Morning

The Maggies centre gave us a list of insurance companies that were ‘cancer friendly’ although some of the people I know were getting absolutely ridiculous quotes!

i have annual insurance through our bank account and when I phoned them and told them I was in remission they wouldn’t cover me for anything cancer related until I’ve been in remission for a year.

i asked the question if I break my leg or have an appendicitis would I be covered and they says yes so I went away for our two weeks!!

this is one of the better companies I think a few of my Maggies pals used

Eurotunnel.com/insurance

08443353535

good luck

Sands x

Hi Lisa I had a bloody nose with the first chemo , and such a sore mouth and tongue in fact I couldn't put a cup to my lips had to use a straw for drinks. Had swollen lips too. But it only lasted around a week! It depends how much radiation etc and exactly where you have it if you have radiation to the pelvic area then you usually start dilators 2/3 weeks after treatment finishes because as the burns start to heal they heal together!  I think everyone suffers with a mega itchy bum! X

Hi sorry to hear that your hubby is having a tough time  I have been on lansrapole for reflux for years and was lucky enough not to get any worse during or after treatment and my chemo was via oral tablets so can’t really help I’m afraid - hopefully he will get answers soon and get help rectifying his problems.

Sands x

Hi Kinty,

I am sorry that your hubby is going through this.  I am 6 months post treatment.  The treatment caused gastric reflux although not nearly as bad as what your hubby is going through.  I'm also having severe stomach pains with no other symptoms.  I have been unable to find a medication to prevent either one.  The liquid antacid makes me barf.  My docs wanted me to see yet another doc so I've added a gastro doc to the team.  Having more scans this week and next.  

Could you do me a favor and let me know if they find a successful medication for your hubby?  I've tried at least 4 or 5 different meds (prescription and over the counter).  Did they suggest a specific diet?

The chemo nurse said that chemo does a number (and made a tornado twirly motion with her hand) from the throat all of the way down.  

I hope his docs can help him real soon.

Sheri xx

Thanks Gilliebean,

Sore mouth is much better now, nose is still a bit sore.

Itchiness is driving me mad even with piriton. 

Losing my pubic hair at a rate of knots! Hahaha, will be bikini ready if nothing else!

I’m having treatment at Clatterbridge, this is a link to their info booklet regarding dilators.

Hey girls, I did find it amusing that vibrators can do the same job! **off to Ann Summers lol**

www.clatterbridgecc.nhs.uk/.../Use_of_vaginal_dilators_when_receiving_radiotherapy_to_the_pelvis_-vn2_a5pdf.pdf

lots of love to everyone

Lisa xxx

Thank you for taking the time to reply. He is seeing get the specialist this morning but I just get really paranoid I will certainly let you know what we find out. We have made a few dietary tweaks on the specialists advice. ...avoid fresh juices which are acidic, no caffeine etc.....it's not improved at all.  xx 

I hope you get answers for you stomach problems...have you had any indication as to what the problem may be. I was told that wheat products can cause stomach/reflux issues post treatment. That might be the next route we try.

Kimberley xxx

Hi Kimberly,

It's a traumatic experience for the family as well.  Was the specialist any help today?

Gilliebean (also in our bum lady group) was really having a rough go of it.  Really, really sick.  Out of desperation she tried Cambridge diet shakes (not available in the US) that she usually drinks when traveling and had immediate relief.  She said she has had 5 days of 80% better. She said there is something in them that coats the stomach and prevents the acid reflux. She recommends the chocolate one.  I'm sure she would respond to you as well but has been with a family member who is also very ill.

My gastro doc wants to double check my gallbladder.  I really think that my intestines haven't healed from the treatment.  Last night was the first night in months that I wasn't awakened with harsh stomach cramps.  I'm hoping I have finally found the right medication and diet.  The tummy aches are still coming and going, but it's tolerable.    ,

Did your hubby's specialist recommend stopping all food for a day or two to give the intestines a chance to calm down?  I don't know if it works on acid reflux.  I spent 9 days in the hospital and had a wonderful nurse the last couple of days there. He suggested that I stop eating and only drink water until my stomach calmed down.  Then to start off very slowly introducing food again.  Stay on a soft diet for a while.  It stopped the never ending diarrhea that I had had for a week.  I've always wondered why none of the docs suggested it.  Day after day after day being sick as a dog and a nurse suggests it.

Has your hubby been offered medical marijuana called Marinol?  It's only available in TX to people with HIV or cancer (ridiculous).  It cost me $300 (insurance company paid $900 - how crazy is that?!).  It made me really drunk and wacky after a couple of hours.  Not the right drug for me.  In retrospect I probably should have rolled with it.  CBD oil is only available in TX for people with epilepsy, but if you have access to it, it is really soothing and doesn't get you high.