Recurrence confirmed - help!

so sorry to read this.  It's one of my worst fears as I am sure many of us have, and I am so sorry it has happened to you.  I have no advice but there are so many lovely people on here who I am sure will have some for you.

Sending hugs, Lesley xx

Hi Nannasuki,

Sorry to read this. I think its always at the back of my mind.

I should think visiting relatives is the best thing you can do. I had just been diagnosed when I attended my niece's wedding. My relatives knew, but not her. I didn't want to spoil her day with talk about it, and nobody mentioned it.  I think the day was just what I needed actually. 

All the very best. You certainly deserve it. xxxxxx

Hi Nannasuki, sorry to hear this and I know where you are at the moment.  My CN wouldn't tell me anything about my recurrence so try not to read too much into your CN lack of information giving.  It is my understanding that if you have had brachy you cannot have it again so chemo or surgery or both are options. So your recurrence may well Be  isolated, only the consultant will confirm where you are at.  Sending you hugs xxxx Dawn

Oh I am so sorry you too have been diagnosed with a recurrence. I have found this difficult the 2nd time around to be honest. Until you know exactly what you are dealing with and how it is going to be treated it is going to be a difficult time, it was for me. Chemo will shrink any tumour that is there, that is what they are doing with the one in my lung, then it will hopefully be kept under control by hormone treatment. I have had to stop my chemo because at the moment it is making my heart do silly things, but at the hospital tomorrow for the results of my scan from Monday. I think for me it was getting back on that journey called cancer again, if that makes sense ? I thought I had hopped off the other end and my little trip was over. As I am sure you did as well.

Nannasuki try and enjoy your time with friends and family,  and see what Tuesday brings. I asked not to be told too much, just if it was treatable, no more. I think you will be in shock to be honest, I certainly was. Take one day at a time.

I can only extend  the hand of friendship to you, and please feel free to PM, I am sure there are many more ladies here that have still got the gloves on with this random and nasty creature ! 

Take care of yourself, with love and support,

LC

XX

Thank you all for your support. I'm preparing myself for the worst case scenario so that anything less than that will be a bonus. Like Little Critter I only want to know whether it can be treated and kept in check. I know it sounds very silly but I really want to still be here to celebrate my 70th birthday in 3 years time. The chemo better do it's job! 

On another subject, now I know chemo is waiting, any tips on getting through it and what's the best sort of wig to get?  I last had chemo 17 years ago and although I remember it wasn't the nicest experience and I only had 4 sessions I really can't remember much else. 

Wow ! not really with it atm. My goodness I feel a bit foolish offering you advice when you have already been through so much. I hope you will be here to celebrate your 70th  

I don't think Chemo has changed that much in 17 years, I used to work on an oncology unit many blue moons ago, and tbh I still recognise most of the treatments. I think the only thing that has changed is that the docs recognise what the side effects are more. 

Wishing you well,

LC

XX

Oh no  

So very sorry to hear that you have a reaccurrance. OK best coping mechanism I have used to help deal with other unknowns and known medical conditions I am dealing with is distraction, some find it weird that I am like that but it helps. So I hope it helps you too, I paint I love my art great distraction, I like to do yoga and meditation that helps me from going mad with worry and frustration. I know the weather sadly isn't great but some nice walks in the fresh air helps looking at trees, beaches etc. Visiting family and friends and getting support from them but also just some understanding really helps, from experience I have learnt who my true friends are it took a while to realise it, but those who listen and don't judge have been a huge support so I hope I can just reach out today and say if you need a friendly ear just to get your thoughts across everyone of us are here and willing. Sending you good luck that its localized and not spread.

Thank you Gbear. I don't have many friends but the few I have I know will be supportive. I play indoor  bowls and I told a few team members last night what I will probably be facing and they were great. It wasn't a great drama just a fact of life nowadays that so many people are struck down with cancer. It was helpful to talk about it without emotion and one friend wanted to know what colour wig I'd go for!  I did think about a bright red one but I'll probably be boring and get a short one near my usual hair colour (the one I have courtesy of a bottle! )

I feel ok in myself just a bit of back ache occasionally and some yucky discharge.

Love to everyone and thank you so much for your support 

Nannasuki xx

Indoor bowls is great especially in this awful weather at this time of year. They do some fantastic wigs nowadays I can remember a day at my local hospice which helped me when I needed it and I support them back but one lady had us all laughing so much we had the nurses in stitches as we tried various coloured and styled wigs I have a photo somewhere. But again it was a fantastic distraction from it all. Yes cancer sadly is definitely something now that gets talked about more comfortably because of its increase fact of life as you say nowadays and projections show how its increasing over time. It maybe a time to try a new style! Glad though that you have support.

Hi Nannasuki,

My daughter decided to have a blond wig during her chemotherapy. She is normally dark brown!!! After a couple of weeks she found it was too hot and went around bare headed!! (it was in the summer) She said people could have her like that, or not at all. You certainly find out who your true friends are in all this. I found some people didn't speak to my husband after his cancer!!

Your bottle made me laugh. When my hair first started to go grey I took to colouring it. Once, after such a colouring I went to work (teacher), and one child said 'Miss, your hair used to be brown, now its orange!!' That did it. I haven't coloured it since!!!   xxxxxx