Hi nicole, Bl00dy h311. The blows just keep coming don't they? Did someone in your family history disturb a pharaoh's tomb or something? It is exhausting trying to be the pillar of strength for everyone all of the time. You need to find yourself an outlet where yo can let go to unload every now and then, and even have a cry if you need, just for sanity sake. Do you have an affectionate pet? They can be great therapy. Feel free to unload here anytime that you need it. We are here for everyone 🙂 Big hugs, Rick ... View more

Hi LeeRoy,   I am so sorry to hear of your suffering. I have no idea how I would manage to cope in a similar situation.   Perhaps it is time to have a discussion with your family about moving to Victoria.   My thoughts are with you. Rick ... View more

Hi debbru, Being male, I didn't worry at all about my hair thinning during my treatment - I actually embrased it. it was Cysplatin in particular that caused my hair to thin out and made my tinittus significantly worse. I am led to believe that it is not the Herceptin that causes hair loss, but the other cytotoxis used in the treatment. So I would have thought that hair should be able to grow back if you are ONLY on Herceptin. But I am only guessing. If this concerns you, ask your oncologist or GP. How do you go in a hat or beret? Best wishes, Rick ... View more

I see that there is at least one other thread with over 180 replies. Still quite a way to go here - posts like this shouldn't count! ... View more

Hi SandyBeaches,   I too find it confusing that there are so many different 'boards'. Many questions and comments seem to cross over between multiple boards. I only found your post by going to the home page, scrolling to the bottom and clicking on the "All Posts" link.   If you are concerned about the time between now and the 10th (over 2 weeks) speak with your doctors to see if you can get in earlier by going on a wait-list for appointments that become available through cancellations. If this is really worrying you, perhaps you could try turning up in person at the practice and sit waiting for a slot between appointments. It all depends on how anxious you are and how much free time you have to nag them about the urgency of YOUR condition.   You did not provide much detail about the location of the lump ni your neck. I had 2 lumps in my thyroid and ended up getting the right half removed because they couldn't get clear samples after 4 attempts. I now take a thyroxine tablet EVERY morning at 6 am (and then I go back to bed on weekends).   Good luck and let us know how it goes. Rick ... View more

Hi CiennaR, Get your oncologist to have a quick look on the 'net. I just did a search for "immunotherapy eye side effects" and the first hit was right on topic... https://labblog.uofmhealth.org/rounds/ophthalmologists-link-immunotherapy-a-serious-eye-condition Hopefully your oncologist can make contact with people at UMKEC to work out a way forward for you. Best wishes and ood luck, Rick ... View more

Hi Peter, Welcome! I too am a firm believer in choosing the right attitude and paying it forward. Continue to choose to be positive, strong and determined. And any insights you can give from your journey will always be welcomed. Just troll around this site looking for posts that you think you can help out with. Best wishes and a big hug to you, Rick ... View more

Hi Albundy21, Sorry, no experience with this at all I had a new cannula inserted every infusion day and it was removed at the end of the day. Hopefully someone else has been through this and can comment on the options. Best wishes, Rick ... View more

Hi StayPositive,   My opinion - take the chemo until you experience any side effects that you can't handle.   The chemo will help mop up lone-wolf cancer cells that might be lurking anywhere in your body. This reduces the risk of metastisis. Depending on what particular cytotoxins they give you, you might not have any serious side effects. Given that they are offering this to you as an option, then if side effects do get too much for you, then you could stop (after seeking advice from your oncologist) and at least they might have done you some good up to that point.   But it is your call. Let us know what you do decide and why.   Best wishes, Rick ... View more

Hi Col,   Sorry, I missed the questions in your last post. I was looking for a way to send you my best wishes for your op in Sept and found that I had left you dangling...   I was a free spirit right up to my op. That is, my condition was caught so early and it wasn't interfering with my digestion that I didn't have any enteral feeding tubes until after the op. And then the tube was set up through the left side of my belly straight into the small intestine.   I managed to get my consumption up while in hospital (6 days from memory) such that I didn't need to use it when I got home. I did still need to flush it every 6 hours or so (again from memory) for a few weeks when I went back to see the surgeon. The sutures used to attach it to the intestine are dissolving and the tube eventually just pulls straight out.   Food wise, things do get back to moderately normal (per my blog) fairly quickly (months not years) after the op.   Best wishes and man-hug to you for your op. Rick   ... View more