Page 36 | Cancer Support Thread 85 - Hoping for a positive 2023

AGreatUsername · 2022-12-24T19:10:52+00:00

Starting a new thread as the old one is almost full. Welcome one and all, this is a thread for those with cancer and those who are awaiting tests for cancer. We offer support, a place to rant/vent/cry and ask questions without judgement. As always maybe we can do a quick who’s who at the start of this thread for newbies. Heres hoping for a positive 2023 for us all.

medianewbie · 01/03/2023 12:19

@TopOfTheCliff - thts helpful thank you x (they're tied at the top so will need out). Yes it seems they're trying to lessen my wait, which is helpful of them.

Whattodotomorrow · 01/03/2023 12:42

@TopOfTheCliff you look great!

I was due to do a Look Good course today but I had to cancel due to a bloods faff…it seems my next chemo session won’t go ahead now until my bloods improve. It seems my expensive jar of Manuka honey didn’t do the trick! It’s just frustrating.

bringonyourwreckingball · 01/03/2023 13:03

I’ve been inspired by this to book myself on a Look Good course in the Easter holidays. My skin is a complete mess.
Does anyone else have days when they just feel like giving up? I’m going through a nasty divorce at the same time as chemo and it all just feels a bit much sometimes.

EachandEveryone · 01/03/2023 14:16

Im booked on next week at The Free if anyone else is that would funny wouldnt it? Im hanging on to my eyebrows so far. I dont know whether to save my hear like TOP who really suits it or just to let nature take its course as I quite lije having a few dangly bits😄

I had those days last week and funnily chemo day always picks me up. I dont know why that is. Maybe its the company or just the thought that something is being done. I dont ever feel like giving up but thats because Im at the start of the journey. Ive no illusions that it could twist and turn on me at any time. I mean who the hell gets cancer that no expert or machine can find? How will I ever get that out of my mind?

Podgedodge · 01/03/2023 14:38

I was a complete banana and booked and cancelled that course twice @TopOfTheCliff . Not sure why, just overwhelmed I suppose. You look amazing! I was an idiot🙂. I didn’t look that good pre cancer!

TopOfTheCliff · 01/03/2023 16:08

@EachandEveryone do you think maybe it’s the steroids gives you a lift? Or the company of kind people who want you to get better?
I know what you mean about not trusting the bastard cancer to behave though. Who gets two opposite types of breast cancer when they are the wrong age race and gene type for either? I’m a freak!

@Podgedodge i think you are totally normal in being nervous. I stood outside gibbered but everybody was so kind and welcoming it was lovely. There was only one lady there who was a regular makeup wearer the rest were out for a fun day learning new tricks

bringonyourwreckingball · 01/03/2023 21:48

@EachandEveryone i actually really like chemo day too. I think it’s about surrendering yourself to people who are dedicated to looking after you and just having no responsibilities but doing something which will hopefully make you better. Whereas the rest of the week I need to deal with work, home, the kids, feeling terrible and powerless

dotty2 · 02/03/2023 11:44

Me too @bringonyourwreckingball. That's exactly how I felt about chemo. I've been doing a youtube yoga session and in the relaxation the teacher says 'enjoy the fact that there is nothing you have to accomplish right now'. Going for chemo gave me that permission too - it's just about getting on with getting better.

PumpkinPastiez · 02/03/2023 17:20

Podgedodge · 01/03/2023 14:38

I was a complete banana and booked and cancelled that course twice @TopOfTheCliff . Not sure why, just overwhelmed I suppose. You look amazing! I was an idiot🙂. I didn’t look that good pre cancer!

You can book the look good feel better course at any point for a year after treatment is over if that's of any help? Xx

PumpkinPastiez · 02/03/2023 17:27

Today I went to the Christie. Saw my surgeon, signed the consent form and had a photoshoot of my scar at the medical photography unit!

Hopefully surgery will be in 4-6 weeks. I had a lymph node biopsy a few weeks ago (fine needle) and it was present there, so I'm now melanoma stage 3. So I need immunotherapy after surgery.

I'm also being investigated by genetics because my dad died at 50 after having melanoma 3 x and eventually died of bowel cancer. Back in 03 he didn't have any tests on genetics but now it needs to be looked at because of his age at diagnosis and the fact melanoma and bowel cancer can be linked.

I'm also nice and complicated for a general anaesthetic because I've got badly controlled Graves' disease or hyperthyroidism, however my endocrinologist said he's happy for me to have the surgery , he's going to liaise with the surgeon at the Christie and the anaesthetists, I might have to see the endocrinologist team at the Christie before the surgery for them to override the anaesthetist who will not be happy with this.

So that's my update.

I was invited to go on a look good feel better course and was shocked because I thought it was just for breast cancer patients! However it's not.

I used to work at the Christie and never in a million years thought I'd be going there as a patient.

TopOfTheCliff · 02/03/2023 17:49

@PumpkinPastiez how do you feel about the plan? I know what you mean about the disconnect of being a patient. After working in the NHS for 37 years I am still shocked to be on the other side of the fence now. It makes me very sympathetic to the staff especially in the current climate.

I decided to emergence from my bunker and go and see my friends at my sports club. There is a regular Thursday coffee morning which I joined. I even went hatless and was pleasantly surprised by the warmth of the welcome I got, and the positive comments on my new hair. I then went to do some work on my boat and achieved quite a lot but am now aching and exhausted. My base level of fitness is really poor. However it was a glimpse of normal life which gave me hope. I’m going to write up a schedule for exercise starting next week.

Incidentally I had to ring my dentist as I chipped a tooth last week. I was amazed at how helpful they were. I explained I was in between chemo and radiotherapy and about to have a bisphosphonate infusion so they have bent over backwards to fit me in at the right time for my various treatments. Full marks to them!

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PumpkinPastiez · 02/03/2023 18:16

@TopOfTheCliff I don't feel as stressed now I have a rough idea of the plan. It feels very overwhelming thinking about the idea of surgery but that was always going to be the case. It just feels weird?

Podgedodge · 02/03/2023 20:00

@PumpkinPastiez
I did not know that! Thank you.
I also get the disconnect. Although not in medical profession, I spent so much time before my diagnosis in the hospital with my DH that it took me a great deal of time (and tears) to accept that this time it was my turn. It’s hard.
I still have an amazing amount of disbelief about my diagnosis even though active treatment finished last July.

PumpkinPastiez · 02/03/2023 21:50

Podgedodge · 02/03/2023 20:00

@PumpkinPastiez
I did not know that! Thank you.
I also get the disconnect. Although not in medical profession, I spent so much time before my diagnosis in the hospital with my DH that it took me a great deal of time (and tears) to accept that this time it was my turn. It’s hard.
I still have an amazing amount of disbelief about my diagnosis even though active treatment finished last July.

It's horrible isn't it? And you feel so vulnerable but also you have an idea of the terminology so it's worse

Atreus · 03/03/2023 07:10

Good morning all! I had my surgery yesterday (lumpectomy/wide local excision and sentinel node biopsy). I went in at midday and was home by 8pm. Apparently it all went very smoothly and I'm feeling pretty good about it all. They also did a pregnancy test so it was nice to know that at age 52, I'm not pregnant 😁

This morning the two incisions are a little sore but easily managed with paracetamol and I slept well (although did have to fend off our two huge Maine Coon cats who both wanted to sleep on my chest). I am repeating to myself (on a loop) that I will rest and relax and not overdo things! I'll now have a 3-4 week wait before I know if the margins and nodes are clear. Longer than I'd have liked but today I'm just very relieved that the primary lump is gone.

dotty2 · 03/03/2023 07:48

That's good @Atreus - pleased all went smoothly. Hope you have a good book or box set to keep you occupied while you rest.

bringonyourwreckingball · 03/03/2023 08:06

That all sounds positive @Atreus - hope you heal well

TopOfTheCliff · 03/03/2023 08:46

Well done @Atreus I hope the time goes smoothly. Take a look at the Jigsaw Collections App. You can do puzzles on an iPad with one finger. It has saved my sanity. Also books of Arrowwords from Amazon!
I ache today. But in a good way!
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WorryMcGee · 03/03/2023 09:45

Good news @Atreus and fingers crossed for a smooth recovery.

Well done @TopOfTheCliff for the bunker-emergence! 👏🏻

I had my last chemo yesterday and rang the bell. Lots of tearful hugs all round but I will have to go back as Royal Mail still haven’t delivered the gift I bought even though it was sent next day delivery early on Tuesday morning. Not happy but oh well. PICC line is out which was a more painful experience than having it put in! Nice to have my arm back though and I’m excited to start lifting some weights again (albeit light ones). So now it’s radiotherapy. I don’t really have any feelings towards that one way or the other. It’s the 10 years of tamoxifen that scares me now.

PumpkinPastiez · 03/03/2023 15:45

@WorryMcGee congratulations! Don't be worried if you feel a bit deflated and lost for a bit.

Did anyone have to self isolate before their op? They want me to for 5 days!

WorryMcGee · 03/03/2023 15:47

@PumpkinPastiez thanks 😊 it’s funny, everyone’s congratulating me like it’s all over and back to normal but I don’t feel that way at all.

I didn’t have to isolate for either of my ops!

Atreus · 03/03/2023 17:15

I didn't have to isolate before my op yesterday but I did so voluntarily for 10 days (or at least avoided crowded places, didn't go inside anywhere outside of home and only met other people to go for walks outside). I think I was probably a bit over cautious but loads of people I know have come down with Covid in the last month and I felt so lucky to get an early op date that I didn't want to risk catching it myself and the op being put back a couple of weeks.

WorryMcGee · 03/03/2023 17:37

Does anyone know when hair finally stops shedding once you’re done? I’ve cold capped and it worked on EC but the paclitaxel did a number on me and I reckon ~60% has come out since I started that. I’ve moved my parting to hide the patches but I think I’m reaching the stage where if much more comes out I won’t be able to hide it anymore. How much longer might this go on for?

Silkierabbit · 03/03/2023 17:50

The good news Worry is the hair loss should settle soon, at least did for me. The issue I've had though is the 60% comes back under the straight in 90 degree curls which makes it very difficult and those are only just starting to stop 9 months after last chemo so I've had to cut my hair shorter. I am hoping now will just go straightish and be an OK thickness but it's going to take a while still before its a better length.

EachandEveryone · 03/03/2023 20:26

Mine is short and itching like mad. I went for a facial today and the therapist told me to get it shaved off tomorrow to give it chance to grow back evenly. I was getting short of breath after my last chemo and she did something to me I dont know what but I let out a huge sigh during the reiko bit and now Im breathing normally again. Worth the £90.