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I will be doing a fundraiser in loving memory of my Mum. All funds will go directly to St Teresa’s Ward. If you would like to donate: https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/RachaelKerr1

Hi, I’m recently diagnosed with Er/Pr + breast cancer. I’m 6 weeks post op breast conservation surgery. I start chemo next week. I was shocked that I would need a PICc Line. This will be inserted the morning of my first chemo. Is this usual. I will have to cope with the sore arm & stress of first chemo experience. (other arm still not back to full use after node clearance surgery). Can you advise please as I’m struggling with all of this new information. Thank you

I'm describing my experience of an ultrasound guided FNA biopsy for anyone who would like information on it.  Although my 2 sets of blood results were within normal ranges, my doctor noticed a lump on my neck when I swallowed during a visit. Following a consult with an endocrinologist and an ultrasound I then went for the FNA biopsy. I am in my late twenties and had no symptoms at all associated with thyroid cancer. I would have been healthy and rarely needed to visit the doctor prior to this.  I had a good experience with the biopsy. The procedure was explained to me. My head was resting over a pillow so my neck was extended backwards. My whole neck area was cleaned with a wipe and alcohol rub (not very sure about the exact materials used) and a blue gown was put around me to protect clothing from the iodine put on my neck after the biopsy. I received a local anaesthetic (which was like getting the numbing injection in the dentist only in my neck). Felt like getting blood taken, only felt a pinch. After being left for a few minutes for the anaesthetic to take effect, I had to try and not swallow/move my neck, especially when the needle would be inserted into my neck ( I had one nodule/lump on my left side only). The gel was applied to my neck for the ultrasound to guide the needle. A countdown from 3 was used so I knew when the needle would be inserted. A slight pressure was felt where the needle went in but it didn't feel tight/ choking. I just knew it was there. I found it good to focus on a point in the ceiling to distract myself from it. The needle was inserted 3 times in total to get enough representative cell samples. A sticky plaster/bandage was placed over where the needle went in which I removed the next day. Felt fine after it, went home 10 minutes or so after the procedure.  For anyone wondering how it turned out, the diagnosis was papillary carcinoma. I'm having my left lobe of my thyroid removed in just over a week and have spoken to people who have had this surgery. Outlook is positive. Did have consult with surgeon and having vocal cord check, bloods and ecg prior to surgery. Don't forget to ask about risks with flying pre and post surgery just incase you are a high risk patient for surgery. Hope this post helps someone who is in a similar boat to me

Hi. I'm currently on letrozole for estrogen positive breast cancer. I have completed my surgery and radiotherapy treatment. I've been on letrozole for about 10 weeks now, I'm finding the side effects very difficult and they are impacting my daily life. I have joint and muscle discomfort, along with very low energy. My G.P has given me paracetamol to help off set the pain, and I am also on Vimovo. When I return for my follow-up oncology appointment, I will mention these side effects. My main question is, is there anything oncology can add to my treatment care to help with these symptoms, also will things improve over time, or would I be best to change to an alternative medication to letrozole? Thank you in advance.

I was called today and asked to come in this Thursday to get my biopsy results. Does this mean it is more than likely bad news? Just wondering what common practice is. This waiting is so hard.

I have a suspicious mole on my arm. It is two colours. It's brown and has a very dark nearly black centre. I have a lot of moles on my body. This mole looks different than the rest of them due to the colour. I went to my GP and she referred me to the hospital for removal of the mole. I think she said the plastic surgeon department for removal. She referred me as an urgent case. I am not very stressed or anxious about the possibility of a cancer. I read online that there's a few different forms of cancer and some of them can be slow growing cancer. Hopefully it won't be cancer. However there's something in the back of my mind thinking maybe it might me. There were many different stresses in my life over the past number of years that I will not go into. I think maybe this might be a cancer. I was investigating my arm again today. A few inches down my arm and a few inches away from the questionable mole is another mole that I don't like the look of. There's two different shades of brown in it and it looks very slight asymmetric. It's hardly noticeable. It looks like two moles on top of each other or one that is spilling outwards. Now I am concerned due to having two moles that look questionable located withing inches of each other. I am waiting for a referral. I was just at he GP this week and she sent the referral this week. She sent it in as an urgent case. Just wondering how long would I be waiting for to be seen by thr hospital? I am a public patient. I am in Galway.

I came off Tamoxifen on the 13th May after 10 years, I do feel slightly anxious coming off it even though I did have some side effects whilst taking it. I'm wondering if anyone has experienced any bad side effects when they came off Tamoxifen - what they are and how long they lasted. I've read on some forums, mainly English ones, that some people experience quite bad tiredness and fatigue and what they describe as 'brain fog'. I have noticed that I'm feeling quite tired the last few days but, having only finished taking Tamoxifen on Saturday, I don't know if I would be feeling the effects this quickly. Has anyone else experienced this?

Hi there, I was diagnosed in January with IDC 3cm tumor and 1 sentinel glad with 5mm met. My doctor said it's localised I've had a lumpectomy and started the 1st of 4 AC's to be follwed by taxol every week for 12 weeks. After my first AC last week I became extremely unwell 3 days after and was diagnosed with septicaemia I became extremely unwell and am currently in hospital and will be for another few days at the least. My 2nd chemo can now not take place obviously. Has anybody had anything similar happen to them ? Im so upset as I follwed everything they said to the letter but this has happened. They cannot find the source of the infection which is worrying. I'm 56 and in general good health. Any advice or similar problem I would much appreciate to hear.

Hi I've been on tamoxifen for 6 weeks. 4 weeks on 10mg and 2 on 20mg. Since upping the dose I'm struggling with side effects. Acid reflux very extensive skin rash fatigue sweats flushes. I have read online but mostly on UK forums that changing brands sometimes helps. I'm on rexa brand just wondering if anyone has experience of this working with brands in Ireland. I'm contemplating going back to pharmacy to see if they will swap a packet but I don't know of any other brands. Anyone done this?

Hi everyone, I was wondering if anyone has had experience with their work trying to side-line them when they come back to work? I work in a large public sector hospital and have been out from work for just over 2 years. Our Occupational Health consultant signed me off to return to work 7 weeks ago and I have had to chase my department and HR to start the process. Last week I met with my new manager (started while I was out) and a HR person. They are attempting to put me into a role 2 levels below mine in an entirely different directorate doing data entry. HR person said I am unlikely to ever return to my department and that the office is not 'ergonomically suitable'. Nothing in the Occupational Health report hints at anything to even remotely support this. Sitting near a window for light & temperature management and a phased return is all that is advised. After a long battle with side effects I was prepared for the return to work to be difficult, but I thought it would be only managing side effects, fear of recurrence and awkwardness with colleagues, financial issues. Is there any services that you know of for someone to come along to my next meeting to help me? Because they are behaving so badly I don't want to expose a colleague to any backlash for coming with me. Does anyone have any suggestions or advice on how to proceed? Any help greatly appreciated! Thank-you in advance :-) Shocked and disappointed survivor