Living alone with Cancer and Depression

[Cindi54]

Hi @Jennifer66 '

yeah guess you're right, we just have to get one with it and fight our hardest to rid our bodies of the enemy.

Take care dear girl, be strong 😚

Cindi xx

[Jennifer66]

Hi @Richard56 

I’m not sure if you have reached out to Beat Bladder Cancer Australia, each month they have a zoom meeting with interesting speakers, might be a good contact for you. There next zoom is first Tuesday in February, once you register with them they will send emails. It’s the only place I’ve come across women with bladder cancer, as they tell you 80% men affected so doesn’t leave much room for women, haha!!

jennifer 

[Jennifer66]

Hi @Cindi54 

Yes absolutely no point worrying when there is enough to keep thinking about, 

which way to go next, what to do, you have enough distress with your chemo sessions 

and I guess with your home and the work and expense would be quite a worry. 
Good wishes for your next chemo hope it goes well 

Jennifer 

[Cindi54]

Hi Richard, I'm sorry, not fair about the pain, but it'll be worth it in the end.

Hope it goes easier on you this time.

Can't write much as chemo yesterday.

Talk soon, many hugs,

Cindi x

[Cindi54]

Hi @Jennifer66 ,

yeah you're not wrong about the house worry, and my hubby seems to have got really stressed by my situation, though doesn't show it in a normal way, but does kind of shut down, I know he's hurting inside and doesn't know how to take it which puts more pressure on me as he needs to escape the situation and get away, he's always going off with his mates and leaving me.

But I can handle it. It's just a lot on my shoulders coping with builders and trying to help my son with a lot of stuff too.

But I'll be right though, I'm just hoping my ct scan doesn't show any more cancer when I have it next month.

If clear ( even just for now) it'll be a relief for both of us.

My Onc said I'll then be having them about every 3 mths for a year then 6 monthly, if all goes well.

Trying to be positive. At least NO MORE CHEMO for this year!!!! 😃😃

So yeeaaaa!!😁

xx

[Jennifer66]

Hi @Cindi54 

The worry with the house and you, is a lot to take on maybe your husband should talk to someone as he maybe feeling a bit alone. 
I’m very lucky my husband takes me to all appointments and has been with me whenever he is allowed at hospital 

I’ve been lucky considering bladder cancer is a separate organ and although I did have some chemo not used very often and it doesn’t affect you as goes only in the bladder, the hot chemo Mitamycin would have also gone directly into bladder and was an option but with only 20% success rate I declined 

I have a stent in my ureter to my kidney I wouldn’t even know it’s there and if I didn’t know I wouldn’t even know I have cancer 

you must be relieved chemo all over and your scan will be something easy to come 

take care stay strong lots of 

hugs and cuddles 

jennifer 

[Cindi54]

Hi @Jennifer66 ,

Yes I'm so happy to be finished chemo....for now, I have the whole body ct scan next week and have long wait for results over Xmas, have appointment with Onc 3rd January.

Ive been keeping busy drawing Xmas cards, it's my passion and i haven't had the urge or energy to do my art for ages. Makes me happy 🙂

I'll attach a couple of the cards I've drawn, first one is a sugar glider and the 2nd is my cat Loki,( back a few years when he was younger) I gave one to my lovely chemo nurses and a different one to my Oncologist, he's also lovely. Then there was my wonderful special chemo nurse "go to" who is one of the kindest people I've ever met.

Yes I agree about seeing a psych. and am seeing my GP next week to get referral to one so covered by medicare , I'll try to drag my hubby along🙄hmmm, wont be easy. But my breast cancer Onc I saw yesterday is worried I'm going to "crack" at some point.😯

Cant wait to start feeling better, Hope you're doing ok.

Sending love and cuddles & hope you have a lovely Xmas.

xx

[Cindi54]

Hi @Richard56 ,

How are you  doing my friend, I haven't heard from you for a while, I've been flat out even when exhausted by chemo so haven't had the time nor energy to write on here.

I really hope you're ok, I think about you & the other forum buddies a lot.

It's so hard I know.

Please keep reaching out, it's good to talk to others who "understand"

Sending love & hugs,

Cindi xx

[Richard56]

Hi Cindi, 

Thank you for your message, I also think about you and Jennifer often and hope you're both ok.

I had my 5th treatment on Monday, its really affecting me now so much more than the other treatments, my oncologist says its normal though, my bladder is quite painful and I feel fatigue all of the time, I also have other side effects too with my skin and hydration also nerve pain, I'm taking pain relief also drinking plenty of fluids, one more treatment next Monday until March next year, early February my surgeon will go in and have a look n see, I'm hoping nothing is growing 🤞, if all ok BCG will be once every 3mths from then on. I'm feeling a bit like a zombie atm but I'm so lucky that my partner is so loving, comforting and supportive and understands what I'm going through. 

I'll be thinking about you as always and will chat before Xmas. 

Love and hugs

Take care,

Richard xx

[Cindi54]

@Richard56  Oh so sorry you're doing it so tough, its just so unfair isn't it.

Glad you're partner helps you, it makes  a difference doesn't it if you have someone to help you get through the worst of it, HOPEFULLY it's doing it's job, that's what I say to myself when I feel quite rotten, because it's probably true, the stuff's working so that's good.

The waiting to find out if it's been working properly is very hard, but you'll get there, as will I, I hope you can have some relief fromyour horrible side affects  soon.

Love to chat sometime 🙂

big hugs,

Cindi xx