Hi Folks, newbie here, trying to see the bright side :)

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Hi, I was DX about 3 weeks ago and was devastated. I had one night when I cried all night but apart from that, I’m just trying to keep going in a wishy-washy fashion.
I’m still trying to get used to all the acronyms so excuse me.

I found a swelling under an armpit and went to the GP who referred me to a boob surgeon; one week later I had metastastic tumours in many lymph nodes but no sign of the primary tumour - an MRI scan next week may find it as the CT scan just showed a ‘nest’ of tumours in my axilla and the primary could be squatting underneath them looking cheeky.

Had first EC last Wednesday. The first night, I was all “never again” but when I stopped being a human retching machine it’s got better but I’m still exhausted, nauseated, shaky and got bad chemo-brain.

I also have fibromyalgia and Crohn’s. The Oncy said that he usually advises his ladies to use their ‘internal reserve’ to fight off the chemo SEs but he said with a smile that he didn’t think I’d have that many left!

Oh, and our house sale/purchase fell through but think we have a new buyer now and our car window got broken into 2 nights ago. We are just waiting for the good news!

Looking forward to getting to know you all :slight_smile:

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hi Ninja, welcome to the forums. You are going through a hard time, and I’m sorry to hear that on top of all your current troubles you have breast cancer too. That really is cr*p for you. You probably feel like a rabbit caught in the headlights just now, but that will pass. Hope some ladies with a similar diagnosis to yours will pop in to say hi and reassure you that this is do-able. Take care.
scottiedog xxx

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Hi Ninja, im a CUP cancer also, if i can be of any help let me know. I had loads of scans etc but they havent found the primary. I have finished chemo which has cleared the nodes and they are just left with scar tissue as far as they can tell. I had 4 fec and 4 tax Im having the nodes removed on the 9th May and followed by radiotherapy. It seems a very dark place at the moment but its all doable and you will come through all this.
There is a CUP cancer web site if you want the web details pm me.
Sallie

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Hi Ninja,

Here is the good news. You have just found many of us who have been there and done that and know exactly how you are feeling. Use us for advice and ideas on how to cope or just for a good moan. Also, it is absolutely amazing just how many reserves are in there waiting to get out. A good cry helps and a good moan on here certainly does. Just don’t expect too much of yourself whilst taking the chemo. It is very nasty but very necessary and makes you feel like s**t. Once you are over the worst of each session try to have a treat to look forward to. Also, many of the side effects can be relieved so shout for help when you need it.

You can do this but just remember that day to day is the only way.

Best wishes,

E

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Thanks, Ladies, for being so kind and welcoming. I don’t want to become a ‘cancer bore’ to my friends so it’s going to be good to talk on here. I feel guilty about laying so much on my OH, who has been fantastic but I can see that his stress levels are sky-high.

All the love I lavished on my kids (they’re both in their 20s now) is being repaid now that they are looking out for me instead. It’s like a Chuckle Brothers sketch - “to you, to me” - but each time they bounce that love back around in my direction, it keeps on growing.

I haven’t figured out yet if I am getting used to the DX and being rational or am just in denial. The past 3 weeks has been so surreal.
Beam me up Scotty!

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Hi Ninja,

what a load of old s***e,

it never rains but it pours and scotty carnt beam you up cos i am first,

on a more serious note, it is really very early days for you,i had my original diagnosis 10 years ago, left breast and the b*****d came back november 2010 right breast, ( a new cancer) I am 44 with a 12 year old daughter and 8 year old twins boy and girl,

there isnt anything pretty much anyone can say that will really make you feel that much better, you know you have to come to terms with it yourself, in your way, but you can come on here, and get some brilliant advice, share experiences and just let of steam, so keep posting and keep talking i find it the best therapy, the hardest part for me apart from body image, i am really struggling with at the moment, is the way everything else around me just seems to carry on as normal, i can relate with you feeling guilty about laying so much on your oh, i feel my oh thinks he understands, but at the end of the day hes a man, and so carnt understand how i feel as a woman, my 12 year who is going on 16 can relate to me better i can see the pain in her eyes and the other day she said to me, “have re-construction mom, its better than nothing isnt it?” we spent the next half hour having a quiet cry together,

its a bitch, but you will cope and you will get through it, be strong think positive, but most of all keep your sense of humour, and dont let it win,

best wishes, keep posting liz xxx

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Well, I’ve found two plus points for the chemo:

  1. I have learned a lot more about human biology. For example, I’m at the ‘mouth ulcers that you couldn’t fit a pin between’ stage. What I’ve learned for the first time is that I also appear to have mouth ulcers on my bum! Who knew? ;o)

  2. I have saved all the potential cost of collagen injections because I now have the bee-stung-lips look for free.

In every cloud, etc.

p.s. the ulcers are hideous!

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Hi Ninja,

Get some pure pineapple juice, they sell it in Asda. Swish it around you mouth for a few minutes 4 times a day. Swallow some when you have finished swishing. There is an enzyme in pineapple which clears ulcers which is why you must get the pure juice. It worked for me as I only had one ulcer through 6 lots of tax.

Good luck.

E

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Hi. Homeopathy is good for mouth ulcers and other SEs of chemo. Ive got myself a good homeopathic doctor, not just ‘over the corner’ self prescribing. Hes also fab to chat to and moan at. I see him once a month and the ulcers improved within hours. This may be for you, it may not, but thought i would mention it.

Sadie Xx

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Ninja, you could also ask for a prescription for Difflam, which is an antiseptic mouthwash. It’s kept mouth problems under control for me, and if you can get a prescription, you shouldn’t have to pay as a cancer patient. It also helps some of us get our sense of taste back. But people say pineapple is good too. (It stings my mouth.)

Cheryl

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Hi when I was on tax and fec I was told to water the mouthwash down a bit it don’t sting so much also warm salt water is gd for cleaning y mouth Tongue but also frozen pineapple is gd to suck god I know it’s hard been there done that gtg back again dreading it but it will soon be done and y body soon recovers gd luck all laura