karent's blog

Wall Comments

2009-10-06T15:54:40Z

Hi Folks, Cant seem to add wall comments what am I doing wrong? I click comment write in the box then click publish. Tried for a few friends and nothing seems to have appeared. Any of you IT skilled people help? xox

Want a friend?.....Anyone?......

2009-09-28T13:34:12Z

Well I think Im slowly getting the hang of this site. Came on mid august(with no IT chat experience at all) with an open mind , no real expectations, and now find am drawn back again and again. Been impressed and touched by the support here.Iv blundered through some totally inspiring blogs and postings that have comforted me so much at those dark times and laughed out loud at others.I feel I'm getting to know your personalities and have tried to give a bit of myself too. Have posted on the anal cancer site but think as a rarer cancer its not a very active group, also tried a new forum thread but that vanished into the ether with the site changover with no replies. Is someone trying to tell me something ? Surely not ! In the words of ABBA 'Im nothing special' but I am here to give support and it would be so nice to have some friends on my home page. Im not a fairweather friend ,I know I have wonderful friends on this side of the laptop, my mobiles always has loads of in (and sent) mssges,.I get lots of birthday cards.......er......I have my own teeth (but not much hair!) This c monster has spun my world into a different dimension and Im trying so hard to make it less powerful. I guess this (cancer)site is ironically one place where I feel normal. Sometimes in spite of being rich in love and support I feel I've got that giant fluorescent arrow pointing me out to everyone else! It disappears here. I operate an equal opportunities friendship contract, anyone welcome, toothless,hairless whatever elseless ,any age,any creed or example of the visible colour spectrum, couldnt care less about 'preferences'!!!! I am regularly here to hold your hand or engage in laughter therapy. As always Love and blessings to all Karen xox

I'm not 'a grey' anymore

2009-09-04T14:05:53Z

Hi everyone I'm not a grey anymore, after trying to upload a foto for days I called in youngest daughter and asked her help. Her hands moved over the keyboard at the speed of light and here I am. Do you recognise the John Travolta pose? Middle daughter took the foto (shes arty), I wanted to make some fun thankyou cards to send to the radiographers and ward staff at Preston where I was treated (and also all our lovelly friends who'v given such caring support). Thought It would be nice for them to see how patients recover, guess so often they say goodbye to patients when they're so weak and poorly and they dont see the results of the skill and care of their treatment. Love and blessings to all, Karen xx

managing radiotherapy burns anal cancer

2009-08-21T11:05:43Z

Hi everyone im new to this and a complete wus as far as computer skills go. To be honest im not even sure if its my thing at all, iv never used web forums or chat sites for any reason whatsoever. I have come thru anal cancer chemoradiotherapy however and think I have some advise to pass on. I believe its aparticularly tough treatment and the skin effects of radio are more intense. I had extensive skin breakdown in the undercarriage area inthe latter stage of radio and following on.I think everyone will have been advised on saline soaks and the gell dressings once the skin breaks down but I guess most patients like me found passing urine over an open wound excruciatingly painful.To get to the point I discovered a technique which gave massive pain relief.I obtained some 60ml irrigation syringes and loaded with sterile saline. I found gently depressing the plunger to aim the flow of saline against the urine stream washed it off before it reacted with the raw tissue.Usually I used one but sometimes two, and had two redy filled for the next time. This regime made such a huge difference and of course saline is a healing agent with burns. Im convinced it shortened this stage in recovery.Anyone going through this treatment do make sure you get syringes and saline in advance (district nurse prescribed for me) and have a practice. Anyone reading this please pass on to patients and health professionals, I cant bear to think of people suffering terrible pain when this might help. Good luck to everyone i might even blunder on for another chat in the future. Karen