My Cancer Diary
Discussion
This thread is extremely sad yet great all in one.
I say great - I mean this to be that you are sharing things, getting things out, talking about it and not suffering in relative silence.
You sound like you are blessed with a wonderful wife. How's she coping?
I ask because I went through a tough time health wise a few years back and she was my rock - until one day where she broke down and it all came flooding out about how hard it wa to stay strong for me. That pressure to put on a brave front finally got to her. I wished at the time I'd stopped to think and ask rather than assume she was made of steel. Luckily I'm OK and so is my wife.
With regard to the smoking - did this play a role do you know? I just assumed smoking was lung cancer related.
I hope things stay steady for you and that you smash this crap from your body.
I say great - I mean this to be that you are sharing things, getting things out, talking about it and not suffering in relative silence.
You sound like you are blessed with a wonderful wife. How's she coping?
I ask because I went through a tough time health wise a few years back and she was my rock - until one day where she broke down and it all came flooding out about how hard it wa to stay strong for me. That pressure to put on a brave front finally got to her. I wished at the time I'd stopped to think and ask rather than assume she was made of steel. Luckily I'm OK and so is my wife.
With regard to the smoking - did this play a role do you know? I just assumed smoking was lung cancer related.
I hope things stay steady for you and that you smash this crap from your body.
Longsocks said:
JumboBeef said:
All the best OP.
I had bowel cancer this year, 2x ops and sepsis which nearly did me in. Now cancer free and I keep my fingers crossed you will be too one day soon.
Thank you, and congratulations. I don't relish the thought of bowel surgery but it is obviously a possibility in the future.I had bowel cancer this year, 2x ops and sepsis which nearly did me in. Now cancer free and I keep my fingers crossed you will be too one day soon.
Had my 3rd (and final) op 5 weeks ago, should be going back to work next week.
The surgeries weren't fun, hardly going to make a ride out of the experience and put it in Disney World but they served a purpose and fixed me. Hope it all works out for you.
Just read this! Keep up the positive outlook OP!
My FIL went through Bowel and Liver cancer, both chemo (18months in total) and operations (2), biggest scar I have ever seen. He seems to be out the other side now, puts things in perspective.
Now treasure all the time with my family and don't take it for granted it is amazing how quickly things can change!
My FIL went through Bowel and Liver cancer, both chemo (18months in total) and operations (2), biggest scar I have ever seen. He seems to be out the other side now, puts things in perspective.
Now treasure all the time with my family and don't take it for granted it is amazing how quickly things can change!
lord trumpton said:
This thread is extremely sad yet great all in one.
I say great - I mean this to be that you are sharing things, getting things out, talking about it and not suffering in relative silence.
You sound like you are blessed with a wonderful wife. How's she coping?
I ask because I went through a tough time health wise a few years back and she was my rock - until one day where she broke down and it all came flooding out about how hard it wa to stay strong for me. That pressure to put on a brave front finally got to her. I wished at the time I'd stopped to think and ask rather than assume she was made of steel. Luckily I'm OK and so is my wife.
With regard to the smoking - did this play a role do you know? I just assumed smoking was lung cancer related.
Thanks for taking the time to post, Lord TI say great - I mean this to be that you are sharing things, getting things out, talking about it and not suffering in relative silence.
You sound like you are blessed with a wonderful wife. How's she coping?
I ask because I went through a tough time health wise a few years back and she was my rock - until one day where she broke down and it all came flooding out about how hard it wa to stay strong for me. That pressure to put on a brave front finally got to her. I wished at the time I'd stopped to think and ask rather than assume she was made of steel. Luckily I'm OK and so is my wife.
With regard to the smoking - did this play a role do you know? I just assumed smoking was lung cancer related.
This diary started out as a simple record on paper of treatment dates, hospital visits, symptoms and the various medications prescribed, just so I could keep track without having to commit these things to memory. Once I decided to post on here it turned into an opportunity to add my thoughts and to share my personal experience in the hope that some people might find it interesting. I don't really think of it as therapeutic.
You are correct - I have indeed been blessed. Mrs LS has enormous strength that belies her diminutive size. Having said that, I'm sure that she must be very frightened by what the future will bring; it would be unnatural not to be. We agreed from the outset that we would remain positive no matter how bleak things appeared to be and we have managed to do that so far. I have also encouraged her to spend time with her friends, to give her a break from running around after me and to have the opportunity to talk to them about things that she might prefer to do away from home.
As for smoking, there is a suggestion that it is one of many possible contributory factors with regard to colon cancer, but I think it's very difficult to be sure, or even if there is a specific cause in any particular case. There have been a few instances of cancer in both sides of my family so genetics could have played a part or it could just be bad luck.
lord trumpton said:
I hope things stay steady for you and that you smash this crap from your body.
Thank you. Most days I feel OK and I have come to look forward to my chemo sessions as I visualise each drop of medication going to work.25/02/2019
13/03/2019
Sessions 14 & 15. The nurses offered me the use of a private room with a day bed so that I would be more comfortable, this was hugely appreciated. They have always been compassionate, friendly & thoroughly professional and work non-stop for hours on end. I could not ask for more.
Session 14 started at 3pm and we did not get home until midnight, so I asked if we could get started earlier in the day; not a problem - subsequent sessions were rescheduled for Wednesday mornings.
The blood test prior to chemo on 13 March revealed fairly severe anaemia so I was told that I would be given a blood transfusion afterwards. 6 hours of chemo, 3 hours of transfusion, 1 hour consultation & blood testing and 2 hours travel made it another very long day. On the plus side, a couple of secondary indicators included in the blood analysis suggested that the newest regime seems to be attacking the tumours more effectively. We will await confirmation from the next CAT scan, but my oncologist seemed to be very encouraged and it has given us cause for cautious optimism that we are closer to finding the mix of medication that works best for me.
Of additional concern is weight loss. Thanks to some fungal infection and soreness in my mouth I have been finding it difficult to eat sometimes and my weight has now fallen to below 60kg. I am trying to boost my calorie intake with high-energy milk shakes and anything we can find that is easy to eat or drink and is calorie-rich without being full of sugar. I have also been wondering about the powders popular with bodybuilders but imagine they are high protein rather than high energy, and I probably shouldn't be taking in a lot of protein right now.
Finally, I forgot to mention earlier that I had discussed with the oncologist the possibility that my body was becoming accustomed to fentanyl, but he was adamant that this is not the case.
I have had no misgivings about taking on more arduous treatment in the hope that it will be of benefit. I do have back pain and other discomforts to deal with during each 14-day cycle but they have become manageable and I still have enough good, low pain days each fortnight to be able to go out for meals and see friends as often as I am able.
At the risk of repeating myself, I hope that any of you dealing with illness and medical treatment all the very best.
13/03/2019
Sessions 14 & 15. The nurses offered me the use of a private room with a day bed so that I would be more comfortable, this was hugely appreciated. They have always been compassionate, friendly & thoroughly professional and work non-stop for hours on end. I could not ask for more.
Session 14 started at 3pm and we did not get home until midnight, so I asked if we could get started earlier in the day; not a problem - subsequent sessions were rescheduled for Wednesday mornings.
The blood test prior to chemo on 13 March revealed fairly severe anaemia so I was told that I would be given a blood transfusion afterwards. 6 hours of chemo, 3 hours of transfusion, 1 hour consultation & blood testing and 2 hours travel made it another very long day. On the plus side, a couple of secondary indicators included in the blood analysis suggested that the newest regime seems to be attacking the tumours more effectively. We will await confirmation from the next CAT scan, but my oncologist seemed to be very encouraged and it has given us cause for cautious optimism that we are closer to finding the mix of medication that works best for me.
Of additional concern is weight loss. Thanks to some fungal infection and soreness in my mouth I have been finding it difficult to eat sometimes and my weight has now fallen to below 60kg. I am trying to boost my calorie intake with high-energy milk shakes and anything we can find that is easy to eat or drink and is calorie-rich without being full of sugar. I have also been wondering about the powders popular with bodybuilders but imagine they are high protein rather than high energy, and I probably shouldn't be taking in a lot of protein right now.
Finally, I forgot to mention earlier that I had discussed with the oncologist the possibility that my body was becoming accustomed to fentanyl, but he was adamant that this is not the case.
I have had no misgivings about taking on more arduous treatment in the hope that it will be of benefit. I do have back pain and other discomforts to deal with during each 14-day cycle but they have become manageable and I still have enough good, low pain days each fortnight to be able to go out for meals and see friends as often as I am able.
At the risk of repeating myself, I hope that any of you dealing with illness and medical treatment all the very best.
27/03/2019
03/04/2019
10/04/2019
Chemo session 16 postponed due to very low white cell count, then again the following week due to anaemia before finally going ahead on 10 April. They kept me in hospital for 2 nights so I could have another blood transfusion and remain under observation for 24 hours. Upon my return home I was greeted by the sight of a superb powered reclining armchair that Mrs LS had bought and had delivered; it is unbelievably comfortable and fits me like a glove. What did I ever do to deserve such a woman?
On a daily basis my main effort continues to be directed towards managing the pain in my back and trying to eat enough to prevent any further weight loss, which has not always been easy. I have been supplementing my diet with a high fibre, high energy drink recommended by the hospital nutritionist. Pain levels in my back can be anywhere between 2 (dull ache) to 9 (extreme stabbing pain) with no apparent pattern, but I am still able to control episodes of high pain within 20 minutes or so using supplementary fentanyl.
I have a 4-week break until my next chemo session on 8 May, so I am hoping that I will have 1 or 2 weeks without any mouth problems, enabling me to enjoy a few slap-up feeds beforehand.
03/04/2019
10/04/2019
Chemo session 16 postponed due to very low white cell count, then again the following week due to anaemia before finally going ahead on 10 April. They kept me in hospital for 2 nights so I could have another blood transfusion and remain under observation for 24 hours. Upon my return home I was greeted by the sight of a superb powered reclining armchair that Mrs LS had bought and had delivered; it is unbelievably comfortable and fits me like a glove. What did I ever do to deserve such a woman?
On a daily basis my main effort continues to be directed towards managing the pain in my back and trying to eat enough to prevent any further weight loss, which has not always been easy. I have been supplementing my diet with a high fibre, high energy drink recommended by the hospital nutritionist. Pain levels in my back can be anywhere between 2 (dull ache) to 9 (extreme stabbing pain) with no apparent pattern, but I am still able to control episodes of high pain within 20 minutes or so using supplementary fentanyl.
I have a 4-week break until my next chemo session on 8 May, so I am hoping that I will have 1 or 2 weeks without any mouth problems, enabling me to enjoy a few slap-up feeds beforehand.
t now - bowel cancer which has unfortunately spread to her ovaries and liver. She’s on irinotecan right now and also is majorly struggling with weight (there’s nothing to her - she just doesn’t want to eat) 
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