
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@romola I know there are a few people on here who stopped chemo early, either because of worries about Covid or because of severe side effects. I'm sure someone will be along soon.

Hi guys so quick update. About to start radiotherapy on 14thJuly. Its being spread out over 3 weeks to try and help with the side effects as im very high risk due to systemic sclerosis. So any top tips or tricks for getting through radio?Things i should prepare for or be aware of? Thanks guys :)

Can I join you all?
Admitted to hospital last Tuesday after a CT scan showed a bowel perforation, and have had a sigmoid colectomy and have a colostomy. I came home on Tuesday and the surgeon has rung to say that it is, as expected, cancer. No spread to lymph nodes or anywhere else, so the plan is adjuvant chemo.
We’ve told the children this evening, but I dread telling my mum and dad, especially as we can’t see them at the moment.
Alternating between wobbly and trying to be positive.....

I used to lurk around here 3 years ago, and sadly, may have to stay this time. Diagnosed with breast cancer in December 2016 (ER+/HER -), BRCA2 positive (thanks, Dad!), lumpectomy, followed by bilateral mastectomy with DIEP reconstruction. No radiotherapy or chemo due to the gene (bilateral mast. was a preventative measure) Then bilateral oophorectomy (also preventative). All fine & dandy, all results showed no spread anywhere, not even lymph nodes. Switched from Tamoxifen to Letrozole, bastard menopause has been tough. But hey, I am alive & well.

Fast forward to a week ago when I felt a lump under my right armpit - same side that the original breast lump was on. GP saw me on Monday, freaked me out by mentioning it is “large”, have an appt. at the breast clinic on Monday. Kind of resigned they will tell me the bastard has come back as I am not buying the cyst theory. Just hoping it it regional and hasn’t spread anywhere yet. I am feeling well, no indication of any persistent aches & pains anywhere to indicate something else is wrong.

Absolutely bricking it, though. I am not allowed to bring my DH in next Monday due to Covid-19, so will probably end up in a sobbing heap by the end of the day.

I am going to be 48 in September, I have an 8-year old (who suffers from epilepsy), I cannot fucking die just yet! 😓

Sorry for the self-pitying post, I am just feeling absolutely cheated after everything I have been through. Feeling a glimmer of hope

Sorry, pressed post too soon.

Feeling a faint glimmer of hope, though. Just a faint one, but still, it may be enough.

Hi @Starmer and @balkanscot - I’m so sorry you find yourselves here (particularly if this is a return visit). But welcome!

There are lots of people here ready to support you (although the thread is a bit quieter as people navigate covid world). Feel free to vent and ask the questions you feel you can’t in real life.

Hello can I join?

Found a lump in my left breast following an accident and am waiting for the biopsy results - have been told it’s malignant (actually ultrasound found 2 lumps but I can only feel 1). No lumps in lymph nodes - but biopsy also taken to check status.

I have an MRI on Sunday (am not currently living in the U.K. and this is a working day here!). This apparently is for the team to consider best treatment options without delay.

I only have 11 months left on my work contract before I was due to return to London so very inconsiderate timing! I have good health insurance cover but I think in normal circumstances I would want to go home. Covid changes everything it would appear - cases / risks extremely low where I am but what is the impact in the U.K. of Covid on cancer treatment? There is no impact on breast cancer treatment here. My lovely boss has suggested sending all results to U.K. for a second opinion - has anyone done this? (This would be to a private clinic in London so not using precious NHS resources). I really like and trust my doctors here (all women and specialists trained in France) and don’t want to delay treatment.

Trying to keep calm and carry on but I hate rollercoaster rides! Any good tips on staying sane and having a laugh most welcome!

Good morning to everyone,
Welcome to @starmer, @ElaineMarieBenes, @balkanscot it's the club no one wants to join but I've really appreciated the support here.
My top tip on staying positive and sane is daft memes.

I got my chemo schedule today, I will be having treatment on my 50th birthday. I knew that my birthday was going to be a damp squib this year. But treatment on my actual birthday is another low blow in year of low blows.

The hospital called yesterday and the suspicious lesion they found on my shoulder X-ray has been confirmed by a CT scan to be a benign enostosis or bone island. Relief is an understatement.

Just need to have another chest X-ray in a couple of weeks as there was some inflammation showing on the one I had as an inpatient. I struggled to clear my chest after my op as it hurt so much to cough, so I expect it was something to do with that.

After that I have an appointment with a geneticist to assess my risk for Lynch Syndrome, then fingers crossed that should be it bar regular check ups for 3 years.

@Redannie118, sorry have no experience of radiotherapy, I hope someone who has, will respond to you soon.
@Starmer, @balkanscot, and @ElaineMarieBenes very sorry that you find yourselves here, but welcome anyway. Diagnosis is always hard to cope with, I think, even if you're kind of expecting it. Elaine I'm not qualified in any way to advise on your situation, but AFAIK essential cancer treatments are going ahead as usual in the UK now.
@Lizdeflores chemo on your birthday is utter crap. Big sympathy.

@ Toofaroutallmylife, @romola, @Bloodybridget - thank you for welcoming me. I have been feeling strangely calm today, only broke down crying once. I have an appt. for my haircut in 3 weeks’ time which would have cheered me up no end but I am just feeling meh about it all. And we are just about to finally get our widows repainted and restored (big, expensive sash & case ones that you are not allowed to rip out as we live in a conservation area) as they are falling to bits, and I just can’t commit to it right now, damn! (I have already had to cancel once due to the virus earlier this year). I know it’s no big deal but it just seems like another fuck up.

@Lizdeflores I know it’s rubbish timing. Hang on in there, wishing you all the strength.

@DivisionBelles - yay for great news re: CT scan, good luck with the chest X-ray!

@Lizdeflores, the chemo unit might be open to negotiation about poisoning you on your birthday, my local unit moved times and dates around a little for me. I had chemo the day after my birthday so I could enjoy some cake.

@DivisionBelles I'm so glad to hear that the shoulder thing is benign. Hope all news is good from here on in!
@balkanscot all the ramifications of cancer/possible cancer are hard to cope with, money issues as much as anything. Very much hoping for good news for you on Monday, but whatever happens, you'll find lots of support here.

Hi everyone. @romola love that glow worm illustration🤩 @DivisionBelles nice to hear your good news. To all the newcomers sorry you have had to join but you will find great support here. @Bloodybridget. Thank you for keeping thread updated. You do a brillant job remembering everyone.

Hope everyone else is doing as well as they can be. Windy rainy Sunday here in Ireland. Netflix day for me.

@Bloodybridget Indeed. Last night I kept tossing & turning thinking about work, colleagues, money, etc. I am having a pretty rollercoaster of a day today, thinking of my DS all the time, my mum & brother whom I am unable to visit this year as they live abroad (plus my mum is in a nursing home, so shielding). Thinking will I be able to see them ever again if I get really bad news tomorrow? Argh!

Sorry, everyone, it’s pre-tomorrow’s nerves.

@balkanscot utter crap is a good description of the situation fingers crossed for you tomorrow xxx
What sort of things do people do to relax themselves during treatment?.I have found colouring books helpful as it keeps me off of social media( which is not always helpful to me) but I need some other ideas.

@balkanscot. Fingers crossed for you tomorrow. X

@Redannie118 I finished my radiotherapy last month. Mine was 5 high dose sessions but my advice is moisturise at least twice per day, start now if you haven't already. I used Aveeno with the blue cap and the radiologist was happy with that. During treatment make sure you stay hydrated and try to stay active, even though you may not feel like, but also rest when needed. I was lucky and my skin didn't even go pink, only a very slight darkening of the skin above my mastectomy scar. I've had some fatigue but it's manageable. The hospital can prescribe creams for you and will have some good advice.

@DivisionBelles that's great news

@Lizdeflores I had chemo on my birthday this year (but not a big one). I took cakes in for the staff and other patients. I was in a clincal research trial so there was only every a small number of people there. I used to take my Nintendo Switch with me to treatment and play Animal Crossing. I had a PICC so I had both hands free. Before the PICC is would read.