Cancer Support Thread 83 - Here comes the sun (hopefully)

[Silkierabbit]

Welcome to a supportive thread for anyone with cancer to discuss how things are going, ask for advice etc or discuss life in general.

Please feel free to join if you are going through tests as well, hopefully they will come back all clear but if not we are here to hold your hand through the journey.

Named the thread in honour of the lovely LeslieKnope who did thread 62 in the same title who is sadly no longer with us but inspired me with how she was so lovely and kind with stage 4 cancer in her 20s and also the lovely PurpleUnicorns. Thinking of you both. Hopefully there will be some sun inbetween the difficult days.

May be useful to do introductions at start of thread. I am 49, lobular breast cancer, diagnosed Nov 21, after sent for tests then after being dismissed as nothing by GP in June. 46mm and 17mm tumours with 1 lymph node involved. Had 2 surgeries, currently doing chemotherapy, radio next then hormone tablets. 1 husband and 2 kids 16 doing gcses and 15 with SN and mute. 1 Maine Coone kitten, 3 silkie chickens and 1 indoor rabbit.

Unbelievable @MothralovesGojira 🤯 I am so bloody jealous I’m patiently waiting for my plain cheese n crisps combo right now. Might start bringing my own onion in.

I hope it goes ok with work re: light duties and they are understanding. And good luck for all your gigs, love love live music & have really missed it. Oh and I’m also getting a referral for wig, just for a laugh. Talking of laughs loving Mr Floof’s antics @Silkierabbit, continued good luck to DD in exams & good luck with your son and getting some good and useful care for him.

good news for @HerbalRefreshment and @MadamWithoutAnOvary that’s what we like to hear!

I have scans booked beginning July and am bricking it already.

welcome @Somuchgoo i hope you find some support and advice here.

Great joy as actually having bone-dry plain flavourless cheese on BROWN which they usually run out of. Hope you aren’t all too envious

And @Kittyshopping thank you v much for info. I will check with my oncologist during our next 12 minute phone call. (Can’t be arsed to go all the way to see her in person as she works out of a different hospital to my local. Handy!

Welcome Mothra Hope you can get to some gigs and last TC goes as well as it can. I am not convinced Mr Floof's plans for rabbit are entirely innocent.

DD has done Eng lang GCSE this morning and that should be this week's GCSEs over, 2 more weeks to go, 10 more exams. DS is at home, refusing open day and school don't really he want him after Weds hiding incident which SS also called about but quickly signed off, then tried to change hospital appointment as my chemo and radio have been put in for same time, radio is just over phone but I cannot do them together. 1 hour and 6 staff later still trying to resolve this, apparently radio phone can only be Mondays, chemo can only be Mondays and putting appointments further apart without a team meeting isn't possible. I think I maybe having a pimms and lemonade shortly. I also still have to get them to cancel my 13th chemo when I am supposed to have 12 but have told them twice and that is more their issue than mine.

Looking forward to the weekend though 3 more weeks of chemo and 2 more weeks of GCSEs and infinite number of silly season weeks for boys. DH also got scratched by one silkie when he was trying to take her out.

The phrase 'A little of what you fancy' seems a bit cruel to write on that Mowly.

@mowly77 You have at least got Seabrooks crisps which are the king of ready salted, but the sandwich does look a bit dry.

I'm trying to look busy at work for the next 1hr 20m before I can log off for the weekend and go for a nap. I am at least at home so can make trips to the fridge every half an hour.

One of my good friends yesterday told me how pale and tired I looked and how much of a change it was from 2 weeks ago when we last met. I think the 320 miles round trip at the weekend has completely wiped me out and I am planning on staying close to home this weekend.

I have an examination under GA booked for the same day as DD has her further maths paper 2, not sure how we are going to do it logistics wise but I have 2 weeks almost to sort it out.

DD is back and GCSE was fine (teenage code word for please do not ask for detail) and they are over until next week, 10 over 2 weeks to go. She has retaken over Mr Floof, he is lovely but more energetic than me on chemo, he has just done a forward roll on the bed in slow motion in which he fell off then he looked at me like you didn't not see the falling off bit did you? And putting my knickers on his head.

And I am having a milky coffee with a tunnocks tea cake. After only 3 hours radio appointment has been rearranged, it now clashes with a chemo a week later but this is the 13th chemo that is an error I cannot get corrected so better. Only thing is if get bad neuropathy they will cancel a weeks chemo and will have one on 4th but at least this one is just pre chemo (though everything runs an hour late).

”a little bit of what you fancy”
IS the cruellest thing to write on an NHS sandwich I agree @Silkierabbit but sixth chemo done and I have escaped to pick up prescriptions & having veggie sushi snack and a glass of wine before I crash. I’m also waiting with great paranoia to see if I’m going to get incredibly ill — the pax is supposed to go through a filtered line as the microscopic bits in it can cause infection. Yeah the nurse forgot that. She put through normal line. I’d already had it all when head nurse noticed and raised hell.

so the wine and snack is either a last gasp as I’m going down anyway … or maybe … just maybe … it’ll be ok. I deserve some fucking luck!

@Somuchgoo how are you feeling today? It must be so overwhelming. xx

Ive just popped on here after a period of no contact and wanted to say hello to all. A quick synopsis of my story follows. After months of waiting following initial gp in march 2020 I was diagnosed with colorectal Cancer. At 48 and nor risk factors apparently I didn’t fit the stereotypical bowel cancer patient but there it wAs. Following bowel resection’ full hysterectomy and vaginal shortening I left hospital with the tumour removed but with the added gifts of surgical menopause and a stoma bag. Then got the call that I was stage 3 as the bugger had made its way to a lymph node.

on 23 December 2020 I commenced six months of capecitabine chemotherapy finishing this time last year. Stoma reversal in January after 2 cancelled appts and now finally getting life back albeit with the fear of scans; blood tests and recurrence never far away.

just wanted to wish you all the best of luck in your treatments at whatever stage and if I can answer any questions for newly diagnosed bowel cancer patients please give me a shout. Xx

You are catching me up Mowly I am at 9 Pax now, 10th chemo on 13th (lucky for some) and I saw online that it is half alcohol and the internet is always right. So you will be extra drunk with your wine on top Mowly but if you are going to be ill at least you will have enjoyed a little bit of it but hope it will be fine. Never heard about a special line though its always 2 nurses at mine do the Pax.

I've just had a 2nd teacake, think the reciepe has improved since the 70s or maybe my thresholds have lowered with NHS food. I may shortly be having that pimms and lemonade. I normally never drink but GCSEs / chemo and a bolting off child have led me to one a day this week. Still 2 weeks of GCSEs and 3 of chemos. Mr Floof is back, never stops eating.

Welcome Gillmoregirl and glad things are improving after such a difficult time.

Hi @Gilmoregirl. I remember you! You have a dd and you used to watch the series together. So glad that they've finally managed to remove the stoma. Must make life a lot easier particularly in summer.

And @MadamWithoutAnOvary. I think we may have connected when you were posting under another name. We have mucinous ovarian tumours in common tho' mine was Benign/Borderline, thankfully missing the malignant element, just an MBOT. On my last monitoring scan for that, the radiologist picked up colon cancer, resulting in a hemi-colectomy and a covid-truncated course of capecitabine. So far, so lucky. Coming up to 3 years post surgery in October.

Thanks for the new thread, Silkie. How does old Silkie get on with the new ones? Is there a pecking order yet?

Wondering how Top is getting on in the storm. Imagining her lashed to the mast.

Welcome Thymeout Ruth, the older silkie established herself as Head Silkie the first night after which all was fine. The silver one flies out of the coop cottage and the white one is just a ball of fluff with little brain who blocks the entrance to the cottage and needs to be carried down but very cute. Mr Floof typed some more comments on my earlier reply about the silkies then deleted it so he must be Head Head chicken. 😎

I just had my third teacake and was mugged by Mr Floof, could not let him have any but he's happy with the wrapper to play with.

@gillmoregirl I'm glad your stoma has gone & hope you get no recurrence.

I got my diagnosis of bowel cancer last week. They said it's stage 3/4 as lymph nodes are enlarged, but they can't tell for def till check them afyer removing them during op. They saw lesions on my liver so I'm having another MRI on Wed to have a closer look at those, they did say they could just be cysts. Results of next weeks MRI will decide if I need chemo before surgery. If I do I need a stent first. They said I probably shouldn't need a stoma. They also said it's highly likely I'll need chemo after surgery.

I have no experience of chemo etc. Unfortunately my poor fiance does, as his wife died from breast cancer 10 years ago.

Our wedding was set for Aug 26th. When I got my diagnosis we changed it to 1st July. Consultant told us to move it forwards, but we only did notices on 30th May, so treatment will have probably started before the wedding. Our party is still in August. It's just us & DD13 plus DSS 15 as our witnesses on 1st July.
I also have 3 adult children, 10 grandchildren & 1 great grandchild. I'm 54.

I'm trying to be positive. I left work today, on sick leave, it was really sad saying goodbye to my class. I'd hoped to stay longer but I'm just too tired.

Bad day today. Clinic confirmed there’s no mets but the tiny residual cancer cells are active, creating ascites and keeping CA125 high.
Trying tamoxifen for a few weeks, then more chemo if necessary, but it’s not looking good and, when we asked The Big Question, the consultant was very honest and said probably 12-18 months.

@MrsWooster

So sorry to hear that. Huge hugs.

So sorry to hear that Mrs Wooster, especially with small children. Sending love and hugs and hoping you can defy the odds.

Hope you can still have a nice wedding Help

I’m very sorry hear that Mrs Wooster. My thoughts are with you and yours.

So sorry Mrs Wooster. Fuck cancer.

I'm sorry you didn't get better news today Mrs Wooster.

@MrsWooster I'm so sorry to hear your news and am thinking of you, sending love Xxx

@MrsWooster I am so sorry it wasn’t better news for you. What absolutely shit news.

Hello everyone. I’m sorry to disturb your chat and I hope I’m allowed to post on here as I’m pre-diagnosis. Long story short, two masses found. Biopsies taken from cervix (just a polyp there), womb and growth in the womb, and an MRI scan following ultrasound on the right ovary. The results have gone to an MDT meeting and I’m told they will call me Tuesday. Years ago I had a benign cyst (I’ve had lots of cysts due to endometriosis) and they rang me following the MDT to say benign and organise appointment to discuss surgery. However, I didn’t have to go to an MRI scan or biopsies.

Could I possibly ask you all (as I’m fretting) would an appointment mean bad news on Tuesday?

I’m hopeful all of this is just bad endometriosis which has got worse combined with causing the usual cysts. I’m also still bleeding from the womb biopsy 12 days later.

I apologise profusely if I shouldn’t post, as I understand I’m pre-diagnosis. Just really not sleeping and the pelvic pain isn’t going (along with other issues).

I guess I’m getting anxious despite my logical brain saying it won’t be womb or ovarian cancer. I just wondered if good news will still be delivered over the phone like last time and if an appointment means I need to take someone with me.

Again, sorry to post if this is not where I’m supposed to be. Much love to you all in the meantime on here.

Welcome OriginalFloorboards fine to post here. I don't think an appointment would mean anything either way, I have had several all clears in person before and last one cancer in person. Over the phone generally means all clear or minor issues but an appointment can mean either AFAIK. The one with cancer I was told it would be cancer before, quite often they mention cancer as at least a possibility when it is cancer. I was told they were absolutely certain it was cancer when I asked.

Thank you Silkierabbit for your reply. I really appreciate it.

I am sorry to hear you have had a diagnosis. I hope you are doing OK.

They have said the ovary is the one they are more concerned about for cancer but that’s all. I know it’s solid with thick walls, septated etc. The dr has also apologised for the delay (not her fault at all as she initially was looking into my frequent wee issue before this).

That was from my doctor who received the ultrasound results and organised the MRI as recommended from the scan people. None of the ultrasound or MRI folk would say anything more at the scan, which I kind of knew they wouldn’t. Although I did ask.

I’m not sure what the AFAIK means. You’ve got my brain working before coffee now.

Thank you very much for replying. Once again, apologies for asking a question when many of you are in much tougher situations than I am. I have deliberated whether to post but I’m not sleeping very well and Google searches isn’t the best thing to do I’ve found.