June 2014
Thanks for your reply Sailor.
I was hoping there could be a "magic trick". It has been nearly three years now and is getting worse. I do write everything down, then you forget that you wrote it down!
I have a friend who is a nutritionist so am going to see her. Just in case!
Cheers
Tashie
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June 2014
Hi everyone,
I finished treatment nearly three years ago for a head and neck cancer. Over the last 18 months or so I have noticed my short term memory loss is becoming worse. I even had to leave a job because of it. Was told Ginko Bilobo would help, but I didn't notice any difference. Does anyone know of any natural remedies that could help? Any special fruit or vegetables maybe that could be made into a smoothie?
I just don't know what else to do?
Tashie
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December 2012
Thank you very much for your wise words (and the birthday hug). I will certainly use that quote if you don't mind.
I actually found myself having a breakdown at work today. I think I cried for a solid 6 hours. When I started having thoughts of why didn't the doctors just let me die, I knew it was time to seek help. I phoned Cancer Council and had a long conversation with a very nice nurse. She is going to put me in touch with a counsellor. I have never experienced anything like this before and it was quite scary.
Sorry you have neuropathy. That is not a nice thing to have - my dad has it. I do hope that it doesn't progress any worse for you. I think you have been through enough.
I think I may take some medication and have an early night. Hopefully my happy face will be back on tomorrow. Got to get ready to face Thursday, my 3 month check up.
Take care
Tash
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December 2012
Hi there
Radiation can get tough, but you will get through it. Like Julie said it is very important to maintain your weight so your mask doesn't get too big.
I found I was getting mouth ulcers from the combination of radiation and chemotherapy at the same time and I found Sambucol Lozenges that contained Black Elderberry, zinc and vitamin c the best in helping with that problem. You can get them at the chemist for around $10. Start taking them before chemo and for about a week afterwards. Panadol Rapid are also good for your throat if it gets sore.
If you find difficulty with swallowing ask for a small spray bottle that you can fill with water and just spray directly into your mouth.
Good luck with your journey. I know it is hard but you will find the nursing staff in the oncology wards are wonderful.
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December 2012
Hi there
Yes, I am amazed by the amount of side effects that occur because of treatment. I have also been left with hearing problems and now have to wear two hearing aids.
At least I now have an answer as to why I am always cold, tired, forgetful etc. I don't have a problem with taking a tablet each day, that doesn't worry me. It is just the fact that I am extremely phobic about the sharp things they use to do blood tests. My doctors are now trying to come up with a way for me to be put out with gas to have the blood tests. The anaethetists don't like using gas on me as my throat has been damaged by the radiation and they find it very difficult to put a tube down. I can have the twilight stuff but doctors are very reluctant to do it just so I can have a blood test. I can see a major battle on my hands.
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December 2012
Hey Julie
Your right. Friends can be wonderful but sometimes it is hard to make them understand that just because treatment is finished it doesn't mean you are suddenly "back to normal". I know I didn't understand that, until it happened to me.
Thank you for referring me to the facebook site.
Tash
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December 2012
Thank you Julie. I will certainly check this site out. Have been trying to do it on my own and it doesn't always work. Friends etc are very supportive when you are going through treatment but afterwards --- they seem to think that everything is okay and should go back to normal. I have had to have two different biopsies in the last year and all I seem to get from people is "you'll be right" or "you've been through it before, at least you know what to expect". Doesn't help.
It may be a good idea to have your thyroid checked. The last biopsy I had I told them to just do a full blood work - check everything. This was the only thing that came up. Apparently radiation can affect the thyroid gland. People kept laughing at me when I said I was cold - now I have reason for it.
Tash
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December 2012
Thank you for your comments Ron. Sounds like you have been able to come to terms with all the nasty surprises that keep getting thrown our way. Are you like me and just throw up your hands and say of course! What next!
Your right - a good day is when nothing bad happens. I hope after 15 years it will finally be done with you. Make sure you celebrate your 15 year mark.
Thanks for the birthday hugs. Just felt a bit down and depressed to get that news on your birthday (or any day really)
Tash
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December 2012
Hi. This is the first time I have posted something. Looking for advice on how to handle all the new hurdles that come with "after cancer".
I had head a neck cancer last year. Have now gone just over one year since been given the all clear. However, does anyone have trouble coping with what I call the "repurcussions" of surviving? Is anyone else finding that one problem gets solved only for another one to pop up? I won't bore you with all the hurdles I have to go through just to get through the day, and will have to for the rest of my life, but just wanted to ask this one question. Today I was told I have an underactive thyroid and get to my GP within a week. Since treatment I have been constantly cold, tired, forgetful and other people have all said it will get better with time. Apparently having an underactive thyroid explains all those symptoms, and more that I have. Anyway, being severely phobic, they have to do lots of blood tests at first to get the medication right. I just feel like I have gone through all this, and now been landed with this new horror story. And today is my birthday. Happy birthday to me.
Don't get me wrong I am happy to still be alive and everything I have is manageable, but will it ever stop?
I look forward to thoughts from other people who have gone through the same thing.
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