Cancer Support Thread #81 Newbies welcome

[TopOfTheCliff]

This is a kind and friendly place for those with cancer or those worried they have cancer (or who used to have cancer) to hang out.
Please introduce yourselves and chat away. No issues are too big or small here.
Top

Round two of chemo. Just finished last self injection., so on recovery now till I go again next Wed. Managed to keep cold cap on, but only just, not sure I’ll always manage. Hair coming out… am exhausted in a ‘spiky’ sort of way. Thanks to pp who described it like that, apologies, too done to scroll back.
Have piles! How ridiculous. Queasy today, but med seemed to sort that out quite quickly.Lots of emotion here today, all dramas are crises here just now, not surprisingly, in general the DC are great, but when it all gets too much, it really does.
Trying to sort DHs estate…no will, so taking forever and just so much damn paperwork, when I really can’t be bothered .
However, am still putting that one foot in front of the other…

“I’m sorry if I am rubbing salt in the wound bragging about my cycling”.

Not at all,Top - I love hearing about the ‘other side’ when it feels like I’ll feel like this forever. Your posts remind me that Cancerland is a place where I live now but Other Destinations Are Available!

Hi Everybody,
I have been reading some of your posts over the last few days and I am sending you all love and hugs xxx
This thread helped me a lot 6 years ago when I was first refered to NHS breast clinic urgently. I had lumpy breast and cyst that were drained. And now once again last week, I visited a Private hospital for a one stop check via Check4Cancer. I needed a biopsy on the day and I am waiting for my results.
I have been taking some Kalms tablets to manage my emotions and be able to continue the day. I need to go back to get my biopsy results.
Consultant's note to my GP says that "My examination highlighted areas of thickening in the right upper central breast and my imaging was equivocal and right breast hypoechoic area was biosied."

Thickening of breast makes me think of inflammotary breast cancer. But I am not sure if I have any other symptoms of that. Being peri menopausal my breasts change a lot. I decided to make the appointment due to some burning pain before my period but this has stopped. I felt a small lump on the surface but the biopsy went much deeper but it was around the same area. I had millions of questions after the initial shock so I have been on google, you tube, facebook, this forum and McMillan Cancer Support this morning.
I guess if I have cancer then I will need to holosen between NHS and Private routes. So much to know and understand whilst trying to continue your life.

I wish you all the best.

@herbal I finished 5 days of radiotherapy a couple of weeks ago. I found it ok, the worst bit was having to drive an hour each way every day. My breast tissue is a little tender and sore but not bad, the skin is a little red still but not sore. I think the breast might be slightly swollen, but it was always bigger than the other even after the lumpectomy so it's hard to tell.

I'm now finished active treatment and started back at work this week (mornings only for now). I'm quite enjoying exercising my brain again, I was so sick of watching TV. Not quite sure when I'll be started on the Tamoxifen, presumably after my radiotherapy review in a week's time.

It has taken me by surprise how long it is taking to feel back to normal. My last chemo was before Christmas but I still feel quite tired a lot of the time. I was getting quite severe muscle pain (legs mostly at the top of a flight of stairs) and I've just realised that isn't happening any more, so that's a sign of positive progress. I'm trying to exercise every day and also trying to lose weight as I recognise that generally being healthier is an important step towards preventing the dreaded recurrence.

Welcome to the newbies, sorry you find yourself here. Please use this as a place to ask questions, share worries and frustrations, and find whatever kind of support you need.

@Podgedodge I think it was me that described it as ‘spiky’…it’s a funny feeling isn’t it? Sorry to hear that you’ve been feeling rubbish.

Had a dreadful week - finally feeling just slightly more human today (to be fair I have a bad cold too), just in time for chemo tomorrow. Sigh. What a treadmill. Got two more weeks of this chemo then 4 cycles of EC over 12 weeks. Still exhausted, still pretty fed up. Trying SO HARD hard to keep upbeat and positive but it’s difficult when everything aches and you just feel so rubbish all the time.

Sending love to everyone.

My radiotherapy is being delayed because of the hole in my chest. I'm also going for another planning session tomorrow to try a scan for an old technique of radiating so they can zap one set of lymph nodes but not the other. I'm also meeting the medical dosimetrist to go through the options and possible outcomes.

The hole is leaking still, I am using flaminal forte as well as aqua cell AG to collect up the fluid. Still haven't got an appointment to see the plastic surgeon though so hope I am not making it worse. Lots of medical professionals are throwing their hands up and passing the buck because they have no idea how to treat it.

@MrsPnut that sounds tough, I hope someone will take responsibility and get you sorted

@TwoBigNoisyBoys that seems to be how it goes with chemo, hope something happens to lift your spirits

@Cratos I hope you get some answers soon, not knowing and waiting for results is really hard

@SewingBees that's great that you're back at work, is it great, or are you really having to force yourself?

@Podgedodge big hugs to you, I didn't know you had lost DH, I did read the whole thread when I got here but I apologise that I missed that. You have a lot going on right now

Told the kids last night which was really hard, I have five, 19, 16, 14, 14 and 11

Found out today my pre op is next Friday and my surgery is pencilled in for 14/15/16 February, I mean one of those days not that it will last 72hrs, it'll be around 6 hours maybe longer. My ex is coming to stay with the kids while I'm in hospital and my brother is coming to stay with me for a couple of weeks when I come home, I'm expecting to be in for at least a fortnight.

Even the dietician rang this afternoon to prepare me for life without a functioning digestive system

I have been feeling awful past couple of days, bruises all over stomach from injections, feeling faint and weak and bad stomach today as well as the pain and then get DH to go out to the silkie chickens and find out one has died, the most beautiful white one and only one left. DS who is mute and worships the silkies then locks himself in bathroom crying. Trying to sort that. Was hoping hospital would agree to not let me do last 2 injections of blood thinners but no say I have to. Trying to persuade DH to let the remaining silkie live inside with DS along with his indoor rabbit, there is a babygate to keep the cat out. After much muttering he is coming round.

Good luck to the newbies getting your results, hope you get the all clear or at least less treatment options.

Sorry to those unwell, can only offer sympathy and join in the whining.

Top Its fine about the cycling, just glad one of us is enjoying life atm and that there is hope that one day there may be more than cancer. Not sure will ever get me cycling but would love to swim again.

Its really hard telling the kids MrsSmiley, glad you have a date and hope it goes as well as it can.

Hello all
I got 2 results today...
Biopsy confirms stage 4
It's also in the lungs
I have a meeting in a week talk thru my "management" treatment 😢
Tough day in the office xx thanks for reading x

@gettagriff I’m really sorry to hear that. Much love to you and your family.

I am so very sorry GetaGriff Thinking of you and sending lots of hugs.

Hugs to all those battling through chemotherapy. It's such a tough slog. You just have to deal with an hour at a time to get through. Keep going! It's worth it.

@Cratos welcome and I hope your stay is short here for the best reasons. I find when very frightened it is best to stay in the present and deal with the immediate challenge in front of me, rather than all the "what ifs" that could present. If you get good news then hooray but if you don't then you will learn what to do when it happens. Try to keep off Google because it is out of date and scary! When is results day?

@Silkieschickens I am so sorry about your silkie! I loved my hens when we had them. Poor DS

@MissSmiley well done telling the DC, it's horrible isn't it?

I've had my wings clipped because a friend has got Covid today and I sat with her drinking coffee on Monday. I'm cancelling going to see DM87 until I am clear of the risk. Now I keep imagining symptoms. Talk about a drama queen! At least I had my Covid booster two weeks ago so my white cells should be buzzing this week.

Love to all
Top

@gettagriff

Hello all I got 2 results today... Biopsy confirms stage 4 It's also in the lungs I have a meeting in a week talk thru my "management" treatment 😢 Tough day in the office xx thanks for reading x

Oh god that's shit, don't know what else to say, please keep posting xx

@gettagriff I'm so sorry. Is there someone at home with you to look after you while you get your head round this? Come on here and rant any time you need to. How are you feeling physically? Did you have any suspicions? Sending hugs xx

I don't want to be here, but here I am.
I'm 62, had a hysteroscopy a couple of weeks ago and on Monday the consultant rang to say they have found cancer in a polyp they removed from my uterus and I will have to have a hysterectomy and possibly chemo/radiotherapy depending on CT scan results.
The NHS has swung into full action. On Tuesday the nurse team rang to introduce themselves and told me it was a 'grade 3'.
Yesterday I received my CT scan appointment (Sunday).
So here I am, posting this, sobbing in bed and generally feeling sorry for myself.
Apologies though, I know most people here have gone through/are going through this and I really don't want to upset anyone.

Don’t worry @StrokeofMidnight none of us wanted to be here either.

It’s a really tough ride at the beginning when you’ve been given a bit of information but don’t have a treatment plan yet. Once the scan results have been discussed at MDT and they decide what to offer you then you’ll find it becomes a bit easier and you’ll get into a rhythm.

Thank you @MrsPnut.
It just seems to sweep over me in waves. Most of the time I'm 'normal', then it suddenly hits me. DH is the same, 'normal' then crying. 😢

@gettagriff I am very sorry. We are here to listen whenever you would like to share. I will pray.

@StrokeofMidnight It is a real shock. Sorry. Great that you have a supportive DH and NHS is being quick. Sending you positive energy.

@TopOfTheCliff thank you for your advice and support. I appreciate it.
I have a very late appointment today and I am very nervous.

Hope you didn't catch Covid. It all depends on how infectious she was at the time. Fingers crossed.

@MissSmiley yes thank you for your consideration. I am sending love to you all.

@gettagriff
There is a new drug, approved by NICE, and NHS Scotland have decided to use it for Stage 4 patients. Hopefully, the rest of the UK will follow. The report I read over the weekend (MailOn-line - sorry) featured a bc patient who was part of the original trial 5 years ago whose secondary lung tumours have totally disappeared.

Might be worth asking your oncologist if it is suitable for your sort of b.c.?

Best wishes to everyone else, especially those having a tough time.

My DH has been losing weight and started having night sweats and a weird pain in his throat. I persuaded him to go see the DR. He's working away today but he sent me his blood results. I'm feeling anxious because his monocytes blood cells counts are very high and lymphacites very low, and he's got a high C protein which suggests inflammation.
I realise now he's not been looking that well for months and has been getting sudden tiredness.

I'm now really worried that he could be seriously ill.

For those of you who are living with cancer, I'm sorry, I don't want to seem insensitive with my speculation, but I can't help worrying that DH may have cancer. He's seeing the doctor again tomorrow. I'm not sure what I'm looking for really , just I've no one I can share this with and I certainly don't want to tell him my fears and worry him. I know it's stupid to google and draw conclusions when I'm not a trained Dr. He's only 46 and we have 3 kids.

@gettagriff The first days/weeks with a Stage IV BC diagnosis are really really tough. Cry and yell all you need, but it will calm down once you get going on a treatment plan.

What are your hormone markers? And is it lung only or is there also bone involvement? The hormone markers (is it HR?HER2? TNBC?) will determine your treatment path from here. Please try not to despair, this is manageable and treatable (although I know how tough it can be to hear that just now when you want it to be curable like seemingly everyone else!)

@StolenCherries If he has got pain in his throat, he should be seen by a ENT consultant perhaps. It is good that he saw the doctor. Did he tell about all his symptoms to the doctor ?
If you are worried perhaps you can call surgery for another urgent appointment and referral.

I had burning sensation in my throat and I was diagnosed with silent acid reflux by ENT specialist. It went away almost completely with some treatment. Doctor thought it actually started with a throat infection that I had and affected my throat and vocal cords.

Hopefully it is nothing serious. All the best xxx