Caringbridge Website

[bleh]

Hi again everyone, Aaah, the day before Chemo and Radium - are we all the same in feeling like "Yay - today is a pretty good day as I'm over most of the awful side effects, but geez, it all starts again tomorrow, so should I even bother feeling happy at all?!!" ? I know that's how I usually fell on Tuesdays, as Wednesdays are my treatment days. This week in isolation and getting a platelet transfusion as well. Just awesome. But - A BIG thankyou to any of you who have ever donated blood/plasma/platelets - it might just be yours I get tomorrow! Anyway, I don't know if anyone else on here uses caringbridge - it's not a support group or forum like this wonderful site, but it's a free site where you can blog about yourself or another loved one going through a tough time due to illness etc. I started one for my daughter when she was born at 27 weeks, and recently started one for myself. If you're interested in checking it out, just message me and i'll forward the link on. The url for the site itself is: http://www.caringbridge.org It really is a wonderful site, not as supportive as this one obviously, but it's easier than telling every single person you know one by one what's going on with your life!! Take care and enjoy your day the best you can! Joanna xo

[harker]

Thanks for the link Joanna I've just had a look and I think it's a great idea. I remember how overwhelmed I felt by the information needs of others. That's apart from identifying my own information needs - such as, "what the hell just happened to my life?" I couldn't get an angle on it until I started seeing a counsellor who said straight away that I should delegate someone close to me (not my partner, who needed to be in the bunker with me) to handle all the incomings by using group email. It was such a good practical solution to something that had been a problem. And the CaringBridge site seems to be offering the same practical help. I'm all for it.

[caring_partner]

Hi Joanna. Your blog has reminded me its time to go give blood again. This time I think I will enquire about giving plasma. I usually give blood around Christmas and Easter but think I will now give it more often. This is something practical we can do as carers when we sit around wondering what we can do to help our loved ones and everyone else battling this horrid disease.For those who haven't donated before give it a go.As you say it may be our donation you get. All the best Gail xx

[samex]

I'll have a look. Sounds interesting. On the blood note, does anyone know if we have had cancer whether we can donote again? I used to donote fairly regularly(when they came to school) but was unsure whether the blood bank would like mine anymore. I know I can ring them but just curious if anyone knows. Joanna, I always felt terrified the night before treatment started and so alone. Hang in there. You are an amazing person. S

[benlisecca]

I was a regular donor every 3 months for years and years and I rang the blood bank the other day to ask how long until I could donate again and they told me 5 years after cancer treatment 😞 I really enjoyed their milkshakes afterwards...made it much easier so I will miss them. Years ago I did ask about being a platelet donor as it's a big commitment of donating every 2 weeks but they told me at the time that being O pos I was too valuable as a blood donor (universal donor) so to just stick with the blood. I've just come out of 4 days in isolation and that was tough enough - a week would be challenging but I'm sure Joanna that you coped with it with the strength you have coped with everything else. Every day means one day closer to the end of treatment. But I agree, the day before treatment is a tough one. Thinking of you Sharon xxxxx

[#6]

Hi there Joanna, Thanks for the link...just had a look at the website & i think it's a great idea! As for tomorrow? What can i say except i always seemed to go quiet & withdraw more into myself the day before treatment. Not sure exactly why but i think i felt like nobody really understood what i was about to go through & i know i felt very isolated & alone. You will get through it Joanna & remind yourself you are getting closer to finishing it. Stay the strong person you are & good luck. Will be thinking of you tomorrow & Julie the day after... Hugs to you both xoxoxo:) Mez 😉

[samex]

Thanks Sharon. That 5 year mark seems to be the magic number doesn't it. Only 2 and a half to go! I feel for you guys still having to endure treatment. I believe that we don't undergo it, we endure it, but there is an end eventually. S