Hi everyone, I’m new here and feeling very scared. I’m 44 now but know a thing or 2 about losing people to cancer as I lost my nanna (my mums mum) and my mum to cancer 3 months apart from each other when I was only 19. As an only child it was hard to take and felt I’d lost my whole world. Fast forward to being 44 and I’ve just lost my dad to heart failure 10 weeks ago which has been hard, but the hardest thing is that my husband has just been diagnosed with a large mass on his pancreas 3 days ago. He’s been in pain for 3 months now and lost lots of weight with night sweats. Everytime we went t ..read more

Hi James I keep getting told that everyone is different and that there's not much you can do to impact how treatment affects you. However, I've never been great at taking that kind of message. I've assumed that the chemo is like the worst hangover you're liable to get, so I treat it as such. Staying positive but pig headed works for me. I dropped all other toxins (booze, caffeine etc) do regular exercise and make a point of pushing through any set backs. Sleep helps a lot so I try to get 8 hours a night. I can't usually get it in one go so I have to accumulate it overnight which can take 9-10 ..read more

Hi Rose3 and a very warm welcome to the Community but sorry to hear about your diagnoses. Navigating the cancer journey can be such a stressful and challenging time but getting support from people who have walked the ‘exact same' cancer journey can help a lot. (I have a completely different cancer). The New to Community is like our reception desk where we look to try and direct you to the best part of the Community for you to get support. The Community is actually divided into dedicated Cancer Support Groups (Discussion Rooms)….. but I do see that you have already joined our dedicated Melanoma ..read more

Hi Katiejane, I am so sorry to hear about your mum. The hardest part is waiting for results. Until you know what you are dealing with you can never really know how to react or plan. It’s like being in a state of limbo. I went to work as normal on the 2nd April 2024 with some abdo/side pain (which I had felt since Xmas but also put down to muscle aches) but that day ended up in A&E and then much like your mum had to have a CT, MRI and then Liver Biopsy as they found gallbladder cancer which had already infiltrated my liver. As it is so advanced I am not eligible for surgery and therefore am ..read more

I’ll look into the counselling as think Macmillan offer something. Yes the oncologist mentioned this treatment in his letter once I have finished chemo and radiotherapy. The doctors are trying to give me as much as they can to help cure it. It’ll be a long road of treatment and tough bur as long as it keeps me alive for years to come I’ll be happy ..read more

Hi Carole, Well done to you for getting through 5 cycles, it's certainly tough. I hope your eating improves soon. Cycle 1 was really tough for my husband, Cycle 2 was better and Cycle 3 hasn't been too bad as yet. He has put on weight and is eating and swallowing a lot better, so we hope this is a positive. My husband has his CT scan next week but won't get the results til the next time we see the consultant just before Cycle 4. It's a tough journey but one we are all fighting together. Take care Angie xx ..read more

Hi Scouse 4 I can relate to your fear of MRI's I was the same but my GP prescribed me some diazepam to take on the day if I needed it but I didnt as the MRI is not closed now like my last one it is like the CT scanner and open at both ends and quite way form your head as well in terms of height if that makes sense ..read more

Hi this is my first post 13 weeks post treatment of chemo radiotherapy scan last week appointment Thursday amazed by what I read on this forum but I have just started developing neuropathy in my hands and feel under the weather as anyone else developed this so long after treatment finished ..read more

It's such a shock to the system isn't it. How has your recovery after your mastectomy ..read more

Hello JohnyBoy That's a great question - I am aware that for surgery you should be an average BMI and not overweight however I am not sure about weight loss. I know bicycle riding and sexual intercourse (or sexual activity) can affect your PSA readings if you have indulged in the previous 2 days before a PSA test. * I would think any type of exercise would be fine but would double check with your surgical team or ask one of our Macmillan Nurses - here's the link for this - Ask a Nurse Please allow a couple of days for a reply due to the weekend and the bank holiday. * I am aware you need to st ..read more