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.

@Bloodybridget - thank you and DH will be there! They offered to bring another bed for him to sleep in the room (we both agreed to decline!). It’s been a bit intense and I want him to get some rest too.

@gillmoregirl my HR person also recommended Good Girls to me today!

Evening ladies

Just an update as promised. I went to breast clinic appointment today had the works examination mammogram and ultrasound was so nervous and told myself I had the absolute worst outcome and when all came to all dr told me I had blocked ducts altho I've never breast fed it can apparently happen and the indentation they thing is scarring from previous biopsy coupled with weight loss (I wish ). So treated myself and DP to a takeaway after all he waited over an hr and half in waiting area for me and can now hopefully sleep tonight. Thankyou all for your kind words and support past few days it has meant a lot

@MackemLass79 that's brilliant news, thanks for the update! Hope you and your DH enjoyed the takeaway!

@ElaineMarieBenes thinking of you today. 💐

Got date today for new surgeon to do scope. 10 august. Have to self isolate at home for week prior to this. I'm hoping he will be able to let me know approx surgery date. It's typical I've four days booked for family to go to nice at the end of august. This booked from last year but chances of getting slim now.

Sadly I don’t have good news - it’s breast cancer! Even though I don’t have breasts anymore! I will have a CT scan later this week, then back to the clinic next Tuesday for results & treatment plan.

Feeling numb, confused, angry and sad.

Damn!

Same type as before, ER/HR +, HER -. Bollocks!

@balkanscot so sorry you got bad news I’m not surprised feeling angry is among the emotions you are feeling!

@gillmoregirl glad you have a date for scope and hopefully you can get a bit more info on surgery soon.

Oh @balkanscot it’s a bugger. I’m out of surgery and now have no breasts but like you have to wait a week for results to give staging and next steps.

It is an emotional roller coaster - and yes damn to the whole thing!

@gillmoregirl hey thank you for the flowers - much appreciated

@ElaineMarieBenes Good that surgery over with. A step towards recovery!

@balkanscot So sorry to hear this. I've no doubt your head is spinning at the minute.

Another development. Just got a call from hospital to carry out pre op assessment over the phone!!

@balkanscot, I'm very sorry. Bollocks indeed.
@gillmoregirl glad there is at least some progress towards surgery. What a pity if it buggers up your trip to Nice, but as you say, that might have been scuppered anyway.
@ElaineMarieBenes, hope you are feeling reasonably OK today. Congrats on getting surgery over!

Hello to all newcomers! Sorry you find yourselves here . Sorry, struggling to read through posts as I'm a bit tired. Chemo has been cancelled this week to very low blood counts all round. I've been told that there is nothing I can do re wbc counts apart from rest/wait. Anyone have any experience/recommendations re food that might help? TIA

hi @citybumpkin, sorry about your delayed chemo. This happened to me three times out of six! As far as I know, there's nothing you can eat that will help, but after the first time I was given injections to do at home to boost neutrophil production. Obviously they didn't work perfectly because it happened again, but you could ask your team about it (unless you're already getting them?).
Chemo is massively tiring, no doubt about it, and the effects are cumulative. Just put your feet up and do as little as possible, is my advice - I realise this is difficult with a toddler. How is your DD?

@Bloodybridget I had the neulasta injections after the firsf 4 big chemos. I'm now on 12 lots of paclitaxel (with 4 carbo every 3 weeks). I don't get the boosters after any of these though. Feeling exhausted and every little ache/pain sets my mind in overdrive.

DD is fine! We had 4 teeth coming through the other week which meant a few really restless nights. As toddlers go, she is pretty good to be honest. Good but tiringly active.

Lovely news today re last week’s mammogram . All clear.
I saw the physiotherapist today and she freed up some tissue . Exercises to be done and back in a fortnight .

@ElaineMarieBenes how are you doing after the surgery? I hope you are recovering well.

@gillmoregirl getting closer to your op is great news, not long now.

@Squiffy01 thank you. Wishing you a speedy recovery.

@MackemLass79 yay, great news!

@citybumpkin I hope that you manage to rest enough to get your strength back and continue with chemo.

@Trumpton yippee! What lovely news!

I am having both CT and bone scan on Monday. Then all will be revealed on Tuesday. Crapping myself silly with fear. I totally didn’t feel so frightened first time round. It’s like the stakes are so much higher the second time. I have had some knee pain for the past 18 months but it’s been pretty intermittent and always flares up if I have been doing lots of running/cycling. Never bad enough for painkillers. I have always put it down to menopause and osteopenia. I am now paranoid this may be the sign of metastasis. No other usual suspect symptoms. Christ, my mind is racing, not sure how I’ll survive the next 5 days without going insane!

I’m sorry to hear your news @balkanscot. It must be very hard not to let thoughts run away with you, but intermittent pain doesn’t sound typical of mets. I hope the days pass quickly until your scans and results.

And I hope you are recovering well @ElaineMarieBenes.

My stoma has been causing me some strife, and the stoma nurses won’t see me because I don’t score high enough on some flipping Covid scale of theirs ...... thankfully I’ve found a Facebook support group which is far more helpful!

Hey I seem to be recovering well - only issue has been with cannulas dropping out of veins - it has been agreed that remaining antibiotics can be given orally. I can go home today!

Just the wait now to see what’s next. I am assuming chemo at some point but worry about my tiny veins! Have a lump in my arm from a small amount of pain killer!

@balkanscot it’s hard I know - I’m sure my staging is going to be high too. But we can get through it!

Also thank you to everyone on this thread - It really is a support!

It’s the 16th already here!

@Bloodybridget Thanks. I'm glad to hear something but anxious too.

@citybumpkin no wonder you're exhausted. Dealing with chemo and teething toddlers cannot be easy.

@Trumpton Great news. X

@balkanscot understandable to be so frightened. Sending you a virtual hug and handhold. 💕

@Starmer. Can't believe nurses wouldn't see you. Hope that stoma begins to behave soon and good you've found some virtual support at least.

@ElaineMarieBenes good to hear you're getting home today.

@Uhtredwaere. How are you? Apologies if I've missed an update just wondered how your appt went.

Best wishes to all. Nite nite. X

Hello all, just wondering if I can hang out here for a while? I've read some of your threads and you are such a lovely supportive group!

Had routine gynae apt in June and she wants to check out what she thinks could be a breast 'nodule'... I didn't feel anything myself though of course now she's mentioned it I'm convinced I can feel something . I've been referred for mammogram and ultrasound, which is how things are done here (not in UK) on 29 July. I have endometriosis and effectively had an early menopause at 44 after starting gnrh drugs for the endo, which I'm still on long term (early 50s now). Apparently this lowers my risk for breast cancer? My aunt had breast cancer and survived so I am wondering about a genetic link too although I know the chances are small.

Had an interesting conversation with my health insurers who were convinced I was going for a pelvic exam (I guess the ultrasound bit confused them). We sorted that out but they put my symptoms down as respiratory because apparently breast examination = chest condition...

@Squiffy01. Hope you're getting some relief from your pain and some rest too. Its hard to deal with active toddlers when fully charged let alone when trying to recover from surgery. Be kind to yourself. X

@ViveLEntenteCordiale hello and welcome, sorry to hear that you are inn this anxious situation. I don't have experience of breast cancer, but there are many knowledgeable women on the thread (it seems to be a bit quiet today). It's hard having to wait for tests and results. Sending a handhold, and hope you get good news eventually.