Radiotherapy & chemo tablets

2010-10-13T16:32:26Z

Hi,

I am now halfway through my treatment for rectal cancer. To my surprise i have had few side effects form the ongoing treatment.

There was some real discomfort from the tumour area after 2 weeks radiotherapy, i sometimes felt like I was going to pass out, particularly when sitting on the loo. mentioned it to radiotherapists & they held me back after that day's zapping & I met with a Dr from the oncology dept. She prescribed me codeine/morphine pills to be taken regularly throughout the day alongside paracetamol & ibufrofen. Amazingly this is now keeping me pain-free.

Generally I just feel weary but nothing major just now. I cannot say enough good things about everyone involved in my care since initial diagnosis., both up at Aberdeen hospital & through my GP practice.

Well that is my situation to date and I hope things continue as they are,

Anne

AnnieR's Journey

2010-08-20T15:31:24Z

Hi,

Well my name is Anne (53), married 31 years with 3 sons and living in Aberdeen. My eldest son gave us our 1st grandchild 2 weeks ago, young Tommy & my middle son gets married in one week's time, a week to the day since my diagnosis.

I felt bad that this thing was to cause them hurt in such happy times in their lives but it's not something i had any choice in!

15th July 2010: a change in my normal routine of BM took me to the GP

7th Aug: colonoscopy gave me an immediate diagnosis of a malignant villous tumour, 60mm. I had anticipated polyps but not a cancer diagnosis without even waiting for biopsy confirmation.

10th Aug: Karen the cancer nurse made contact to see if I had any questions

13th Aug: letters advising me of MRI & CT scans came

13th Aug Karen phoned to confirm biopsy results as cancer

14th Aug, my son's wedding

19th Aug: MRI scan

20th Aug: 09.05 Surgeon Ms Aileen McKinley's secretary phoned to admit me for a short procedure on Mon aft to see how best to proceed

20th Aug: Karen, Macmillan nurse phoned at 14.40 with MRI results. She said the scans showed I could have short course radiotherapy & surgery the following week or even straight to surgery, depending what the Surgeon says once she sees me on Mon aft.

Well considering I was only diagnosed one day short of 2 weeks ago, things have moved incredibly fast; bit scary as I was unaware I had cancer before then.

My present course of action sounds so much better than the initial route that might have included 6 weeks radiotherapy, 2 months rest & then surgery, taking me into December.

At this rate I could be facing surgery before my son comes back from honeymoon & he doesn't even know I have cancer!

Well hopefully I can sleep better tonight knowing the cancer might be out in a couple of weeks rather than a few months. It still sounds weird that I am living with cancer, seems unreal especially as I look & feel the same, full of figure and not unwell.

Christina friends and family have added their prayers to my own and for me that makes a difference - I feel bouyed up by the cushion my faith gives me.

Enough for today x