Lump! and alcohol?

Hello GreenNanny

I am glad you have spoken to your cancer nurse and you did absolutely the right thing, they will check you out very thoroughly and make sure it isn't anything untoward.  I had 'thickening' at the site of the tumour that showed up on a scan and had it checked out but that was scar tissue too.

There is a known link between alcohol and some types of cancers and alcohol and ALL cancers, especially drinking to excess.  That said, I haven't completely stopped alcohol and enjoy a glass of Cava although I will say my taste buds have changed drastically since treatment.  I used to love Sauvignon Blanc and can take it or leave it now and during treatment I couldn't even entertain the thought of any alcohol, or most drinks, for that matter.  I think drinking a bottle of Rose, (particularly if it was a one-off) because you were worried is understandable, but definitely not advisable as a regular occurrence. At social occasions and especially if the weather is hot I always make sure to drink lots of non-alcoholic drinks first and alongside, sometimes we down alcohol because we are thirsty. 

I hope everything turns out well at your next appointment, and if you are still worried, I wouldn't hesitate to call the team treating you again.

Irene xx

Hi Irene, thank you for the reply. I definitely won’t be repeating that again I’d love to never drink again but I do enjoy it I might start trying non alcoholic wines. I forgot to mention I had a throb/ache start in my neck then a pain in the top left shoulder long story short I thought it was a trapped nerve, anyway I call my cancer specialist nurse and she advised I get a referral ( gp and nurse were awful totally dismissed symptoms I’ve moved surgeries now with my husband) I have been diagnosed with a heart problem given a heart spray to use they think it’s from the treatment I had. I have either angina or artery disease waiting for further tests. I have been advised if we have the money to go private as the waiting list now is crazy, minimum of a year just for the MRI the nurse said it because of covid and strikes. Even having to wait over a month for a call from private hospital for a quote for a MRI. 
 I hope you are keeping well? Xx 

Hi GreenNanny ,

It’s good that you’re getting things checked out, it’s most likely scar tissue but I understand how these things can be really unnerving. 

Regarding alcohol, I still enjoy the odd glass, I’ll have a drink if out with friends or if myself & my daughter go for lunch in town, I don’t drink to excess & not regularly, I don’t & have never smoked, I eat pretty healthily but I’m of the mind now that if we gave up everything that’s supposed to be bad for us it would be a boring old life wouldn’t it? We all have different views on the way we should live our lives especially following something like a cancer diagnosis & I think it’s only a decision that we can ultimately make for ourselves. 

Nicola 

Hi Nicola thanks for the reply I agree totally. Fingers crossed it is only scar tissue I’ll feel better after further tests I think. Take care xx 

GreenNanny

A year for an MRI?  I am astonished, and whilst COVID and strikes have undoubtedly had an affect I am struggling to see how that sort of delay is justified.  It makes me wonder how some local health authorities are run very efficiently and others have a dire record, and I don't think it is all down to hard cash. 

I don't know where you are in the country but is there a chance you could go outside your health area?  I belong to a forum for people with atrial fibrillation and there are quite a few on there who travel for a consultation and ablation on the NHS when there are long waiting lists in their own area.

I am sorry that you had to resort to changing your GP but it sounds as if you did the right thing, it is just not good enough dismissing a patient's symptoms.

I hope you have some luck in getting this moved to an earlier date.  And thank you, I am well and enjoying the sunshine.

Irene

PS  I have yet to find a decent alcohol free wine - having daughters who didn't drink during pregnancies in recent years we have tried them all and nothing hits the spot!

I know I was very shocked, just before covid hit my husband had a ecg then needed a stent fitted all done within a month!!! Now I’m having to wait a year it’s just crazy!! I’m in Leicestershire uk. I’m having to use my heart spray almost daily a couple of times.  I am concerned!  I don’t know how to go about going out of my area to be honest for information like this xx 

Hello GreenNanny

This is a link 

https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/medical/how-to-choose-your-hospital-or-doctor

which describes how you go about it.  There is a telephone number at the bottom of the page if you need more advice.

I really hope they can be of real help in getting you seen sooner.

Irene xx