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

999 replies

LemonDrizzle10 · 03/08/2023 07:09

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JlL2013 · 30/08/2023 19:36

Happy Birthday @TopOfTheCliff thank you so much for all of your wisdom and advice. You are so appreciated here x

Florabritannica · 30/08/2023 20:00

Happy birthday @TopOfTheCliff

isaxx · 30/08/2023 20:30

Happy birthday @TopOfTheCliff I second the appreciation for your wisdom on this thread. Thanks for the tips on iron everyone. I might still try to see if I can get an infusion to speed things up. Another day of feeling completely zonked, unable to get off the sofa.
On brain lesions, I have a smallish meningioma which I've known about for 4 years. Luckily it was not discovered now or it would have freaked me out. My latest brain scan just confirmed it is still there and nothing to do with BC. Growing at a rate of 1mm per year, which is a concern but apparently fine to kick that can a bit further down the road and think about again next year. That used to keep me awake with worry. Now it seems like no big deal as it's not cancer...though at some point it will need reckoning with.

thesandwich · 30/08/2023 21:09

Happy birthday @TopOfTheCliff - another one grateful for your wise words and humanity. Thank you. 🌺🌺

Atreus · 30/08/2023 21:26

Another Happy Birthday @TopOfTheCliff from me too!

I signed up to the Zoe program a few months ago. I've been fascinated in all things microbiome for ages plus followed Tim Spector's twins study and have a good friend who knows him well. I did the first month of the program and then found out I had to have chemo and so got them to pause it for a few months. Wearing the glucose monitor was fascinating...apple cider vinegar before a meal or coupling Greek yogurt with cake massively reduced my glucose spikes. And my microbiome test (whilst a bit grim having to poo on a hammock-like contraption to be able to get a sample!) came back as excellent. Sadly though, I guess it's not so excellent anymore post-chemo but I they said I could retest when I restart my subscription up again. It's not cheap, and some of the lessons on the app are v American and a bit patronising if you have half a brain cell, but overall I was v pleased with it and learned a lot about my gut health and responses to sugar and fat.

FairyWren7 · 31/08/2023 05:09

Happy birthday @TopOfTheCliff ! Hope you have a lovely day.

Just checking in. Halfway through radiotherapy here. Surgery scars are healing. No more draining required at present, thank goodness!

Im working a bit more and feeling ok. Next thing is to make the switch from private system surgeon (who doesn’t listen to me) to public system.

I’m questioning why I pay for private insurance when the out of pocket costs are so ridiculous!

Hope everyone is going well x

SierraSapphire · 31/08/2023 05:55

I did Zoe three months after chemo @Atreus and my microbiome was good - I had been eating a lot of plant foods and fermented stuff with no UPF and very little animal foods, no sugar other than a bit of dark chocolate, low carbs etc. all the way through though. My diversity was lower than it might have been. I knew a lot of it already, but there were some tweaks I made. I stopped it because it wasn’t taking into account of other things, e.g. low iron, and it was scoring salty things low, whereas actually my blood pressure is low and I am low in sodium so salty things are good. There is a good unofficial Facebook group to ask questions, swap tips and get recipes.

AllotmentTime · 31/08/2023 07:36

Happy birthday for yesterday @TopOfTheCliff 🎂 I trust you had cake 😉

@KentishMama congrats on the good results!

@LemonDrizzle10 I had exactly the same meal strategy when I was anaemic some years back. DH declared that he would nobly help me eat as much steak as was necessary 😂

@RedRosesPinkLilies hope the antibiotics are all doing the trick for you.

I was treated to a lovely day yesterday by a very good friend. We took the kids out then went back to hers for a delicious lunch, then chilled and ate biscuits while the DC played. I felt soooooo much better afterwards! But have realised its her birthday coming up very soon and it's crept up on me. She's been an incredible support lately & I need to think of something really nice to get her!! I'm stuck for ideas, any suggestions welcome...

Crimsonbow · 31/08/2023 08:16

A belated happy birthday Top!

@AllotmentTime my go to "gift" for friends is a meal out together - I think you lack time to spend solely giving each other attention when you've got children.

SataumaMeddler · 31/08/2023 08:22

Happy belated birthday @TopOfTheCliff

Having a bit of an eventful week here. Had what I would have assumed if I hadn't had the radical hysterectomy were horrendous period pains and spotting for about a week. Only one antibiotic option but I react to it so taking it in combination with an antihistamine. The other choice was an admission to hospital for IV antibiotics.
If it doesn't work by the end of the weeks course then it's off down the road of scans etc in case Kevin the bastard gremlin tumour has left any little chums behind when they evicted him.

ajandjjmum · 31/08/2023 09:01

Oh no @SataumaMeddler - what a pain - literally! Hope you don't end up in hospital, although good that you're on it, and ready to evict any of Kevin's parasites if necessary!

And happy belated birthday Top. Flowers

Scandimandy · 31/08/2023 09:25

Morning all! happy birthday for yesterday @TopOfTheCliff

@AllotmentTime I found a delivery of special biscuits went down well, try Honeywell Bakes or Biscuiteers....

I've had a couple of normal weeks waiting for chemo to start, I did go to the out of hours Dr to have my yucky scab looked at at the weekend but all was well. I'm back at work but try to have all Weds off so went window shopping for the day with my DD who turned 23 today :).

OP posts:
RedRosesPinkLilies · 31/08/2023 12:29

@AllotmentTime Thank you. I think the antibiotics are working. Didn’t shower today - so iodine dressings would stay in place. One site was very sore last night, bit better today. I feel fine.
So assuming all is going in right direction

Just had a friend over who brought me sleep package from Oliver Bonas, and a lovely glass from Etsy to have a G&T in when I can.

Cancer Support Thread 89 - the best thread that no one wants to be on.
TopOfTheCliff · 31/08/2023 13:24

@RedRosesPinkLilies wow that’s gorgeous! I think I may need a glass like that.
I had such a fun birthday. After his and hers eye tests with DH ( we passed!) I collected my cake and with DD and a friend we cooked and served pizza and salad with fruit salad and cake to 60 hungry people at the sports club. They were very appreciative and it reinforced my belief that doing things for others is the secret to happiness. I have been surrounded by love and good wishes which been great.
@AllotmentTime i expect your friend would enjoy time with you. Spa trip? Or country house visit? None of us really need more stuff ( apart from your gorgeous glass!)
This afternoon I am off for a Breast Clinic review. Not sure what the agenda is but I shall raise my shoulder pain as an issue. I need to rule out bone mets to sleep more easily.
Heres my fab cake made by a young friend. Thanks for all your kind words too. I appreciate them.
sending healing vibes to all especially @SataumaMeddler as it sounds a bit unnerving for you.

Cancer Support Thread 89 - the best thread that no one wants to be on.
lucysmam · 31/08/2023 13:35

@TopOfTheCliff I missed that it was your birthday! It sounds like you had a lovely day 😊

I have just realised that my next in person appointment has been booked for a day when I have immovable plans already, and for peak school run bus time 🙄 Big girl pants on while I ring them, am not being railroaded into changing my plans again!

SummerCycling · 31/08/2023 14:05

@TopOfTheCliff

Happy Birthday! Hope you had a really lovely day.

@SierraSapphire

That's interesting what you said about the lack of granularity and computer modelling in your particular cancer (versus breast ca).

The radiologist said similar to me about mine when I saw her in my pre-radiotherapy appointment. I've got Her2+ hormone negative breast cancer which is about 5% of all BCa and is a very aggressive subtype that used to have very poor prognosis, but with the development of targeted therapies against her2, now has a much better prognosis.

She was saying that due to the lack of data with my situation being so new, they decided to stick to treating 5 areas over 15 sessions. I know most BC patients now - since Covid - only receive 5 sessions over fewer areas, so maybe it was opposed to that, she didn't specify. She also asked if they could use my data for 3 studies; I said yes.

They seem to be learning and discovering all the time at an unprecedented rate, but having subtypes different to what the vast majority have is sometimes frustrating I find. Everyone assumes breast cancer = oestrogen blocker. Maybe you have that too, having a rarer subtype of endometrial ca.

So sorry your oncologist was like that, how stressful and unfair. Mine isn't a warm person, but at least she gave me the treatment plan and I wasn't expected to make any decisions - even when I stopped chemo early it was a joint decision with her making the final decision (which was to stop early based on side effects I was finding intolerable).

@nappybrained @TopOfTheCliff

I'm always very surprised and shocked when I read on hear how medical doctors are also treated by the NHS as though they are completely ignorant. I have no medical training, so it's less shocking, more frustrating and depressing.

One cancer registrar commented to me when I asked a question, "Oh yes, you like to know what's going on" and I thought, well, yes obviously - it's my life, my body. They weren't rude just surprised. Which surprised me!

Getting reports and blood results is like getting blood out of a stone. In the end I had to email PALS and then after various email chains with different people, radiology kindly sent me loads of stuff. It's weird they don't realise some patients need to know. I am still trying to get some other results from last summer (2022).

I've lived in a few other countries, and the last one always handed patients everything automatically, even original stuff like huge x-rays, so not just the reports. I found that weird too, like the opposite extreme, but I actually really liked that. It makes viewing things in context easier, which is something the NHS often don't do (maybe their computer systems don't allow it - eg no access to other hospitals).

@RedRosesPinkLilies

So sorry to hear about the four infected wounds. Thank goodness your GP and nurse were so good; I hope things improve soon.

@Silkierabbit

I really enjoy reading your posts about your visit to Mauritius. I also love birds and the coast, so your holiday sounds truly idyllic to me. Do post more photos!

One of my favourite things is watching the birds (and squirrels) on our bird feeder and generally around the garden. We've got to know their habits and daily patterns - crows, sparrows, blue tits, chaffinches, pigeons, green parakeets, etc. It must be wonderful seeing the exotic birds in Mauritius!

Greetings to everyone else x

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Vinorosso74 · 31/08/2023 14:16

A belated Happy Birthday @TopOfTheCliff Hope you enjoyed that fabulous cake!
@KentishMama pleased you had some good news.
This is more cosmetic so in Cancerland not such a big thing. I've received a copy of my referral from the Oncoplastic surgeon to the Plastics team at another hospital to discuss reconstruction options using my own tissue, likely DIEP as I have plenty belly fat!

The recovery worries me, as does starting with a new team at a different hospital. I had a mastectomy and immediate implant reconstruction in April 2021 but have capsular contracture. I knew the risk was there having radiotherapy and don't regret having it done. I feel quite anxious about having more surgery so any stories about DIEP, please do share.

Silkierabbit · 31/08/2023 14:57

Thank you Summer I love birds too. Here's some Mauritian birds from today. And drinks at lunch.

Cancer Support Thread 89 - the best thread that no one wants to be on.
Cancer Support Thread 89 - the best thread that no one wants to be on.
Cancer Support Thread 89 - the best thread that no one wants to be on.
StressIsMyFuel · 31/08/2023 14:58

Happy belated birthday Top, love the cake!

I’m way too late on the hair dye conversation, but I started dying mine with permanent box dye 3 months after treatment and it’s been fine. Caveat though, my scalp was never sore, and my hair came back exactly like it was before immediately in texture and thickness. It was very white/grey for a month or two but then darkened.

CT results call for me this afternoon. Dreading it. Sick with fear. CA125 creeping up and up. Literally my heart stops and I get that thud of adrenaline every time I remember I’m expecting a call at a random time this afternoon.

StressIsMyFuel · 31/08/2023 14:59

Sorry, I name changed. I was a great username.

StressIsMyFuel · 31/08/2023 15:33

@Silkierabbit Which hotel are you at? I went to La Pirogue in Flic en Flac many moons ago but can’t afford to take the kids to that hotel now so looking for a possibly alternative for next year!

Silkierabbit · 31/08/2023 15:43

We are at Sugar Beach, linked to La Pirogue, and previously at Long Beach, they are all similar. Kids under 12 are free at both so it maybe worth checking if yours are below that. Mine is 17 and it's adult prices and flights have gone up too but it is wonderful. We did with TUI multi centre so 2 hotels and Air Mauritius direct flights.

Silkierabbit · 31/08/2023 15:44

Under 12s its free for accommodation, food, drinks and watersports.

isaxx · 31/08/2023 16:05

@StressIsMyFuel I fully understand that anxiety about getting a random phone call with results at any time of day. On those days, I am usually useless at getting anything else done. I sit there like a deer in the headlights waiting for the phone to ring and not breathing (as if it helps).
@Vinorosso74 DIEP experience here. I opted for immediate DIEP reconstruction due to the risk of complications with implants. No option is optimal, but I don't regret it.
Recovery takes a little while, but the worst is over in the first 2 weeks. I had a particularly tight abdominal operation (apparently the tightest one one of the surgeons had ever done - I am quite skinny but they managed to extract what they needed in the end). This meant that it was a good 2 weeks before I could stand fully upright. Most people get there within a week or so. Once you can stretch fully, it is ok. Sleeping becomes easier.
The breast area was fairly numb so no pain there. The boob looks decent and feels as close as one can hope to a natural breast.
I think what I did not expect was the numbness in the abdomen area around the scar line and the bellybutton. That still annoys me as I had not factored that in. I liked my abdomen before and now there is a big scar and a bellybutton that is not quite like/where I naturally expect it to be. I think that will take some adjusting to. The scar should fade considerably though and with clothes, I have an even flatter tummy than before (I am just under 11 weeks post surgery).
I am at the stage of thinking about fine tuning. I am due a follow up appointment at the end of September and will ask about further symmetrisation. I think they can tweak things with a bit of lipofilling. As things are, with a bra, my breasts look indistinguishable. So, they are pretty much the same volume. I would like to get back to a place however where I can wear a T-shirt without a bra and not feel self-conscious. My natural breast droops like the breast of a 49 year old, whereas the reconstruction is a bit fuller at the top. So, I will ask if some filling at the top of my natural breast can be done and bit on the reconstruction at the bottom (to make it look more like the other side). I also want my nipple reconstructed, as that is what stands out most without a bra. I am however really picking on details here. In the grand scheme of things, I am not having major body image issues. The DIEP looks, all things considered, quite natural and soft and similar enough to the other one. If you have a good plastic surgeon, they can do wonders, even at the first go. The fact that it is permanent, will not be rejected, will not contract and will grow/shrink with your own changing weight, is a great advantage. It becomes part of you, once you re-wire your brain a bit, which comes through getting acquainted with it in the shower, clothes, etc. I don't know if implants ever feel really part of you. Maybe they do. I have no experience. But, feeling your own flesh and it being the same temperature as your other breast helps I think with the natural feel.

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