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Why Me ...
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The other day, on Wednesday 8 March 2023, it was confirmed that I have Cancer.
Numerous X-rays and CT scans trying to find the source of the horrific pain I was in, found a shadow mass covering the left lung and impacting into the spinal column, doing damage to it on the way.
Several weeks of changing medications and GPs, found the ‘hidden monster’ within!
I have one PET scan and then a meeting with the various ologies, who will offer me Chemo or Radio therapy, at least, I think.
I am still in screaming pain, but the Palliative Pain people are now on my case.
Throughout this “discovery”, I wonder how many other ABers went through similar periods of confusion, hallucination, weakness, sanitary problems and a whole lot more, owing to constant changes in their medication, in an effort to find a manageable solution and how you managed to carry on.
And finally, for those who know, which is worse, Chemo or Radio therapy – and would it do me any good in doing my own “research”?
Numerous X-rays and CT scans trying to find the source of the horrific pain I was in, found a shadow mass covering the left lung and impacting into the spinal column, doing damage to it on the way.
Several weeks of changing medications and GPs, found the ‘hidden monster’ within!
I have one PET scan and then a meeting with the various ologies, who will offer me Chemo or Radio therapy, at least, I think.
I am still in screaming pain, but the Palliative Pain people are now on my case.
Throughout this “discovery”, I wonder how many other ABers went through similar periods of confusion, hallucination, weakness, sanitary problems and a whole lot more, owing to constant changes in their medication, in an effort to find a manageable solution and how you managed to carry on.
And finally, for those who know, which is worse, Chemo or Radio therapy – and would it do me any good in doing my own “research”?
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Hi Woodelf,
Obviously I'm sorry to read your news but, as 50% of people get cancer, thinking "why me" might not really be appropriate, I feel, even if it's in some way understandable.
As someone who has undergone both chemotherapy and radiotherapy, I'll try to give you some guidance relating to the last part of your question though.
The actual treatment sessions during chemotherapy are an absolute doddle. You simply sit in a nice comfy chair and have a cannula inserted into a vein somewhere, which might well be into the back of one hand. Then you just relax and, say, listen to the radio, using a device which you took with you, while an assortment of fluids get pumped into you. It's remarkably stress free. At the end of each session, you're given drugs to take home with you to take over the next few days. (Everyone's treatment plan is different. As a guide though, I had ten sessions, at three-weekly intervals, with each session lasting three hours). You might also have to self-inject (or get your partner to do it for you), into your stomach wall for the first 5 days after each session; that's actually remarkably easy, as you get pre-filled syringes that you simply plunge into your belly fat.
Whle the treatment sessions are absolutely nothing to worry about, it's the side effects afterwards that can cause problems for some people, so I'll try to indicate some of those which you might experience if you have chemo.
The one which possibly worries people the most is nausea. In the early days of chemotherapy, almost everyone who underwent it experienced extreme nausea. These days though, that's largely been brought under control and the vast majority of chemo patients either have very little nausea or none at all. (I didn't experience a single second of nausea throughout my treatment period). Unfortunately though, a small minority of people do still have quite bad nausea with chemo.
While on the subject of your digestive tract, severe constipation is a very common side effect of chemotherapy but it's easily dealt with by over-the-counter treatments from any pharmacy, such as sachets of a product called Laxido, which simply dissolve in water and drink.
One side effect of chemotherapy that affects all patients is tiredness. I found though that by simply sleeping whenever I wanted to (even if that was, say, for fifteen hours at a time), and not trying to fight my tiredness in any way, I could feel bright and breezy throughout my waking hours.
Another, almost inevitable, side effect of chemotherapy is hair loss. How that occurs though can vary greatly. My friend underwent chemo and didn't lose any hair at all during the treatment but then started to lose a little several weeks after her course had ended. In my case though, my hair was falling out within two days of my first chemo session. (Its not just the hair on one's head that's affected. I hardly needed to shave at all during my chemo treatment. So, regrettably, you might lose much of your lovely beard).
Overall though, I found chemotherapy to be nowhere near as bad as I thought it might be. So it's not really anything to be too greatly concerned about.
Moving onto radiotherapy, I had 37 sessions of it. It's simplicity itself, where you just lie still on a table for a few minutes, while the machine does its work. (Unlike, say, an MRI scan, the machine isn't noisy. It just makes a whirring sound as it rotates around your body).
Other than yet more tiredness, I had no side effects at all from the treatment except for those which wouldn't be relevant in your case anyway. (I was having pelvic radiotherapy, where the beam affected both my bladder and my bowel but, obviously, that won't be a concern for you).
I think that's enough rambling from me but I'll provide you with a link to the Macmillan website, where you can find loads of reliable information:
https:/
All the best to you mate,
Chris
Obviously I'm sorry to read your news but, as 50% of people get cancer, thinking "why me" might not really be appropriate, I feel, even if it's in some way understandable.
As someone who has undergone both chemotherapy and radiotherapy, I'll try to give you some guidance relating to the last part of your question though.
The actual treatment sessions during chemotherapy are an absolute doddle. You simply sit in a nice comfy chair and have a cannula inserted into a vein somewhere, which might well be into the back of one hand. Then you just relax and, say, listen to the radio, using a device which you took with you, while an assortment of fluids get pumped into you. It's remarkably stress free. At the end of each session, you're given drugs to take home with you to take over the next few days. (Everyone's treatment plan is different. As a guide though, I had ten sessions, at three-weekly intervals, with each session lasting three hours). You might also have to self-inject (or get your partner to do it for you), into your stomach wall for the first 5 days after each session; that's actually remarkably easy, as you get pre-filled syringes that you simply plunge into your belly fat.
Whle the treatment sessions are absolutely nothing to worry about, it's the side effects afterwards that can cause problems for some people, so I'll try to indicate some of those which you might experience if you have chemo.
The one which possibly worries people the most is nausea. In the early days of chemotherapy, almost everyone who underwent it experienced extreme nausea. These days though, that's largely been brought under control and the vast majority of chemo patients either have very little nausea or none at all. (I didn't experience a single second of nausea throughout my treatment period). Unfortunately though, a small minority of people do still have quite bad nausea with chemo.
While on the subject of your digestive tract, severe constipation is a very common side effect of chemotherapy but it's easily dealt with by over-the-counter treatments from any pharmacy, such as sachets of a product called Laxido, which simply dissolve in water and drink.
One side effect of chemotherapy that affects all patients is tiredness. I found though that by simply sleeping whenever I wanted to (even if that was, say, for fifteen hours at a time), and not trying to fight my tiredness in any way, I could feel bright and breezy throughout my waking hours.
Another, almost inevitable, side effect of chemotherapy is hair loss. How that occurs though can vary greatly. My friend underwent chemo and didn't lose any hair at all during the treatment but then started to lose a little several weeks after her course had ended. In my case though, my hair was falling out within two days of my first chemo session. (Its not just the hair on one's head that's affected. I hardly needed to shave at all during my chemo treatment. So, regrettably, you might lose much of your lovely beard).
Overall though, I found chemotherapy to be nowhere near as bad as I thought it might be. So it's not really anything to be too greatly concerned about.
Moving onto radiotherapy, I had 37 sessions of it. It's simplicity itself, where you just lie still on a table for a few minutes, while the machine does its work. (Unlike, say, an MRI scan, the machine isn't noisy. It just makes a whirring sound as it rotates around your body).
Other than yet more tiredness, I had no side effects at all from the treatment except for those which wouldn't be relevant in your case anyway. (I was having pelvic radiotherapy, where the beam affected both my bladder and my bowel but, obviously, that won't be a concern for you).
I think that's enough rambling from me but I'll provide you with a link to the Macmillan website, where you can find loads of reliable information:
https:/
All the best to you mate,
Chris
Hello, woodelf, oh bless you. My response these days as far as I and OH are concerned is more "why not me?". I am so sorry to read of the pain you are dealing with. OH is being treated for 2 cancers, one of which is incurable. We just put our faith in the wonderful medical staff who are so very skilled, experienced and knowledgeable, plus the many researchers who work so hard to help us.
I believe the individual's approach to their cancer is key, but you might not agree with me. Just be sure to tell them how much the pain is affecting you and ask for all the help you can get.
Please accept my very best wishes, prayers and, if your lovely partner will excuse me, my love.
I believe the individual's approach to their cancer is key, but you might not agree with me. Just be sure to tell them how much the pain is affecting you and ask for all the help you can get.
Please accept my very best wishes, prayers and, if your lovely partner will excuse me, my love.
So very sorry to read your post, Terry
I can't add a lot to Chris's very detailed post, but would add that (if the pain is bad) it's vital to keep letting the medics know just how much it hurts - it's all too easy to settle into a holding pattern of pain and medication when they may be able to come up with a different package of analgesics.
I've had two friends recently who've had combinations of radio and chemo and they have both come out the other end "tired but recovering" - so there is hope.
Please keep in touch - either here or by email
Dave (& gness)
I can't add a lot to Chris's very detailed post, but would add that (if the pain is bad) it's vital to keep letting the medics know just how much it hurts - it's all too easy to settle into a holding pattern of pain and medication when they may be able to come up with a different package of analgesics.
I've had two friends recently who've had combinations of radio and chemo and they have both come out the other end "tired but recovering" - so there is hope.
Please keep in touch - either here or by email
Dave (& gness)
Sorry to hear this Woodelf, your best sources of help and information will be Macmillan, and Cancer research uk. You might find the Roy Castle charity can help as you have lung cancer. If you have a Maggie's centre near you they can find properly researched information too, there are local information centres like need to other specialist centres.
It's likely you will be offered radio and chemotherapy, maybe immunotherapy if you have a suitable type of tumour. Treatment options seem to increase year on year, so as my most recent experience was caring for Redman 5 years ago there may be more available where you are treated.
It's likely you will be offered radio and chemotherapy, maybe immunotherapy if you have a suitable type of tumour. Treatment options seem to increase year on year, so as my most recent experience was caring for Redman 5 years ago there may be more available where you are treated.
I'm so sorry you've had this diagnosis, Terry & echo most of what others have said.
I wouldn't start Googling - for one thing, identical treatment for the same symptoms in more than one person won't show the same results.
You know where I am, shout up if you need to. Best wishes as always to you & 'erself, my friend - smile
I wouldn't start Googling - for one thing, identical treatment for the same symptoms in more than one person won't show the same results.
You know where I am, shout up if you need to. Best wishes as always to you & 'erself, my friend - smile
I'm sorry to hear your news. I agree that it may not be a good idea to do any research as it's difficult to pick out what would be appropriate for you. Chico gave you a good synopsis of what he endured so some idea of what you may expect. As others have said, ask the professionals including Mcmillan.
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