Cancer Support Thread 89 - the best thread that no one wants to be on.

[LemonDrizzle10]

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I’m just painting my nails getting ready for my glamping trip. I used to be a size 14. I’ve just bought a top shop dress for the banquet and ended up in a size 20 😮 it’s all around my back and neck god knows. I got a hospital letter today through the post telling me I have an appointment on bh Friday. Well I won’t be there and I’ve tried to leave messages. Fancy it being so last minute?

I'm just in bed worrying about shooting pains under my arm. I had a lumpectomy almost 2 weeks ago and also have a wound where cancerous lymph node's were taken out. Since my drain was removed almost a week ago both wounds have got more painful and lumpier and the whole area is now more swollen. It's not red and I don't feel unwell but it hurts. Friends and family are saying it's supposed to be swollen and lumpy etc but I wanted to know what you guys think. You all seem to be much better informed than I am. It's also really difficult to get to see the breast nurse as I'm not supposed to drive yet and I would have to get 2 buses and walk up the hill to get home. I'm waiting for a hip replacement so sometimes it's really hard to do. No-one can take me but I think I'm going to drive myself (taking it carefully) tomorrow. There is a drop in between 9 and 10.

Hello, no expert but could you send photos rather than risk driving? Its early days and some fluid may be gathering?

@1Strawberrycat you will be getting some nerve pain after surgery that builds up. One side of the wound and your armpit and shoulder may be numb. The other side will be pricking and sore. I used ordinary painkillers until it kept me awake at night then started amitriptyline 10mg at night which I have taken ever since as it helps me sleep. The swelling and lumpiness is normal for healing wounds but watch out for pockets of pus they need reporting if they leak out. It’s hard to rest enough at this stage and I aggravated my wounds both times and got infections. Take it easy!
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@TopOfTheCliff I've just been to the breast clinic and they said it's fine. I also had a rogue stitch removed and they gave me a new bra. Not looking forward to the drive home so I've done my usual and sat in the car park for an hour looking at my phone. It's not much of a day out but I take what I can at the moment. Hope you are feeling ok.

Drive safely @1Strawberrycat hope you are soon home and resting again.

@EachandEveryone TopShop are rubbish don't take it personally! Think I remember a Sarah Millican clip complaining about them in a similar vein. Hope the Lost Village is fun though, that looks very hip (although there's probably a better word than "hip" these days, I'm not down with the cool kids 🤣)

@lucysmam you are a lean mean crafting machine!

@FairyWren7 glad you are doing a bit better. Wishing you more sunshine!

Sending strong healing vibes to everyone who needs them. That feels like a thread theme at the moment. I just finished "We Begin At The End" which is a sort of literary crime novel if anyone is looking for something good to read while resting.

I'm finishing off chemo #2 at the moment, half an hour left on the cold cap and then a wait for more saline to go into me to keep my BP up. I'm trying to think what needs doing this afternoon with my last bit of motivation before the side effects start to kick in! Laundry or cleaning- is a clean house or clean clothes more important??

@AllotmentTime - I'd always prioritise laundry over cleaning the house, as everyone needs clean pants but you can live with dust. I hope the side effects are minimal this round for you.

Sending strength to everyone else.

Results day #2 in our house today, and DD2 did very well overall, mainly 8s and 9s and managed 2 6s in English which was her weakest and least favourite subject by far, so she was very chuffed with that. I am very pleased for her, and glad to have both those lots of worry behind us. Even if it means I can go back to worrying about other things. I am waiting for the results of my 1 year post-diagnosis mammogram - so horrible waiting for an actual letter in the post, which is how they do it here.

Wahay! My DH completed his 90 hour event with one hour to spare. I hope the mad bugger is asleep somewhere now.
I have had a delicious lunch out with a good friend and am feeling better than I have in ages. Fresh air and wild swimming obviously suit me! I am even beginning to make a few plans for next year. I’ve been asked to update a sailing classic book which would be fun to do.
Just maybe there might be life the other side of Cancerland.

@1Strawberrycat I hope you got home okay. Now rest! Xx

@1Strawberrycat hopefully you're chilled out & resting now.

@AllotmentTime keeps my brain from overthinking!

Results day here too @dotty2! Dd1 is very pleased after pulling out a 5 in drama - she was predicted a 3. The rest are 6/7 which is what she was hoping for. The 5 has pulled her average up enough to maybe add Spanish A-level too, they were reluctant to allow it when she went for her interview. Never mind...as I typed that she's text to say she's on her way home & didn't ask after all 🤷‍♀️

I've been for bloods at the hospital with dd2 today - in & out in minutes so we stopped off for McDonalds on the way home & picked up a few bits. Might carry on with a few bits of the gingerbread house apron now, while dd2 vanishes up to charge her phone (probably while scrolling tiktok on it 🙄).

@Brunonononooo I did have a vacuum dressing towards the end of the six months, and it was a little better, although the noise drove me mad! Suspect it was faulty. You do get to the point where you'll try anything, but when they said they wanted to operate again (which was when they removed the vac dressing), I was happy - anything to heal.

I got caught in a storm and sheltered in the car for a while until it let up a bit. The roads were flooding as the rain was really chucking it down - like a tropical storm for half an hour. I'm in bed now - had to walk the dog (and cat) in the rain but I've got a mug of Bovril and a hot water bottle and I'm putting the tele on and staying here!

@AllotmentTime everything that gets approval here seems to be “slay” at the moment, though I don’t know whether that covers “hip”. I never mastered the use of “peak” to mean bad though, so I don’t suppose I will be using it (other than to take the piss!)

Congrats to your DD too, @lucysmam. I reckon our kids' achievements are even greater for having had to deal with the worry of our diagnoses and treatment through it all.

I also reckon it's best not to even attempt teenage slang - bound to end up being laughable...

@TopOfTheCliff I'm so pleased you are feeling well and enjoying the good things that France has to offer. I'm loving hearing about your trip and glimpses of life beyond Cancerland.

Adding to GCSE results day excitement (nice news from me for once). My 16 year old (who really studied her socks off, putting herself under quite a lot of pressure - not pushed by us. She is a crazy perfectionist and expects a bit too much of herself in our view) got what she wanted - almost all 9s, just one 8. She is extatic and also pleased that her best friend (somewhat less studious) managed to scrape through the grades to go to the same state 6th form as her. They have now gone off to Reading Festival for 4 nights..a good release of energy.
At my end, just saw the lymphedema nurse. I am on the border for qualifying so reviewing in a month. Gave my a compression sleeve to see if it can stop it in its tracks over this coming month. The Royal Marsden where I am being treated is conducting an nhs trial of lymphedema surgery. I asked for info but I probably don't quite meet the criteria. I would really want early intervention if this is where I'm heading. If anyone else is interested and would qualify, do look it up - LVA trial.
Chemotherapy #3 tomorrow and oncologist appointment. Still issues with nodules in arm along cording to ask about. Getting quite fed up. Loads of bald patches now.
@TopOfTheCliff very jealous about the wild swimming! That is one of my favourite things. Really regret not having got a chance to do it of late because of this cancer malarkey.

Oh, I love a bit of improperly used teen slang to make my kids eye roll 🤣 I had to ask on MN once what "spill the tea" meant 🙈. Dd1 is fond of "yassssss Queen" at the moment when I ask a question. Slay is popular too. And both of them call me bro/brother 🤷‍♀️ Dd1 actually called me Mum the other day & I didn't answer, I'm that used to answering to bro or brother.

@1Strawberrycat your cat goes on walks with you?

FFS. I thought I was over this (double mastectomy) but seems like more is on its way. The oncologist told me that the biggest tumour scored more points and he's sent samples off for molecular analysis. Now have to wait another week for the results but he thinks I'll need some chemotherapy.

I'm sorry @PollyCreo - that's a real drag. I suppose the only comfort is that at least they are doing their job thoroughly, and making sure that you're kept well.

So sorry to hear that @PollyCreo that's shit. Bastard cancer 😡😡 hope you at least get the results quickly with minimal waiting.

Well done to the GCSE results families @lucysmam @isaxx and @dotty2 hope you're all celebrating with lots of inappropriately used teenage slang, make them really CRINGE 😁😁😁

@1Strawberrycat omg Bovril!! I forgot that existed - I'm craving everything salty with chemo, that's going on my shopping order. My mum used to make that when I was ill when I was little. Perfect.

If anyone's wondering if I cleaned the house or did the laundry, the answer is.. I did NEITHER 😁

Thank you @AllotmentTime and @ajandjjmum I just thought I was turning a corner there

Sorry to see that @PollyCreo , the waiting's horrible.

@AllotmentTime I don't blame you for doing none of it - I've done very little this week other than crafting 🤷‍♀️

I'm just about to count stitches on the top I'm crocheting, to start the arms and body. There are 180 in total - they should add up to 180 when split into body/sleeve/body/sleeve...we'll see how that works out shortly 🤔

I'm just exhausted with it all now. I can't see any way forward and can't be bothered speaking to people about it. I'm sick of people ringing me and being nice to me.

Sorry that sounded awful 😕

Doesn't sound awful at all. Sometimes you just DO NOT WANT to have another conversation with someone about it all, especially if they're trying to be cheerful and you feel the obligation to be the same.

And that's the beauty of being online because you can post on here lots or none as you feel x

It's shit. And it's unfair. Sending you 💐🎂 and hugs.

Can you ask people not to ring you and just communicate by email, text etc when you feel up to it? And/or ask them to talk about non-health-realated things? I've done both and found it helpful.

@lucysmam The cat has always come on walks with the dog. He's getting on a bit now and is almost blind and deaf. Sometimes I have to take him for a walk without the dog. Neighbours must think I'm crackers!