A blog about my bowel cancer to keep me up to date with what is happening and to hopefully help anyone going through something similar.https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-blogs/b/my-bowel-and-other-parts/atomTelligent Community (Build: 12.1.2.21912)2021-06-16T16:38:00Zhttps://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-blogs/b/my-bowel-and-other-parts/posts/cycle-three-started-15-october2021-11-05T13:19:00Z2021-11-05T13:19:00ZThis time I asked if anything could be done about sickness on day one and I was given extra anti-sickness pills that did the trick. I also had a warm pack on my arm at the first hint of pain and my vein is much better than last time. On the down side...(<a href="https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-blogs/b/my-bowel-and-other-parts/posts/cycle-three-started-15-october">read more</a>)<img src="https://community.macmillan.org.uk/aggbug?PostID=719707&AppID=40356&AppType=Weblog&ContentType=0" width="1" height="1">Jopeghttps://community.macmillan.org.uk/members/e15f4199eb6a43e0b721af1fbb4dc755https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-blogs/b/my-bowel-and-other-parts/posts/chemo-second-cycle-started-24-september-20212021-10-14T20:13:00Z2021-10-14T20:13:00ZWell I thought I would be more prepared this time round and in a way I was, no night time trips downstairs for hot water, gloves at the ready etc. However, the infusion hurt my arm more, but the nurses wrapped it in a warm towel and that made it bear...(<a href="https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-blogs/b/my-bowel-and-other-parts/posts/chemo-second-cycle-started-24-september-2021">read more</a>)<img src="https://community.macmillan.org.uk/aggbug?PostID=719682&AppID=40356&AppType=Weblog&ContentType=0" width="1" height="1">Jopeghttps://community.macmillan.org.uk/members/e15f4199eb6a43e0b721af1fbb4dc755https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-blogs/b/my-bowel-and-other-parts/posts/chemo-first-cycle-started-3-september-20212021-09-13T13:02:00Z2021-09-13T13:02:00ZOn four 21 day cycles of Xelox.&nbsp; I was impressed by the chemo unit, care was excellent and other patients on the whole friendly, I&rsquo;m not a great chatterer anyway. Fingers became sensitive to cold before I left the unit, I nearly dropped my...(<a href="https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-blogs/b/my-bowel-and-other-parts/posts/chemo-first-cycle-started-3-september-2021">read more</a>)<img src="https://community.macmillan.org.uk/aggbug?PostID=719615&AppID=40356&AppType=Weblog&ContentType=0" width="1" height="1">Jopeghttps://community.macmillan.org.uk/members/e15f4199eb6a43e0b721af1fbb4dc755https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-blogs/b/my-bowel-and-other-parts/posts/first-few-days-at-home2021-07-30T18:53:00Z2021-07-30T18:53:00ZI panic about things, so far I have suspected: Overdose of paracetamol - be warned there is a limit to how many you can take in 24 hours, I was exceeding this, luckily realised fairly quickly Blood clot - my ankle went a bit pink and my foot had bee...(<a href="https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-blogs/b/my-bowel-and-other-parts/posts/first-few-days-at-home">read more</a>)<img src="https://community.macmillan.org.uk/aggbug?PostID=719516&AppID=40356&AppType=Weblog&ContentType=0" width="1" height="1">Jopeghttps://community.macmillan.org.uk/members/e15f4199eb6a43e0b721af1fbb4dc755https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-blogs/b/my-bowel-and-other-parts/posts/15th-july---dismissed-from-hospital2021-07-30T18:46:00Z2021-07-30T18:46:00ZNot a bad night apart from a session around 3.00 am when I needed pain relief and couldn&rsquo;t get it. Woke up feeling better again and was told I could go home once my medication was sorted out and the Doctor had signed me out. Chat with rapid rec...(<a href="https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-blogs/b/my-bowel-and-other-parts/posts/15th-july---dismissed-from-hospital">read more</a>)<img src="https://community.macmillan.org.uk/aggbug?PostID=719515&AppID=40356&AppType=Weblog&ContentType=0" width="1" height="1">Jopeghttps://community.macmillan.org.uk/members/e15f4199eb6a43e0b721af1fbb4dc755https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-blogs/b/my-bowel-and-other-parts/posts/14th-july-on-the-ward2021-07-14T11:56:00Z2021-07-14T11:56:00ZSpent first night on ICU where I received maximum care and attention, then moved to a ward where it wasn&rsquo;t so good. I was sick at one point and got no help. Eventually got to sleep and woke feeling better. Am eating ice cream as I post this. Ca...(<a href="https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-blogs/b/my-bowel-and-other-parts/posts/14th-july-on-the-ward">read more</a>)<img src="https://community.macmillan.org.uk/aggbug?PostID=719473&AppID=40356&AppType=Weblog&ContentType=0" width="1" height="1">Jopeghttps://community.macmillan.org.uk/members/e15f4199eb6a43e0b721af1fbb4dc755https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-blogs/b/my-bowel-and-other-parts/posts/12th-july---operation-day2021-07-12T06:47:00Z2021-07-12T06:47:00ZWaiting in some sort of holding area with fancy arm chairs. There were several women, we&rsquo;re down to the last three. All but one I&rsquo;d say is younger than me, that&rsquo;s a surprise. I&rsquo;ve felt very anxious these past few days, feel li...(<a href="https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-blogs/b/my-bowel-and-other-parts/posts/12th-july---operation-day">read more</a>)<img src="https://community.macmillan.org.uk/aggbug?PostID=719470&AppID=40356&AppType=Weblog&ContentType=0" width="1" height="1">Jopeghttps://community.macmillan.org.uk/members/e15f4199eb6a43e0b721af1fbb4dc755https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-blogs/b/my-bowel-and-other-parts/posts/9th-july---covid-test-and-stoma-marks2021-07-09T11:53:00Z2021-07-09T11:53:00ZI now have large black dots on my tummy where the stoma will be if I need one, I do hope not. Another lovely nurse. I had my COVID test, was rather squeamish, think I annoyed the nurse, hope I&rsquo;m braver next week.(<a href="https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-blogs/b/my-bowel-and-other-parts/posts/9th-july---covid-test-and-stoma-marks">read more</a>)<img src="https://community.macmillan.org.uk/aggbug?PostID=719464&AppID=40356&AppType=Weblog&ContentType=0" width="1" height="1">Jopeghttps://community.macmillan.org.uk/members/e15f4199eb6a43e0b721af1fbb4dc755https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-blogs/b/my-bowel-and-other-parts/posts/7th-july---appointment-with-recovery-nurse2021-07-09T11:45:00Z2021-07-09T11:45:00ZMet with a lovely nurse who went through everything I needed to do before my surgery, what to bring with me and what to expect afterwards. A lot of instructions and potions to take! Starting the next day I have protein drinks to take twice a day, lax...(<a href="https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-blogs/b/my-bowel-and-other-parts/posts/7th-july---appointment-with-recovery-nurse">read more</a>)<img src="https://community.macmillan.org.uk/aggbug?PostID=719463&AppID=40356&AppType=Weblog&ContentType=0" width="1" height="1">Jopeghttps://community.macmillan.org.uk/members/e15f4199eb6a43e0b721af1fbb4dc755https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-blogs/b/my-bowel-and-other-parts/posts/6th-july---telephone-conversation-with-surgeon2021-07-09T11:11:00Z2021-07-09T11:11:00ZHusband came home from work early, daughter worked from our house so they could both listen in, it was a waste of their time. He phoned up about forty minutes early (which threw me slightly) and very quickly went through what was likely to happen in ...(<a href="https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-blogs/b/my-bowel-and-other-parts/posts/6th-july---telephone-conversation-with-surgeon">read more</a>)<img src="https://community.macmillan.org.uk/aggbug?PostID=719462&AppID=40356&AppType=Weblog&ContentType=0" width="1" height="1">Jopeghttps://community.macmillan.org.uk/members/e15f4199eb6a43e0b721af1fbb4dc755https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-blogs/b/my-bowel-and-other-parts/posts/29th-june---pet-scan-results-etc2021-07-09T11:04:00Z2021-07-09T11:04:00ZWent out on a work errand and was just parking when the nurse phoned, most apologetic for not phoning yesterday. PETSCAN showed nothing extra apart from a hot spot on my throat, probably nothing (but I heard that about my liver) I will need an ultras...(<a href="https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-blogs/b/my-bowel-and-other-parts/posts/29th-june---pet-scan-results-etc">read more</a>)<img src="https://community.macmillan.org.uk/aggbug?PostID=719461&AppID=40356&AppType=Weblog&ContentType=0" width="1" height="1">Jopeghttps://community.macmillan.org.uk/members/e15f4199eb6a43e0b721af1fbb4dc755https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-blogs/b/my-bowel-and-other-parts/posts/28th-june---phone-colo-rectal-nurses2021-07-09T10:58:00Z2021-07-09T10:58:00ZIt&rsquo;s over a week since the PET scan and not a word. I don&rsquo;t even know for absolute sure if the operation date has remained the same. I phoned the nurses to enquire and left a message, they usually get back within about half an hour, but t...(<a href="https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-blogs/b/my-bowel-and-other-parts/posts/28th-june---phone-colo-rectal-nurses">read more</a>)<img src="https://community.macmillan.org.uk/aggbug?PostID=719460&AppID=40356&AppType=Weblog&ContentType=0" width="1" height="1">Jopeghttps://community.macmillan.org.uk/members/e15f4199eb6a43e0b721af1fbb4dc755https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-blogs/b/my-bowel-and-other-parts/posts/19th-june---pet-ct-scan2021-06-20T15:25:00Z2021-06-20T15:25:00ZAll went according to plan. I arrived very early and went in early too. No problems with the cannula and I felt no effects from the &ldquo;radiation&rdquo; injection. The scariest part of this will be the results, I am not going to think about them t...(<a href="https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-blogs/b/my-bowel-and-other-parts/posts/19th-june---pet-ct-scan">read more</a>)<img src="https://community.macmillan.org.uk/aggbug?PostID=719412&AppID=40356&AppType=Weblog&ContentType=0" width="1" height="1">Jopeghttps://community.macmillan.org.uk/members/e15f4199eb6a43e0b721af1fbb4dc755https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-blogs/b/my-bowel-and-other-parts/posts/14th-and-15th-june-confusion-and-changes2021-06-16T15:42:00Z2021-06-16T15:42:00ZPhone call from PETscan people and all arranged for two days time, given &ldquo;starving&rdquo; instructions etc. husband booked day off work to take me. The next day a well-meaning friend insisted that I drop my work and talk urgently to a friend of...(<a href="https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-blogs/b/my-bowel-and-other-parts/posts/14th-and-15th-june-confusion-and-changes">read more</a>)<img src="https://community.macmillan.org.uk/aggbug?PostID=719403&AppID=40356&AppType=Weblog&ContentType=0" width="1" height="1">Jopeghttps://community.macmillan.org.uk/members/e15f4199eb6a43e0b721af1fbb4dc755https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-blogs/b/my-bowel-and-other-parts/posts/12th-june---one-step-further-and2021-06-16T15:38:00Z2021-06-16T15:38:00ZPhone call from Nurse just phoned to say I have to have a PET scan. I asked about date of operation and found they are talking about 12th July. I asked if it would have spread further by then but was reassured that it is relatively slow growing. The ...(<a href="https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-blogs/b/my-bowel-and-other-parts/posts/12th-june---one-step-further-and">read more</a>)<img src="https://community.macmillan.org.uk/aggbug?PostID=719402&AppID=40356&AppType=Weblog&ContentType=0" width="1" height="1">Jopeghttps://community.macmillan.org.uk/members/e15f4199eb6a43e0b721af1fbb4dc755