Effing cancer is an effing effer, frankly
Discussion
oldaudi said:
You are correct regarding the transplant. They explained they will basically destroy her immune system prior to the transplant so the body has no energy to fight it. So although it’s seen as an invader the body will not fight it.... we hope. Then it takes over and then provide transfusions to help it bring the immune system back up.... if the body rejects it then it’s back to chemotherapy but every step is very high risk.
What a mess
Yes, it's difficult but seriously, 40 years ago SCT was new; now it's almost routine. The docs/nurses know it well and will give your wife the very best. There are risks but I can tell you they've seen it all before and short a major infection when neutropenic (bone marrow killed off and no neutrophils) the outcome should be positive albeit may take months to fully recover (My own auto-SCT took 3 months to feel slightly normal; in reality it was 6 months before I was really back to something near normal). Have faith!What a mess
GT3Manthey said:
Hope the funeral goes as good as possible .
It went very well. Over 200 people there from work, sports clubs and family. A couple of friends helped carry him in to the crem and not a dry eye in the house. My best mate was the celebrant and I now have a great deal of respect for that job. The donations bowl was over flowing and all going to Maggie’s and McMillan. All followed by several hours at York racecourse swapping stories. A great send off but blatant robbery of so many years.
My mate who I posted about is still hanging in there but he's been admitted to the hospice today to see if they can get a better balance on his pain medication. He also had some sort of infection that they can't locate.
He developed a opiate allergy last month which meant they had to slowly withdraw him from morphine whilst they ramped up the fentinal. It was pretty horrific but he's majorly uncomfortable still and pretty much bed bound. Early 40s and so unfair..
Anyone know what's likely yo happen in this situation? Obviously we're talking end of life care now.
He's convinced he's not coming out but we've all told him it's a logical place to go as the palliative care people are there there and they can see how he reacts etc rather than do stuff slowly on the phone.
Hoping they allow visitors so we can pop in and see him.
Cancer is a cruel mother f
ker.
He developed a opiate allergy last month which meant they had to slowly withdraw him from morphine whilst they ramped up the fentinal. It was pretty horrific but he's majorly uncomfortable still and pretty much bed bound. Early 40s and so unfair..
Anyone know what's likely yo happen in this situation? Obviously we're talking end of life care now.
He's convinced he's not coming out but we've all told him it's a logical place to go as the palliative care people are there there and they can see how he reacts etc rather than do stuff slowly on the phone.
Hoping they allow visitors so we can pop in and see him.
Cancer is a cruel mother f
ker. A week a go today my wife had her seizure/fit as a result of a brain bleed. She entered ICU and passed away on Wednesday.
Our family have decided that cancer did not kill her. She was winning that fight. It was a side effect of the treatment that killed her.
Instead of planning her few days at home this week after 6 weeks of treatment. I’m now having to plan her funeral instead.
Cancer can feck off
Our family have decided that cancer did not kill her. She was winning that fight. It was a side effect of the treatment that killed her.
Instead of planning her few days at home this week after 6 weeks of treatment. I’m now having to plan her funeral instead.
Cancer can feck off
oldaudi said:
A week a go today my wife had her seizure/fit as a result of a brain bleed. She entered ICU and passed away on Wednesday.
Our family have decided that cancer did not kill her. She was winning that fight. It was a side effect of the treatment that killed her.
Instead of planning her few days at home this week after 6 weeks of treatment. I’m now having to plan her funeral instead.
Cancer can feck off
Very sorry to read this OA, I was about to respond to your point about Stem Cell Transplants with my wife's experience of going through one back in July 17 due to Blood Cancer, it and the treatment required in order go through the process both come with risks like you say. My sincere condolences, and may you find strength to get through this.Our family have decided that cancer did not kill her. She was winning that fight. It was a side effect of the treatment that killed her.
Instead of planning her few days at home this week after 6 weeks of treatment. I’m now having to plan her funeral instead.
Cancer can feck off
Edited by APOLO1 on Monday 30th August 16:14
Condolences OldAudi, its not a good situation to be in... ever.
Another poster brought up the stem cells, I think that should be good to mention, whilst it won't work for me it will work for the OH and our son, after his birth, we harvested a lot of his umbilical cord blood to get stem cells to freeze.
It now means we have stem cells to help him or my OH (if he allows) through cancer and other illnesses and I think it should be something that everyone having kids should do.
Another poster brought up the stem cells, I think that should be good to mention, whilst it won't work for me it will work for the OH and our son, after his birth, we harvested a lot of his umbilical cord blood to get stem cells to freeze.
It now means we have stem cells to help him or my OH (if he allows) through cancer and other illnesses and I think it should be something that everyone having kids should do.
HairyMaclary said:
My mate who I posted about is still hanging in there but he's been admitted to the hospice today to see if they can get a better balance on his pain medication. He also had some sort of infection that they can't locate.
He developed a opiate allergy last month which meant they had to slowly withdraw him from morphine whilst they ramped up the fentinal. It was pretty horrific but he's majorly uncomfortable still and pretty much bed bound. Early 40s and so unfair..
Anyone know what's likely yo happen in this situation? Obviously we're talking end of life care now.
He's convinced he's not coming out but we've all told him it's a logical place to go as the palliative care people are there there and they can see how he reacts etc rather than do stuff slowly on the phone.
Hoping they allow visitors so we can pop in and see him.
Cancer is a cruel mother fker.
Sorry to hear about your mate Hairy. He developed a opiate allergy last month which meant they had to slowly withdraw him from morphine whilst they ramped up the fentinal. It was pretty horrific but he's majorly uncomfortable still and pretty much bed bound. Early 40s and so unfair..
Anyone know what's likely yo happen in this situation? Obviously we're talking end of life care now.
He's convinced he's not coming out but we've all told him it's a logical place to go as the palliative care people are there there and they can see how he reacts etc rather than do stuff slowly on the phone.
Hoping they allow visitors so we can pop in and see him.
Cancer is a cruel mother f
ker. Is this the guy that’s early 50’s?
Last month, I found out that I had cancer.
Middle of July, I found a lump in my breast (disclosure, I'm female). Went to my GP to have it checked more because I should rather than because I thought it was cancer. I wasn't worried as there is no history of cancer in my family, none at all. I never smoked, rarely drink and not overweight. Everyone including me, thought it would a cyst, or just a lump.
But, no, following scans and biopsy, the lump turned out to be stage 2 invasive breast cancer. Last week I had it and several lymph glands removed. Then hopefully following a course of radiotherapy I will be fine.
But moral of this story is, make sure you, your wife, girlfriend does regular checks, never dismiss a lump and be aware that cancer can strike out of blue with no warning
Middle of July, I found a lump in my breast (disclosure, I'm female). Went to my GP to have it checked more because I should rather than because I thought it was cancer. I wasn't worried as there is no history of cancer in my family, none at all. I never smoked, rarely drink and not overweight. Everyone including me, thought it would a cyst, or just a lump.
But, no, following scans and biopsy, the lump turned out to be stage 2 invasive breast cancer. Last week I had it and several lymph glands removed. Then hopefully following a course of radiotherapy I will be fine.
But moral of this story is, make sure you, your wife, girlfriend does regular checks, never dismiss a lump and be aware that cancer can strike out of blue with no warning
Blue Cat said:
Last month, I found out that I had cancer.
Middle of July, I found a lump in my breast (disclosure, I'm female). Went to my GP to have it checked more because I should rather than because I thought it was cancer. I wasn't worried as there is no history of cancer in my family, none at all. I never smoked, rarely drink and not overweight. Everyone including me, thought it would a cyst, or just a lump.
But, no, following scans and biopsy, the lump turned out to be stage 2 invasive breast cancer. Last week I had it and several lymph glands removed. Then hopefully following a course of radiotherapy I will be fine.
But moral of this story is, make sure you, your wife, girlfriend does regular checks, never dismiss a lump and be aware that cancer can strike out of blue with no warning
Blue cat , so good to read you caught this early and wise words re family . Middle of July, I found a lump in my breast (disclosure, I'm female). Went to my GP to have it checked more because I should rather than because I thought it was cancer. I wasn't worried as there is no history of cancer in my family, none at all. I never smoked, rarely drink and not overweight. Everyone including me, thought it would a cyst, or just a lump.
But, no, following scans and biopsy, the lump turned out to be stage 2 invasive breast cancer. Last week I had it and several lymph glands removed. Then hopefully following a course of radiotherapy I will be fine.
But moral of this story is, make sure you, your wife, girlfriend does regular checks, never dismiss a lump and be aware that cancer can strike out of blue with no warning
Take good care of yourself
Blue Cat said:
Last month, I found out that I had cancer.
Middle of July, I found a lump in my breast (disclosure, I'm female). Went to my GP to have it checked more because I should rather than because I thought it was cancer. I wasn't worried as there is no history of cancer in my family, none at all. I never smoked, rarely drink and not overweight. Everyone including me, thought it would a cyst, or just a lump.
But, no, following scans and biopsy, the lump turned out to be stage 2 invasive breast cancer. Last week I had it and several lymph glands removed. Then hopefully following a course of radiotherapy I will be fine.
But moral of this story is, make sure you, your wife, girlfriend does regular checks, never dismiss a lump and be aware that cancer can strike out of blue with no warning
Sorry to hear that Blue Cat. A family member of mine has been undergoing surgery and medication for an in situ lobular tumour since 1997 so it is not necessarily a death sentence. Or, if it is, it's often very well delayed by modern medicine. Have faith in your oncologist and do not be afraid of asking questions. Middle of July, I found a lump in my breast (disclosure, I'm female). Went to my GP to have it checked more because I should rather than because I thought it was cancer. I wasn't worried as there is no history of cancer in my family, none at all. I never smoked, rarely drink and not overweight. Everyone including me, thought it would a cyst, or just a lump.
But, no, following scans and biopsy, the lump turned out to be stage 2 invasive breast cancer. Last week I had it and several lymph glands removed. Then hopefully following a course of radiotherapy I will be fine.
But moral of this story is, make sure you, your wife, girlfriend does regular checks, never dismiss a lump and be aware that cancer can strike out of blue with no warning
Blue Cat said:
Last month, I found out that I had cancer.
Middle of July, I found a lump in my breast (disclosure, I'm female). Went to my GP to have it checked more because I should rather than because I thought it was cancer. I wasn't worried as there is no history of cancer in my family, none at all. I never smoked, rarely drink and not overweight. Everyone including me, thought it would a cyst, or just a lump.
But, no, following scans and biopsy, the lump turned out to be stage 2 invasive breast cancer. Last week I had it and several lymph glands removed. Then hopefully following a course of radiotherapy I will be fine.
But moral of this story is, make sure you, your wife, girlfriend does regular checks, never dismiss a lump and be aware that cancer can strike out of blue with no warning
And not just wife/girlfriend. Whilst rarer my brother had a mastectomy. Middle of July, I found a lump in my breast (disclosure, I'm female). Went to my GP to have it checked more because I should rather than because I thought it was cancer. I wasn't worried as there is no history of cancer in my family, none at all. I never smoked, rarely drink and not overweight. Everyone including me, thought it would a cyst, or just a lump.
But, no, following scans and biopsy, the lump turned out to be stage 2 invasive breast cancer. Last week I had it and several lymph glands removed. Then hopefully following a course of radiotherapy I will be fine.
But moral of this story is, make sure you, your wife, girlfriend does regular checks, never dismiss a lump and be aware that cancer can strike out of blue with no warning
Sitting here reading some of the stories of others experience, 2 weeks after my latest (hopefully last, but I thought that last September!) surgery to remove part of my liver
Long story short - bowel symptoms xmas 2019, colonoscopy Valentine’s Day 2020, cancer confirmed in my bowel shortly thereafter, 6” section chopped out March ‘20 just as the country locked down (tumour was blocking 2/3 of bowel), histology showed lymph nodes involved so one PET scan later and the ‘lesions’ on my liver confirmed as x4 tumours - 3 down one end and a big one around the blood supply, 3 months chemo, liver resection to remove 25% of liver in Sept ‘20 and I’m ‘in remission’.
Blood test as part of 4 month follow up shows elevated CEA (blood protein marker for bowel cancer) so CT (which shows a growth on my lung!), PET scan which shows it’s actually x2 new tumours down the other end of my liver, 3 more months of chemo via a PICC line this time with far worse side effects, and finally 2 weeks ago they chopped a bit more liver out. And breathe……
Typing this at home and chemo side effects finally going (hair is growing again, skin condition much improved - had acne and dry patches - nausea gone, thank god!) and surgery recovery going OK. Have driven and energy levels getting better.
Now have a goodly collection of scars (liver op is open surgery and a 12” scar under the rib cage and up the chest) to go with the bowel resection scar below my belly button
The weirdest thing with all of this is apart from some fresh blood passed from where it shouldn’t, which prompted the checks, the ONLY thing that has made me feel in any way like I’m ill is the bloody chemo!
It’s been one hell of an 18 months but I’ve got my post-surgery follow up on Monday and hoping they’ll have the histology results to confirm they got it all (both tumours this time were small, whereas biggest last time was 50mm and touch and go for margin without hitting a major blood vessel)
What have I learnt? Humour (even black humour) goes a long way in keeping me sane. Probably helps I’ve worked as an accident investigator in the past! Macmillan nurses are the gatekeepers for information and advice for me (I have 2 - 1 at each hospital I’ve dealt with). Oncologists are not my favourite people (glass half empty and never have an encouraging word to say, no matter the prognosis). NHS nurses are bloody awesome in the main. My surgeons have both been brilliant, and in the case of the liver one I and many others would be buggered without him (reading that ‘most liver cancer treatments are palliative’ was the last time I read a website on cancer!). Family are a mixed bag for support - my dear mum has advanced dementia and I’ve not seen her since October, which I’m hoping to put right soon. My dad can barely walk but has been an absolute rock. My wife has struggled massively (she’s not got the most caring bedside manner!) and my 11 year old son has had to put up with far too much for his age while we’ve all been locked in the house together. Cuddles do still fix most things with him, though!
I’m hoping for positive news on Monday and then it’s back into 5 year follow up. Hopefully make it further than the first one this time!
I watched my FIL die of skin cancer 15 years ago, which had spread all over and the brain tumour eventually gave him symptoms. I don’t think I’d cope well with the decline he had over 6 months to a skeleton from someone who had run marathons. Currently have an old school friend who has just been told his brain tumour is back (he knew it would happen, but he’s had a good run since they removed what they could) and a couple of friends with other cancers as well. It sucks balls, but hoping I can pay forward the support I’ve had from others - including complete strangers
Sorry that’s turned into a bit of an epic - felt good to offload that!
Long story short - bowel symptoms xmas 2019, colonoscopy Valentine’s Day 2020, cancer confirmed in my bowel shortly thereafter, 6” section chopped out March ‘20 just as the country locked down (tumour was blocking 2/3 of bowel), histology showed lymph nodes involved so one PET scan later and the ‘lesions’ on my liver confirmed as x4 tumours - 3 down one end and a big one around the blood supply, 3 months chemo, liver resection to remove 25% of liver in Sept ‘20 and I’m ‘in remission’.
Blood test as part of 4 month follow up shows elevated CEA (blood protein marker for bowel cancer) so CT (which shows a growth on my lung!), PET scan which shows it’s actually x2 new tumours down the other end of my liver, 3 more months of chemo via a PICC line this time with far worse side effects, and finally 2 weeks ago they chopped a bit more liver out. And breathe……
Typing this at home and chemo side effects finally going (hair is growing again, skin condition much improved - had acne and dry patches - nausea gone, thank god!) and surgery recovery going OK. Have driven and energy levels getting better.
Now have a goodly collection of scars (liver op is open surgery and a 12” scar under the rib cage and up the chest) to go with the bowel resection scar below my belly button
The weirdest thing with all of this is apart from some fresh blood passed from where it shouldn’t, which prompted the checks, the ONLY thing that has made me feel in any way like I’m ill is the bloody chemo!
It’s been one hell of an 18 months but I’ve got my post-surgery follow up on Monday and hoping they’ll have the histology results to confirm they got it all (both tumours this time were small, whereas biggest last time was 50mm and touch and go for margin without hitting a major blood vessel)
What have I learnt? Humour (even black humour) goes a long way in keeping me sane. Probably helps I’ve worked as an accident investigator in the past! Macmillan nurses are the gatekeepers for information and advice for me (I have 2 - 1 at each hospital I’ve dealt with). Oncologists are not my favourite people (glass half empty and never have an encouraging word to say, no matter the prognosis). NHS nurses are bloody awesome in the main. My surgeons have both been brilliant, and in the case of the liver one I and many others would be buggered without him (reading that ‘most liver cancer treatments are palliative’ was the last time I read a website on cancer!). Family are a mixed bag for support - my dear mum has advanced dementia and I’ve not seen her since October, which I’m hoping to put right soon. My dad can barely walk but has been an absolute rock. My wife has struggled massively (she’s not got the most caring bedside manner!) and my 11 year old son has had to put up with far too much for his age while we’ve all been locked in the house together. Cuddles do still fix most things with him, though!
I’m hoping for positive news on Monday and then it’s back into 5 year follow up. Hopefully make it further than the first one this time!
I watched my FIL die of skin cancer 15 years ago, which had spread all over and the brain tumour eventually gave him symptoms. I don’t think I’d cope well with the decline he had over 6 months to a skeleton from someone who had run marathons. Currently have an old school friend who has just been told his brain tumour is back (he knew it would happen, but he’s had a good run since they removed what they could) and a couple of friends with other cancers as well. It sucks balls, but hoping I can pay forward the support I’ve had from others - including complete strangers
Sorry that’s turned into a bit of an epic - felt good to offload that!
GT3Manthey said:
garyhun said:
Second paragraph, early 40s
Oh sorry and Jesus that’s young Sorry once again
They have him comfortable now which is great news. Hoping to see him tomorrow evening as he can have one visitor a day.
Sorry to hear of your diagnoses blue cat and fingers crossed for you Adrian and you get the news you need on Monday.
Heard last night that an old friend had just come out of surgery following what is probably a Glioblastoma. She seemed positive but after Googling it I'm not. Waiting to hear the confirmation but it seems almost certain. She fainted on holiday a few weeks ago and was kept in hospital for some tests. When she got home she had more tests and now an operation. Early 50s and a single mother with a young child. Cancer can eff off
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