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..
Aw well you certainly don't look ill, in fact you look very good...
Yes I do the the feeling about the bowel. I have taken 1 imodium this morning as I am sick of going to the loo and just doing nothing really, anyway I took another one before as I need the bowel to stop going into spasm before Thursday. Have you tried sitting over a bucket / bowl of hot steaming water ? It helps to get the bowel moving but be careful not to burn yourself... I wish I had a bidet as I would fill it full of hot soapy water and wait and see ? It would be so comfy...My problem is the same as you, the tumour pressing against the bowel but I had bowel trouble since I can remember ( always going and never constipated ) it has been the brunt of my life. I have been eating smaller meals as well, but like you I love my food. I am praying that this next chemo will do something to ease it because I have no quality of life, never been able to go anywhere.
It is Friday my chemo starts and Thursday for the picc line and bloods to be done. I got mixed up with the dates with it being February...
Anyway Hazel I have babbled on a bit so shall go. Please try the water thing but be careful..
Gordon Bennett, Eileen, the things we have to do! I might try the hot water method next time, but I don't want a burnt bum so I can't sit down when I go to chemo next week!
So you are going for the new treatment then - thank goodness, and let's hope you can get through it OK.
Thank you so much for listening and caring, it means a lot, and I don't think you were blunt at all just very supportive. All of you Ladies know what it is like and can understand. Yes I should be talking to someone occasionally, I may ask my sister for a chat.
You're right, Mary has been fortunate to feel well enough to travel last year, and I do count our blessings. I guess it's because I haven't seen her as uncomfortable as this for so long it starts getting to you. When she is in pain or upset, it is hard to take or know what to say.
I understand your reaction re the hospice lady but it's not what you think. She works for the hospice of St.Francis and does home visits as much or as little as people want. They can advise on all sorts of things from alternative therapies to financial advice, and they organise discussion groups for sufferers and carers if they wish to attend, but no pressure to do any of it. As soon as people hear the word hospice they assume that's where they may be headed, but it's not like that at all.
I explained to Mary that the oncology team were quite relaxed about her condition, if they thought it was really serious they wouldn't have made her wait 3 weeks for treatment. She agreed she was probably reading too much into the hospice lady's expressions.
I am actually looking forward to Thursday, we'll be hanging around the hospital most of the day, bloods, clinic, chemo, but hopefully it will make her feel a bit better than she does at the moment.
Reading your latest posts gave me a laugh, if the advice works that's great, but I now have to get the image out of my head of you two both sitting on a bucket of steaming water! PLEASE be careful!
Bless you both and thanks again,
John
xx
PS - Have put a photo of Mary and I on my profile page, new years eve (awaiting moderation)
Had my third treatment yesterday and it went very well. Three more to go. I have been taking my nausea pills. May feel tired in the next day or two, then I will feel great a few days after. Hope all is well with you.
Have new internet provider so I'm back, can actually load the reply page now
Everyone sounds like there having a hard time at the mo! I to am heading towards chemo, have onc appointment Fri and assume chemo next week. Actually quite looking forward to it as actually not feeling great which is unusual for me . Lots of gut ache, back hip ache and no appetite, this is the women who eat her way through chemo putting on over a stone lol
There has been so many posts recently I can't remember them all but hope all is heading in the right direction for everyone.
Judy the feet are a total pain, mine went but it took about a year, there fine now. They never were bad enough for treatment - what has the gp given you?
John the only thing i would add to the reply of the others is be careful with the strong act, it can stop others telling you how they feel and if they know you well enough they will know its an act, and therefore not want to put more pressure on you (if you see what i mean). you and your immediate family (kids) are all in the same boat and regardless of there ages they will need the same support as you, I also feel supporting each other makes 'family members' feel they have a function or a bit of control which is important when illness so often takes all control away. As for Mary tell her to ignore anything she does not feel lol they have being telling me for over 2 years that mine is treatable but not curable, that the second lot of chemo probably wouldn't work etc I now listen but only take on board what fits with how I feel! I know I'm dying but my body tells me its not gonna be that soon thanks!
Eileen is it thurs for PICC line then Fri you go for treatment? if so good luck tomorrow
