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..
Sry not posting much but really not feeling good at the mo unusual for me, saw onc Fri and am awaiting chemo this week but as no spaces have to wait for a cancellation, can't come soon enough as plagued with abdo pain. Strangely seems to be brought on by movement! takes ages to wear off but if I remain seated it stays away lol does this sound familiar to anyone else or is it me doing everything backwards as usual lol
John, draining fluid is an option (the procedure has been well explained by Haze) however the problem is that it comes back so they prefer not to unless the symptoms are really bad, the abdo fluid contains a lots of protein and therefore if constantly reforming (cos it has the space to) will deplete the system of fluid and proteins. so it is an option but one they prefer to avoid if possible. I have known someone who had really bad symptoms from the fluid which needed draining and when it became obvious that it was required regularly, they left the drain in and he drained himself! hope that makes sense.
Eileen, doing things the hard way as usual! hope your begining to feel better and am thinking of you.
Haze fingers crossed all goes smoothly for you, the extra appointments are a fafh but that seems to be the way it goes! I'm looking forward to feeling more normal lol i know it will make me feel worse in some ways but at least the abdo pain and the itch will go! my onc was obviously expecting a fight to get me to have chemo (despite me phoning the Fri before and asking for it lol) he kept telling me i really do need it and kept going when I said I know lol. he now feels pressurised as he said it would sort my skin/itch out and i told him it better or I would sort him out!!! bless him, don't know how he puts up with me! he got told off for laughing as another patient in another room was getting bad news lol he really has the most unfortunate laugh!!!
Hope everyone else remains ok, Dot did you have a routine appointment or am I dreaming or have missed it?
Thanks, Jackie - I wish you the same. Sorry you aren't too good at the mo, I have bad abdo pains too but mine are worse if I sit about for too long so I guess you ARE just being awkward!
It's good to know you still have a sense of humour - what are you like getting your poor consultant into trouble?!
Just wanted to drop in and say hello to everyone again, and welcome to the new ladies, so sorry to hear that most of you, and me, are on the journey once again. Seems strange to be thankful for something (chemo!) that makes us feel so bad as we hope it will all be worth it in the end.
I've had one round of my 3rd cycle of chemo - gem/carbo this time - went for the second lot today but they wouldn't give it as neutraphylls too low. Has that happened to anyone else? They are going to reduce my dose too which I'm not happy about.
SO nice to have people to share this with that do understand.
That's great news! Many of the ladies are having a tough time at the moment so it gives us all hope when we hear good news, enjoy the next three months and hopefully much more
Jackie, thanks for the info on abdo tap, I will discuss it with the onc team also at next clinic.
Eileen, I do hope you're feeling better soon, I am so thankful that you started this thread, I bet you never imagined it would attract so many nice people and be as popular as it is. I know that Jackie was the first to respond to you and has helped you a lot on your journey.
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News: Mary had a call from the hospital bed manager today, and they have arranged for her to have her port fitted on 23rd March, hopefully that will go well and she can avoid a lot of distress from attempted canulas.
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Hi Sue,
Welcome back, so sorry to hear that you're also are back on the journey again. Mary is on Gem/Carbo too but her onc is prescribing both doses spread equally across the 2 weeks (he always has to do things differently) , only good news is you don't lose your hair! She had her chemo postponed once last time around because of low neutrophils, yes it is a bit frustrating if you're making good progress but they have to put your safety first. I agree that it is good to be among people who understand and can compare notes and support each other.
Eileen is the expert on low blood counts! My dose was reduced last time round and it didn't seem to work any less, your body has got to cope with it and if it takes a smaller dose to do that then I suppose its for the better. I got 16 months out of my last lot despite the reduced dose so try not to worry!
Dot, great news!!! no more colds for the next 3 months please lol
Haze, yes I do give him a hard time but its his own fault!!!!
Isn't this site brilliant - you only have to mention a worry and everyone is there trying to reassure you! I hope Jackie's and John's responses have helped put your mind at rest, and that your treatment is soon under way again, it's so disappointing when things get delayed, I know.
Thanks for the reassurance Jackie. So your dose was reduced too? I know what you mean about your body having to cope with it but I think I'd prefer to soldier on if it was for the greater good, if you know what I mean. I was wondering whether to challenge the doctor about this next week when I go and I quite like the idea of having equal doses over both weeks like Mary does rather than more the first week so I might mention that too.
I dream of getting 16 months - only got 8 months first time, then 6 months so feeling pretty despondent about the whole thing at the moment. Just hope this different chemo works better. Delaying it has really thrown me, and I thought I was coping well - guess we're all nearer to the edge than we realise, or care to admit!
Thanks for the messages of support and love and hugs to you all.
