Cancer support thread #76 - newbies welcome!

[Bloodybridget]

Here's the next 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, please look for other threads; there is one in Life-limiting illness for partners - link to latest. This one is for cancer patients ourselves.

Not yet! Keep trying!

@Bloodybridget My father had Alzheimers and getting dementia has been a major fear of mine - but I now really doubt I'm going to have to worry about that!

I'd rather not do photos - you'll just have take my word for it!

@Acinonyx2 that's fine, we can all imagine it exactly how we'd like it! My father had Alzheimer's too.

@AlbertCampion I think a puppy will be a lot of work but will also bring a lot of joy and now is the time to hold on tightly to the things that bring joy.

Hi all

Happy rainy Tuesday! Today I managed to shower without sitting down and climb the stairs in one go. Progress!

Somebody was asking me about how the hospital is at the moment with second lockdown imminent. Chemo brain means I can't remember who.

I was back at my local hospital yesterday for line maintenance and bloods - just a unit of red blood cells yesterday.

It was like a ghost town as per first lockdown. The corridors were empty as was the outpatients waiting room. In the chemo suite I would say only a third of the chairs were occupied.

It was lovely to be back there though rather than traipsing up to Kings - all the staff from the ward came out to see me and everyone in the treatment suite stopped to chat. (For those who are newer to the thread I had all my chemo locally - then transplant at kings)

Back at Kings on Thursday though - bigger hospital so I expect it will still be busy.

@BitOfFun at the moment I'm feeling very blessed to have so many people who care about me - even from afar.

Hi I have thyroid cancer and had my thyroid removed. Two weeks ago I had an ultrasound to check on my lymph nodes (I have this done every 6 months). The radiologist said that the lymph nodes had changed texture and the MDT team would meet to discuss the next stage of treatment.
Im just worried because it's been two weeks and I have not heard anything. I just wondered how long it takes to hear back from the hospital.

Hugs to everyone feeling lousy today.

I've had some sad news, I phoned to make my annual check-up appointment (7 years on) with my breast surgeon to find he passed away last week from a heart attack. He was only 58

He was a lovely, lovely man and an excellent surgeon. As well as performing my bmx, he also took my gallbladder out a few years later. He had 2 children both of whom are training to be surgeons.

Very sad - RIP Mr S.

Hi @InOtterNews. That was me who asked whether there were any signs that King's were gearing up for a second wave because of the knock-on effects on the PRUH. I know what you mean. I had to go at the end of March and it was as you describe. Just a few waifs and strays like me collecting chemo pills.

@BitOfFun You're a woman after my own heart. 6 years ago when I was misdiagnosed by a Gyne consultant with no qualifications in oncology...I started making a list. 'Reasons to be cheerful...I have inoperable ovarian cancer'. It was the reverse of a bucket list. Not all the things I wanted to do, but the things I didn't want to do and now wouldn't have to. I was almost disappointed to find out I would have to cook another turkey and paint my bedroom ceiling. Almost.

I think if I had any cash squirrelled away for a rainy day, I'd be splashing out on cashmere and expensive perfume. Hardback books, no waiting for the paperback.

@user675761 You'll be in good hands here! Until someone else comes along, ring your consultant's secretary. They will know when the MDT meets and will be able to give you a rough idea. There's a bit of a backlog at the moment. while they're catching up on referrals they put on hold. Sending positive vibes.

@DuckyMcDuck how very sad that your surgeon died, so young too.
@user675761 sorry you have this anxious wait, Thymeout's suggestion is a good one. Hope you get results soon and that everything is ok - but if not, stick around for friendly support here.

@BitOfFun Loving this approach.

I'll never have a pregnancy scare again once my ovaries have been knocked out properly. And come to think of it, no more PMT!
Also and don't tell my husband I'm thinking like this I'm considering paying a lot less into my pension now that I'm a lot less likely to get to that point, and spend it all on shoes and handbags instead.

Hello. I have tried a few times to post pics of both kitchen and puppy but it is not working - perhaps it's because I'm using the app on my phone? You may just have to take my word for it that both are gorgeous!

I had a call from my breast nurse today. She also said that the puppy could be a positive, but then she went on to say that I can't pick up any dog poo when I have chemo. Quite how I will manage that when the puppy isn't yet house trained, I don't know. DH is struggling a lot with the situation, too. So I am still agonising.

The breast nurse was calling to move my follow-up appointment from my second surgery from 6th November to this Thursday. She says they have the results already and need to see me. I am trying really hard to see this as positive but it smacks of bad news to me.

@BitOfFun I will never have to go bra shopping again 😁

If my meeting with surgeon goes as I hope it does on Monday then I will be able to throw all my boulder holder bras away !
I am asking for skin saver implant to be removed and for a bilateral mastectomy .
I am on looong waiting list for a diep reconstruction that was pulled at the last minute in March . Spoke to surgeon in Manchester in September who could give no indication at all when that might be possible .
So I rang team here to say rather than a big op ( diep) followed by op to match other side up both done in Manchester I am asking for one op ( which can be done here on island where we are Covid free ) .
Hmmm , we will see.

I wouldn't pick it up with your bare hands, no, but with careful hygiene you'll be fine. OHMYGODWEAREGETTINGATHREADPUPPY

@BitOfFun 😂 thread puppy

@AlbertCampion I don't have a dog but I do have 3 cats. Same rules apply. I have a big box of disposable gloves just in case. They do have a cat litter - but thankfully they still prefer to go outside. I use the gloves for the bird feeders too.

Tbh I won't even touch a dish cloth at the moment

Can I join. I had a fall back in July and had a scan. Dr called to say discovered something on my thyroid and ovaries and was sent for another scan. Had a phone appointment with endocrinologist and she informed me I have adrenal lesions. She's sending me for blood test and arranging yet another scan for when the result are in.
I don't know how to feel. Im a single mum to a 15ds so having to keep it together and trying to remain stupidly positive that is not cancer.
Sorry if jumbled but if honest im a bit of a mess, Ive been reading this thread for a few days now and you are all so brave and speak a really complicate language I'm terrifed I'm going to have to learn

I like the Search for the Positives approach and will give it some thought.
Meanwhile you can all point at me and call me an idiot. On Sunday night long story short I slipped on a wet patch on the kitchen floor in my basement and fractured and dislocated my right ankle. Cue 999 call and lots of drama IV morphine gas and air screaming etc until I was retrieved into an ambulance and taken to hospital. Twice they reduced the dislocation then admitted me. On Monday they operated to pin and plate the ankle and now I am home. Stupid bloody idiot that I am I now have to elevate and no weight bearing for six weeks. Crutches and wheelchair and old lady equipment For toilet and shower have been delivered. Poor long suffering husband is now at my beck and call.
I’m off to see my breast surgeon and oncologist today but orthopaedics want my chemo delayed and I am on fragmin injections to prevent clots. Oh and somehow my picc line got pulled out during my hospital stay.
Agh! I must have offended a bad fairy or something.
Positives: I didn’t fracture my skull and die.
I quite like reading and podcasts. Um....
love to all. Maybe now BottomOfTheCliff!

Can I ask you guys, how long were you left before receiving any actual treatment or surgery after your diagnosis?

@Fuckmyliferightnow for me, the initial consultation to diagnosis was 4 weeks - this includes the scans around week 2. My chemo started 10 days later.

@InOtterNews right okay. I was diagnosed (on the 1st Oct) with invasive breast cancer, grade 1, her2 and Estrogen +. I've had appointments cancelled, moved, surgery moved and then cancelled. Today I've had my oncology appointment cancelled and moved to next Thursday. I'm really starting to worry now.

@Fuckmyliferightnow That's so difficult to hear. I worry about cancellations too given I've been attending investigative appts since end of a May. Have you a nurse you can check with?

@Fuckmyliferightnow agree with @gillmoregirl - you should have a clinical nurse specialist as a contact.

I would always call mine rather than the Drs secretary/office about appointments/treatments/prescriptions. So do contact them.

@InOtterNews @gillmoregirl my nurse is off this week and I have little faith in her tbh. She's messed up appts for me and not called back after leaving a msg before she went on annual leave. She said if I leave a msg she will always ring back before she leaves the hospital.
I just know when I get to next week they'll call again and rearrange. I have no faith in them right now.

@Fuckmyliferightnow Is there another nurse covering for your usual nurse. She might be better you never know. Fingers crossed they don't reschedule you given they've mucked about your previous appts. Kick up a bit of a fuss. The cat that cries the loudest gets the milk (supposedly!).