Cancer Support Thread

vintagebrighton

How did things go JadedAngel88?

And how are you Gingervamp? You've not been on here for a bit, have you recovered and gone home yet?

Gigervamp

I'm home and doing ok atm. Chemo's starting in a couple of weeks for 6 months.

JadedAngel88

vintagebrighton wrote: »

How did things go JadedAngel88?

And how are you Gingervamp? You've not been on here for a bit, have you recovered and gone home yet?

Thanks for asking, Lots of tests, they (he) is confident that she isn't relapsing, bloods fine and chest x-ray is clear. My daughter is just worried about the shortness of breath, so she'd had an echo-cardiograph and she has to have a lung function test.

She was on ABVD chemo and apparently the side effects can be damage to the heart and lungs, hopefully it will just be something that will improve with time.

Amber_Sunshine

Just stumbled across this thread. I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer last month and had surgery. I'm starting chemo in a couple of weeks and am very daunted by the prospect. The whole situation still seems unreal, but I'm trying to be positive (I've had a lot of support from family and friends). The chemo is because they found cancerous cells in one of the lymph nodes (1 out of 40 is apparently good).

Caroline_a

Last September I was diagnosed with Stage 4 lymphoma. I was initially quite poorly but had 7 cycles of chemo. The first 3 were fairly tough but as I got stronger I was able to cope with them better and better. Then in April of this year I had a stem cell transplant and was in hospital 21 days - was told it would be a month but was doing well so they sent me home.

Nearly 4 months afterwards I'm doing well. Still not fit enough, but getting there. Back to work virtually full time now and best of all have finally got my dogs back from them being in foster care for 7 months.

I kept myself going by planning all the nice things that would happen after the end of the treatment. Staying positive is vital I believe and I have never thought that I wouldn't get better.

I've avoided this thread until now as it was a bit too close to home, but on request of my consultant I spoke to another of her patients who is a couple of months behind me in the treatment. I think it helped him - he said it did anyway! So if anyone needs any help or advice and is going through what I went through, just ask - I'm happy to help.

Edit - strangely I heard from the other patient today. He's had his stem cell harvesting now and seems to be doing well. I have to say that I'm quite chuffed that he was comfy enough to contact me and let me know how things are going.

Nice that sometimes good things come out of bad!

Gigervamp

Sorry to hear your news Amber. It's only natural to be anxious about chemo. I'm starting my 3rd cycle today and am very nervous.

If you have any questions, don't be afraid to ask.

Caroline, glad your stem cell transplant went well and I wish you good health and increasing strength.

jozxyqk

To update, my mum went through radiotherapy last autumn/winter, it went ok with tiredness and soreness only creeping in towards the end. She had a follow-up mammogram last week and has been given the all-clear subject to annual checks of course.


She's started volunteering at the local hospital caf! to give a little back.


So cancer can be treated, but I dread to think what would have happened if her original appointment was just a few weeks later.


My best wishes to you all.

Amber_Sunshine

I had my first chemo a couple of weeks ago. So far, not too bad - I've felt a little 'off colour' at times, but nothing that bad. In fact, I'm pottering around pretty much as normal, and even doing some work (I work at home writing). Still waiting for my hair to drop out - I'm been shedding the last couple of days but it hasn't started falling out in clumps yet.

Mrs_Optimist

Update
My FIL has stopped the chemo for the lung cancer, had another round of radiotherapy for the throat cancer and is going to have to have some more as it has returned - as they said it would.

He knows it's a waiting game but had really had enough of the chemo and chose quality over quantity of his remaining life.

We are taking each day as it comes. ....

windchime

God bless you all and deepest sympathy. I have lost my husband and my 2nd partner to the nasty evil disease. Heart breaking for those who are left behind.