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The Cancer Chat Thread- share and care :)

Hey :smile:

I've been looking around for a thread where people who have family/friends affected by cancer can chat, but I haven't found one!

So...here it is! Post any questions, stories, comments, worries etc. Someone will know how to help :smile:

*Please note that this will be a thread for sensitive, serious discussion. No stupid comments, offensive remarks etc. These will be reported!!*

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Reply 1
In 2009, my Mum was diagnosed with breast cancer and went through 6 rounds of chemotherapy.
In 2011, we discovered that it had spread to her lungs. She then went through more chemotherapy and has been in recovery ever since :smile:
Since Christmas, she has found that her legs have been feeling "heavy" and not particularly mobile. 2 weeks ago, she could barely walk. She finally got to see the consultant and on Friday, we were told that she has 3 tumors at the top of her spine and they have also picked up on cancer cells at the bottom of her brain...She is having intensive radiotherapy this week to try and stop it growing. She is still waiting on another MRI and CT scan to see if it is anywhere else on the brain :frown:

It is 2 weeks until my exams start so I'm in a bit of a panic! :frown:

Has anyone else been through something similar?
OP, I'm sorry to hear about your mum. I really hope that the treatment works and that she recovers.

My dad had cancer when my mum was pregnant with me so I didn't have to experience the trauma of nursing him through it, but I have, of course, seen the effect it had on him since and I know it's not easy.

Last year I also found out that I have a hereditary gene which means that I have >80% risk of getting cancer and when I turn 25, they will start screening me for it. This makes me lucky in a way as it means there is more chance they will catch it early, but it sometimes feels like I have a death sentence hanging over me. Anyone else in a similar position?
Original post by AmorEmPaz
In 2009, my Mum was diagnosed with breast cancer and went through 6 rounds of chemotherapy.
In 2011, we discovered that it had spread to her lungs. She then went through more chemotherapy and has been in recovery ever since :smile:
Since Christmas, she has found that her legs have been feeling "heavy" and not particularly mobile. 2 weeks ago, she could barely walk. She finally got to see the consultant and on Friday, we were told that she has 3 tumors at the top of her spine and they have also picked up on cancer cells at the bottom of her brain...She is having intensive radiotherapy this week to try and stop it growing. She is still waiting on another MRI and CT scan to see if it is anywhere else on the brain :frown:

It is 2 weeks until my exams start so I'm in a bit of a panic! :frown:

Has anyone else been through something similar?


Original post by Anonymous
OP, I'm sorry to hear about your mum. I really hope that the treatment works and that she recovers.

My dad had cancer when my mum was pregnant with me so I didn't have to experience the trauma of nursing him through it, but I have, of course, seen the effect it had on him since and I know it's not easy.

Last year I also found out that I have a hereditary gene which means that I have >80% risk of getting cancer and when I turn 25, they will start screening me for it. This makes me lucky in a way as it means there is more chance they will catch it early, but it sometimes feels like I have a death sentence hanging over me. Anyone else in a similar position?


Wow you guys are really strong. I hope you stay patient and continue to be like this. Have high hopes :smile:

All I can say is that. well my brother used to have cancer. I was quite young then and I never got told it was cancer. So I used to always think, he'll get better,no biggie kind of thing. We always think it can never happen to our family member's...

He's fully recovered, it's been like 6/7 years now :smile: Amazing. There is hope.
Reply 4
I lost my dad to lung cancer in August 2011, I will subscribe so I can see if there are any questions I can help answer :smile:
Reply 5
Original post by Anonymous
OP, I'm sorry to hear about your mum. I really hope that the treatment works and that she recovers.

My dad had cancer when my mum was pregnant with me so I didn't have to experience the trauma of nursing him through it, but I have, of course, seen the effect it had on him since and I know it's not easy.

Last year I also found out that I have a hereditary gene which means that I have >80% risk of getting cancer and when I turn 25, they will start screening me for it. This makes me lucky in a way as it means there is more chance they will catch it early, but it sometimes feels like I have a death sentence hanging over me. Anyone else in a similar position?


On the plus side, you can be screened for it so if there is anything, it can be caught early and dealt with :smile: Don't think of it as a death sentence, think of it as a challenge; your dad got through it! :smile:
Is your dad still being treated?
Reply 6
Original post by Idle
I lost my dad to lung cancer in August 2011, I will subscribe so I can see if there are any questions I can help answer :smile:


Very sorry to hear that :frown: (I know that's what everyone says!!!)
Thank you, that's much appreciated :smile:
Reply 7
Original post by Anonymous
Wow you guys are really strong. I hope you stay patient and continue to be like this. Have high hopes :smile:

All I can say is that. well my brother used to have cancer. I was quite young then and I never got told it was cancer. So I used to always think, he'll get better,no biggie kind of thing. We always think it can never happen to our family member's...

He's fully recovered, it's been like 6/7 years now :smile: Amazing. There is hope.


That's fantastic :biggrin:
Yeah, when I was younger it was something that you hear about and know is very destructive etc...but you never think it will pop up in your family!!!! My dad was diagnosed with very early prostate cancer last year....had surgery and is now fine :smile: When I found out that both of my parents had it I had no clue what to do!
Reply 8
Original post by AmorEmPaz
That's fantastic :biggrin:
Yeah, when I was younger it was something that you hear about and know is very destructive etc...but you never think it will pop up in your family!!!! My dad was diagnosed with very early prostate cancer last year....had surgery and is now fine :smile: When I found out that both of my parents had it I had no clue what to do!


I can very much relate to that!

My mum had pancreatic cancer for 17 months, she died in August 2011. She went through chemotherapy twice, radiotherapy, and Cyberknife treatment, so tried so much.

In December we found out my dad possibly had/has eye cancer. Then they said they didn't think he did, and then they did a biopsy and it came back as being a bit 'suspicious'. So he's on chemotherapy eye drops at the moment (one week on, one week off, finishes the week after next). So we're not actually 100% sure what it all is, but the chemotherapy is to be on the safe side, and hopefully that will be that.
Reply 9
Original post by Liv1204
x


I removed that persons post because it wasn't exactly the right place :rolleyes:
Reply 10
My granddad died last Wednesday as a result of bowel cancer, his funeral was today :frown: it's such a horrible illness, he was so amazing :frown: still doesn't feel real to be honest!


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Reply 11
Original post by Liv1204
I can very much relate to that!

My mum had pancreatic cancer for 17 months, she died in August 2011. She went through chemotherapy twice, radiotherapy, and Cyberknife treatment, so tried so much.

In December we found out my dad possibly had/has eye cancer. Then they said they didn't think he did, and then they did a biopsy and it came back as being a bit 'suspicious'. So he's on chemotherapy eye drops at the moment (one week on, one week off, finishes the week after next). So we're not actually 100% sure what it all is, but the chemotherapy is to be on the safe side, and hopefully that will be that.


Yes, fingers crossed!
I have never heard of chemotherapy eye drops; do they have side effects?
Reply 12
Original post by hjradley1
My granddad died last Wednesday as a result of bowel cancer, his funeral was today :frown: it's such a horrible illness, he was so amazing :frown: still doesn't feel real to be honest!


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I'm so sorry :frown:
My Grandad died of lung cancer when I was 14.
I know what you mean about it not feeling real...it will take time to sink in. Stay strong :smile:
Reply 13
Original post by AmorEmPaz
I'm so sorry :frown:
My Grandad died of lung cancer when I was 14.
I know what you mean about it not feeling real...it will take time to sink in. Stay strong :smile:


Thank you :frown: my other granddad died of throat cancer two years ago but it was different this time, he went from being so fit and strong and young to being so sick :frown:
I appreciate your kind words and understanding!


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Reply 14
Original post by hjradley1
Thank you :frown: my other granddad died of throat cancer two years ago but it was different this time, he went from being so fit and strong and young to being so sick :frown:
I appreciate your kind words and understanding!


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It is astonishing how quickly things can change. My mum was on a walking holiday in Edinburgh two weeks ago! Now, she is in intense radiotherapy and has lost the use of her lower body! This is why it is so important that people get themselves checked out as soon as they are concerned (:
Reply 15
Original post by AmorEmPaz
It is astonishing how quickly things can change. My mum was on a walking holiday in Edinburgh two weeks ago! Now, she is in intense radiotherapy and has lost the use of her lower body! This is why it is so important that people get themselves checked out as soon as they are concerned (:


Wow that is a dramatic change! Least they caught it when they did! I hope she gets better! It's a bloody awful illness :frown: we found the waiting was the most difficult. His bowel perforated and they had to put him into palliative care - average life span for someone on the Liverpool care pathway is 33hrs and he lasted 11days! He was so strong.

And I totally agree, if people were more willing to go to the docs even over 'little things' I think it would increase detection and therefore survival rates! Docs are there for anything, even if it seems ridiculous it's part of their job :s-smilie:


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Reply 16
Original post by hjradley1
Wow that is a dramatic change! Least they caught it when they did! I hope she gets better! It's a bloody awful illness :frown: we found the waiting was the most difficult. His bowel perforated and they had to put him into palliative care - average life span for someone on the Liverpool care pathway is 33hrs and he lasted 11days! He was so strong.

And I totally agree, if people were more willing to go to the docs even over 'little things' I think it would increase detection and therefore survival rates! Docs are there for anything, even if it seems ridiculous it's part of their job :s-smilie:


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It can be so quick :frown:
The waiting is dreadful, even for things like test results or appointments!
I wish we had been taught about the importance of going to the Dr. in school! It can be so life changing.
Reply 17
Original post by hjradley1
My granddad died last Wednesday as a result of bowel cancer, his funeral was today :frown: it's such a horrible illness, he was so amazing :frown: still doesn't feel real to be honest!


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App


It is indeed such a horrible illness, it's awful to watch somebody you love go through it.

I hope today's gone as ok as it could do for you - funerals are very emotionally draining, so give yourself time to grieve if you need to.

Original post by AmorEmPaz
Yes, fingers crossed!
I have never heard of chemotherapy eye drops; do they have side effects?


I hadn't heard of them either, although I suppose they're not widely used because they're only useful for problems with the eye I guess? His eye is very, very red and it is painful at times, but it has been cumulative, and hopefully that will decrease after a few weeks. It hasn't caused the 'general' chemotherapy side effects e.g. tiredness, nausea, etc though, so definitely a positive. :smile:

Original post by AmorEmPaz
It is astonishing how quickly things can change. My mum was on a walking holiday in Edinburgh two weeks ago! Now, she is in intense radiotherapy and has lost the use of her lower body! This is why it is so important that people get themselves checked out as soon as they are concerned (:


Original post by hjradley1
Wow that is a dramatic change! Least they caught it when they did! I hope she gets better! It's a bloody awful illness :frown: we found the waiting was the most difficult. His bowel perforated and they had to put him into palliative care - average life span for someone on the Liverpool care pathway is 33hrs and he lasted 11days! He was so strong.

And I totally agree, if people were more willing to go to the docs even over 'little things' I think it would increase detection and therefore survival rates! Docs are there for anything, even if it seems ridiculous it's part of their job :s-smilie:


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App


Agreed with how quick it can all be too. AmorEmPaz, I hope your mum's radiotherapy helps. Do your university know about your situation?

The waiting is horrible, it was one of the things we found most difficult when my mum was ill. When it seems like cancer is taking over every single thing in life, you can't do anything except wait.
Reply 18
Original post by Liv1204
It is indeed such a horrible illness, it's awful to watch somebody you love go through it.

I hope today's gone as ok as it could do for you - funerals are very emotionally draining, so give yourself time to grieve if you need to.



I hadn't heard of them either, although I suppose they're not widely used because they're only useful for problems with the eye I guess? His eye is very, very red and it is painful at times, but it has been cumulative, and hopefully that will decrease after a few weeks. It hasn't caused the 'general' chemotherapy side effects e.g. tiredness, nausea, etc though, so definitely a positive. :smile:





Agreed with how quick it can all be too. AmorEmPaz, I hope your mum's radiotherapy helps. Do your university know about your situation?

The waiting is horrible, it was one of the things we found most difficult when my mum was ill. When it seems like cancer is taking over every single thing in life, you can't do anything except wait.


Thank you :smile: Yes, they know; I may be given special consideration.
It does take over; it becomes a way of life!
The most stressful and depressing time of my life was when my dad had cancer. My dad is my best friend and the most trusted person I can turn to and I can't stand the thought of nearly losing him again. A lot of my other family members have had cancer and died from it. It's a cruel and destructive disease that hurts not only the victim but the victim's family and friends.

This is why I'm determined to become a doctor or surgeon specialising in cancer and help save cancer patients' lives.

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