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posted by Beckswhelan
10 August 2019

Grade 4 gbm

Last reply: 13 August 2019 10:49
Hi all, looking for some advice! My mum has been recently diagnosed with grade 4 brain tumors. She has just completed 3 weeks of radiation and chemo (tablets at home). We haven’t been given a timeline or any useful information from the doctors just that they’ll scan her in a few weeks time. The palliative care have been great calling to the house etc but I have no details on what to expect, how long she will live, what to expect next and when I need to get more help in. Very hard to ask the doctors any questions as can’t chat in front of my mum. We’re all heart broken and have no information or clue who to ask so all suggestions welcome!
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posted by Gersy
16 August 2019

Gbm4

Last reply: 19 August 2019 14:16
Anyone reading this who is also caring for a loved one with a gbm4 diagnosis? It's heartbreaking to watch, in my case it's my husband and best friend. He's my hero. The rapid growth of his tumour in just a month left him in a wheelchair with no mobility on his left side. I am lucky to have home help, I wouldn't survive without it. The hardest thing now is preparing myself for life without him. I have some idea of what to expect as he declines, I can already see a dip in his strength and memory loss returning. He has had 6 weeks of radiation and chemo. That finished at the start of August. The uncertainty is difficult.. No one can tell you when major changes will happen. I pray for the strength to keep smiling for him and I thank God for every day. I miss him already as the disease robs more of his personality, at least he is not in pain. All he wants is to wiggle his toes, and of course stand up and walk. Maybe today I can make him smile. Small steps.
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posted by Deedles
26 August 2019

Brand swap tamoxifen

Last reply: 04 September 2019 12:27
Hi all, I just swapped from nolvadex to tamox brand. I was fine on nolvadex but pharmacist said they cannot get it any more. I'm so sick on tamox and my hair is falling out and I feel so tired. I really want to go back onto Nolvadex. Anyone having similar issues? Fedupwithtamox.com
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posted by Karen Crossley
31 August 2019

Support

Last reply: 04 January 2023 13:06
My husband has level 2 prostate cancer which thankfully has not spread but he is due to have it operated on the 25th September. He was thinking of delaying due to the following issues we have, he recently retrained at 58 to be a health care worker hense the diagnosis been caught early. He cannot claim illness benefit due to not enough stamps been paid in 2017/18. I earn too much when means tested.We are plowing through paperwork for emergency medical card as hospital bill over €800 when done.He has a timer countdown on his phone is very moody and blames me for everything.Everywhere we turn we hit a brick wall.Im just sad i cant fix this and cant help him. To make matters worse i am due to go away with my mam for a couple of days and back day before he is due to go in he will not let me cancel it. Im lost and tearful
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posted by ClaireLonergan
04 September 2019

Wigs - free to a good home

Last reply: 06 September 2019 15:14
Hi, I’m thankfully finished my active treatment and no longer need my wigs. I have 2, both blonde. One is a bob and one is longer. The short one is great quality. The long one is t as good but still looks nice styled. I’d like someone who needs them to get them. I also have a stand, brush and some shampoo and conditioner left over. Let me know if interested and I can arrange to provide pictures if you’d like. Claire.
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posted by aroche747
05 September 2019

osephageal cancer

Last reply: 06 September 2019 15:15
Hi there my mam has just finished her six week radium and chemo treatment for an 8cm tumour on her osephagus . it was treated with curable intent but since mam has finished treatment there doesent see to be an improvement in her yet is this normal she flew trough the treatment but appears worse since its finished.. The radium doc said it the radium would be in her system for 6 to 7 weeks we have a scan in two weeks we are very worried.
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posted by Kitty
08 September 2019

Stem cell transplant

Last reply: 16 September 2019 12:59
Has anyone undegone a stemcell transplant for Acute Myloid Leukaemia and how are they now
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posted by paulb
11 September 2019

CUP

Last reply: 16 September 2019 13:06
Hello to all the beautiful people in this fabulous community. My wife was diagnosed with CUP June 2018 6 months after we got married. She was at the recent seminar in the Red Cow last Sat 7th September, thank you to all who gave their time she enjoyed her day and especially the choir at the end, there wasn't a dry eye leaving. One of the workshops that really has been playing on her mind "Living Life with Metastatic (Secondary) Cancer You see, my wife Davinia has been diagnosed with such CUP metastatic in her lymph nodes? We hear all these stats and figures of 5 years etc. ( I tend to stay away from Dr Google). and it all can be really confusing for her. Over the past 18months, she has been through 47 chemo sessions and 11 radiation sessions, Recently been told that the Avasten with her Chemo this time round has been good and there has been a significant improvement so she has been given 3 months break from chemo but still continue Avasten every 3 weeks. The significant improvement in her since her 3 weeks stay in hospital in June has been two-fold, energy levels coming back, being able to be a mother again dropping our sons to school and catching up with friends etc, getting massive compliments of the wigs she wears and able to pull off the different colours lol!!! Unfortunately, night time is not a good time for her.. Her thoughts run away with her.... I am up with her in the middle of the night most nights when I hear her crying and scared, we even sleep with the light on to try to give her some comfort. It is confusing for me and can be frustrating when I see her doing so well regarding energy levels and her appetite is back to somewhat normal??? I say to her she should be proud of the battle she is winning and the progress she has made this year... Gary Kelly Centre in Drogheda has been tremendous support for her as the hospital (Beaumont) I am trying to be a light of positivity for my wife and our children but can be so hard when she hears the words metastatic which she then implies she doesn't have long left to live??? I hope I can open up a conversation here with both people who are diagnosed and partners who are caring for them. Talk Soon Paul
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posted by Armanda
16 September 2019

HER2 Positive Uterine Cancer

Last reply: 30 September 2019 09:36
Anyone getting (got) Herceptin infusions for type 2 uterine cancer? I just started and wonder how its working or not working for you? Thanks for your response.
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posted by jacqinthebox
22 September 2019

Hospitals with cold cap therapy

Last reply: 30 September 2019 09:34
Hi all! Newbie here and newbie with BC Stg2 diag in last 2 weeks. I'm interested in any hospitals that you may have seen or recieved cold cap therapy for hair loss. On my confirmation diagnosis, my "Prof" laughed off the notion of cold cold cap therapy, until my angel of a cancer nurse injected and said it sometimes works, and "sometimes" is all I need. Information in Ireland is not readily out there about this. I know I can rent one from an English company but is there an alternative? Any advice or ideas would be greatly appreciated on this. I've yet to start my chemo, (in a few weeks) but I'd like to hit the ground running on this while I have the energy (and anger I guess) to scrap on to holding onto a semblance of the life i have. I know hard days are coming and i won't always be up for the fight. So any ideas, lists, companies (like penguin in UK £££) would be greatly appreciated. Thanks x
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