November 2020
I swear I'm so going to use this at my PET scan in a couple of weeks. My oncology nurses are used to me doing weird things, so they'd just start a conversation about choice of animal / superpowers. Probably with the whole ward, which would be fun. Hugs, Pauline
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November 2020
4 Kudos
Hiya, I've got stage 4 bowel cancer mets'd into the liver and a couple of lymph nodes. Good news, I've had 6 months of aggressive chemo (folfoxiri) and it's responded really well. Had the bowel resection a week and a half ago, handling that okay, awaiting scans and dates for liver resections 1 and 2. The resentment is for the chemo induced peripheral neuropathy... and for the restrictions I'm feeling on my life. Where I can live (somewhere close to a hospital that has oncology, because recurrence stats). New limitations on what I can do - just studied 2 years to be a building designer and interior designer and now it hurts to hold a pencil, or type! Driving may get taken off the list, which further restricts where I can live, for public transport - and I loathe the restrictions that places. My mum also has cancer, and now has cognitive issues, (I'm her carer) and I resent that my siblings seem to think that "mum can come and stay with us any time" is a good solution, they have NO idea about how much care she needs, and because I look outwardly healthy, I must therefore be able to do everything... and those of you who've already had the surgery know that just isn't possible. I know I have heaps of things to be grateful for - and believe me, I am! I just needed to vent for a bit to some people who'd actually know what I mean. Anyone else want to vent? 😀
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August 2020
Oh Tom, how horrible for you and your family, to be dealing with that! When I got my diagnosis I was freaked out that it was in the liver, but relieved that so far (touch wood) it hasn't gone into the lungs. I did manage to develop blood clots in the lungs, but hopefully the cancer will stay out of there. Mine was in the liver, too - so much so that it was initially inoperable. I, too, have been doing chemo every fortnight (and isn't that fun?) so I can sympathise with your wife for the probably limited days she's feeling even remotely well. I have the three drugs on the Thursday, with the takeaway bottle for the next two days... also high on my list of stuff I'd rather do without. It does tend to shift the goalposts a bit, when the cancer goes wandering. Mine's reduced somewhat, enough that they now think operations are a possibility, however, I'm always aware that it could decide it wants to grow again. So my deepest sympathy for your wife there - it's so horrible when you've got yourself braced for the operations, only to have that change so suddenly. I'm glad she's off the oxalyplatin. That's yucky stuff. My own neuropathy has been getting worse, so I suspect that's a big factor in the oncologist deciding to stop that treatment. There's a clinical study being done by QUT, Queensland Health, and UCSF (?) into chemotherapy induce peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) which is seeking to alleviate symptoms using home based therapies (heat and massage). The website is research.qut.edu.au/real/cipn/ if you think that may be of some use. My own philosophy has changed to "que sera sera" but I hope your wife's strength of character wins out over this pernicious disease. Sending hugs and love to you, your wife, and your little one... Hugs, Pauline
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August 2020
Hiya Tom, I'm in the same boat as your wife... stage 4, mets'd into liver, looking potentially at surgery, just doing the final 2 months of a 6 month chemo stint. Oxaly might be a wonder drug, but it's pretty harsh on the body, too. Hope your wife's surgery goes outstandingly!! And her recovery quick and painless. 🙂 I look forward to hearing how she went, as I'm looking at the same thing. (2 x liver resections, 1 x bowel resection). Hugs, Pauline
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