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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@TwoBigNoisyBoys - hi - please try not to panic. It’s not easy and can feel overwhelming at first. The most important thing is that you’ve been and you’re being treated. Once your treatment plan has been given to you and you understand what it entails it does get easier. You will be overwhelmed with the amount of support you have . I personally have found this thread invaluable.

@MrsPnut - congratulations for finishing chemo.

@BG2015 - I had a port rather than Picc but it took 3 weeks so settle down.

@HumphreysCorner - hope things are getting better for you.

Phesgo for me today but waiting for more drainage and the physio. Meeting with the oncologist next week and am armed with questions.

Hi to everyone else x

Hello everyone! I thought I’d found a lump in the summer, but after asking my sister to feel it, we thought it was usual lumpy boob.

Last week I felt a lump again, my sister had a feel and thought it felt like a cube with edges. It seemed movable to her, and it like a small bit of stone chipping.

I went to the GP, who agreed with her that it was hard with hard edges. He did say that it was movable, which was positive. And mentioned “breast mouse” which was apparently another name for a fibro - something!

I’ve been referred to breast clinic, and he said that it would be 2-4 weeks time.

I’ve read that the shape of lump isn’t a great sign, but being movable is good. I’m managing to stay sensible, the negative thoughts are easy to ignore at the moment!

I was interested to hear if anyone has had/heard of a movable lump being cancerous?

Thank you @JeanLannes

Sorry I've been a bit quiet, head firmly in sand.

I've finally got my face to face with a GP today. The initial 'lump' I felt has reduced, although the area still feels different and so I kept the appointment.
However the last couple of days that breast has become so so tender (I can't have anyone touch that side or brush past etc), and it feels swollen in to my armpit.

Ive been off my PARP (Niraparib) for two weeks and felt sooo much better. On it had raging hunger all the time. Been back on for 2 days and its starting up again ! Its still up in the air as to whether it will work anyway as it often doesnt with people who dont have BRCA gene.
Between a rock and a hard place at the moment. Got a consult in 3 weeks so I will have to discuss the way forward.

Had my second EC on Tuesday and feeling rubbish. No matter how early I take the steroids (6am and 12pm) I'm awake half the night.

Going to ask my GP for some anti-depressants to replace my HRT as the night sweats don't help either.

I know by Sunday/Monday I'll hopefully start to feel better- according to my notes I kept for cycle 2!

Chemo is truly shit!

Hi - I just pop in now and again. 7 yrs ago had TAH for a huge Borderline ovarian tumour, not cancer but there's a v small chance of malignancy in future so 5 yrs of monitoring. On the last one, unrelated stage 2 colon cancer was picked up. (V lucky. No symptoms.) Hemicolectomy 2 yrs ago. Belt and braces oral chemo. Only did 4 out of 6 cycles because of covid. But all clear at the moment. Fingers crossed.

@TwoBigNoisyBoys - My M.O. is to go straight to GP for anti-anxiety medication - low dose anti-depressants. I just can't eat if I'm worried. V happy to prescribe with valium till they kick in. It's routine in the USA to be offered it and it makes a huge difference if you're in for it long-haul. (Tho still hoping you're not.)

GP has done a referral under the 2 week pathway. Not because she was particularly worried (she actually said she'd be shocked if it turned out to be cancer) but because it's been going on for a while and she wasn't taking any chances.

I haven't fully caught up with everyone's stories, but will read through the whole thread. Hope everyone is doing as well as possible.

@BG2015 I've found it takes around a week to start to feel normalish after EC chemo. I'm still pre menopausal but I get hot flushes now, presumably a side effect of the chemo and my body struggling to regulate my temperature. I'm hoping that symptom will subside once I'm done.

I agree chemo is utterly shit. In my case - post operative - I will never know if it made a difference. And I hate being bald. I feel very ugly. A few weeks ago I joked about dressing as Uncle Fester for Hallowe'en. Now I'm not going to because I fear I might genuinely scare children.

@SewingBees
My DP shaved my head last week. I've still got a covering but it's coming out everywhere.

I hate the nauseous, queasy feeling, it's just so draining.

I have one more EC and then I have 9 weekly Paclitaxel. Then 5 sessions of radiotherapy which should take me to March.

I had a lumpectomy in August. That was a doddle compared to this.

@BG2015 I know how you feel, my lumpectomy was almost a non-event compared to some of the surgery and post-operative complications that others on this thread have experienced, and far easier to cope with than the chemo.

Finally got the appointment through for the first stage to figure out what the lump is.

Now just got to sit on my hands till that happens, not too sure what to expect tbh

Hi everyone, I’m trying to read through the whole thread to learn everyone’s names, amd stories but I can’t seem to concentrate.
Got my 2nd mammogram tomorrow, before my appointment next Wednesday to decide on my treatment plan. Was hysterical with anxiety earlier today, wish I could calm my mind.
Hope everyone is ok x

Ps thank you @Thymeout, I think I’m going to have to see the GP for something to manage this anxiety, I can’t go on like this. I feel so ridiculous, but I have no control at all, it’s like a huge wave passing over me and I can’t hold it back. I’m just hysterical 😭

Hello everyone, I'm off for a gynae oncology appointment today to investigate an enlarged uterus. It was detected 8 months ago during a scan of my bowel but consultant forgot to refer me and tell me. I'm finding that so hard to take. Had breast cancer last year, anaemia picked up, and spent the last year having tests to find out why. Finding it all so hard.

@TwoBigNoisyBoys don't get too bogged down in our stories just now it might get a bit overwhelming - just focus on getting through the next couple of weeks.

@Tean791 That must be so frustrating - here's hoping its non news.

I'm gearing up to a serious discussion wrt stopping kadcyla - see how it goes over the next week. I think the steroids might be just kicking in on the lungs. @HauntedDishcloth how is it going for you?

Hello, had ultra sound. I need biopsy, but couldn't be done today. Another 3-4 week wait.

Hi @SewingBees and @BG2015, just joining in to lament that chemo is horrible. I had a large part of my bowel removed in July and honestly would rather go through that surgery again than chemo. I’ve only need 4 cycles but the side effect are horrible.

Popping again to say Hi, welcome to the thread that no one wants to join @TwoNoisyBoys
I was similar to you back in June/July.
Found a lump but in my groin and toddled off for a private scan, the sucking teeth sound from the sonographer was the start of it all 🙄.
I'm now here having just completed round 2/6 chemo on a 3 weekly cycle, no hair loss yet but it's supposed to be a 'mild' version of chemo, subject to scan results from after R3 and if it shows the lumps have receeded as planned I can continue with it but if not the they will 'ramp it up'. I had a wig consult today and the lady was very nice, we've ordered some in and I'll take a look in a month to see what is going on and if I want to purchase one but at £75 it's not cheap! However they do look and feel good quality.
PICC has now been in for just over a week and it has settled down, last Thursday I hated it and everything about it, I felt invaded and I wanted to rip it out, but come Monday when I went in for treatment I was immediately appreciative of it as there was no vampire attempts!
Much love to those who are going through it all ❤️.

@PaddingtonStareBare
I had a PICC line put in last Monday. I can't say I love it yet. I've got a lumpy, uncomfortable lumpectomy right boob (which I struggle to sleep with) and now a PICC in my left arm. Again, it's hard to sleep with.

I do think the dressing is uncomfortable which isn't helping. I go on Monday for a dressing change and flush so maybe that will ease it. I know other people have said it can take 2 weeks to settle down.

I hate cannulas so with 10 more chemos to go I know I'll be grateful of the ease.

Roll on Feb 1st though when it hopefully comes out.

3 weeks post surgery now and still very sore. Another 250ml drained out yesterday as they were concerned about pressure on the stitches.

I do seem to have developed some lymphoedema along my arm though which is a pain. I am hoping this is an immediate post-surgery sort that might go away. I have referred myself to the local lymphoedema clinic for assessment.

Hope everyone that has had treatment this week is recovering well. Hope the se of the kadcyla ease off @Acinonyx2 and you can continue.

Hello all, can I join? I have stage 4 bowel cancer diagnosed earlier in the year. I’m early 40’s with a 3 year old DC. Originally had 6 sessions of chemo but original tumour progressed so now on targeted cancer therapy. Basically my cancer is incurable & my treatment is palliative. I coped quite well initially through a mixture of denial & numbness but it’s really hitting me now. I feel like I would really benefit from being in touch with others going through something similar.

Hello, sending you lots of love. I'm finding this group a great source of comfort xx

Hello @Tean791 Good to hear you get something positive from this thread - I agree!

Hello too @Ilovealido Of course you can join - there's no entrance test! How are finding your current treatment physically? I hope it doesn't affect you too much in looking after your DC - 3yrs is a very active, lovely age as they discover the world at large & it's so precious enjoying it with them.

@Acinonyx2 The jury's still out on my 4th Kadcyla as I've had steroids with it, just finished them so waiting to see if there's a crash. Pessimistically I am expecting one...

Hi and welcome @Ilovealido. Wishing you well with your targeted treatment. I hope you find some support here. It is a lovely thread and I have found it really helpful.