Living alone with Cancer and Depression

[Richard56]

Jennifer you have gone and going through so much, my heart goes out to you, you are such a strong person with the courage to keep on fighting this.

Are you having more treatment soon ? or is that not working ? and what is the next step for you ?

Wishing you to be clear of this and better.

My thoughts are with you always.

My best to you too. xx

[Jennifer66]

Hi @Richard56 

I absolutely go through nothing like you  and Cindi and many others, my hospital stays maybe two nights and yes I have gone through lots of surgery procedures, 12 BCG and three chemos and multiple stent changes, I have never been on any medication other than Panadol I rarely have pain and my side affects only last a day and always back to normal, l  am  T1G3 high grade but if I didn’t know, I wouldn’t know anything was wrong, I have a stent that I have had for over eighteen months and wouldn’t know it was there, I feel like such a fraud at times when I hear the struggles you and others are going through 

I try not to think about anything being wrong but at times it does get to me ,  I never take it to seriously, my professor knows this and I believe this is why I received a two page email from him recently, I think to have in writing for me how serious I am. 
I will be having surgery in three weeks, Robotic major surgery cystectomy and uretherectomy  which will see pain and a long recovery 

Has become time to seriously get rid of this cancer and the rare cancer 

kind thoughts with you

Jennifer 

[Cindi54]

Hi @Richard56 ,

I'm sorry I haven't got back to you sooner, I wasn't feeling too bad but the chemo sneaks up on you and builds in intensity, it's now knocking me around a lot and it's hard to think properly, but I'll persevere and keep going as best I can, I think to myself that it's good really as it means the battle is going on well against the cancer!  🙂

My tinnitus is bad but hopefully it'll quieten down after a while and it's hard to eat or drink as everything tastes off and....oh so many things but it's all doable.

Just got to keep reminding myself that this chemo is the "good poison"!

I'm glad you've started your treatment but hope the pain's not too bad, hopefully it will help your other problems too, and the Lexapro, I started that anti depressant so long ago that I can't remember how I felt on it at first, but keep going Richard as I know it was the best out of a few I tried and really helped me.It'll get better soon. My dose has increased now because of chemo stress and it really helps me, I take it in the mornings.I used to be on 20mg but increased temporally to 30mg.

What dose are you on?

At night if I'm feeling anxious I take a very small dose of an anti anxiety drug called Seraquil, only half a tablet ( about 10mg) which really relaxes me and helps me sleep and not worry, but wouldn't take a higher dose.

I really hope your treatment goes well for you, you are in my thoughts a lot,

sending hugs,

Cindi xx

[Richard56]

I'm just heading off now for my treatment, I'll message you later.

Sending Hugs,

Richard xx

[Cindi54]

GOOD LUCK!! xx

[Cindi54]

Let us know how you get on, thinking of you xx

[Jennifer66]

Hi @Richard56 

I wish you good luck, but you have got this you will be fine 

good thoughts coming your way with comfort hugs 

😘😘🤗🤗😘😘

[Richard56]

Hi Cindi, 

The treatment today was easy, no pain atm, I saw the Oncologist on the way out and he said the 4th, 5th and 6th treatments will be painful, anyway I'm ok right now.

I'm so sorry that you're in a lot of pain and discomfort from this last treatment , I can only but wish it won't last.

Always thinking about you and wishing you well.

My best wishes, always. 

Richard xxoo

[Richard56]

Hi Jennifer, 

Thank you,  the treatment went well today, just a tiny bit of pain right now and very bearable, no doubt it will increase in the following days, I have the panadol on the ready.

Always thinking about you and sending you calming hugs.

Richard 😘❤😘xxoo

[Jennifer66]

Hi @Richard56 

so pleased for you treatment has gone well and pain is  manageable, it  must have different effects for men and women, I remember my BCG nurse did say that men can experience more pain and women can have little or none, I guess I was one of the fortunate ones 

hope it continues well for you 

good thoughts and hugs always 

😘🤗🤗😘