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posted by agatha
24 January 2025

Cold cap scalp cooling

Hi everyone! I’m just wondering does anyone have info or practical experience of self-sourced cold cap therapy? My consultant-affiliated hospitals do not provide this service and I am reluctant to change hospitals and consultant to avoid delays. Does anyone have experience of renting machines or equipment themselves? I know private insurance covers some costs but is the process slow and stressful?, i obviously don’t want to delay treatment etc and not keen to use equipment involving dry ice as I fear trying to get consistent deliveries of this in time for each treatment may be very stressful and or may not always be successfully delivered. Any info would be greatly appreciated and if it isn’t in time to help me, then at least I will be able to help the next person to navigate the query a little easier. Thank you so much in advance!
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posted by Anne Deane
21 January 2025

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Last reply: 22 January 2025 11:19
Looking for people who have my type of cancer to discuss who they see what kind of treatments they have had etc.
1 comment
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posted by Angela323
14 January 2025

Is it normal that biopsy needs further testing?

Last reply: 17 January 2025 01:05
Hi there, I'm just wondering if anyone can shed some light on this. I went for a biopsy and was meant to go for an appointment with the consultant this week but they decided at the MDT meeting that the biopsy needed further testing so it will take another few weeks. Is this normal practice? It seems sinister but maybe it's common for this to happen? Thank you, Angela.
2 comments
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posted by Daphne
15 December 2024

Refuse hormone therapy

Last reply: 07 January 2025 21:24
Hi everyone! I have stage 3 breast cancer HER+ and hormone receptive. My doctor proposed first chemo then surgery and then hormone therapy. However due to side effects and what I understand only minimal reduction of recurrence risk I think I don’t want to do hormone therapy. Any other person decided the same? Thanks!
3 comments
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posted by bettyoconnor
13 December 2024

Metastatic (breast) Peritoneal

Last reply: 17 December 2024 15:13
Primary Breast Secondary Peritoneal Metastatic
2 comments
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posted by limerick woman
01 November 2024

Referrals and Post op

Looking for some advice. My consultant wanted an mri due to me wanting to be referred. The wait was around a month with me calling twice a week. I got it yesterday but it has stalled everything. Surprisingly, in a good way, the nurse rang me today to say they haven't got a report yet. She then let me know that if the consultant will not refer me, based on the mri, they have provisionally booked the surgery. I said I would then like the surgeon in Dublin to do the reconstruction still and do a full masectomy. She seemed surprised by this and said we can discuss that and wait for your results. Has anyone had implant surgery with shona tormey in UL and how does it look compared to your other breast. I have multiple reasons to wanting to be referred and it does include aesthetics. If they do refuse I would really appreciate some info on anyone who has had a single masectomy with Dr shona tormey. I also wonder can you feel it a lot or does it settle?
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posted by KatDK
07 October 2024

Liver cancer

Last reply: 08 October 2024 15:34
Hello Everyone, My journey with a cancer just began. I'm 42yo Mam of 1 child. Working for many years helping people with disabilities...and now not being able to do much. I wasn't feeling well since July 2024 and went through many scans, biopsies just to find out on Thursday the 3rd of October 2024 that I have cholangiocarcinoma, which is a cancer of the bile ducts in the liver with liver metastases also. In August they diagnosed me with PSC ( Primary sclerosing cholangitis). So on the top of PSC now I'm diagnosed with bile ducts cancer. I never thought going through something like this. For my whole life I was the one who was helping people, and finding hard to be the one who needs help. Doctors gave me 12 months, but I'm not giving up. I would like to tell you all. It doesn't matter how much time they will give you. We have to fight and believe that everything will be fine. It's all about how we approach our diagnosis. I know it's not easy, we are having good and bad days, but don't let bad thoughts to take over our positive thinking. Stay STRONG and FIGHT.
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posted by Mollie1995
21 September 2024

Telling my adult children their Dad is dying

Last reply: 07 October 2024 16:16
My husband's cancer is very aggressive and told today now in brain. Diagnosed 10 weks ago. If lucky only weeks left. We expectation of chemotherapy helping and extending life. Not an option now . I'm reeling myself and don't know how to tell them
2 comments
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posted by TomRushe
16 August 2024

HIFU - High Intensity Focused Ultrasound -UK

Last reply: 21 August 2024 12:29
Hi, I’m wondering if anyone here has undergone HIFU for prostate cancer in the U.K. How was the process for you and did VHI reimburse any of the cost ? Thanks 🙏
1 comment
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posted by clara h
20 July 2024

Newly diagnoised multi focal breast cancer

Last reply: 23 July 2024 15:55
Hello everyone . I was diagnosed 4 weeks ago with multifocal invasive carcinoma. It is oestrogen and progesterone receptive . I have six areas in my breast so I need a mastectomy. I am getting the mastectomy and reconstruction on the same day but there is quite a long wait as a plastic surgeon and a general surgeon are involved . It’s now 5 weeks since my initial consultation and they are unable to firm up a date . It’s looking like another 4 to six weeks waiting. I’m a bit demented at this stage. I wonder has anyone a similar experience and were they given chemo? I think you are less likely to have radium with a mastectomy? I feel totally at sea .. many thanks
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