Cancer support thread #77 - newbies welcome

[InOtterNews]

I couldn't see new thread so here we go...

Welcome friends old and new, to the most supportive thread on Mumsnet. Everyone is welcome whatever stage you're at (fears, diagnosis, treatment). Introduce yourself and say Hi

Good luck to everyone having treatment this week. Hugs to all - especially if you're feeling rubbish (physically, mentally, or waiting for results - ugh)

@Starmer thank you for your comments, very helpful. Always wanted a tattoo and may have a pirate one at the end of my journey.

Evening my hearties xxx

@Acinonyx2 I too overshared at the beginning and I think this was was a reaction to my total shock at my diagnosis. I couldn't do anything apart from sit fretting and talk to anyone who would listen about my condition. Happily, I now welcome talking about other things so I get a bit of a reprieve from being a cancer patient for the odd half hour.

@Bloodybridget sorry you feel so rough, that isn't good. I hope it eases off soon for you. I have my second chemo tomorrow and I am dreading it, not the day itself as that is quite nice (lots of tasty food and nice nurses) but the horrors in the days afterwards.

@HumphreysCorner a pirate tattoo is an excellent idea!

I have given my shedding hair a light trim and am quite pleased with the results. It has felt as though I have had a ponytail in it too long for the last couple of days and my scalp is so itchy. My DIY haircut seems to have improved things and I wore my scarf to my Covid test to practise wearing it out of the house and felt fine so I am good to go for tomorrow.

Did anyone have strange taste and food cravings during chemo? It is like being pregnant. I craved garlic bread earlier which I don't even like and the whole contents of my bulging freezer look bland and unappealing. I am craving spicy food and crisps all day long which isn't like me at all. Last night I put Branston on my chips and considered getting a spoon to eat some more of it! This is insane.

@FizzyOrange omg DH has said it's just like me being pregnant. I've just sent him for garlic bread. I have to literally eat what I fancy at the time but only 4 days post chemo. Tomorrow I'm having a subway followed by a Chinese on Thursday. Chemo on Friday so back to zombie state.

Hi everyone! Not currently going through treatment but have previously and would love to answer any questions anyone may have.
Background:
Diagnosed with stage 2 invasive ducal carcinoma breast cancer jan 2016. Left side mastectomy feb 2016 with immediate implant reconstruction, followed by 6 rounds of chemo. No radiotherapy as I took park in the POSNOC trial which suggests it’s better in the long run not to have radiotherapy when you are younger (I was 35 at time of diagnosis). I had sentinel nodes removed (these are like the lead lymph nodes) which showed some cancer cells. Jan 2019 risk reducing right side mastectomy with immediate implant construction.
Hugs and thought going out to all those undergoing treatment right now, bloody warriors all of us!!! Happy to answer any questions on the treatment I had x

Hi everyone I've not posted for a few weeks. Had another operation yesterday to remove the rest of my lymph nodes and to remove the pre cancerous cells in my boob.
Not feeling too bad today. Started my exercises this morning.
This operation was performed in a private hospital but on the NHS. Wow what a difference own room, private bathroom, TV and given a menu. I was only in for the afternoon.
Getting the results in 2 weeks. That will decide if I need chemo or just radiotherapy and hormone tablets.
Hope those that are going through difficult times keep positive you are all my inspiration.

Remind me never to eat garlic bread again 🤕

Oh dear @HumphreysCorner garlic not agreeing with you? At least the fumes from garlicky burps will keep the vampires away. Seriously I hope it's not too bad.

Any knitters out there who have a picc fitted?I had one today and I was told to avoid repetitive activities such as knitting I'm halfway through a jumper. I took up knitting and bread making (which I guess is also on the black list I thump the dough and pretend it's cancer) up during covid and cancer to distract myself,I 'll be upset if I have to give up.
Was anybody else told this? or are there people who do knit with a picc in and it's been ok.

@Lizdeflores no I was not told that re knitting! The info I had said to avoid tennis and golf(!) - I can see how arm swinging movements with those activities might be a problem with potentially dislodging the line, but knitting?! That seems a bit mad. I did hours and hours of knitting with mine in without any issues. Including on the chemo ward and it was never mentioned as an issue. Maybe double check?!
I have been told that after my surgery I shouldn't knit for at least a fortnight. So I'm now on a mission to get my large shawl finished before then. And of course I've undermined my efforts by starting on a jumper for DH, now wondering if I can get both done in time. A more realistic aim might be just not to start anything else new...

Thanks @Lubballoo that is good to hear I've got a line care check up tomorrow so I will ask there as well. I got some gorgeous wool for Christmas it's called. Caron Cakes. I started knitting a jumper in the round, but it was the work of the devil and I had to give that up and now I have a much more manageable jumper. My aim is to wear the jumper on the school run when schools reopen and as that date keeps on changing that might be achievable !

Found this.

Ooh @Lizdeflores I am glad nobody said that to me. while I had the PICC I knitted three baby cardigans and a onesie, a Christmas jumper, three bobble hats and three beanies! No problem at all. Go for it!
I am more upset now I have had the lymph node clearance - they won't let me knit or type or hoover or decorate. I've nearly done six weeks then I am going to cautiously resume normal activity.

Today I had my first Covid delay I was going for a DEXA scan tomorrow but had a call to say our hospital is on Code Opal 4 and all staff are now on ward duty with no face to face appointments so it is cancelled. I'm just glad I got through most of my treatment before this lockdown.

Oooh love it @HumphreysCorner! Are you really going to go for one? I have four tattooos and have promised myself a new one when all this is over. Does anyone have any experience of tattoos on scarring? I'd like to hide my massive breast/armpit one but I am a bit scared about hurting myself any more!

Six weeks @TopOfTheCliff, that's a fair while, glad you're coming to the end of it now.
I got a date for my mastectomy this week, 17th Feb, keeping everything crossed that there will be no covid delays.
As well as the mastectomy, it's being suggested that I have a targeted node removal which means they will only remove a few nodes and if those are cancer free the rest can stay (and if not I'll need another op to remove them). I can't settle on what I think about all this really and whether full or targeted removal would be best, the trade off seems to be a much lower risk of lymphodema vs a small increased risk of regional recurrence. Has anyone else been in a similar position?

@AlbertCampion I have wanted a tattoo for years against my family's beliefs and never knew what to choose as it had to mean something to me. I now feel this would be perfect at the end of my treatment. Will have it much smaller than the pic and maybe a more smiley mouth.

That sounds fab, Humphrey! Nice to have something to plan for the future, too. I really recommend talking to the tattooist beforehand as they can often suggest changes or adaptations in their own style. You can pick one who has a portfolio which reflects your tastes. Love the pirate idea!

@HumphreysCorner great idea for a tattoo, I think I might have one too when I’ve finished all of this.

I spoke to my oncologist last night and last week’s MRI shows no evidence of cancer so I have an appointment for fitting of the brachytherapy applicator next week. I think 4 sessions of brachytherapy and that will be the first cancer dealt with.
I also have an appointment with the breast surgeon next week so will have some more tests to come but can get a date for surgery.

Just had a shower and have lost half my hair. Will leave it a few days then buzz cut I think.

That sounds very positive @MrsPnut

@HumphreysCorner I went for a buzz cut at a similar stage and I preferred it to having strands of hair shedding everywhere. I've got funny tufts of soft hair growing in patches now, I look pretty odd, really need DH to give me another buzz cut to keep things even until it hopefully starts regrowing properly.

I too am thinking of getting a tattoo at some point though not sure what or where yet. Love the pirate!

@HenryHorse1 lovely to hear you're doing well post treatment! Do you feel you've reached a point where life is normal, for want of a better word, now?

No signs of cancer in my latest scan, no knitting tonight just celebratory drinks🍾

@MrsPnut @Lizdeflores great news on your scans. To you and others - how long did you wait for your scan results? Nurse today said it would be at least 2 weeks to get the results - so much longer than my earlier scans.

I love the idea of a pirate tattoo. We could be like the masons and recognise each other by our tattoos. Except I don't even have pierced ears never mind a tattoo. No wonder I'm so nervous about surgery. Maybe I could get a tattoo and pierced ears while they're at it.

@Lubballoo did you have a choice of lumpectomy or mastectomy? That's my probable choice - but complete node removal has been specified and no choice about that.

@TopOfTheCliff are you typing this here?? I can understand not going wild with the accordion but typing and knitting seem fairly harmless.

@Acinonyx2 no, I have to have a mastectomy because the cancer isn't just in one place, so no lumpectomy option. I had three nodes show up on the initial scan (1 confirmed positive with biopsy so presumably all 3 were cancerous) - scans show them all looking pretty much normal now after chemo. I definitely like the idea of lower risk of arm problems but regional recurrence not so much to say the least!!

@Lubballoo I have two breast lumps so I was surprised when the surgeon recommended lumpectomy. Oncologist didn't like that idea though. I'm also not keen on the effect of complete node clearance - so I see your dilemma there.

@Acinonyx2 My results were back in under a week but it is private so I think a much quicker process.

@Lubballoo I wasn’t given a choice about the nodes. Because the sentinel node was bulging and bigger than my tumour I had all of Tier 1 and 2 cleared. None of them apart from that sturdy little trooper were affected. It had contained everything! Now I am struggling to recover from the surgery as it has been leaking ever since.
@Acinonyx2 It’s the repetitiveness apparently. I’m typing left handed with my arm up on a pillow as I just went mad and cycled ten miles! It was great to be out in the drizzle though.
Best wishes to all
Top

@MrsPnut and @Lizdeflores - wonderful news!

Wonder whether it will justify ME having a drink tonight (on a healthy eating drive, but homeschooling is gradually pushing me over the edge......)