could some one help. the doctor said I have to have 5 . mon- fri. head radiotherapy. he said I might lose my memory. dont know I can manage. live on my own with no help. its been bad enough managing chemo. I get so depressed.
Hi Laughing Rose, my husband is currently undergoing radiotherapy 5 days per week for 6 weeks, he's also taking chemo tablets to coincide. He started treatment on the 25th November and he's tolerating it well so far. His oncologist did tell him he will have some mild short term memory loss. Try not to worry, the macmillan nurses should be on hand when you need them, have you had a visit yet? You should be getting plenty of support. Anything you're unsure of pleae ask, here to help...X
hi lottylou. no I have had no surport from any one. my home is mess .cant clean, or do anythink so tired. washing up pile up. so got paper plates,cups,ect. just manage to heat up soup everyday. no one cares when your old and alone.
Rose - you really should not be in this situation. Please ring your GP tomorrow and ask them for a home visit - tell them you are too ill to go to the surgery.
When they arrive, show them the problems you are having at home trying to cope with everything and ask them to arrange for you to have care. Failing that ring the McMillan nurses based at your local hospital or Social Services.
The nurses here on the site are also available to offer advice - and they can be called on their freephone number shown at the bottom of this page during office hours Mon-Fri.
I do hope you get the help you need but you have to be assertive. Maybe you have a family member or friend/neighbour who could help you with the phone calls and verify that you are not coping alone.
All the very best - please let us know how you are getting on x
hi max56. my doctor knows. she ring me once a week.she arrange for my meds to be delivered. she know my family dont help. the hospital knows I am on my own. they are very busy.monday had to have 2 hours chemo. arrived at 11 am, did not finish to 415 pm by the time I got home 530pm tired out. today went 10am for 1 hour chemo not home until 2pm. am back again tommorw.
I'm sorry to hear that Rose. Maybe if you ring the nurses here they may be able to give you some advice about what to do. Ask the chemo nurses tomorrow to tell you who to contact to arrange help or care at home. Or go to the McMillan office while you are at the hospital!
It's just a question of getting the right person who deals with all this stuff. Ask your GP again to refer you to the right person for the help you need. Don't give up - just kick up some fuss!
dear max, thank you for your text. had 3 day chemo yesterday. found the chemo side effects hard. the doctor has giving me better tablets now. my home is a mess, but want no one to see it spoke to nurse yesterday, about beening on my own. and family dont care. she said your better with out them, and she right. have friend that calls me every day. she get a bit of shopping for me. now the anger of my family has die down now, I feel better. good news my next chemo is not until 29 dec, so should feel well xmas week rose.
Hi Rose - families can be a nightmare cant they? I have a brother who rings me approx once a month and a sister who I havent heard from for 7yrs and only lives 2miles away. Your nurse is right, it can cause more stress in your life to have your family in it so keep your distance if it helps you. Friends are the special ones. They are there simply because they like you and help you simply because they want to! Your friend sounds lovely - maybe you can trust him/her to 'see' your house in a mess and ask if there is any way you could both have a bit of a blitz when you are having a good day. I am sure they would be glad to help.
Your chemo dates are working out well. I have got mine on the 18th so I may still feel a bit 'iffy' until around 27/28 but hopefully it wont be too bad. What are you planning for Xmas, have you anyone you can be with? I was chatting with the kids last night and we were saying if we were alone at Xmas we would go and help at a Home, Shelter, Hospital - we reckoned it would be a fabulous atmosphere and make you feel good too.
Anyway - I hope your side effects keep away. Going for a slow walk always makes me feel better - I never thought it would but so many people here mentioned it that I thought I would give it a try. Gets you out for a while too and the opportunity to start up a conversation with someone.
Take care sweetheart and keep in touch to tell us how you are doing x
hi max. been sick for the last 10 days.still not well yet. have 3 days of chemo. then its hell. so sorry you have to have chemo over xmas. I have not been out since 9 dec. to ill. manage just to get out of bed to make a cup of tea. my friend pop in on satuday12 dec.if it was not her. I dont think I could carry on. oh I am not alone . I bet there hundreds of people on there own to face this. family dont care.doctors dont seem to care .by saturday last of injection that I have tohave each time should fell better. so next week out. lovely.xmas spent watching tv. and over eating. take care now rose
Hi rose .... I bet you are right and there are many people facing this illness alone. It's very sad.
I really hope you start to feel better in the next few days. I have chemo in the morning, just been for my blood test. I am feeling pretty good at the moment and it's awful knowing I will feel bad again by Monday. Makes you wonder what it's all about doesn't it?
Glad to hear you are still seeing your friend. Take good care x
I had 10 sessions of radio therapy over Christmas. I live with someone who is really good seeing about my needs. No emotional support.
I am quite well but have fear of the fatigue and I really hate the hair loss and is trying to make friends with my pretty wig.
I hate the daily nausea and losing my independence. I Have trouble with my mobility now due to muscle weakness. I really can't wait for the holidays to be over so that the local hospice can pick me up to attend the day centre and have more support.
I really benefit from the hospice nurse. I HOPE you can get a good support
