Hi James and Ste, 

lots have been going on for you both but I  glad you are a little bit closer to starting your treatments. 

Ste - your treatment plan sounds very like mine. I have just completed by 6th round of chemo. It has been fortnightly for the last 12 weeks. I spent every second Thursday at the hospital getting three different types of drugs through my PICC line then home with the chemo ball. Only once during the six sessions did my ball drain as it should and the district nurses had to come back in the Sunday or Monday to do the disconnect. I’ve just had my last disconnect done just now and I get the PICC line removed tomorrow afternoon at the hospital. 

I had repeat MRIs (liver and bowel) and repeat CT inbetween round 5 and 6 so the oncologist was able to update me the day before my last session. 

My tumours have reduced in size (I had a smallish one in the bowel that had spread to six lesions in the liver). The liver team have reviewed the scans and say there are only three visible lesions now and they would like to do a joint surgery with colorectal team. The colorectal team meet tomorrow so I will know more of the plan this week. 

I felt really emotional leaving the hospital on Thursday- the care has been amazing - I feel like I’ve completed the first part of the journey and need to close that door and concentrate on the next bit. 

I never lost my hair but it is brittle and does come out a lot more so it is a lot thinner. I used to talk to it every shower telling it to hang on in there (lucky for me I had a lot to start with but I plan a big chop now to help with all the regrowth).

Feel free to private message me any time about anything- I am a bit rubbish at properly following the threads.

i hope my experience so far has helped you, and others feel more positive about what’s ahead

Hi. Really glad your rumours have reduced in size and that surgery is possible.

How did you find the chemo, if you don't mind me asking? My mum is starting hers on Friday and just wondering what we should expect.

Hi MargaretMary,

I don’t mind at all. For me, I found the chemo manageable. They can give you meds for any side effects so your mum should always let them know if she feels something is not working for her or if a side effect appears that she hasn’t anything to take.

I have four children so I wanted to try to keep things as normal as possible and I still managed to work throughout my chemo. That doesn't mean that’s the right thing to do, but it worked for me because it gave me something else to focus on. My work were really understanding and never put me under any pressure. 

She needs to listen to her body and just do what she can. 

I was very sensitive to cold for the first week after each treatment and would feel nauseous (a bit like morning sickness). I only vomited once during the who 12 weeks and had maybe a couple of days of diarrhoea (but not with every cycle) and all this was really just in the first week so by week 2 I felt more or less normal.  

Cycle 2 was the worst for me but I’ve no idea if I was just a bit unwell anyway. Cycle 3 I felt really good and managed to go to my daughter’s 21st. Cycle 4 was just before Christmas and I struggled with that (but again, I think that was more than just because of the chemo, I was just stressing about Christmas).

The time for recovery during cycle 4 and 5 were definitely the longest. I didn’t begin to feel properly myself again until about day 10(so basically the Monday of the week I was due my next cycle) but it was mainly tiredness and feeling wiped out so I just rested a lot. 

My skin is very very dry and tight and got spotty (but so had an antibiotic and loads of cream)because one of my treatments was monoclonal antibody infusion for the liver.   

And here I am, cycle 6 done (it does go quickly and it feels unbelievable that’s all happened and 12 weeks have passed). So far so good but I am realistic to know I could feel rubbish again tomorrow! It keeps me going knowing that in a couple of weeks time I should feel like my normal self!

I think I have quite a high tolerance and focus (my husband thinks I am mental) and as I say, my way isnt right for everyone and it really depends on where you are starting from. I had no symptoms and felt well until treatment started. Although it was tolerable, I am glad this part is over and I wouldn’t be queuing up to do it all again (but obviously I will if I need to because there’s nothing else for it!)

wishing your mum the very best

Clare

Thank you very much for all the information. I'm glad it was manageable for you and I hope it will be the same for her.

Best of luck with your surgery.

I just wanted to say hello to you all. Hope you are doing ok since we’re were last in touch? I had my operation on Thursday. They did the bowel and liver together by robotics. I have a stoma which should hopefully be temporary. I was dreading this but it’s ok so far. Still very early days but feeing a bit stronger every day. Clare x

Hi Clare lovely to hear you’ve had your op I wish you well in your recovery don’t rush it and look after yourself.

wendy

Thanks Wendy, hope your recovery is going well cx

Hi Clare had a few complications but hoping to go back to work April. Scan due May to check all ok x 

Wendy 

Hi Clare

That sounds very encouraging. The op going well, stoma being hopefully temporary, and that you're feeling OK.

I start chemo on Thursday so likely following in your footsteps in a fre months.

Best of luck to you in the recovery and hoping an praying they managed to get it all

Wendy, I'm also sending you all the best in your recovery too. Hope you're back at work and living life to the full soon.

Thank you both for sharing.