Cancer Support Thread #80 Newbies Welcome

[HumphreysCorner]

Welcome everyone old and new. Feel free to post a quick update to help new and old follow.

HC x

@Hopeislost Welcome and sorry you find yourself here. It’s a scary time when you’ve just been diagnosed but don’t yet have a treatment plan. I had vaginal cancer, @KitBot had cervical cancer and @JeanneFrench is currently having treatment for vaginal cancer. The treatment is the same for both cancers so we will be able to answer any questions you have.

@Hopeislost welcome to our friendly group, I'm sorry you find yourself here. The waiting is the worst thing, we all understand. Once you have a treatment plan in place, you will feel a little better and in control. Have you be given any idea how long you will have to wait for your appointment date?

Hello to everyone, newbie here. I have breast cancer and will have chemotherapy followed by surgery. First session tbc but should be within the next fortnight. I'm absolutely gutted and terrified.

So a thing happened today. This little guy was in the pound at 8 weeks old having been abandoned, starving and flea ridden. I couldn't not get him. I suppose cleaning up puppy poop will help stop the dark thoughts

@KitBot DD2’s ideas of becoming a vet are coloured by the hundreds of animals she might get to adopt. We do have quite a menagerie at the moment. I hope you enjoy puppy Frito smells and kisses.

@saveforthat Welcome to the thread that none of us wanted to join. I’m currently half way through post surgery chemo for hormone positive breast cancer. I was diagnosed with 2 cancers within 2 weeks last November which is why I was discussing my other cancer to another poster today.

@saveforthat welcome, I'm sorry you find yourself here too. Lots of the ladies have BC and will be able to help you.

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Thank you @MrsPnut and @FizzyOrange - I don't know how long I'll have to wait for an appointment. I feel like we're in a state of limbo, we were ttc #2, about to book a holiday, now everything is up in the air.

@saveforthat sorry that you find yourself here too.

@NoOneWillReply I hope you’re ok and doing better now

@MrsPnut - I hope the port issue is beginning to settle. It’s sounds horrendous- must particularly be bad in the heat

@Elle200 - DH works abroad a lot so have always moved birthdays/ Christmas. My DD’s don’t blink an eye

@quinin - glad you’re feeling fit and well. That’s what I’m aiming for - and to stay in the present.

@TopOfTheCliff - I’m quite envious of your sea faring adventures. Sounds magical.

@Hopeislost - I can understand that you feel blindsided. I was diagnosed with BC in April and some days I don’t think it’s sunk in yet. As everyone here will attest, waiting for a plan is the worse part. I was told not to cross any bridge before I needed to and it was good advice. Step away from google too. You will also find strength from unexpected places/sources which will surprise you.

@saveforthat - I am currently on weekly chemotherapy sessions for BC. I am due session 13 out of 18 this week. Once the initial shock is over and you have a treatment plan it gets much easier. I am er-, pr- her2+ so have immunotherapy too. I am coping well in reality and have for the most part managed to keep on top of the side effects. There is a lot of really good advice on the thread and I’ve found it invaluable.

@KitBot - he looks adorable. DDog is my constant companion and I couldn’t imagine her not being by my side. Summer is a much easier time than winter for toilet training too!

I saw my breast surgeon on Friday. He wants to do a single mastectomy and full clearance within 4 weeks of finishing chemo. All being well that books me in for the end of September meaning I will miss my half term holiday. DH and the DD’s will still go though. However all will depend on whether I complete chemo when I’m supposed to. Covid numbers are high here too which is slightly concerning.

I have asked about a prophylactic mastectomy to the other side. The surgeon said there is no survival benefit of doing it. I don’t carry any of the BC genes but the geneticist I saw said I had a 30% chance of developing BC on the other side over the next 30 years. He said I will need a full psychological assessment before that is an option but potentially could be done at the same time as the reconstruction. I am at the stage I just want both gone.

@Hopeislost I completed treatment for stage 2b cervical cancer in May this year. The waiting between diagnosis and starting treatment was the worst part for me. Feel free to message me if you want. This thread is a very safe and supportive place.

@thereisonlyoneofme that's a shame your trip was so disapppointing, good for you for not caring about your room invader!

@Hopeislost and @saveforthat I am so sorry you are both here, I am another newbie who is still waiting on results. The ladies here are truly wonderful and will answer any questions

@KitBot oh he is adorable! I have an 8 year old rescue cat who has suddenly become a lot more cuddly, not that I am complaining.

@JeanLannes I think I am doing ok mentally. I have focussed on sorting out my house (just moved in a few weeks back) and trying to keep occupied. Physically it is a different story. My bowels still havent returned to normal, I darent stray too far from the toilet and am in so much pain with my back and bum. I hope you are listened to in terms of what you feel is your best surgery option for you

@TopOfTheCliff your comment on wanting a 'chat' with the person who stole your car - remined me of many years ago when my bag was snatched from my bike on my way to hospital to visit dh . My neighbour got the police out and he asked me if I wanted to talk to victim support. Me: No - I'd like 30 minutes in a dark room with the guy who mugged me. Neighbour: She doesn't mean that officer.

I have a friend, terminal stage 4 for whom denial is working really well I must say. For me though, I like to plan for the worst which is incompatible with denial.

Sadly there are always new posters. Welcome. @saveforthat I also have BC and had chemo then surgery, currently radiotherapy. What flavour of BC do you have?

@KitBot How adorable! If I get old I'm going to move further into the country and rescue (more) cats and hedgehogs.

@JeanLannes sorry you'll miss your holiday. It does wreck plans, this business.

Money woes continuing over here so I am trying to crank up work but did others get tired on radiotherapy? I suddenly seem to be napping all the time. Also a bit sick and mild headaches (why on earth would I be getting headaches??).

New people may not have heard my evangelical lecture on walking - 3-5 hours/week reduces the recurrence of BC by 50%. Means pushing through the fatigue when you can.

Who else is doing SafeFit? I've finally started a group session twice a week but not sure it is quite what I need. What are you doing?

@Acinonyx2

I have her2 positive cancer. All these terms are so new to me, just been given some sheets of paper explaining all the drugs and side effects and can't bring myself to read them properly yet. I was so scared of chemo, I asked if I could just have surgery now but apparently that's not an option. I will also have to have radiotherapy after the surgery but can only worry about one thing at a time. They found two lumps and an enlarged lymph node so had 3 biopsies but only the biggest lump was cancer, the smaller lump and lymph node were negative so I am hoping that is good news.

@Acinonyx2 the lethargy I got from my radiotherapy was immense. Doing laundry became an extreme sport. I found going for a gentle walk helped me keep my head clear at least. But when I had to sleep nothing could keep me awake.

@saveforthat I also have her2 cancer and yes, chemo is essential and with her2 it's always before surgery. You will probably have the same sort as me. The experience varies a lot - so let's be cautiously optimistic and see how it goes. (I have positive lymph nodes.) Did anyone discuss having a port of picc put in for chemo? When I used to get anxious I would tell myself: small children have to do this and get through it. And you're welcome to chat and moan here

@KitBot has the lethargy gone??? I'm trying to set up a new business

@Acinonyx2 The doctor suggested trying without the port first. I am having 6 sessions over 18 weeks and trying a cold cap to maybe save some hair. Did you have one of those?

@saveforthat I knew I would have problems so opted for a port. I had 7 sessions over 21 weeks but 6 is also common and the last couple are really overkill I think in any case! I didn't cold cap and just lost all my hair. I realise now that the really bald spell isn't actually all that long a time - but my hair will be short for a longer time. I quite like it short though - never ever had really short before. I feel kind of punky.

What's your situation - do you have kids at home etc? I have dh and dd just turned 16 (and 2 cats).

My son is grown up and lives nearby. I have a partner and dog at home. I work from home. Hoping I will be able to continue to work at least some days.

@Acinonyx2 yeah. I'm back at work full time now (don't tell my consultant ) I went back part time 3 weeks after treatment finished but I have quite a physical and high infection risk job so I was "supposed" to have 3 months off but, like you, I run my own business and it wasn't feasible for me to be off for so long. Plus I would have gone mad at home for 3 months.

Welcome to the new members Don't be shy - there's no such thing as oversharing on this thread as you'll find out

I had a small win yesterday: I was washing my face before bed, trying to scrub off my drawn-on eyebrows & was wondering why they weren't coming off. Then it dawned on me they were my actual eyebrows, having grown back enough after chemo to look like proper brows again - hurrah!

@Acinonyx2 The headaches might be from dehydration? I start my rads tomorrow but I've read in a couple of places that it can make you dehydrated, & very fatigued as the body tries to repair the radiation damage. I wanted to moisturise the area before I started but I'm rather "ick" about my mastectomy scar so I'm resolving to make myself do it properly once I start. I don't want the area to be more messed up than necessary so eventual reconstruction goes as well as possible.

@MrsPnut Any improvement? Fingers crossed it's stable or moving in a healing direction.

@thereisonlyoneofme A change is a good as a rest, they say! Have you got any more outings or trips planned?

@KitBot Cute puppy! How can anyone abandon any animal is beyond me. What's his name?

Evening, had a day trip to acute oncology ward today. I now have cellulitis in frankenboob and needed more antibiotics. The doctor on the ward had to be spoon fed, she wanted me to have an ultrasound. I pointed out I have had 2 in the last 2 weeks and maybe look at those before we do another. She also wanted me to stay in, the nurses had already been told that it wasn’t happening. I stayed from 10 to 4, had some lunch and came home for supper. My oncologist will probably ring me tomorrow before he goes on holiday.

@saveforthat I also work from home which is helpful.

@KitBot I envy your job and love of it!

@HauntedDishcloth Yay - eyebrows! You may well be right - I'm poor about drinking enough. I have also been squeamish about dealing with scars. They're still sore - can't imagine ever feeling 'normal'!

@MrsPnut very serious complication you have there - hope it resolves as well as possible and you are able to keep your chin up in your usual fashion.

@MrsPnut is that related to your extravasation? I really, really hope this is resolved soon for you. You deserve a break 

@HauntedDishcloth his name is Ferdy. I'm not sure we needed a 4th dog (along with 6 cats) but he needed us so there you go.
Yay eyebrows! I didn't lose any hair apart from a NHS Brazilian from my radiotherapy 😆

@KitBot Yes, it’s the extravasation damage that has got cellulitis. My oncologist has called this morning to tell me that he has referred me to a plastic surgeon for their assessment.
At least I’ve got the olympics to watch whilst I am lounging around in bed.

@MrsPnut fuck. That's all. How you remain so level headed is beyond me. You're kinda amazing. Fingers crossed for a plastics consult soon and no sloughing.