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Living with cancer (and madwullie memorial thread)


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12 minutes ago, Bairnardo said:

See when someone is diagnosed and innthe stage of awaiting treatment, who is good to speak to for help/advice etc? 

 

I have a family member in this boat and they are struggling with not feeling supported. 

Does anyone recommend a route other than the named McMillan nurse? This particular one don't seem to be the best at communication

 

 

 

 

I had a dedicated nurse specialising in cancer who I could contact at any time, but I don't suppose that's much use to you.

Are McMillan nurses not for the terminally ill?

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Marie Curie were absolutely brilliant tbf, but I think they're more geared to end of life care. Worst case scenario they'll point you to local/regional/national support so couldn't hurt.

Maggie's might be a shout, sounds like a recent diagnosis, might be a centre near your family member.

edit: sorry to hear you've got a family member going through this, bairnardo, hope they respond well to treatment.

Edited by Thistle_do_nicely
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29 minutes ago, Bairnardo said:

See when someone is diagnosed and innthe stage of awaiting treatment, who is good to speak to for help/advice etc? 

 

I have a family member in this boat and they are struggling with not feeling supported. 

Does anyone recommend a route other than the named McMillan nurse? This particular one don't seem to be the best at communication

 

 

 

 

There's usually a website and forum for specific cancers, sometimes with local branches and meet ups. Maggies have a good reputation in the Inverness area and cover cancer in general.

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3 hours ago, Jacksgranda said:

Got my PSA results back - 0.03, very pleased with that.

Getting my 6 monthly score next week or the week after, think I've at a steady 0.3 since it was brought under control, down from 140, so I doubt I'll be that low!

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2 minutes ago, welshbairn said:

Getting my 6 monthly score next week or the week after, think I've at a steady 0.3 since it was brought under control, down from 140, so I doubt I'll be that low!

1 or less is good I think.

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Cheers all. Appreciate the help. 

 

 

 

Maggies probably the best bet then given the locality. 

 

 

 

I could rant a bit here about whats going on, but it would involve whining about the way someone is handling a diagnosis that would terrify me, so i am keeping my counsel and just trying to offer a gentle push in the right directions. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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4 minutes ago, Bairnardo said:

 

 

 

 

I could rant a bit here about whats going on, but it would involve whining about the way someone is handling a diagnosis that would terrify me, so i am keeping my counsel and just trying to offer a gentle push in the right directions. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Being supportive is about all you can do, really.

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49 minutes ago, Bairnardo said:

See when someone is diagnosed and innthe stage of awaiting treatment, who is good to speak to for help/advice etc? 

 

I have a family member in this boat and they are struggling with not feeling supported. 

Does anyone recommend a route other than the named McMillan nurse? This particular one don't seem to be the best at communication

 

 

 

 

MacMillan but Maggies for sure. 

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1 minute ago, Bairnardo said:

Cheers all. Appreciate the help. 

 

 

 

Maggies probably the best bet then given the locality. 

 

 

 

I could rant a bit here about whats going on, but it would involve whining about the way someone is handling a diagnosis that would terrify me, so i am keeping my counsel and just trying to offer a gentle push in the right directions. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In most circumstances I would jump on any treatment offered. I was tempted to turn down chemo when the consultant told me the probability of how effective it would be, having heard tales of how horrible the side effects can be, but in my case it worked really well and was a breeze apart from the odd day.

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6 minutes ago, Bairnardo said:

Cheers all. Appreciate the help. 

 

 

 

Maggies probably the best bet then given the locality. 

 

 

 

I could rant a bit here about whats going on, but it would involve whining about the way someone is handling a diagnosis that would terrify me, so i am keeping my counsel and just trying to offer a gentle push in the right directions. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pm me if need be pal. 

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36 minutes ago, Jacksgranda said:

I had a dedicated nurse specialising in cancer who I could contact at any time, but I don't suppose that's much use to you.

Are McMillan nurses not for the terminally ill?

No. Marie Curie are for terminally ill. 

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100% recommend Maggies

Also the cancer type might have a dedicated charity. I have Myeloma UK which has one of the most informative websites I've seen. They have an "ask the nurse" service where even those awaiting an official diagnosis, awaiting treatment etc can call them up and ask for advice. Plus they have a peer support programme for patients and carers. 

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My Mum started chemotherapy yesterday. I’d just assumed she would be showing grim side effects by now, but so far it’s virtually nothing. Be grateful for any experiences of what she should expect over the next wee while?. She’s getting one treatment every 3 weeks for 6 weeks initially. Stage 4 Ovarian. Otherwise she fit and had almost no symptoms pre diagnosis. 

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55 minutes ago, Broomhill Ultra said:

My Mum started chemotherapy yesterday. I’d just assumed she would be showing grim side effects by now, but so far it’s virtually nothing. Be grateful for any experiences of what she should expect over the next wee while?. She’s getting one treatment every 3 weeks for 6 weeks initially. Stage 4 Ovarian. Otherwise she fit and had almost no symptoms pre diagnosis. 

I had similar for stage 4 prostrate cancer, every three weeks for about 3 months. Felt fine apart from one or two days after a week when I'd feel sick and dizzy for a bit after each session, that was it. The steroids they give you are important to take, they really take off the edge. There are lots of different types of chemo though so her experience could be very different, give her my luck and best wishes!

P.S. Feel free to pm me at anytime, don't expect expert advice though, just what I went through..

Edited by welshbairn
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On 16/01/2023 at 13:10, Bairnardo said:

See when someone is diagnosed and innthe stage of awaiting treatment, who is good to speak to for help/advice etc? 

 

I have a family member in this boat and they are struggling with not feeling supported. 

Does anyone recommend a route other than the named McMillan nurse? This particular one don't seem to be the best at communication

 

 

 

 

Is it to chase up the treatment etc? If so yes Maggies etc are excellent advocates, however you can also try and speak with the consultants secretaries? Tell them youre family member is available for last minute cancellations etc? 
If its about more general support like entitlement to different services then your GP or local trust may have a community links worker who could help. A lot of the cancer charities have similar services, cancer research uk have a lot of good online resources too. Carers centres are also a wealth of knowledge.

5 hours ago, Broomhill Ultra said:

My Mum started chemotherapy yesterday. I’d just assumed she would be showing grim side effects by now, but so far it’s virtually nothing. Be grateful for any experiences of what she should expect over the next wee while?. She’s getting one treatment every 3 weeks for 6 weeks initially. Stage 4 Ovarian. Otherwise she fit and had almost no symptoms pre diagnosis. 

Sorry to hear that mate, its an awful thing to see your parent go through cancer treatment, im in the same position. I really hope your mum doesnt suffer too badly with the side affects. Locally St Margaret's hospice are excellent btw! My wifes said that sometimes people dont get symptoms after one round of chemo, again though its worth having a look at cancer research uk’s resources, really good, helped me understand stuff about my old man’s cancer without having to keep asking the wife loads of questions (she’d be happy to chat but sometimes i think my questions about it would be daft, even though i know she wouldnt have a problem). 

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