Cancer Support thread 88 - virtual rage room currently empty, virtual collective afternoon tea - all welcome!

[LemonDrizzle10]

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@SierraSapphire I'm glad your friend was able to stay with you at least for your appointment. Sitting in a cafe courtyard for lunch sounds a good way to while away a couple of hours, I'd have been starving after all that waiting!

Yeah, @lucysmam - especially as my body seemed to have got rid of everything else I'd eaten though nerves!

Well I’m eating a MacDonalds and catching up
with the gossip on the news! I did warn them on the unit that last time they told me it was my last one I was back three weeks later as it was working so well. I wouldn’t mind going again tbh if I had to but I do wonder how much chemo you can actually have in one year. Radiotherapy is just something else to get my head around but get my head around I will. The weather is lovely and fresh here in London today.

@SierraSapphire I don't have the sense that my hospital is that coordinated either but I would be the same with not wanting a call when I'm away. It's never easy is it?

Can I join this thread please? I'm sure I've tried before but probably not made much sense!

Recently diagnosed stage 2 breast cancer, spent the last 2.5 months undergoing all the tests and scans (I'm not in the UK). I've been told it's not an aggressive form. Got my appointment with the oncologist and surgeon on Friday, they'll tell me then if I need a double mastectomy. I actually feel really calm about it all, I knew in my heart from day one when I found the lump what it was and I just want to get on with it now. Apparently there is no sign of it in my lymph nodes.

I will have questions to ask on Friday but for some reason can't think of many, can anyone suggest questions? I saw the surgeon a few weeks ago and he told me about reconstruction, it sounded terrifying.

Everyone is telling me to make a list of questions for the doctor!

Although funnily enough, a lot of the people I've told about the reconstruction (men and women) have asked "Are you going to ask for a size bigger?" I'm a 34b and have no desire for bigger boobs 🙄

Hi @PollyCreo

I only joined a couple of days ago so I'm new myself and I don't have breast cancer (unless something very odd has happened!) In fact I don't have a diagnosis yet, so can't help much with your question about questions either. I just wanted to say hello.

Someone more useful will be along before too long I'm sure.

Thank you and hope you're ok 😊 It seems very supportive on here! Really helps when you know so many other people are going through the same thing x

Yes it does. I don't know anyone in real life who is going through anything like this. Everyone here has been very welcoming.

It's strange isn't it, you think it's something that only happens to other people? I found it helped to tell my friends straight away, it made it real and they all jumped in to help and support me.

Welcome @PollyCreo and sorry you're here. I'm endometrial cancer, so can't help you with breast cancer questions, but there are lots of knowledgeable women here with BC.

I didn't think I was the sort of person to get cancer. I still don't tbh despite evidence to the contrary!

Welcome @PollyCreo have they told you what type of breast cancer it is? There are lots of different types. I’ve just had 6 months of very unpleasant chemo and immunotherapy but the surgery after that was minimal and my breasts honestly look fine. I had genetic testing which was negative so no reason to have a mastectomy. You need to understand your specific cancer, that’s the most important thing I have learned from being on this thread.

Hi @PollyCreo and welcome. I have had BC twice in three years. I had different kinds in opposite sides so they have treated me twice for primary BC. I haven’t had a mastectomy though, just lumpectomy and radiation and lots of chemotherapy as my cancers were both aggressive little bastards. In the UK bilateral mastectomy is only offered if you have a gene like BRCA or similar.
Ask anything you like and try to stay off Google and stick to sites like Macmillan or Breast Cancer Now that won’t scare you.

Today is the halfway point for me through oral chemo. 560 tablets done and 560 to go. I’m doing okay although my feet are sore after a day out in London. Celebrations are happening!

All are welcome to the Friday Virtual tea party. Brew up a drink and bake something or buy a cake and share with us all.

Sending strength and calm to all
Top

Thank you @SierraSapphire I also don't think I'm the kind of person to get cancer (half joking!)

I'm 50 and have never been to the doctor except for stupid gym injuries, however I think my luck ran out this year when I got covid, found a lump and also had a ruptured appendix (all within two months). The appendix surgery was horrendous but I actually think it's made me stronger, I feel like I can face anything now 💪

Thank you @bringonyourwreckingball and @TopOfTheCliff I've been told it's multi focal, lumps in both breasts. The doctors have told me it's not aggressive, treatable and hasn't spread to the lymph nodes. I haven't googled anything. No history of it in my family.

I don't live in the UK but in a Mediterranean country where the healthcare system is great, I was actually really lucky to receive proactive immediate tests.

I’m an eternal optimist so although I have had cancer twice I still don’t think I am the sort of person to get cancer! But I am tough and cheerful and determined so I am coping okay with the endless shit storm.

And thank you @TopOfTheCliff for your invitation to the Friday tea party, I will definitely attend 😘

I'm alone here (single) but have amazing friends who are looking after me, I've also had two lots of friends who have flown out from the UK to visit despite it being hotter than the actual sun at the moment 😅

I'm the same too, I just see this as a bump in the road. Thank you for sharing your story, you'll get there! X

I always expected to get cancer but thought I was immune to breast cancer. No family history or risk factors for that and no symptoms until a 5cms cubed lump appeared overnight a month after covid vaccine. I assumed the vaccine at first.

Welcome Polly

Yes Fairywren It was Land below the wind, must have been great to travel through Borneo.

Swimming with whales sounds great Polly Also a canoe lover.

Been swimming again tonight and to private dentist. At least he complemented my dress this time not my hair like last time when it looks like a 1980s aerobics instructor still. Not heard about scan yet. Am certain it's nothing. The only thing bugging me is I seem to have 100% wrong gut instinct on cancer. 😂

Hi PollyCreo. I’m new here too.
Had ultrasound on my liver today and they concluded it was just a cyst. Literally for the first time since the breast tumour was discovered a week ago I became a bit weepy. Bizarre that I’m a week I’ve come to a place where not having secondary cancer is fabulous news.
So now I’m just waiting until I see the consultant in a fortnight, by which time there should be a treatment plan.

Welcome @PollyCreo and other newbies. I’m a BC person. Had my chemo and just about to have surgery. Lots of knowledgeable people on here thankfully.

All the phone calls have started prior to surgery next Wednesday. I’m oscillating between ‘nervous as fuck’ and just ‘want to get it over with’.

I walked the dog earlier and nearly got blown away - it’s so windy. Now I’m cleaning like a crazy person - don’t know why I’m bothering but I know I won’t be able to do it for a while.

Hi @Florabritannica Good to hear the liver thing was nothing. I had a similar scare over a month ago with some spot on my hip bone turning out tio be nothing. I was bizarrely elated to only have a very aggressive cancer in my breast. Post surgery now with a bunch of nuisances (two seromas, one in armpit and one above reconstructed breast, armpit cording, etc.) and starting chemotherapy tomorrow (docetaxel and cyclophosphamide for 12 weeks). Quite apprehensive about that. Planning to cold cap but also looking for wigs. I simply cannot find a wig store in central London that does consultations, so may just have to get something online unless I want to treck out of London. Doubt I'll have the energy after tomorrow.

Welcome @PollyCreo.. We sound at similar stages. am new here this week too. BC found after routine mammogram 3 weeks ago. Had hospital appointment yesterday after biopsy last week so got all my leaflets and next steps. Met surgeon and breadt cancer nurse. There is an Active Yorkshire place they refer you too for pre operative fitness classes and to meet people, counselling etc. Virtually next door to me so handy! Surgery early August. They will ring next week to update. Lovely people but I wish I had never had to meet them! An still in denial I think. Oh and am in clinical trial if I want where I take tablets 14 days pre Surgery.

Off to Great Yorkshire Show today with a friend.

Typed in bit of a hurry as off out the door now but hope everyone has a good day.

Morning everyone and hello to those who are new. BC person here too...I was diagnosed with early hormone positive, lymph node negative BC in Jan and have had lumpectomy, radiotherapy and now half way through chemo (as a future preventative measure). This really is a fabulous thread for support, info, rants and virtual cake.

@isaxx sorry, I just realised I hadn't answered your earlier question about where I got my wig from...it's called Beasley Wigs in Sandhurst www.wigswigswigs.co.uk/

My wig had her first official outing this week. DD1 got her degree results and got a First and the Uni prize for her course. I was so proud of her (and so relieved, as I'd been so worried that everything that had gone on with me would have affected her results). We went out for an amazing meal at Ivy Asia and I even forgot I was wearing a wig, it felt and looked so natural. The only issue is that it is so much better than my hair (even when it's been at its absolute best pre-cancer). Maybe I'll just become a life-long wiggy person!

Morning all. Learned this morning who got a job that had my name on it - and my not getting it means that my career is effectively over (academic). This has upset me more than discovering I had cancer.
Why does shit always seem to come in a great unadulterated dump of bollocks?