jo armitage's blog

Another Chapter !!!

2009-08-15T16:07:31Z

Hi all, Just finished my 6 months chemo regime. Feel great. No more sore,burnt feet and numb fingers and all other side effects that go with it. For those of you still on it, just keep going, it's hard, but when you get to the end it is a great sense of relief and achievement. After 18 months of gruelling treatment, I have now got to the end with NED for now, and so glad to be still around. My consultant and oncologist were wonderful throughout. Don't think I could have got better treatment anywhere. I am now on 3 monthly appointments and it is a bit scary not having the defence of chemo or regular appointments for support. My oncologist said "Now go and forget about cancer and enjoy your life, your outlook is quite good" I know it could come back anytime, but not going to worry about this now. This is another chapter and I am going to embrace it with hope and optimisim. Good luck to everyone with your treatment. Jo x

Chemo feet!!!

2009-03-31T18:56:44Z

Hi all, Just about finished my 2nd cycle of 8 of oral chemo (Xeloda). Had xeloda before for 31 days with my radiotherapy and only got painful feet after I finished for a short time. I am on a higher dose now and this has kicked in already,and I've got another 6 cycles to go!!! My hands are also starting to sting. I know this is a common side effect of Xeloda. I was on 3000mcg a day and now I am on 4250mcg. I asked my partner to massage feet for me but even this hurts!!! Anyone got any tips on what I can do to make my feet more comfortable? Thanks Jo x

More good news!

2009-02-26T16:14:23Z

Hi all, Its good to read good news and be able to post good news. Got my scan results after a week of waiting expecting the worst and there is no evidence of disease! Starting 6 months post op oral chemo tomorrow (xeloda) 2 weeks on 1 week off, to help stop it coming back. That's not bad for stage 3 and lymph node involvement. Feeling really positive now. Will have all my 3 girls around tomorrow, so going out for a pint to celebrate! Wishing good news for everyone. Jo x

My friendship poem

2009-02-24T05:47:26Z

Hi all, Pusspins inspired to put my friendship poem on here sent by one of my friends. THE MIRACLE OF FRIENDSHIP There's a 'miracle called FRIENDSHIP' that dwells within the HEART and you dont know how It happens or when it gets its start.... But the happiness it brings you Always gives a special LIFT, and you realise that FRIENDSHIP..... Is GODS most precious GIFT! So true ......... Jo x

Warning - not to do with cancer!!!

2009-02-21T16:11:42Z

Hi all, Just thought I would share this 'funny' (or not) with you. Sitting here with freezing cold feet, so had an ingenous idea, thought I would put my socks in the microwave wrapped in kitchen roll to warm them up. Never done this before, so set the timer for 2 minutes. Then after about 1 minute there was smoke coming out of the microwave and my socks and the kitchen roll had set on fire!!! The whole kitchen stinksof smoke now and I can hardly breathe!!! Take note if your chemo brain tells you to do something daft!! What a dope I am!!! and I have still got cold feet!!! Jo x

Update on bowel cancer

2009-01-29T23:50:11Z

Hi all, Hope everyone is ok. Read all the blogs every day, don't often reply as there are others who always have the right words, but still keep up to date and thinking of you all and your journeys. Saw my oncologist today after my bowel resection and stoma op. I am having a scan and then 6 months chemo, xeloda, 2 weeks on and 1 week off. Post op I have a trapped nerve (they think) in my bum wound and they have just put me on gabapentin, read the side effects and they are quite scary!!! took the first one tonight and it made me really tired straight away. Has anyone else been on this? How are others who have this 6 months chemo following surgery. Any advice would be welcome. Jo x

Bike and horse riding

2009-01-08T17:59:45Z

Hi, Since I joined the site I have noticed the majority of people with bowel cancer seem to ride horses or bicycles. I cycled for years with baby seats for my children. Is there a link? Just wondered how many bowel cancer sufferers have this connexion. Jo x

bowel cancer update

2008-12-27T00:59:32Z

Hi, well I am still alive and so grateful!!! Had tumour removed realy agressive and then chemo rad and on 8 Dec radical surgery to remove everything and leave me with a permanent stoma. Was realy scared thought I would die. Surgeon said I needed to get my affairs in order and wrote 'risk of death' on my op consent form.I was in theatre for 6 hours and had about 50 stiches from 2 inches above my belly button to below my ceasarian scar with staples and about 50 from my bum to my lower back and 50 internal stiches.When I came round and they were wheeling me from theatre my three daughters were waiting in the corridor and I just waved and said 'I am still alive'!!! I woke up well from the anesthetic and was able to talk to them although they were cringing as I had a canula with three stiches in my neck with 8 attachments and tubes everywhere. They said they were worried everytime I moved as they thought I would pull something out!!! My youngest who is 17 said 'I love you mum' when she left which was lovely as we had not been getting on for some time and she moved in with her dad. (teenage stuff) although I love her so much but couldn't cope. She has done so well since moving in with him. I realy didn't want a stoma but the consultant said I had a 75% chance of it coming back without the op. Its now only just over 2 weeks since my op I had my stiches removed on christmas eve. I managed to cook christmas dinner with the help of my girls, I went to my sisters today and then to the pub to watch my son in law play with his band. I feel wonderful and what ever pain I have I am so grateful to be alive.I have the district nurses coming to check my wounds and they say I need a tee shirt with 'I have just had a major operation ' as I look a fraud!!! What they took out was cancer free which is great news. but I have got to have chemo again to help it stop it coming back. Just thought I would write this for anyone who is a stage before me in the hope it will help. The stoma is fine and easy to deal with. Any one else going through this feel free to PM me and I will give advice where I can. Just feel so lucky and happy in spite of adversity. Think most of us do on here!! Happy Christmas and New Year to everyone. Take care Jo x

Rant rant rant!!!!

2008-11-30T23:50:19Z

I have got a 'friend' whos wife has cronic pain syndrome, with no cure, she often comes out for a drink and is always depressed. I went out the night I was diagnosed and she said 'why are you out you must be in shock!' I have stayed really positive through my diagnosis and carried on as normal making an effort when I go out.He keeps saying to me Lynne wishes she has cancer and then at least she could be treated. He has no idea of what I have been through with my chemo and radiotherapy and the long term side effects, and my stoma op next week.They see me looking well and think 'she looks ok'. It makes me mad someone could be so insensitive. He has no idea what it's like to stand in front of a doctor and be told you have a year to live if you do nothing!!! He keeps saying why should you get paid to be off work when you seem ok. If his wife had cancer she would be really negative and not go out.It just makes me so cross, other people just don't understand what a personal battle we go through every day just to appear 'normal' in spite of adversity. Rant over Love Jo x

Must be consultant of the year!!!

2008-11-13T22:25:10Z

Got my scan results following chemo/rad no sign at tumour site (removed it as they said it wasn't cancerous after biopsy and then said actually its stage 3 and in your lymph nodes) the one in lymph nodes has shrunk from 7mm to 5mm and no sign anywhere else, which is great news.(Said they cant be sure until they do stoma and remove everything and then look under a microscope) Anyway got a new surgeon after my false biopsy result, he was redeployed somewhere else. Saw him yesterday and I had given him info on avoiding a stoma and details of other consultants I got from the internet. I wanted to make sure there was no alternative to a stoma. He had done all the follow up and is using them for other patients but the treatment is not suitable for me and I need a stoma in December. The amazing bit.............. He wanted me to come in on the 5th December as I need to have it done 6-8 weeks following chemo/rad my daughter is getting married on 6th Dec so this was not possible. He said he only has the operating theatre at James Cook a larger hosp on the first friday of each month, the alternative was January and he said I couln't wait that long, anyway he left the room for a while and came back and said he had swapped his first friday with another surgeon to do my op on the 12th Dec and was rearranging his other ops!!! Also I have a mole on my leg which has gone funny since my treatment, my doctor got me an app at the hosp for 14 Jan earliest available. I told him this and he had a look at it and said 'do you want it removed, I will do it for you' I asked when and he said tomorrow I will add you to my day surgery list. I was amazed and he did the op today. He was so lovely. Having my stoma op on 12 Dec which I am really worried about, so just hope all goes well or I will be in hosp for Christmas. At least I have got a great surgeon,all the nurses were telling me how good he is which also gives me faith. Jo X

A tale we can share!

2008-11-05T15:35:26Z

Hi, Just wanted to share this amusing tale with you. Don't know if any of you have read a wonderful witty book on bowel cancer called 'saving my arse' by Mark Davis. There is a paragraph in there about his mum being off work due to stress after his diagnosis with cancer in his 30s. He went to see her and the room was full of flowers and 'get well soon' cards. He realized that he had not had any cards from work and then it struck him, what would they send.... 'don't die yet' cards, he thought he should market them and then people would have something to send! Anyway when I did not get any cards from work, I could understand why. The funny bit.......... I met my boss today for a 3 month off work interview and finally she brought me a lovely bunch of flowers and a card signed by everyone. On the front it read 'Just a friendly word to cheer you' and inside 'and let you know warm thoughts are near you' it was signed by 18 people there were: Best wishes 10 All the very best 4 Kind regards 1 Very best wishes 3 Not one 'get well soon' anywhere to be seen!!! It must have taken them 3 months to find a suitable card!! Anyway, if you have not had many cards, its not that people don't care, its just they don't know what to put. Funny really. Scan results tommorow Let you know Love Jo x

Scan today

2008-10-31T00:00:53Z

Hi all, Had a wonderfull 'cancer free' holiday in Mexico and came back unscathed, good job as the only insurance I could get was £3000.00 for a week as it was only a month since I finished my chemo/radiotherapy. Sitting on the plane for 10 hours with a post radio bum was uncomfortable, but there were spare seats so I managed a lie down!!! I also wore my operating socks from when I had my op just to be on the safe side!!! Side effects have largely gone now appart from numb and wrinkled fingers, like when you have been in the bath too long. Had my post radio scan today with that radio active stuff that makes you feel like you have weed on the bed!!! Get my results on 6th November, so will keep you updated. Hope everyone is ok. Jo x

awaiting results

2008-10-17T23:54:17Z

Finished chemo/radio on 30 Sept. Feel loads better now. Scan booked for 30 Oct for results. Oncologist 6 Nov and cancer consultant on 12 Nov. Not worrying about results until I go. Partner booked a holiday in Mexico, can't get any insurance, but what the heck!!! One thing, not worried about flying anymore! Going on tuesday and going to try and be 'normal' for a week! Might even be able to drink, not so reliant on pain killers anymore. Still got sore feet though! Keep you updated Jo x

Feeling good

2008-10-14T22:35:33Z

Well, 14 days after 25 radiotherapy sessions and 35 oral chemo feeling good. Hayley was right! Only a week ago I felt the worst ever with morphine by the toilet for passing 'glass' sessions and the pain after! Seems a distant memory now although it was only a week ago! Even had 3 glasses of wine tonight, couldn't drink before because too dependant on pain killers. Only have them when going to bed now. Feel fine during the day but still get burning pains and wake up every 4 hours for another dose of pain killers during the night.Wonder why that is when I am fine now in the day time! Even the sore feet has settled down a lot. Think its strange many of us feel 'elated' when we are not in so much pain, when without the cancer we would be complaning!!! Have to wait 5 weeks for the scan now to see if the treatment worked,and a date for my stoma op which will probably be in December. Going to try and get fit before that, hopefully to speed my recovery. Just wanted to write tht I am feeling good about feeling good!!! Jo x

When do radiotherapy side effects stop?

2008-10-10T11:27:34Z

Hi, first time on here! Just finished 25 sessions of radiotherapy with 35 chemo xeloda taken orally. Got to all radio sessions on my own and felt quite well. Thought i was really lucky, some people were really poorly. Since i finished 8 days ago I have felt worse every day and am getting dispondant waiting to turn the corner. When do these side effects stop after treatment. I have stage 3 bowel cancer. Need a colostomy in next couple of months.