Hello Mark,

Nice to speak with you.

So sorry to hear of you illness but I hope you continue to improve and keep cosy.

I was only diagnosed with cancerous tumour in my bile duct 7 weeks ago.  Rare form of cancer which cannot be removed due to it growing next to a major blood vessel,  I had a meeting with oncologist today and I will be starting targeted radiotherapy in the New Year t try to manage the tumour...no guarantees obviously.  

I underwent ERCP 5 weeks ago (endescopic procedure) where they fitted a stent to relieve jaundice symptoms and they took biopsies.  I developed pancreatitis, an infection in my bile duct and a blocked bowel following this and eventually was put on no resusitation as they did not ecpect ,e to pull through.  I stayed in hospital ARI (Aberdeen Royal Infirmary) for 3 weeks and 2 days.  Home for 11 days now and still get tired but trying to build my strength up.  I so want to return to work but think thatr's a way off yet.

If you fancy chatting more, feel free as I feel the need to chat to someone too

Take care

Caz x

High Caz thanks for the reply. 

Hope all goes well for you. I couldn't have surgery either as I would most likely have lost my speach so they elected for combined Chem/Radio in the first instance  and then could do surgery later if needed. They did say with my cancer is was much of a muchness in terms of effictlvness. Hope that applies to you too. 

X

Hi Mark,

Welcome to the forum. I'm sure many of us can relate to the chronic fatigue and the afternoon naps. 

Merry Christmas to you too!

Dave

Cheers Dave

Mark

yep unfortunate, but you are fortunate you have found this site

i myself finished 6 8 hr sessions of chemo and 30 sessions of chemo in August 2014

i still feel the cold

i have a reasonable amount of taste back, enough to really enjoy my food. I can't eat sandwiches, because the bread just saps my saliva, so I eat wraps instead and I can't do chocolate or iced cakes as the sugar hurts my teeth

i used to play football golf and squash....I still play a little football but have not got the stamina I used to have.

i sometimes over do things.... to much work or something else and a day after it will catch up with me...but I sleep like a baby now....at the end of the day my head hits the pillow and I am out.....not so good in the mornings, it takes me a bit of time to get the brain active

as for my voice, it's very dales like first thing in the morning and peters out by the end of the week ... drink loads of water for that one

overall it's changed me but I won't let it define me. I'm alive and live a happy life

i just have to put a lot more work into managing me ... constant oral cleaning after meals, moisturing my neck and keeping it out of the sun and listening to my body when it's tired.

you will get there

merry christmas

vatch

Hi Vatch

Thanks for that detailed reply. It's encouraging to read that things have progressed for you. It's sort of like reading my own story.

I retired from my full time job a year before diagnosis so was lucky not to have to worry about work at least. Having said that I'm just about to start a part time job with the NHS. Had to have medical because of my illness but they are happy I can do two days a week. I'm worried about the tiredness but excited too.

Cheers

Mark

Mark

If you feel ready to tackle work, then you are ready

It might be tough at the start, but you will find work rounds and you can sleep when you come home

I hope it all goes well for you

Vatch

Many thanks

Hi, I've just joined the site and found your post, I'm 11 days in now after being diagnosed with oropharyngeal cancer, meeting my Oncologist for the 1st time on Tuesday to find out what stage, treatment plan etc, I believe I will be having chemoradiation therapy but will know more Tuesday, I'd appreciate any hints/tips that you think may be useful, I've loads of questions (which is why I'm wide awake at 3am again)

Craig