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..
Nice to hear from you again maisey! sorry it has returned, don't let the hair loss stop you having the combo, the thought really is worse than when the hairs gone. As John said neuropathy is the major problem with the combo but it does go eventually (mine took about a year lol). I'm now on carbo/Doxitol, it has less neuropathic effects but I got 18 months from the last dose so its suits me better. The carbo/Tax combo is recommended by nice as the gold star treatment, you can read all about it by googeling NICE.
Hi John, glad the holiday went well and impressed Mary felt well for all of it, getting up and travelling in the middle of the night would have killed me!
Hi Haze, good luck for Thurs
I had chemo today, first time they used the port which was............ painful lol, its still very swollen so took 4 attempts and a long needle in the end! so much for me not liking needles lol, have doses of carbo/dox reduced to see if they can stop platelets dropping off so much, spoke to the dr who deals with the chemo patients (not consultant) apparently I have 2 hernias not one, both visible on my last ct scan, as my ca125 is dropping he feels I need to get hernias sorted surgically and defer chemo to allow this to happen, bit like the procedure when they do the hysterectomy! While I really want them sorted as they are severely limiting my quality of life I confess to being a tad nervous due to my post surgery blood clots last time! need to make appointment with GP to discuss and get referral. Rash and itching is not responding to chemo yet which is disappointing to say the least . I do read the site when there is a post but find it difficult to respond as can only keep the hernia in while lying flat, not the best position for typing lol.
Just to let you know I am OK at the moment, thinking of you all, and reading all posts with interest. However, may not be responding much in next few weeks as my partner fell yesterday and fractured his hip, so is now in hosp awaiting op today. (I think he was a bit jealous that my op is due in the next week or so, depending on CT result, of course.) Now my family has to rearrange the plans made re my post op care to include Roy's post op care as well, as I won't be able to look after him.
What a disaster! Poor Roy, the things people will do to get a bit of attention eh? Hopefully he will make a quick recovery so that you can help each other a little post ops. Glad you're feeling a bit better, when do you get the scan results?
Mary had clinic and chemo today and the Prof is very pleased with her progress - especially as his experiment with the Gem/Carbo dosages seems to be working out, especially with regard to Mary not yet missing a session. The markers are coming down nicely and he is still happy for her to finish after cycle 5 and go to Florida. I am glad that we did the Portugal trip despite the lack of sunshine, as it has put our minds more at ease about travelling.
Mary is feeling fine now apart from a bit of tiredness, the Prof said she should keep taking the liquid iron to help with her hemoglobin levels, so keeping everything crossed she continues doing well so we can enjoy the big holiday.
Again, I hope everyone else is ok, I understand that you won't feel like posting if you're feeling rough but hope you're feeling better soon.
I am so pleased for Mary, and really hoping that she carries on as she is so you can all enjoy your family holiday, wouldn't that be a joy?!
My scan must have been OK, my nurse phoned on Thurs to say that my op has been scheduled for 22/05, but first I have to see the surgeon/consultant at St. Barts in London (where the op will be done) next Fri, 11th, then have pre-assess. on Mon 14th. So, things seem to be moving in the right direction at the moment, though I'm not looking forward much to the surgery, I must admit! I've been pain-free for several weeks now and everything will be hurting again after the surgery. Still, needs must I guess, and at least it's a break from the cursed chemo!
Roy is OK, just a wee bit more 'tongue-tied' than usual (a result of several little strokes in the past, and subsequent epilepsy). He is more bored than anything else at the moment.
Hi hazel ,hope all goes well with your op will be thinking about you.Hi to everyone else,I start chemo again tomorrow,decided on carbo on its own to be reviewed after 3 mths if it is not working then I can consider other options.Have been invited to a conference on palliative care needs on Wednesday with all levels of health care professionals, they want to know about my own experiences of care and how I think it could be improved.A bit of a tall order as I think needs vary so much with the individual, but I will give it a go!!!!. Maisie x x
I hope all goes well with the op, I know it's a tough time for you right now especially with also having Roy's issues to deal with. My lasting memory of Mary's big op is not so much the pain she suffered from the surgery, but more so the pain from the trapped gas. So my advice to you would be to find as many remedies as you can pre-op so that you're prepared. Mary had peppermint capsules and charcoal capsules which I got from a well known health food shop, which did give her some relief. Some people say peppermint tea or cordial is good. I wish I had known about this pre-op as it would have made things a lot easier for her.
Mary quite tired after a busy weekend socialising, it's caught up with her. Booked hire cars for Orlando today, so another step closer.
Thanks for your advice re. the peppermint, will certainly take it on board.
My poor Roy has had a cardiac arrest caused by a bad chest infection after his hip operation, to add to our probs, but is now making a little headway, thank God.
Love to you and Mary, and to everyone else - thinking of you all!
