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Hi everyone, Just a question about my mam! She was diagnosed out of the blue ☹️ with stage IV breast cancer, that had spread to her bones, last June. She’s 73 and very active. She’s just finished 6 months treatment and was told initially that once that was finished, she’d have a scan and they’d work from there. The treatment finished yesterday, she was sent home and that was it. No consultation or communication of what was to come next. I rang the hospital today to get through to the oncologist. They eventually rang Mam and said they’d do a scan next week. And that was more or less it. It’s great to know she’s going to have the scan but I’m just anxious about what that could reveal and if it’s spread more, what does that mean? I was also annoyed that it took a phone call to find this out and be offered a scan date. I completely understand that she’s not the only one and they are so busy but it’s tough not to have any one to one communication when she’s there having treatment. I’d love to chat to someone who knows the ins and outs. Sorry it’s my first post and I haven’t even read through any other threads. I’m at a loose end for her as she means the world to me and especially my daughter, who she has looked after every day since she was born.

I had my first smear last August and in October the results came back that i had abnormalities and HPV positive. I was sent to have a colposcopy exam in December. I was asked questions and I expressed how I have pain in my pelvis and abnormal bleeding (bleeding and pain after sex). 2 biopsys were taken and I recieved the results on Monday that it is CIN 3 and I will need LLETS treatment. However, I expressed the pain in my pelvis is now constant and I really have concern that I can feel something in my pelvis/abdomin area. Also bleeding after intercourse is worsening. The colposcopy clinic told me to contact my gp. My gp done an internal exam and said my cervix was red and I had alot of tenderness in abdomin. She sent me to A&E department in the same hospital I had my colposcopy. They checked my urine and blood pressure and all was normal. The doctor then done a quick internal exam and said yes it was red but not actively bleeding so she wouldn't worry about it. I asked what I was going to do about the pain and she said go home and take paracetamol... I rang the colposcopy clinic the following day asking if I could be put on a cancelation list for LLETS procedure. I was told no and that my procedure would be sometime the end of March and that I would get a letter with date in due course. I rang my gp yesterday as pain is still there and I'm beginning to get very concerned. She is sending me for CT scan next week. I feel like no one is taking me seriously and I know my own body and I know there is something wrong. I am left waiting until March for my treatment and there is nothing I can do about it. Has anyone else been in this position where they feel lost and let down by the health care in Ireland? I have to pay privately for the CT scan but I don't know what else to do.

Hi my name is Derek I am 58 years old I'm living with malignant melanoma and 3 brain tumors. 2 weeks before christmas I was having my first radio therapy and took a stroke the same Friday evening and didn't find out it was a stroke till the following Tuesday. Whole left side now paralyzed still living at home with home care help and my daughter Jayne and my wife olive. 4-6 months to live and very hard to live with. I was a cook for 31 years in the army. My last while has been tough great family support. Fighting cancer 17 years.

Hi I am 2 years post bilateral mastectomy for invasive ductal carcinoma in my left breast Her+ and am BRACA 2 positve. Had 3 lymph nodes removed with one testing positive. Had chemo and rads which caused capsular contracture in my left breast. My question is that I am experiencing pain and tenderness when I touch my arm close to my underarm. Do not remember hurting myself and it only hurts to touch but not move my arm. Have an appointment with oncologist on Friday but am just wondering has anyone had a similar experience tia

Hi, would anyone know how much a core biopsy would be in Bon Secours in Cork or any other private hospital? Just worrying about work & money. Thanks

Hi, has anyone had a lump that's above the breast almost on the chest but directly across from armpit if you get me? Thanks

Hi everyone, I am a 10 year Breast Cancer Survivor. I was diagnosed at 35 but made it through the journey and I am now healthy and happy. I have a query and I hope someone can help me. I don't have to attend a Doctor since my 5 year all clear, when I was attending my Breast Surgeon he would always book my mammogram for the following year. But now that I don't see him, every year I am waiting to be called for my mammogram and I am not called - I have to ring the secretary to get my Dr to book it and then I have to contact the mammogram department to make sure it is booked. I thought I would be called automatically each year. Can anyone tell me what I need to do about getting annual appointment without having to contact the office each year and go through all the departments. Thanks in advance

Hi, I was diagnosed a long time back with head and neck cancer and it has metastized, however, it was not squamous cell carcinoma but clear cell carcinoma. My understanding is that this cancer type, rare as it is, is more commonly found in the kidney. I constantly review different treatment options out there but thus far nothing has worked for me. Latest update I have found is that a combination of Nivolumab (Opdivo®) with ipilimumab (Yervoy®) seems to have best response for RCC. (Renal Cell Carcinoma) My query is this, looking at the HSE approved list of drugs, this combination is approved for use in patients with Renal cell carcinoma, and it's also approved for head and neck patients with squamous cell carcinoma So, my head and neck is not squamous cell carcinoma, so I guess that rules me out on that basis, and even though my cancer is more associated with RCC, I am also ruled out of this combination treatment because my cancer is head and neck even though it's more commonly part of RCC. Can someone please advise what are my options here and if I have this right. I have tried taxol and platin, that combination didn't do anything, also tried sunitinib, which also did nothing, I am now on Xeloda. Should this latest treatment not do anything then I want to raise the possibility of Nivolumab (Opdivo®) in combination with ipilimumab (Yervoy®) with my consultant, but want to know if it's reimbursable for my particular case. Would appreciate any help from anyone out there who might know more on this subject.

Hello all! I have been diagnosed with breast cancer recently and just had my lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy last week in James. I've been told that I'll need radio, hormone therapy, and possibly chemo but I think I will find that out when I go back to James next Wednesday. Although it's only a possibility at this stage I would like to be in some way prepared, so I want to ask if anyone received chemo in Tallaght hospital after initially being treated in James? The reason I'm considering this is because I have heard that the cold cap to prevent hair loss might be available in Tallaght whereas it's not in James. Of course if I am to receive radium every day for a few weeks I'd be better sticking to James because it's closer to me, but I would like to be prepared. Any previous experience is welcome, I'm just curious at this stage without having a definite plan yet from my doctors. Thanks!

Hi I’m having a prophylactic double mastectomy after having a lumpectomy chemo and radiotherapy and was wondering how quickly I can get a diep reconstruction if I go for that option and if it’s available on public funding or private? Which hospitals do the surgery and are people happy with the outcome