Cancer Support Thread #79 Newbies Welcome

[MrsPnut]

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

@AlbertCampion I pretty much do 16/8 anyway so although it's healthy I'm not confident it helps weight loss.

@Acinonyx2 glad they've identified your glue allergy finally. Hopefully you'll be more comfortable once it's sorted. It was me that locked the sharps bin but I don't have anyone strong enough to bust mine open. I need to go to the pharmacy later for my prescription so I'll pick one up then

Brilliant, thanks @Acinonyx2. I might give the 5/2 a go then - particularly if 700 is an option, as that definitely sounds more doable. I am the same with my stomach - all my weight seems to be settling there and I just hate it. My face is also really round, which I hate!

@AlbertCampion I just had a small rotation of 200-300 calorie options. Some healthy - some er, less so! 200 calories= 4 fish fingers, 2 egg omelette, small chicken breast, one salmon fillet. Then extras from salad with dressing, curried veg - the extras for padding and flavour came to 100+.

Also - it's much easier if the calories are not carbs/sugars or the fall and rise in blood sugar will make the hunger unbearable. If you want to try it maybe we could be 5:2 buddies - I think I'll be ready to start next week. Probably do Mondays and Thursdays.

@PhannyPharts we could probably flex our feminist muscles and do it ourselves - shame on me!

Oh man the boob relief is really settling in - awesome

My brown mark thing, it's actually bigger than I thought.

HC x

@Wellwhatalovelyday I was recalled from my mammogram in December last year.
2 operations and lymph nodes removed. Started my radiotherapy in April, it was over 15 Days.
To give you advice make sure that you continue with the arm excersises as your arm needs to be held
with support for up to 20 minutes. Also start moisturising the boob and under the arm I used E45 cream.
I'm still putting the cream on even though I've finished my radiotherapy as my skin is very itchy.
Hopefully the consultant will phone me in the next few weeks.
Good luck with the rest of your treatment.

@Noidea2114 this is great advice, Thankyou. I’ve been moisturising but I think I need to get on with those exercises again. How did you feel after the radio? And how do you feel generally? Thanks!!

@Acinonyx2 I did try a few times to bravely and positively bash it open to no avail. I'd go at it again but knowing my luck I'd break it and send eleventy billion needles all over my bedroom.

@Wellwhatalovelyday I finished my radiotherapy on 29th April so a few days ago.
I still feel tired and my boob feels very itchy like sunburn. My boob is very tanned pity
they couldn't have done my whole body. I rest when I need to.
I don't know if it's a side effect from the radio or from my hormone tablets. I'm either very hot
or freezing cold. Depending on the weather I go for a walk most days.
I do have days when I feel down and can cry over anything or I'm so up that I try and do too much.
Will be going to have my hair cut and coloured next week so hopefully I'll start feeling back to normal.
(Not been since December)
I'm very fortunate that I didn't need chemo as it was caught so early.

I had my first check up with the specialist nurse today who said the tumour seems to have recessed back (by feel) and that things are moving in the right direction. Then she mentioned I'd need a mid chemo cycle MRI and it just brought out all the horrible anxieties. I can't seem to accept good news of any Variety at the moment.

@Noidea2114 thankyou- good to have an idea of what to expect!

@Wellwhatalovelyday. Are you me? Exactly the same - right down to the timing - although I have been switched from Tamoxifen to Letrozole now that they have confirmed I am post-menopausal.

I have my tattoos and I am moisturising daily with Aveeno. Fortunately I don't have too far to travel for radiotherapy and they have been quite accommodating with the timing.

And thank you @Noidea2114. I think you have always been about a month ahead of me and it has been reassuring to know what to expect. I think I'm getting side-effects from the hormone therapy as well. Significant increase in hot flushes (especially at night), tiredness and low mood - I've been on anti-depressants for a couple of years but they don't seem to be controlling it right now. I'm also walking daily and have a couple of close friends that I can talk to. I'm hoping to continue working from home, at least part-time through the radiotherapy.

Hello all, this thread is incredibly supportive! I really admire you all. I have been lurking the past few days, as I was told last Wednesday by my consultant that my blood results (abnormal protein and low platelet count) may be an indicator for lymphoma.

I find out for definite on Wednesday 26th May. I had a bone marrow biopsy done today and I have got a CT scan coming up within next 7/10 days.

The days feel long while waiting for a diagnosis. I mean this in a nice way but I hope my stay here is short, and I wanted to wish you all well on your journeys. I love that you all have got a positive thread to come back to. Take care x

Hi @Llioed I'm sorry you find yourself here. Keeping busy and distracted now is the key until the 26th.

@topofthecliff I am very sorry you have lost your dad - sympathy and warm wishes to you and your DM.
I seem to have missed quite a few posts when I chimed in this morning, sorry about that, especially to new people I didn't acknowledge, and returners. Don't think I'm at my brightest atm!

@RocioMartinez how funny. The ‘journey’ (hate that word) feels quite lonely at times doesn’t it - even with the best support network, you’re the one on it. I haven’t started the hormone therapy yet, the oncologist suggested I wait till after radiotherapy.

@HumphreysCorner I see what you mean - it looks a bit like a big freckle. It's not massively noticeable though - I mean, I probably wouldn't register it if I saw you out and about.

@Acinonyx2 a fasting buddy would be great. I'll have a look at the best days for me to do the fasts. Do you stick to normal eating on the other five days, or do you set yourself a higher calorie limit then?

I did the blood sugar diet a few years ago and that was very effective as a short, sharp shock, but I just couldn't face it this time round. I don't mind monitoring carbs but completely cutting them is a bridge too far for me at the moment! 😂

@RocioMartinez tell me about the hot flushes a few times I've changed the bed everyday.
I've also had times where I'm very cold but they are now decreasing.
Poor DH sometimes doesn't know whether to wear shorts or a fleece.
@Wellwhatalovelyday I started my hormone tablets before my radiotherapy. I'm 61 next week so post menaporsel.

It's funny how different people treat you during your treatment. I've had 2 very good friends who have been in touch
every few days and I can tell them my up and down moments.
I've had others who think I'm at deaths door and don't know what to say in the end they have just cut me off unless I
message them.
My mum treats me as though I'm going to break down all the time and has resorted to treating me like a young child.
2 brothers have really stepped up and are good support. (We are not normally close).
Son, daughter and their families have listened to me moan and funny enough even though I thought we were close
this has brought us even closer.
DH has supported me and tried to be by my side through out my treatment but has found it difficult because he wasn't allowed in
to any hospital. At the beginning I heard him have a small cry in the shower. He's my rock.

@Noidea2114 - ain’t that the truth, I’ve got the people who I knew would step up, the people I had no idea would step up but did, the people who reacted just as you would expect and the people who well... say no more (yes MIL I’m looking at you). I prefer to focus on how amazing people have been, which they have. It’s been a weird old time!

@Wellwhatalovelyday last April I met up with a group of people I worked with in the 80's
one of these ladies who I hadn't seen for 30 years has been in touch with me every other day.
Even if it was a quick note it helped me a lot. Hoping that we can go for a coffee and cake next week
as long as the weather is kind.
My other friend who has been messaging every day I've known since we started infant school together. 1965.

@Noidea2114 wow that is lovely, I really hope you get your coffee and cake next week!

Llioed sorry that you are joining us and have such an anxious wait ahead of you. The CT scan may present some early answers -at least partial ones- I suppose? Or are they planning to assemble a full picture by 26th? I have lymphoma but as I'm sure you are aware there are loads of different types.

Top I am so sorry to hear about your dad. And yes your siblings should be pitching in and no you aren't being unjust for feeling as though they should.

HC I have a similar brown stripe down the middle of my bald head. We refer it as my dorsal stripe. It definitely wasn't there to start with so I can only assume that it's because of the sun, although I've been careful to cover up.

Has anyone else found chemo makes their skin super sun sensitive? I've worn SPF30 every day but am covered in freckles like never before. My face skin is also weirdly soft and plump, and I don't know if that is due to losing all my hair (including on my face) or due to cells regenerating faster or because I've been puffy or what. It's very weird. My poor sparse eyelashes and eyebrows are clinging on with last gasps so all round I look pretty odd.

Hello to all the newbies and those returning. I'm struggling to keep up with the thread but wishing everyone well.

Top sorry about your dad, it's unfair of your sibling to leave it up to you. Lots of people have talked to me about the cancer personality and the importance of learning to say no.

Babamamama got mild sunburn on the chemo
ward by sitting outside for 15 minutes! Definitely more sun sensitive. I was also referred to the dermatologists under the two week wait recently as I developed this odd looking brown skin thing, which then went after my last chemo. I still went along as I wanted to be 100% sure I wasn't dodgy. The dermatologist was really helpful and said that chemo can give you more moles and freckles as well as changes to pigmentation. As an aside, my face is also looking plump no idea why.

I'm on a break now from chemo and have a PET-CT tomorrow. Annoyingly I forgot you are not supposed to exercise and did a workout today. They said they can still do it but I'm now anxious it won't be accurate!

Sympathies to those with the hot flushes. Mine are mostly at night too. I'm thinking of getting a silk duvet which are supposed to regulate temperature a bit better.

@Babamamananarama I have no idea if I will get any answers beforehand - I think I have to wait til Wed 26th. The nice thing is the consultant haematologist I have is gorgeous!! (I am happily married to my husband, but still... a dishy consultant doesn’t do any harm, haha!)

I’m hoping that he can tell me everything or would I have to wait for more info (as such as these “grades” and/or “stages” I have read about) - who knows?
I am hoping it’s more of a “full picture” as you say, and not just partial info.
Thank you for responding. I will come back to this thread and keep seeing how you are doing.