Bowel C the fight, daily blog

Post surgery, reversal/close of illestomy..

2011-07-27T09:08:22Z

Surgery done, back at end of April, not too painful, happy to see end of illestomy, not that it was that awful as you eventually get into a routine so daily management becomes automatic. The hard part is re-starting the digestive system, 3 days of absolue hell in hospital from projective vomitting to chronic diaorreah ...So several months on , re-started back at work, but body balance and toiltery issues persist. Following a limited diet as advised by Stoma nurses, no fruit, vegetables (unless root) , no spicy foods, pre-cooked meats...a rough guide the rest is try and see. Socially become a hermit, as once I eat, digestive system starts and the tiolet visits follow...really frustrating, 8-10 times a day. Advice is wait be patient...maybe in 6 months. The explantion of how missing section of bowel performed muttiple functions the re-joined section must learn how to do some of the functions but not all. Now I also have a join which complicates the issue and finally te radium has in essence cooked things internally, so loss of elasticity....which all results in complications. maybe this is good as it gets, maybe it will improve over time...just have to be happy to have got through it all and luckily my early detection of C is enough to not complain and be thankful. So I am happy.

Discovered now knock on effect, travel insurance is suddenly an issue, I appear as a liability, hey guys I'm cured ? The question was how many times have you been to see doctor in hospital...if more than 5 in a year then many will not insure you. After alot of digging found a company who exclude pre-existing issues...which is fine. hey ho. Happy to talk.

day 11 etc

2010-05-30T09:43:56Z

Been lapse in my posts, treatments over 3 weeks ago plus. I expereinced some bad days, where energys levels were so low could hardly get out of bed.I am pleased to say these days are hopefully gone, feeling much improved . I can taste again, go out and be social , ok dietary and no alcohol are limiters but still able to have some fun. I have got my MRI dates, so suscpect operation is two weeks after that, so have at least 6-8 weeks to go before I know how successful the treatments were. Back to the waiting. Considering returning to work, as being at home with wife 24/7 is too much I'm interffering into her routines and being around gives her ideas about home improvements, so bettre of back at work mentally and financially. Thanks to Michale from Leeds in his continues support, it really nice to have someone to talk to who understands and has expereienced this first hand. Friends have been great, moral support and phone calls etc, really do help . Its amazing how word gets out and how people change , others are quite indifferent some unexpectantly which has been a shock. Excuses that individuals hate medical issues, cuts little ice... friendship should be unaffected. Its more of a disppointment in ceratin individiuals, not that one looks for pity or expects it. As they say here in Lancs, Nowt as queer as folk....hey ho.

So lets see how the return to work feels, changes already since I've been away, kept a close eye on emails and what's happening, is change for better or just expected ? Till next post, J

Post day 10..

2010-04-14T11:03:59Z

So, the triedness starts to kick in, totally knackered by 17:00, then always the dreaded sign at Radium treatment desk..DELAY , always 40 minutes...Only 16 radium treatments to go, slowly being crossed off, amazing how these seem to drag, when life seems to be flashing by. Had the review clinic yesterday, talking through any side effects...isn't it weird how you spend your life private on toitlery habits, then you speak so openly on most basic deatils to a complete stranger. Even the wife is unaware, of such ninitimate details, righly so. But must admit is it comforting to be able to talk so openely , even if its to stop any additional worrying to know this is just a side effect caused by treatments. The medical staff are amazing and always so cheerful, the staff in my office who I have known for years are less friendly. That's it for today.

...day 10 continues

2010-04-12T12:18:17Z

Changed the diet, chemo's going ok, a few side effects but coping well so far. The Radium is alo fine, just unfortunate have lat slots booking, which means I get daily delays. But at least I still able to do lots of things, although engery level wains later in day. friday night trips to the pub to catch up with the lads, have stopped , not just case of being sober, but I find it too tiring.

The Bowen tratments ghave done me proud, would recommend that to anyone about to start the chemo/radium. To know your body is complety relaxed and prepared, some basic yoga exercise in the moring to wake youself up, have all helped. I am sitting better, eating slower , muscles less tense , hopefully less prone to any stress. taking each day as it comes, although must admit time which previously seems to be flying by has now slowed to snails pace. Only 4 weeks of Chemo/radium to go, collecting second batch of tables today.

hey, ho, J

Day two

2010-03-31T11:01:53Z

Started the chemo 1650m twice daily, not sure wthere this is a high dosage or not, but that's what's been prescribed. I have my first radium tratment scheduled for this afternoon, so a big day of firsts. Also started my daily log to keep track of times of medication and whether any side effects...fingers crossed. Not much else to say.

Day 1 the fight begins

2010-03-30T15:14:35Z

had the diagnosis, tomour in lower bowel, invasive, done CT/MRI scans, blood tests, go the schedule na hd the tatoo.

Today base line blood test, then collected Capecitabine (Xeloda®) tables, 1650m, twice daily, seems like rather heavy dosage to me, but what do I know. Apprehensive, oh yes, but prepared my body/soul with Bowen techniques, and assorted other treatments to be sure as relaxed as physically possible. Tomorrow is the first radium treatment, so another first. been through the side effects, but what will affect me is the voyague of discovered, plenty of cures for some side effects, just in case. I did notice the future NHS prescriptions are free if exemption certificate is obtained from your GP, being a C patient. (so some perks.,...).

Started to exchange emails with fellow Maacmillan user, who has the same diagnosis, but has been through the cycle , is now at stoma stage, hoping this is atemporary mesaure. I suspect this is to come, but one day at a time. So day one of my personal journey...