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.

@BitOfFun Thanks so much for the Smile or Die recommendation - am going to buy a copy. I'm so sorry you're in pain again. I didn't realise radiotherapy could help with that. Hope Tuesday comes quickly for you. The chair also sounds amazing!

@FizzyOrange Hi I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer(high grade serous carcinoma) in May . I have had 4 cycles of chemo paciitaxol and carboplatin. 2 weeks ago I had a total hysterectomy and I'm due to speak with my oncologist next week to find out when I will restart chemo.I think they will also have some pathology back.
I think sometimes people just don't know what to say when faced with a friends cancer diagnosis so come out with knee-jerk reactions ,"you've got this, " "your so strong"etc. If anybody ever asks I will tell them you don't have to say anything, just sit with me and let's talk about things that aren't cancer.

Good luck with your biopsy I was dreading it but it was over before ,I even realised.

@BitOfFun although different cancer I had 10 palliative chemo in June for backache - worked completely no back pains at all since then - fingers crossed you have the same experience

Morning all.
@InOtterNews I'm really pleased to hear that your cells are starting to recover without the need for transfusions, but for God's sake, woman, think of another goal than being fit for house cleaning by Christmas ! How about an all-night silent disco for two?
@FizzyOrange, welcome, so sorry you have this horrible wait for results and full diagnosis. I'm starting a second lot of chemo for ovarian ca at the end of November, had surgery and chemo last year. As others have said, everyone's reaction to chemo drugs is different, it's never easy, but you count down the treatments and know it will come to an end and you will feel better. That is in no way intended as a "be positive" message! I was lucky in not getting too much of that, but the "you are so strong and will get through this" has come in spades and is also not unproblematic.
@takeyourmarks welcome to you too, and please do stay around if you can get some benefit from being able to say whatever you want. Unlike you I have shared my dg and further news with loads of people, but obviously I'm aware of the emotional impact on friends and family.

DP and I have realised it's unlikely we will have our few days in Norfolk as increased restrictions or even national lockdown are looming large, so we're doing a day dash there tomorrow, just to see my DB and SIL. Then I will ask if I can start chemo earlier as there doesn't seem much point hanging around if we can't see anyone.

Sending warm wishes to all.

@BitOfFun sorry it was palliative radiotherapy not chemo 🤦‍♀️

@BitOfFun Smile or die - I love that! Shall I get us all t-shirts?

@Bloodybridget We have also cancelled a short break in Norfolk - could have snuck it in before my chemo startws but now dh has an op on Monday Hoping for day trips of some sort even depending on lockdown. Just as long as the hospital stays open...

Hi I'm new to this thread. I'm currently awaiting a colonoscopy for suspected bowel cancer. I just wanted some advice from anyone in same situation as I'm absolutely petrified.

I have family history (my grandma had bowel cancer)

I have felt really bad since June and despite medicine/diet change ect I'm showing no sign of improvement. My first appointment is with the gastro consultant on Wednesday 4th Nov.

Symptoms. I'm 37, Extremely bloated achey sore abdomen. Blood in stool (but have fissure so it could be from that sometimes) bowel obstruction symptoms, X-ray at a&e showing constipation patch. Fatigue, loss of appetite and energy, unable to even go out for walks lately get extremely uncomfortable stomach after. Nausea & feeling weak. Not looking great I'm so scared hoping to get some help on here😓

@Itonlytakesone I'm so sorry that you're here. I know it's hard not to worry we've all been there but your symptoms could be caused by lots of other issues eg IBS. I have just recently been diagnosed with BC awaiting Anterior Resection op on 11th and my symptoms were very vague.

Are you having colonoscopy on the 4th?

@LucyWarlowsRightHand sorry if I've missed any updates but was thinking of you and wondering how you are. @Starmer thank you for your advice after my diagnosis last week. I meant to ask you how you were to and I how treatment is for you.

@gillmoregirl

Hi no my initial appointment is on 4th Iv no idea when or if I'll get a colonoscopy and with Covid at the moment it makes everything so much more uncertain.

If it was ibs I was thinking my diet/antispasmodic tablets would have eased my symptoms after the 3 weeks Iv been following it for 🤷🏼‍♀️anyway I'll see what he says on Wednesday and I'll update on here thank you for your reply x

@Itonlytakesone I'll be thinking of you on Wednesday. I spent months this year in uncertainty until last Friday. Although i didn't get results I hoped for the fact that there is a plan in place has helped. Good luck next week. 💓

@gillmoregirl

Thank you and I'm so so sorry for your diagnosis 😔x

@gillmoregirl

Sorry forgot to ask, When you say your symptoms were vague what do you mean? What symptoms did you have? I understand though if you don't want to share it's all so scary and I'm just hoping that the NHS can still operate and appointments & surgeries like yours go ahead as planned. Fingers crossed for Boris's announcement at 6pm

@Lizdeflores, thank you for sharing your story. Can I ask you about the biopsy please? What do they do and how long does it take? Mine is a needle biopsy and I am so worried and frightened. I will only have a local anaesthetic and this is concerning me.
I am also down for ultrasound drainage at the same time which, in a strange way, I am really looking forward to as I have a lot of fluid on my tummy which is really uncomfortable.

@Bloodybridget, thank you also for sharing your story. I am sorry to hear you have to have more chemo and also your plans for Norfolk have had to change but hope you can have a lovely day with your DB and SIL tomorrow.

Hope you don't mind my asking but how flexible are the hospital regarding changing dates for things like chemo? My hospital's blood test department were so rude and difficult and refused to give me a same day appointment this week (ready for my biopsy on Tuesday) which had been marked with a 'walk-in' sticker on the form by the Radiology consultant that I ended up in tears back at Radiology and felt like I was already in a struggle I couldn't manage. It made me wonder if the 'battle with cancer' that everyone describes is actually partially the battle with administrative staff in getting necessary appointments and help on time. I'm really hoping this isn't the case.

@FizzyOrange your being given walk-in appointments is probably to do with not having a diagnosis yet. They will shift your chemo as needed. I did have walk in blood tests at first. Once I had diagnosis all my blood tests were shifted to the cancer unit while I was waiting for treatment to start.

(Also I already had my diagnosis when I had my bone marrow biopsy - which was more to see how far and wide it had spread)

@Itonlytakesone I'm based in Northern Ireland where we have been in lockdown for weeks 2 more to go. Cases rising in our hospitals and Belfast have already cancelled some cancer operations. I'm staying positive that mine will proceed. 🤞

When I say vague I meant vague as I have endometriosis and had operation in June 2018 for ovarian issues. I felt a strange feeling in my left side which intensified when sitting for long periods. Not exactly pain. I've always been bloated due to endometriosis so this wasn't a warning. I had some intermittent bleeding over the years but GP attributed this to different issue. Main symptoms were sudden urgency and bowel habits were 'explosive' with more blood splatters. Needing to go more often and sometimes feeling I hadn't emptied properly. Stools were ribbon like in the few weeks before I went to GP. All these I attributed to endometriosis and prior surgery. I remember mentioning blood to GP over 5 years ago and she didn't think it was serious and spoke of long waiting lists for colonoscopy. I clearly remember laughing and saying if it was bowel cancer is likely be dead now. Isn't that ironic?

There are many symptoms that mimic bowel cancer that can turn out to be something else but I understand your fear. I really hope that it is unfounded but if not take solace in the comfort and experience of this forum. X

Sorry to everyone else for the graphical information. Poo appears to be the one thing we don't talk about but I wish I had sooner.

Wishing everyone a peaceful Halloween. Pumpkin

I meant to insert a picture of a pumpkin. 🙄 😂

@FizzyOrange The biopsy worried me as well but it turned out to be fine. It was done by a Dr who was assisted by a nurse.
I became overwhelmed and started crying before they started, I do this before a lot of procedures I think it's a coping mechanism. The nurse was great at distraction, held my hand and we talked about the nightmare of home schooling! During this time the Dr had done the local which stings as it goes in but it doesn't hurt. They waited a while for the local to take effect and then told me when they were going to start. They tell you that experience a strange sensation as the needle goes in but apart from that I felt nothing.
I didn't have any fluid drained so I couldn't tell how that feels. Honestly try not to worry it really is not as bad as you might be imagining.

@Lizdeflores thank you for explaining all that to me, that is very reassuring. I also cry at every appointment, even at my CT scan, I just feel so overwhelmed with the enormity of it all.

Just popping in to check on Cobweb- how's our Thread Puppy? [love]

@gillmoregirl

Thank you so much for your reply that's very informative for me (and probably others reading this) and yes we need to talk more about symptoms because things you don't think are serious could potentially be a 'red flag'.

There's family history of endometriosis and fibroids in my family too. It's all so similar and in the same area, Iv been in so much pain it's draining me i really hope that I can find a cause soon this is the most stressful time and the not knowing is the worst. It feels more bowel related. I too have a strange feeling on my left side. My abdomen aches constantly at the moment & no painkillers work. I'm sorry about all you have been through so far you are doing so well guess id better learn to get braver too.

Tomorrow is another day eh

Just popping in to say hi. This is the nicest place on the internet atm. I need to get my bloods done on Monday, it's a walk in service but would it be better to call and check that its still on? Really can't afford a wasted journey.

@nixnjj. Not sure what to advise. I'll Leave that for someone else. Just wanted to say Hi cause your on. Guess you can't sleep either 😴

@Itonlytakesone. I'm not by any means brave. I think I've exhausted the emotion fear this past few months and have settled on numb. No doubt fear will rear its head again closer to surgery. As the saying goes fake it till you make it. Take care. Xx

yeah sleep is something I've forgotten @Gillmoregirl Think I'm trying to worry about the small stuff to distract from the bigger. I've been trying and failed to study all day and ended up letting my lad have takeaway tonight.