February 2010
Hi Kelly, I am so sorry to hear that your sister has passed away. Life can be so cruel sometimes.Sending love and best wishes to you and your family and thinking of you and hope you get through today OK.
Gail xx
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January 2010
Thanks Sailor. It is one option that my GP and I initially discussed. I may well be heading that way i think.
S
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February 2010
Hello again,
Sorry, have had other things on my mind, and not checking on the forum as much as I used to.
I am going into hospital on Tuesday for a right knee replacement.
Mum is still the same, except last week she rang and was so excited. Self medicating, she gave herself 3 coloxyl some prunes and some stone fruit one night. Well, 2:30 in the morning she was taking herself off to the toilet. Success. As Mum says the best "shit" she has had in ages. The doctors still reckon (or so Mum says) that there is nothing they can do for her. Mum doesn't want any medical procedure done really as she has been told (again what she has told me), that the doctor reckons she could bleed to death. What do you do? Mum doesn't live close to us (almost an hour and a half away). Sometimes and this might seem cruel I kinda think that she doesn't get the whole story from the doctor. I also think sometimes that she has just given up on life, she told me last night that she has had a good life, a lovely daughter (that's me), 5 lovely grandchildren (3 of them are mine) and 5 great grandchildren (they are all my grandchildren). All she wants to do is meet up with my dad again. Dad passed away with bowel cancer 18 years ago. Sorry, does this sound confusing?
Anyhow, hope everyone is well. Be back in contact in a few week's time.
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November 2009
Graham,
Firstly - it sucks! Take it one day at a time. I hope you are not suffering too much and can manage to still do some of the things rest of us take for granted.
My friend survived an additional 6 months despite doctors diagnosis -(she died in May this year). She spent Christmas with her family, walked (very slowly, almost breathlessly) along the beach and had many visits from family and friends. She managed to receive most of her care & medication from home (despite bouts in hospital).
Please make the time to do the things you enjoy while you can - eg fishing, watch, horse and car racing. You might also want to think about a scrap book with images or video. Some people don't get the chance to prepare for death (its awful and morbid I know, but I'd be lying if I said the thought never crossed my mind). Now I see each day as a celebration of life. I hope and pray, it is not your time.
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October 2009
Thanks for all the messages guys, just want to clarify, I only have 2 children, Sham is the wonder woman who is mother to 7!!!
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October 2009
Hi again,
I hope your husband is doing ok. That is probably a stupid thing to say but you know what I mean.
Is he beginning to have any difficulty with the neuropathy(in hands and feet)from the oxalipalitan yet? This has been the worst lingering side effect for me so make sure that he lets his oncologist know if it starts to kick in.
I had an official meltdown at the 8th-9th treatment mark when I was just so tired of feeling ill. This was where my husband was really good and helped me through that stage and back to the clinic I went!
I know it's hard if you are house proud (fortunately I'm not!) but try to keep perspective and don't stress yurself too much, if possible, if all is not how you wish it to be. It does go back to something like normal some day.
From a survivor's perspective, one of the more difficult things for me was that when treatment finished it was expected that I would be back to normal asap. I was back at work (teaching) within 4 weeks, making lunches and returning to normal.The old normal has gone and while he may recover physically quite quickly, the emotional scars still seem to linger. As you said, you may be more empathetic as you have experienced severe trauma yourself and perhaps for you normal was never the same.
Remember to be kind to yourself and to give yourself an occasional treat. Mine was avacado and prawns at the beach!!
Take care, Samex
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September 2009
Hi Coke, I too hope that things went well.
Glad that you have retracted your earlier statement, Harker. I don't know whether they should have told you about the writer's group, they don't let you get away with anything.
Anyway, good luck with your "journey", and yes, humour is certainly the only way to go,
craftyone
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October 2009
Hi Mary,
I can understand how you are feeling at the moment. I am coming up to 4yrs since my breast cancer diagnosis. I am due for my Mammogram and Ultrasound this week, I am quietly confident that it will be "all clear".
Whilst undergoing treatment, you feel that you are taken an active part in defeating your cancer. All my determination was geared towards getting through treatment and then afterwoods I felt like I was set adrift. My time was free from the commitments of treatment. I asked my specialist what should I be doing now... he said "live your life", which sounds easy but I was a changed person and I was a little puzzled where to start. Then all the questions started appearing in my mind, what caused the cancer.. was it diet... was it stress.. was it environment. I was driving myself to distraction trying to find the answers, becoming more stressed. Personally, I had to let go of the question of "why" and now I am concentrating on recovering my enjoyment of life. Please know I am not telling you what to do, I am just describing what is working for me. We each have our own personal road to take.
I suggest allocating time for things you enjoyed before cancer, to regain your spirit. I went back to dancing...slower dancing than before... but music and movement lifted my spirit. Be aware of not pushing yourself and your body, listen to your body, you will know by the aches and pains whether you have been kind to yourself.
It is true, once you have gone thru cancer, your world and perspective changes. You will gain much insight and knowledge from this website, absorb the knowledge and make the choices appropriate for you.
I can't comment on your type of cancer as far as treatment is concerned, the other comments you received covered it very well.
I wish you a gentle journey and would be happy to hear of your progress along the way.
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January 2014
Hi fellow neuropathy bearers and colonoscopy folks!
My 5 year scan was clear in October as well. So good to have continued good news.
My neuropathy though is a different story. I like the hot sand analogy! Unfortunately even after 5 years I think I am stuck with the current level of irritation/pain for ever. I also occasionally have a degree of drop foot in my left foot.
What gets me is the irony of when you do more exercise the numbness and the pain increases?! Anyway, while I am confined to comfortable shoes and often soft socks on hot nights (can't bear the pain of feet rubbing together)I am here to feel the discomfort. Sure better than the alternative I think! Might try the bamboo socks (mentioned in another post).
Take care all, and think of the sand! (And have a giggle at the irony that it actually hurts too much to actually walk on sand for long!)
S
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