Teenager with Cancer trying to be a Teenager

I surely cant be the only 19 year old who just wants to have the life of a teenager. i have signed up to learn british sign language just becuase i miss the eduation and the feeling i had a purpose or a deadline that wasnt health related. i miss my teacher saying you have two weeks to do this essay, rather than my mum saying "we dont know what will be happeneing in two week!" not becuase i am close to dying but we dont know if i will be ill or have an infection. I mean over the near year i was supposed to be at home in bed with my mum and step-dad watching the fireworks at midnight and snuggerling up nice and warm in my bed, instead i was in an uncomfortable hospital bed, cold, alone and not enjoying seeing 2018 in. i cant relate to my friends about how i feel becuase at the end of the day they arent having chemotherapy, they dont have the pain of mucacitis in their mouth. blisters and ulcers popping and rubbing as i eat a peice of toast and then having the deal with the after mass as it goes into my stomach and bowels. Gut rest for three days.... i hope there is someone who is out there that can just talk and help me undertand i am not alone in this world and im not the only one suffering. 

  • Hi Sophie,

    Sorry to read about your cr@ppy new year.

    It's a long time since I was 19, but I'm pretty sure we all want similar things at certain ages. Cancer sucks bigtime whatever age you are! 

    This may seem a bit random but have you thought about signing up for an Open University course? It might be just the mental challenge that you need and I know from experience how flexible they can be. It would keep your brain active and at the end of it you could have a useful degree. 

    Sadly there are hundreds of people in your position - Jolamine's links look pretty useful. 

    Best wishes

    Dave

     

  • Hi Sophie,

    I am just now getting around to checking out your page.  You were so kind to respond to my question about nausea.  

    I hope you are feeling much better by now.  It seems like the nurses or doc would have a mouthwash they could prescribe.  A chemo nurse suggested that I rinse my mouth with a saltwater solution after every meal.  Just add 1 teaspoon of salt to a glass of warm water.  The water doesn't have to be warm when you rinse your mouth.  You can also add baking soda.  It really soothes pretty quickly.  I had one spot on the roof of my mouth that was really painful.  The saltwater rinse had taken a lot of the swelling out by the end of the day.

    I'm so sorry that you have been through so much.  I hope you have found some support with other teenagers.  My cancer experience has been dreadful, but it seems especially unfair when it hits the young.  I hope much happiness and better health come your way soon.

    Big hug, Sheri