I was diagnosed with Cancer in March and although we knew it was Cancer its still a shock to be told it. I have had 2 chemo cycles now and have my 3rd at the end of the month. I would love to chat about the chemo side affects to anyone..
Jackie so lovely to have you back online. I bet the house will be lovely once it's done. I hope you get your skin problem sorted as well, I really don't know how you cope with it all..
I got my scan results yesterday, they can't operate as the cancer is dotted about. I have a cystic mass that is getting bigger on my right lower side. The Dr said it is good with it being cystic. It doesn't sound like it makes sense but it is good so if they say it is then I will agree... My chemo is working as well.I had my 1st of 4th cycle today. I have to inject myself for 5 days again, but it is keeping the bloods up.
I have managed to get new year off as I asked because a very old family friend is having a big new years party for his suprise 80th. I should have had chemo on 30th. They said the 6th Jan now so I am very happy.
Hi Eileen, thats great news! I think a cyst by defination means its 'walled off' therefore none invasive though i've never heard of a tumour defined as a cyst but hey we live and learn lol. mines always dotted around the abdomen though to be fair a second op has never been considered, the chemo mops it up anyway and lots of little ones are easier for it to deal with (least thats my understanding). Its great that your chemo has worked out leaving you to enjoy a new years party! you sound like your not having as many problems with the chemo as last time and i do so hope it will continue that way for the whole treatment.
I don't always cope with the skin problems which is why I've started another treatment lol, it does drive me demented at times, however after 4 days of the new tablets I don't seem to be getting on very well with them, constantly feeling sick (which I don't cope well with at all ) but will keep going and see if it improves over the next few days.
Is that so you can have a rest or so you can have a couple of beers, champagne over new year. I am also sort of lucky...I am being prepared for some more surgery so cannot have the Avastin for at least 6 weeks before and 6 weeks after surgery as the Avastin wont allow blood to clot and subsequently heal the wounds.
Ha ha, yes it's so I can have a nice few glasses of red wine. I don't like beer or champagne.. It is an old neighbour who is 80 on new years eve so I was really hoping to make it. I think I need a break from the chemo as well. It is 12 month tomor since my chemo last year..How time passes..
Glad your having a long break. Tell me about the operation and what they are doing ?
I am not sure about the cystic mass either as the Dr said the tumour that is giving me pain is growing but that's good as it's cystic which means fluid. I never thought to ask more questions as I was so relieved to hear that the chemo is working.
I wish I could think of something for you to use for your skin rash. It must be so uncomfortable.. Have you tried goats milk ? I can't remember if I said it's good for eczema so could work and worth a try. I have felt sickly after Fridays chemo and I don't normally, its not good..
Keep us posted Jackie as we all miss your posts...
As to my surgery... Last year I had a tumour removed in my large intestine...they rejoined the colon and fitted me with a temp stoma which was reversed last June. I then developed really bad pain in my back passage and on investigation it was found there is an ulcer on the join which is making it rather mucky and horrible. It is also a place to harbour other cancer-like cells. Anyway I have taken the option given to me to have a large piece of my colon removed (obviously with the ulcer with it). An unfortunate side is the requirement of a permanent stoma. Appt next week to chat with the surgeon then a date will be set...hopefully after Christmas so I get the rest and the beers...not a major drinker however need to take the chances when you can... :@)
I am so sorry about your up & coming surgery, you are very brave. It sounds so painful having the ulcer ( nasty things to have anywhere ) but there,, god the pain and as you say it is harbouring all kinds of things.
How do you feel about the stoma being permanent ?
I suppose we will do anything to try and stay alive and in reasonable health. I said last year that if my cancer comes back then I won't be having anymore chemo as last year was taken away from me with chemo, hospitals ect. I said I wanted quality and not quantity if I never feel well. How quickly I changed my mind, when I heard it was back 6 months later. I always feel that I am not as bad as others on here when I read the posts.
Please let me know after you see the surgeon to see what he says...
Hi Tony, shame the reversal didn't work as planned but on the bright side you coped with the stoma before so it won't be as strange this time and they do site them to be unobtrusive, least its not actually for cancer which means so far so good! I never was much of a drinker but my cancer came to light following a very heavy night on my 50th, by 4am I had noravirus (yes really not just sickness and I know the difference!) never really got better then got the rash which led to the diagnosis, its put me off the drink completely, though to be fair being Irish it was whiskey i was drinking and while it was enjoyable to drink it wasn't when it decided it needed to resurface!!!!!!! ain't touched a drop since lol so you'll have to have 1 for me but you'll be pleased to know it dosn't have to be whiskey!
Hi Eileen, i think we all feel others are worse off cos we know how we feel, but can only guess how others feel and boy do we have active imaginations! Have decreased steroids to 10mg new tabs seem to be ok so far, though he wants to increase them when the blood result comes back (assuming its ok). The only time to decide when your not having any more chemo is while your having it or just before you start, I don't think you can decided I'll have this one then no more cos the one thing we are good at forgetting is bad experiences, just look at child birth, how many women say never again following the birth then the following year there having another one!!!! I believe your body tells you when you've had enough, I don't expect to have to think about the decision, i think I'll just know but meantime its equally important to feel positive. I have tried to talk to those I'm close to about this but they struggle with it (despite most being nurses lol) possibly because I'm always looking so well (advantage of the rash!) and it reminds them that I'm not! am fairly sure they will all cope when the time comes to withdraw from treatment but i don't feel that will be anytime soon lol
We are postponing Christmas till all the work is done lol no place to put a tree and can't cope with the thought of finding places to store Christmas presents pre and post Christmas lol my friend is off Christmas day so we will go to her parents (they are lovely) for the day. I find Christmas very strange as I don't really know what to do! In my 34 years as a nurse I only ever had 1 Christmas day off and that was by accident so I always feel I should be at work, actually so far I haven't resisted going in on the day to see everyone lol
Think the workmen are nearly finished outside! should be starting on the ensuites tomorrow (very excited!) and the carpenter is coming Mon to sort some doors out!
Fingers crossed it was only a blip with your chemo and you'll go back to feeling fine
