Hi Julie (and Alex) I'm pleased that he's wanting to eat and maybe the next round won't be so bad.You're right. He has had enough and shouldn't have to deal with this but we are never sure of the hand that life deals us. Both of you hang in there. Samex ... View more

Hi girls, My heart goes out to you guys dealing with all of this. Maxolon did help me with the nausea and lomotil is similar to Immodium but I thnk Immodium is stronger. That doesn't help much does it. I remember sitting down one Sunday afternoon at about the 9th or 10th round(of 12) claiming that I couldn't keep going. I cried and cried and my husband sat me down and went through the whole speech of having got this far etc. I kept going. I think the cruncher was that with my chemo brain, I lost my mobile phone and just went to pieces - not that it was so important, just that it was something else I then had to deal with. HAng in there and maybe give yourself a treat on a day that you are feeling a little better. S ... View more

Hi, Add my name to the list! It's fascinating how the change of perspective is the common thread for all of us. Good luck with your family and their journey. Samex ... View more

Hi Joanna, Hate to be the bearer of even more bad news but the chemo brain hangs around for a while. But it's OK here - we all have it!! It's interesting when the reality sets in. Because I didn't lose my hair, my reality was a little different. I think it was after I had mu piccline inserted and I walked around to oncology and saw all the lazy boy chairs.That's when I felt I changed from someone who had major surgery (a bowel resection)to someone who really did have cancer. Remember to keep letting everyone here know how you feel if you are feeling lost or unwell. Always someone to listen. Take it easy and be kind to yourself. Nanna naps are good to counter the lack of sleep! Samex ... View more

Well done Teach! Hope you survived your first few days. Don't overdo it. Let someone else do some of the things that you thought only you could do. I am letting go of some things and I'm starting to realise that while my students are important, my health is too! Good luck with the other bits. S ... View more

hi, I agree with Sharon about the picc line. Mine was a nuisance but apparently my chemo was so toxic there was no other choice, other than a central port.The main difference is that a picc line is put in with a local but a port needs a general anaesthetic. My main bugbear was that I couldn't go swimming but it was very easy to receive the chemo. I had mine in for 6 months with the only real problem being the irritation on my skin but I think that would be better than the bruising etc. Anyway, hope that you are feeling better. SAmex PS I had some heavy duty anti-nausea drugs for the first 3-4 days and then went on to the maxalon. Sorry I can't remember the name(chemo brain lingers unfortunately!) but I will search out my drug box and see if I have any left so that I can let you know the name. Make sure that you let doctor and your nurses know. ... View more

Vanessa your words rang true not so much for this freiend but for 3 others I have lost in the past 5 years. One in particular was best man at our wedding and while he was diagnosed well before me, we were having treatment together at one stage and used to chat for hours (he lived 12 hours away). He was the one who pinned it down for me when he told me that no-one else really understanda what it's like. He called me his chemo buddy. Like you with your friend I miss him every day and I felt so guilty that I survived and he didn't. It took a lot of getting over - not sure that I am. This current friend is not as close but still I have trouble grasping the "why" of it all. Thanks again evryone for the kind words. It helps coming from those of you who understand. S ... View more

It is such a paradox when neutrophils are low and you can't have treatment. It happened to me twice and while you dread turning up for treatment, I was so disappointed when it was called off for a week as I just wanted it over and done with. It happened to me both times I took my laptop with me so I stopped taking it! I hope that Alex is bearing up. Samex ... View more

Hi Joeyanna, This is the place to rant particularly when you are feeling so awful. There is no problem with "why me" here at all. Chemo brain really does suck as not only do you feel physically bad but you can't think as well. Have you been given any anti-nausea drugs? I had bowel cancer (so no pink goodie bag either)so had different chemo drugs but I was given a plethora of anti-nausea drugs to deal with those side effects. Take it easy and rememebr that ranting here is almost compulsory at times! Samex ... View more

Thanks so much guys. Sailor, I think that is part of the problem. When you think that you are coping/managing then somehting like this pulls the rug out again. The shadow creeps out again for a while until we push it back in. Thanks again guys, i told my family but while they were sympathetic, they aren't able to see the personal implications nor have the understanding we all may have. The hugs help. S ... View more