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Feeling alone

Brownie
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Hi everybody. Just found this site and thought it might help me by chatting to somebody else in the same position. I am 66 yrs of age. I was married for nearly 40 yrs. Four years ago just before Christmas I lost my husband to a massive heart attack. It was the first day of our Christmas break and it was horrendous trying to get my husband back from abroad. Anyway two years ago this March  I lost my sister to bowel,pancreatic cancer. She was my closest friend not just a sister. Christmas 2014 I did the usual screening bowel test that gets sent to me. I received another one then a phone call to give me an appointment for a colonoscopy. I was in hospital and had part of the right side of the large bowel removed. Since April I have been on chemo. I finished on the first of October and had a scan three weeks later and was given the all clear. I can't fault the speed and care that I have received while being diagnosed. The staff at the Heath hospital Cardiff and the velindre hospital where I went for my chemo were wonderful. The only down side is that I have been left with really bad pins and needles in my hands and feet. I am dropping things all the time and my legs have been left very weak. I have had a few falls because of this. I  am an outdoor person and love to go for walks with my little dog but unfortunately because of the state of my legs I have  not been able to do this as I am afraid of falling. I cannot sleep hardly at all as the pins and needles seem to be worse in the night and also my ankle is swollen nearly all the time. I wondered if there was anybody else who was suffering with this after chemo and if they can suggest anything that might help. The doctor has given me sleeping tablets but I really don't want to go down that road. I am exhausted and I find I'm getting very depressed. This isn't  me as I never let things get me down but I find everything an effort. So sorry to be such a moaner as there's people worse off than me . Just hoping that someone can help with these pins and needles

 

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    Hi Brownie I'm Diane and im 73 i lost my husband to terminal prostate cancer nearly 4 years ago and it was like a knive going through my back for a long while afterwards. So sorry about your sister such a horrible way to go. I have a sister my self and she has been ill health recently and i don't know what i would do with out her been through a lot with her. Recently i got the all clear from liver cancer and im over the moon. I did not have bad chemo symptoms or any health problems afterwards. It could possible  that you have an under lying health problem that was brought on with the affects of chemo. Like you i love walking i do a long walk most morning and get the fresh air in me. May i ask what kind of problems you have with your legs ?.  I dont know what to say about the pins and needles all i know is when i put pressure on my legs thats when i get pins and needles. Sorry your feeling down have you got family and grandchildren etc?. I dont think how i could of coped with out my kids and grandkids and close friends. Hope to hear from you soom. -Diane x

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    Hello, Brownie,

    So pleased you got the all clear, but sorry about the pins and needles.  This is called 'peripheral neuropathy' and is one of the side effects of certain chemo treatments, e.g. Carboplatin.  Apparently it will often go away in time, but sometimes not.  Thankfully I have so far not been affected, though I still have two more to go so touch wood.

    Have you thought about contacting your oncologist or chemo team about this?  Might be an idea, or mention it when you have next clinic appointment, they may be able to help.

    Please don't think you're moaning, you have good cause to be upset.  It's good to let it all out, and we are all good listeners on here, so keep us posted.

    All the best, Hazel x

     

  • Offline in reply to haze44

    Hi Brownie

    I cannot help with the pins and needles but I can tell you that I have recently moved to West Wales and I was brought up in Bridgend and I would with pleasure visit you and either take you out for lunch - my treat or bring you back to ours for a slap up lunch - all local produce .....and take your dog for a walk around the farm.  What do you think?  I am 57, recovering from cancer after half a lung removed - my Mum died nearly 2 years ago whom my sister and I cared for 24/7 on a rota basis as we both lived 200 miles away at the time - so we basically split our home lives with Bridgend.  So glad we did.  That is a glimpse of me because it must feel strange to have an unknown person invite you to lunch!  Why not phone the moderators and ask them for my telephone number and then we can have a chat if you want?  Sian

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