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Today I was told I have cancer. I’m 33 and I’m a single parent to my 14 year old daughter. I’ve always been fit, eat healthy most of the time, don’t smoke or drink. I had been back and forward to my gp for a year with irregular bleeding pain and a lump. I was never examined he just wrote off to the local gynacology department. It was only after a recent smear test with a different practice that I asked the lady to check the lump and she referred me to a colposcopy clinic. The cancer on the cervix has spread to the vagina. I will be admitted to hospital tomorrow for scans to see has it spread any further. I’m absolutely gutted. I haven’t spoken to my daughter yet about it, I know I will have to but the thought of doing it breaks my heart. I fear I’m going to die. Why was I left so long?

Hi hi. I'm new to this and I'm looking for some advice. I've had a read through lots of threads but I'm realizing that my situation isn't all that common. I am thirteen weeks pregnant and have recently been diagnosed with breast cancer. I have been receiving amazing medical care and things could not have happened quicker on the breast cancer side of things. My question is about the pregnancy side of things!! I was planning on going public in the rotunda hospital for my pregnancy and birth. However since the breast cancer diagnosis I've been categorized as high risk and will be attending Holles street instead. I'm trying to figure out if I need to go private or if I'll get the care myself and my baby need in the public system. I've heard nothing but amazing things about the public maternity care in Ireland which is why I was so happy to go that route from the beginning. I'll be having chemo throughout my pregnancy and I'll be monitored really closely in Holles street. In a nut shell I'm trying to find out if given that I'm pregnant with breast cancer should I: A: go private or public in Holles street And B: if I go private how much will it cost? Many thanks in advance! Niamh

Hi All. My Uncle was diagnosed with Non small cell lung cancer 3.5 years ago. It was caught early and from what we understand successfully removed. He has 6 monthly check ups and has been doing well. Sadly we lost my Aunt to Breast Cancer in May. Since then he has recently had a CT scan (although we don't know why because he is very private and is also on his own) followed by a consultation where they have said that they want him to go for a biopsy because they have spotted something on the bottom of the left lung. There was mention in the past of a shadow on his lung but this was put down to a previous bout of pneumonia. What are the chances we are looking at a re-occurrence of cancer here? He went back smoking about 4-5 weeks after his surgery. He said that they said it was not connected to the cancer but because he is quite deaf and doesn't really grasp what he is being told, we are wondering if he has heard right - I mean, why else would they want to do a biopsy again?

My brother has recently being diagnosed with melanoma - detected in a gland in his groin. He has met with his consultant but is now waiting on a PET scan. He has private health insurance and I was wondering if anyone knew approximately how long he will be waiting??

Hi, just wondering if anyone has had to reduce their dose of Crizotinib (Xalkori). I was taking 250mg twice a day for 9 months and my heart rate plummetted all of a sudden. I had to come off the drug for almost 3 weeks and then go back on a reduced dose of 200mg twice a day. I am wondering if anyone else has any experience with this and how it worked. Thank you

My mum was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer yesterday and this news has been devastating our whole world fell apart. I'm a only child just me mum and dad and I need advice help to learn how to cope stay strong. Mum is so so strong I'm so proud of her I'm the one breaking I'm so so terrified of losing g my mum. If anyone is experiencing something similar I would love to hear give me a little hope. Vivinne from Mayo

Hi, I am trying to connect with someone who had prophylactic breast surgery please as I am scheduled for surgery very soon. The Consultant and nurses are fantastic but would love to learn about the experience from someone who has gone through it. Many thanks!

Hi All, I was hoping I would get some advise or if anyone was in a similar situation. My mum has stage 4 lung, liver and bone cancer the diagnosis is terminal. The last few weeks mum had a very sever sore right hand and there were 2 patches purple in color on her palm. We went to our GP who put mum on antibiotics and said it was a infection, her nail was also very dark brown in color we put this down to minor infection from the sugar test been taken. On Saturday her hand was very sore I brought mum to West doc and its shingles :(:( the infection is gone past viral infection and she was increased her dose of lyrca to help with the pain. Is shingles common with cancer has anyone been in a similar position. I have rang the corrib ward in UHG for an update as mum is due her cycle of chemo this week and its highly likely this will be postponed now. regards, Vivinne

I recently went through a very worrying time. I noticed an enlargement in my right testicle but taught I was imagining it and let it be. But after a couple of months it was getting larger. I had no pain or anything. I decided to see my GP and then had ultrasound followed by surgery and its gone! I'm now on 1 cylinder but I have gotten rid of the growth in me but will be getting CT's over the nxt 5 years to ensure its staying gone. I got it very early and acted on it. No symptons. No pain. Please guys keep a check on the equipment and dont ignore any changes down below!

Hi, I was hoping that someone may be able to guide me with the following query please? My husband was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma last January. He was admitted to hospital literally with no warning signs and spent the best part of 8 months in hospital between chemo, surgery & complications. I was pregnant at the time & had our fourth child in the middle of it all. I have four children now, 7,5,3 &1. We all did our best to get through it at the time and things seemed to be going well. Three months ago, my husband got sick, again very suddenly, and was admitted to hospital due to complications from surgery and he was an inpatient for the last three Months. This time around it has been a lot harder on us all as the kids are older etc. I feel like we all need some help adjusting to our new lives, in particular the kids as the suddenness & uncertainty of our future seems to be having effects on us all. Where do I go for help for us? What options are available for children of their ages? Many thanks for any replies.