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..
I was looking at the photo of you and Mary and thought how lovely you both are when I realised mine wasn't showing anymore. I put my latest one up then got sidetracked before I got to write anything. I have 7 grandkids and there is always at least one of them (often five) visiting us lol.
I am hoping all goes well with Mary, I will know my results tomorrow, I always try to think positive, but that little gremlin usually manages to sneak in somewhere.
I had long hair when I first had my chemo, I decided to have it cropped back before it started to fall into my food lol, I wasn't satisfied with that so I took the scissors and slid it across my scalp to get rid of the rest, I didn't make a very good job of it so when my daughter came over I got her to razor the rest off, I did get follicilitis which was rather uncomfortable, having a velcro head was distracting to say the least hahaha.
My hair was blonde but now it is just grey.........at my age it is to be expected but I am still miffed as I was always saying how lucky I was not having many grey hairs lol.
I will be posting tomorrow when I get back from the hospital.
Hi to everyone..........stay strong (I know it is hard)
Just a quickie as still feeling bad. I should be getting my steroids out of my system today as took last ones yest. I was awake all night feeling sick and heartburn ( hiatus hernia ) it always gets it. I am telling myself to be strong and positive and only 5 more to go.. I am also taking the chemo tablet everyday as well. Back in clinic Thursday for bloods and to see Dr then overnight stay Friday for chemo again. It is going to be tough but I am trying ????
Dot you look great for your age, and you and Hazel are so young at heart. I love you both you know as you are very similar. John and Mary ? Well what can I say what a beautiful looking couple you are. It is funny how you imagine people look and I thought you were older so got a shock seeing your picture. Mary is a very attractive lady and now I know what she looks like it's easier to get the whole picture when your talking about her...
I have my chemo brain so have forgot who is going where and when ? I think it's you Dot tomor so if it is good luck and we are with you...xxx Hazel I think you are there this week but not sure. I apologise if I am wrong. Sharon hope your good , Jackie my mentor let us know when you get word on what's happening.
Love you all Eileen. xxxxx
Ps John I agree about what you said at the hospital and the kindness we all share, the smiles and yes the tickets we give to others for the car. I call it gods waiting room as we are all just waiting for our name to be called and hopefully take us somewhere pain free. xxxx
Well, I reckon a velcro head could be quite handy for keeping wigs or scarves in place - bit drastic though! I must remember not to shave mine off, just use clippers!
Mostly I want to say good luck for your blood results tomorrow - please, please, please God they'll be OK.
Thank you for your nice comments on our photo, we had a really good time on NYE.
Hazel, I hope all went well for you today, let us know how it went.
Question: Have any of you heard of, or had an abdominal tap procedure? It is used to drain excess fluid from the abdomen which causes bloating and discomfort. Mary is getting quite bloated and I was just searching the net to see if I could find anything, and sure enough I found some info here on the cancer research site. I may ask our onc team if it is appropriate for Mary to have this. I would be interested to know what your thoughts or experiences are of this, here is the link:
Oh you poor thing - every weekend! Hardly time to get your breath back in between! I sincerely hope the next one isn't as traumatic, I think I'd feel like giving up - but then I always swore I'd never have chemo again but when it comes to the crunch I'm a coward and want to stay alive for as long as poss!
Yes, I went for pre-assessment today and got told again everything my oncologist had already told me plus some (and acquired more paperwork saying the same thing as well) but at least I got a few queries sorted and had blood done, so wasn't a wasted journey. My chemo starts on Thursday morning, and will I be glad to get going at last!
Thanks John, today wasn't too bad, I've gone into more detail in my post to Eileen.
I was due to have an abdo drain last month in prep for a biopsy - CT scan showed fluid obstructing biopsy site. I was admitted for 3 days - NBM first day for afternoon op. to insert drain, but in the event the doc couldn't find any fluid when he did the ultrasound (he was rather cross as everything was ready to go ahead, had a look at CT himself and said even that showed no fluid, so don't know what radiologist was looking at - makes you wonder, doesn't it?) so was wheeled back to ward to await biopsy couple of days later (more NBM!)
I looked it up beforehand online as well, and found a site with a video of the drain procedure, but can't remember where it was, I'm afraid. As far as I could tell, it was much the same as the biopsy procedure, i.e. swab area with iodine, several anaesthetic injections around proposed entry site, which was the worst bit but bearable, then a small incision to insert the drain. It's done in conjunction with ultrasound or CT so the doc can judge where the drain is going. I'm sure there are other ladies who have actually had it done, and Jackie will probably have better info, I expect.
Do bear in mind though that it may not be fluid - I get very bloated but mine is mostly from wind (and other unmentionable stuff) caught up in my partially obstructed bowel - but of course it's worth discussing with Mary's team as you say.
It must seem strange to some to be looking forward to chemo, but I know what you mean. I guess we need to feel that something positive is being done to help.
Thanks for your help re abdo tap, and of course you are right, it may not be fluid. It's easy to misdiagnose using the net, but from your experiences and ours, some of the doctors seem to be getting things wrong too! When Mary was in hospital in Jan with a serious kidney infection, one of the docs told her not to worry, it has nothing to do with the ovarian cancer. How wrong did he turn out to be??!!
Mary will be back on Thurs too for 2nd treatment so will be thinking of you.
