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posted by Blondie25
14 January 2022

Irregular vaginal bleeding

Last reply: 17 January 2022 12:40
Hi. I have been having fresh vaginal bleeding after having a bowel motion and also fresh blood after intercourse. It is usually just when I wipe, I may have some spotting after this but majority of time is at the time of going to the toilet or straight after sex . Sometimes I could also have thick mucas red/brown discharge I have been also having pain in my lower abdomen. My gp has had to rewrite my referral as a locum consultant put me on the 2 Yr waiting list instead of urgent. I now have to wait another 8 weeks because of this delay! Has anyone else been through this and results have been good? Smear test in Nov was negative but I know it's not 100% . Thanks
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posted by MC27
08 January 2022

Liver Cancer-Pain relief

Last reply: 12 January 2022 14:36
HI. Just wondering if anyone has managed Liver Cancer pain with Canabis Oil? Been reading it might be helpful in certain circumstances. Unfortunately current medications are not providing relief. Thanks for any consideration.
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posted by LauraE135
06 January 2022

Mass found in colon

Last reply: 07 January 2022 12:06
Hope this is okay to ask here, I'm looking for some guidance re results. Sorry if this is long winded! 15 months ago, I had my gallbladder removed. Prior to surgery, I really cleaned up my diet as I was quite overweight (mainly bc I was so sick if I ate anything fatty) and upped my fitness. I lost near 2 stone in 2 years. When I had it removed I felt amazing, the gallbladder pain was completely gone. I started to eat a bit more freely and stopped loosing weight but also wasn't gaining. Fast forward about 6 months from gallbladder removal, I started to feel sick again. I had loose stools daily, serious urgency for toilet and colicky pain all over my abdomen. I put it down to my body getting used to no longer having a gallbladder. Then I noticed I was loosing weight, I thought great as I had wanted to lose more. The stomach pains and the lose stools just kept getting worse. I could barely leave the house without fear of where a toilet would be. My stools are often very dark (not black but dark) and tarry, with sometimes mucus. I put off going to the dr for many many months as I had a very sick family member who was my priority. My family and partner all had a chat with me as they were concerned about the weight loss, I was down 2 stone in less than 10 months with basically zero exercise and vomiting on and off and still having toilet issues that were getting worse. I made an appt in November with my GP(it was my first time with this GP as she is new to the practice). My GP said that the weight loss, toilet issues and pain were slightly concerning. She sent me a referral for ultrasound, colonoscopy/EGD and bloods. All bloods were normal, incl. coeliac disease. Ultrasound was also normal apart from gas obstructing parts of pancreas. I then had my colonoscopy mid/end December. I was given the report/finding sheet after but not much was said. There was a total of 16 biopsy taken, no polyps found but they did find a mass at cecum, 2-3cm away from appendix. It was said that I need a CT TAP to characterize and that I need to see my consultant(I haven't met him yet as the coloscopy was in a different clinic and my appt was rushed through) with biopsy results and CT results by February. They also took FLT bloods, U/E, FBC, which worried me bc they didn't seem to do that for anyone else. I completely put to back my head for Christmas and didn't give it a thought. I rang my GP yesterday for my results. She asked had the DR discussed and I said that I received the findings but no one talked me through them. She went on to say that only some the biopsy results were back and that they were normal. She then asked me did I know a mass was found and I said yes should I be concerned. She said well yeah it is kind of concerning, which absolutely floored me as I had just been ignoring it so far(coping mechanism) I then said I haven't received a CT appt and she urged me to contact my consultants secretory asap. I rang the secretory today who was very nice and as soon as I explained to her she told me the biopsy results has just come back this morning. And that she will arrange my CT and APPT for as soon as possible. I was happy enough with that but then started thinking about it too long and thought okay if they have the biopsy results then surely that will tell a lot and they should let me know. So my questions are: 1) Would it be appropriate to ring the consultants secretory again and ask where and when I will receive biopsy results? as I'm so anxious I just want to know now or would my GP also have them now, would it be possible to ring them for the results? 2) If biopsy is (hopefully)good news why would I need a CT TAP? is this standard to organize CT TAP regardless? 3) What are the possibilities this mass could be? 4) Has anyone else had a similar experience? I cannot imagine waiting much longer for results bc its driving my crazy since I spoke to my GP Sorry for being so long winded! Anyone reading this with concerns for their health, please please go speak to your GP, do not put it off like it did.
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posted by Robin123
29 November 2021

Tamoxifen- first few weeks

Last reply: 04 January 2022 23:07
Hello, I am have been through mastectomy, chemo and rads. Its been a rough journey with lots of side effect during treatment and a visit to hospital for infection. Anyhow I'm now out the other side - 12 months on, and I started in Tamoxifen 2 weeks ago. Thing is I am getting bad headaches since starting this med- I know it was noted as a possibly side effect. Just wondering if anyone else went through something similar? How long will it take for the headaches to ease? I'm also more tired than usual but tbh the headaches are bothersome. Hot flushes too but nothing too bad. Thanks :)
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posted by rubiablanch
09 November 2021

Finance

Last reply: 06 December 2021 14:43
Hi there Aswell as having metastatic cancer i’m also concerned about money. Any policies I have are for when I die but I need it more for while I’m still here. Has anyone been given good advice on this? Thanks so much x
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posted by Mrs_H
21 November 2021

COVID and School going children

Last reply: 30 November 2021 11:54
Hello I have finished 4 x AC Chemo sessions and am starting weekly Taxol and others Chemo sessions from this week. My daughter is and there are cases of Covid in her school. The school are great and communicating with parents - so I kept herself off for the last 10 days. I also don't want her to miss out too much - and am in a quandry as to send her back in or not. What are others doing? Thanks
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posted by Louisa
16 November 2021

Finished treatment

Last reply: 29 November 2021 14:59
Hi, I'm just finished a year of treatment for breast cancer. After a tough road everything has gone very well and my oncologist said he is very happy with my response to treatment and seems quiet positive about going forward. I am of course very relieved and happy that my treatment has gone well, however I feel somewhat lost at sea. Its like the tsunami has hit and now I'm just in open water bobbing along, also the fear of it coming back is always there. Has anybody else felt like this following treatment and does time really help heal? Thank you x
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posted by Emm
28 November 2021

Help! Cancer suspected!

Last reply: 28 November 2021 21:16
Hi all, I attended the A&E about 3 months ago because of a hard lump and pain in my neck and my voice is hoarse too. The doctor told me they suspect cancer and are concerned for me and they needed to see me within 2 weeks but I later received an appointment letter for 4 months time. My pain got worse and I started losing weight unexplainably and feeling generally unwell. GP later sent me for an ultrasound which showed a solid nodule in my thyroid. He sent the hospital a letter for me to be seen urgently but no word yet. Prior to this, I have suffered from an undiagnosed severe abdominal pain and constipation for 5 years and colon polyps were found over 2 years ago. Please can anyone advise me on what to do because I think I am having a serious health issue that needs an urgent medical attention. Thanks!
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posted by Tee
18 November 2021

Mam newly diagnosed and terminal

Last reply: 24 November 2021 13:14
Hi I am hoping someone can help me. My mam went in for routine apt in hospital for her heart (she hasn't had one for 2 years due to covid). They found shadows on her lungs which was not like something that would be found in the lung. It was found to be breast cancer and she has spent last few weeks in hospital and was transferred to the mater and then released. We have now got word that she has apt in Tullamore hospital next week. She is on oxygen now and very weak. The original cancer was breast but now in lungs and lymp nodes. Can you please advis of what questions to ask the doctor at appointment..they have already told her that they will not be operating but that is all we know. Thanks for any advice just a bit lost
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posted by Cancer Nurse
23 November 2021

Lung Cancer

  November is International Lung Cancer Awareness Month There are approximately 2,500 cases of lung cancer diagnosed in Ireland each year. Lung cancer is the fifth most common cancer diagnosed in men and women. It is important that we are all aware of the symptoms of lung cancer. The symptoms of lung cancer can include the following: Coughing up blood A cough that doesn’t go away or a change in a long term cough Repeated chest infections that continue after antibiotics Pain in your chest especially when you cough or breathe in Unexplained weight loss or loss of appetite Difficulty breathing A hoarse voice or difficulty swallowing These symptoms can caused by conditions other than cancer. It is important to have any symptoms or a change in a symptom reviewed by your GP. Detecting cancer early can make a difference. If you have any questions or concerns and would like to speak with a cancer nurse please contact our Support Line on 1800 200 700, Monday – Friday, 9am -5pm. Kind regards, Cancer Nurse  
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