The big “C” has never affected our family and we considered ourselves very lucky. Just before my grandmother died in Sept 2020 we discovered that she was riddled with it having first been diagnosed with breast cancer.
Dec 2020, after long working day a bout of “indigestion” rendered me in pain. Consultation with docs was suspected IBS until a doctor had me rush with blood tests and an ultrasound. Following these came the biopsies. To cut a long story short - I was diagnosed with 2 cancers with no connections to each. I had a liposarcoma in my abdomen measuring 28cm by 22cm but grew to 47cm x 30cm x 27cm in depth - I looked 11 months pregnant!! Following the operation, I was told that the weight was a whopping 18kg. With a stent and catheter, I suffered from bouts of infections and never paid any attention to the actual incision. Lose of stomach muscle and small percentage of bladder has not affected me terribly physically. Good news was I’m all clear for now and no chemo!!
I never got the chance to celebrate this fortuitous news as I was still having to face my thyroid cancer that got spotted after a lymph node biopsy. Facing a thyroidectomy and a left neck dissection within the month. Dose of radiation and medication for life - some may regard as a good prognosis for the future.
I get so angry and silent at times. I feel I must have done something evil in a former life to have to face this injustice. Family and friends have been great support but they don’t fully understand as they’ve not faced two cancers! 4 hospitals visited and numerous consultants. Six months of tests, scans, biopsies, operations and all those needles - I hate injections!! Blood tests but worse are the cannulas when my thin non-existent veins are uncooperative. One minute I sit there talking about getting a takeaway pizza and the next minute I’m crying because I have cancer. The injustice of life!!
This was not the only big “C” to contend with - Covid!! Stick in an alien hospital without family was another mental obstacle - ambulance ride to parent’s to recover was an experience.
Thank god for our NHS as they have been amazing through this darkness of my life. Along with my cat and dog, each providing me with excellent emotional therapy and support.
Hi and warm welcome to the Macmillan Online Community but sorry to hear about your diagnosis and ongoing issues. Also so sad to hear about your grandmother.
It sound like you have had a crazy 6 months and when cancer hits it brings so many challenges, twists and turns but talking with others who are walking the same type of cancer journey can help you navigate this difficult time.
The Community is organised into support groups so can I recommend you join our supportive Thyroid cancer group, this will be a good place to connect with patients and families navigating the same type of cancer journey.
To join a group just click on the link above then choose 'click to join' or 'join' (depending on the device you're using) on the page that opens.
You can then introduce yourself by putting up a ‘New Thread’ or hit the box with the X on the top right (phones),
You may want to copy and paste the text from this your first post. You can also join in with existing ‘Discussions’ by clicking on 'reply'.
It’s always good to talk so do call the Macmillan Support Services on 0808 808 00 00 - most services are open 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week Clicking here to see what is available. This service can give lots of information, support, financial guidance or just a listening ear. We also have our Ask an Expert section, but do allow two working days for replies from our expert team.
To find information covering diagnosis, treatments and pages covering most types of cancers can be found on our Online Information and Support Section.
((hugs))
