November 2012
Hi Tina
I too haven't been on the site for a while but it was nice to hear from you again. You certainly have been through the wringer. I can't read the end of your blog as it seems to be cut off but would like you to know that I am thinking of you and will send you a big hug.
I have an illeostomy bag (the small intestine) and its not that bad. I have had it for 9 months now and even with the occasional 'blow out' it just becomes part of your everyday routine. Just go with it. You are still here and thats the main thing. What I have come to realise is that everyone has something they are dealing with in their lives - this is just our quirky thing to deal with. I called mine 'little squishy' - very creative I know. I don't hide it from anyone. My girls have seen me change the bag and think its cool - weird but cool. I have stoma nurses that still check on me as I am still going through chemo (only one more cycle to go) and they are great. Always new products coming out. I tried a few and stuck with the first one I had - what you know.
Hang in there and good to hear from you.
Warm wishes for your recovery.
Leeanne
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November 2012
Dear Ron
You are an inspiration to me. Feels good to know that there are people out there like yourself. Your right about it feeling like you are just poisoning your system with all these drugs that are suppose to make you better. I can only imagine what you are going through. It does suck. Feels good to say that hey.
Thanks for the advise. I am turning 40 next year and am planning a get together with 5 of my friends from school as it has been too long since we have seen each other. Funny how everybody just jumped on board and is very excited about it.
I shall be sending you some light for your journey.
CS (aka Chocolate Sprinkes) my new call sign since I have been conversing with Jellybean. It just makes me smile so I'm doing it
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November 2012
Hi Juliet
Thank you for your honest and refreshing reply. I am very fortunate to talk to a councilor once a month after I broke down earlier in my treatment. I think this will be our topic for our next session. I have also joined a relaxation class which helps me immensely. Your words resonate with me on so many levels. I think you can't go through this journey and come out the same person.
I am sending you light and laughter (loved the road runner reference) your way during your treatment. It's funny everything in the chemo world is purple which is quite a spiritual colour - go figure. I imagined a green light accompanying the purple - green is for healing - and protecting the cells that didn't need any interfering with. I am going to be more gentle with myself as well.
Love
Leeanne
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November 2012
Hi
I am finding it interesting the different feelings I am having about finishing up my 6 months (which has turned into 8-9 months) of chemo after surgery earlier this year. Everyone is so excited for me but there is a little voice inside me thats saying - what next? I have read a few peoples stories where they feel like heres a handshake well done now off you go and don't come back. I have found the compassion of the oncology nurses to be something I come to count on every 2-3 weeks and shall miss them in some strange way. I appreciate the simple things in life now more and am going to give my kids a kiss and cuddle and send them off into the world everyday but am finding that I'm not really sure what is next for me. I have lost any control (perceived or otherwise) and it both scares me and gives me tingles at the same time. Just putting this out there in the universe. PS Tim tams rule
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February 2012
Hi there
Thank you for your reply. It gives me strength and hope that there are others out there who have been through this and have come out the other side.
Just taking each day as it comes and allowing myself to just go with the flow (not so easy for me).
Take care
Leeanne
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February 2012
Have had ULAR (Ultra Low Anteriro Resection) at RPA and a successful operation to remove rectal bowel cancer and associated nodes etc. They also created a J-Pouch and I have a temporary Ileostomy bag. Doctors happy with the outcome as was T3N2M0 and now a T1N0M0. I was suppose to have another 5 months of chemo and then a reversal operation after that. Have to wait until see oncologist on that one as some talk of maybe no more chemo!!! Stoma nurses are great at teaching me how to change the bag and everything. Some adjustments to diet so I don't block the stoma and blow up like a balloon. All in all feel very positve about the future. Still just taking one day at a time and appreciate every moment.
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December 2011
Hi Kylles
I know we talk that other way but I was trying to add you as a friend and couldn't work it out so I know when I replied to another person that I could add them as a friend so here goes. Let me know if you have worked out a way to be my friend on here I think I am having Chemo brain after 5 weeks of chemo :). Just like baby brain - remember that one.
Lots of love
Leeanne
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December 2011
Thanks for your reply Joy. I saw my radiation oncologist and he gave me some pain medication - panadine forte, Lomotil for loose stools and I have Pramin for nausea from medical oncologist. All now a delicate balance between side effects but the staff at the cancer care centre are very good and have been very helpful. They were expecting these kind of reactions so just going with the flow. Also lots of salt baths and cold compresses and have some Xylocaine ointment which helps as well. It helps now that I am not going so often during the day. Cheers.
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December 2011
I am in the 4th week of radiotherapy (and chemo) for bowel cancer and just starting to feel the burn. I have been doing salt baths and sorbolene. Shall be talking to the nurse this week but just wondering what other people have found useful.
Leeanne
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December 2011
Hi Nic
I have found talking to people on this website of great help. People who have gone through what I was going through. It all seems such a blur with the tests and more tests and doctor after specialist etc. I was diagnosed with bowel cancer in September and am currently undergoing chemo & radiotherapy for 6 weeks. I am half way through and haven't had too many problems so far - just starting to feel the burn a bit but the staff esp nurses at the Cancer Care Centre have been great. Just let them know if you are feeling any adverse effects and they have things for you to try. Up until now salt baths and sorbolene cream have been working. Funny that they have all these fancy machines (I call mine 'Ray') and then back to the old basics for the side effects. I have found it really helpful listening to a guided meditation for healing before I go which settles me and puts me in a positive frame of mind. The radiotherapy for me only takes about 5 minutes so that is the good news. I try and stay positive but also let myself go with how I am feeling that day. A lot of my journey involves letting go so I have been working on that.
All the best for your treatment - hope it is going well so far. My thoughts are with you and your family.
Leeanne
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