Cancer Support Thread #81 Newbies welcome

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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.
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Last chemo eve - cupcakes for the nurses bought, dexamethosone started, cottage pie made for tomorrow's dinner and appointment made to see my surgeon next Thursday for a re excision due to unclear margins.
Just got my back to pack including all the snacks because I might have to wait for my lift afterwards (DD1 wants to go shopping in Nottingham whilst I'm there including Ikea).

@MrsPnut "Last chemo eve..." Wasn't that a song by Wham??

Hope it goes okay @MrsPnut. I wonder if you are the lady I met in hospital a couple of months ago. N, next to K/C who drove us all mad and came back a day or so later?

I spoke to my GP today and I am going for a mammogram next week.

@SunshineCake1 I’m not sure, I have been to a lot of hospitals! I’ll PM you.

I've replied

Had my PICC line fitted yesterday. The nurse was amazing, made me feel so at ease, explained it all clearly and was so kind.

It's felt quite tender and sore since, is it likely to settle down. I did struggle to get comfortable in bed last night but I have chemo this afternoon so that's also playing on my mind.

I've got a cover for and am waiting for a prescription cover to use in the shower.

@BG2015 mine took about two weeks to fully heal and I slept with that arm resting on a pillow to support it a bit.

Chemo is now done! I am relieved and going for a celebratory nap.

@MrsPnut congratulations, I hope the side effects are minimal and you can swiftly move on. Did you ring the bell? No-one has done that at my oncology unit and I think I'll be too self conscious to do it myself.

Congratulations MrsPNut 😁

I had my PICC fitted Thursday and treatment yesterday was in for the day, all went OK but they can't get blood out of it 🙄. I am a pain!

Was a bit sore last night, and thought it had come out a bit, one phone call to the DN's as I'm a bit sore there, had one turn up to have a look within 30 mins, lovely lovely lady. No actioned required but it was worth the peace of mind.

At least I have a break from treatment now, I'm back in to the hospital in 3 weeks instead of each week. I'll be glad of the break, I get 'white coat' syndrome when in there and my BP is scarily high when they first start but it drops by the afternoon to normal levels.

Hope everyone else is doing OK.

Paddington

There is no bell at the oncology centre, the only place I have seen one was at Nottingham City Hospital where I had brachytherapy. I didn't ring it then because I was less than half way through treatment at the time.

Hope you have a good nap @MrsPnut.

When I go for my mammogram next week do they do both breasts or just the one with the issue?

@SewingBees They did both of mine when I had my mammogram.

Didn't manage a nap, had to sort out the printer so DD2 could print off the picture for her pumpkin carving idea then decided to try to make dental appointments but spent 30 minutes in the queue before giving up and using their web form.

Thanks @MrsPnut. Did you have issues with both breasts ?

No and I'd had a CT scan beforehand so they knew where the lumps were. They just did both as a comparison but only diid the ultrasound on the bad one then did a biopsy.

I'm not really sure what will happen now. I was sent for a brain scan and the doctor decided I didn't need it. Still have the same issues years later. I'm now worried I won't be getting a mammogram and I'm stressing about having to take my top off and maybe be touched as I know it is a man I am seeing.

Can anyone talk to me please. I had a breast cancer diagnosis yesterday and I’m a panic stricken mess 😭

Welcome @TwoBigNoisyBoys to the thread no-one wants to join. Were you diagnosed at your first appointment or has your biopsy results been discussed at MDT?

@SunshineCake1 the dr doesn't do the mammogram - there are specialist nurses who do that. I've never had a man do it but I suppose it's possible. You do have to get used to taking your kit off a lot and being poked about though - but they do this day in day out as routine (it just doesn't feel so routine to us).

@MrsPnut good riddance to chemo!

@TwoBigNoisyBoys what happened yesterday - what were you told? Try not to panic - the next step will be a concrete plan of action.

But if I see the doctor first and he doesn't think I need the mammogram?

I'm aware I will have to take my clothes off. Doesn't mean I won't find it uncomfortable if I get a bad vibe.

Hello, thank you for replying. I had a 1-stop breast clinic appointment and had examination, mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy. The consultant says he’s positive it’s cancer; I have a second mammogram with coloured dye this Friday, then my next appointment is next Wednesday once that mammogram and the biopsy results are in, where they’ll discuss my treatment plan. The consultant says it will definitely be surgery, possibly chemotherapy too.

I feel like I can’t breathe 😭

@TwoBigNoisyBoys blimey that was very efficient! But a lot to take in all at once. I was also told before the biopsy results were in that it was definitely cancer - so surgery as a minimum but the possible chemo varies depending on the biopsy.

It's a shock. Are you with your family? Tell us a bit about your situation. The important thing is to focus on the plan - you don't have that in hand but you will soon (of course the waiting is very hard). There is always a plan.

Thank you @Acinonyx2 it’s a terrible shock. I suspected, of course but now I feel as though my world has imploded. Yes, I must say it was incredibly efficient and of course everyone was so kind, but I’m panic stricken, I know I sound dramatic 😕
Yes I have my partner staying over at the moment…we don’t live together but he’s here now and hopefully for a few days. He’s taking me on Friday.
I’m a single mum, divorced, 2 teenage boys aged 19 and 16.
I can’t think straight I’m so sorry, I keep feeling like I can’t breathe. I can’t eat or sleep It’s ridiculous and making me feel ill, Im so sorry to keep moaning 😭

I'm so sorry to hear of your situation @TwoBigNoisyBoys. I hope you have plenty of support.

@SunshineCake1 thank you.

@TwoBigNoisyBoys you're feeling overwhelmed which is understandable. It doesn't feel like it right now - but you will deal with this - you just need some time to take it in and get your plan.