Surviving

Hi Robynn,

Just turn round and say its none of your Bloody Business.I ve been Dead a week why are you asking now

But thats Me.

Take care and be safe Love Sarsfield.xxx

Hi Robynn,

I know exactly what you mean about people enquiring about you as people who haven't seen my since my chemo looked really suprised and comment on how well I look - excuse me - what do they expect to see - the walking dead.  Some are very outspoken and make comments about my hair growth etc but it's better to talk about it than the taboo subject it was years ago.

I had brachytherapy in Nov 2009 at The Christie in Manchester and although it was uncomfortable, it was certainly bearable.  I had the device inserted under a general anaesthetic and was placed in a room with a dividing wall and another lady on the other side of the wall.  The nurses connect you to the radioactive rods, make sure you are comfortable and then leave the room, turning the radioactive rods on.   You have a tv etc and can contact the staff at any time.  They will check on you every 2 hours and move you if you become uncomfortable. You can't move yourself just in case you disturb the rods and have a catheter inserted.  The doctor will let you know how long you need to be there - mine was 16 hours but the lady next to me was 12.  The time depends on the spread of your cancer. You are able to eat and drink and the nurses will bring you food at regular intervals.  Take plenty of reading material, crosswords etc because you can get quite bored.  Just say to yourself when you're going through it "it will pass" and it will be over before you know it.  

Good luck with your treatment

Lorraine

x

You can say how you feel to anyone. I do. It is fine to say 'No I am not alright' I won't dress it up just to make the other person feel better. We are both in the same position back fighting it again but you know what chic, we did it before and we can do it again, it isn't easy but then again, nobody said it would be. You take care and hope your treatment goes well....love Carol x

Dear Robynn, I think you should be able to be truthful! And I'm glad that blogging makes you feel better - it's certainly a good outlet.

Can I say from 'the other side' that we ask the question 'how you are doing today?' because we really care. I didn't want my stepdad to think I was ignoring his illness, and I wanted to give him an opportunity to share his thoughts/feelings if he wanted to. But it's a personal thing.

Good luck with the treatment, love Val X

Hi Robynn

Just want to reiterate what Lorraine has said about brachytherapy. It is completely do-able if there is such a word, don't be frightened. It is uncomfortable and incredibly boring as you are unable to move. I took my laptop in with me, and lots of DVDs and music.

Mine was for 18 hours, and admittedly I was counting down the minutes at the end but mainly because my bum had gone numb and I was desperate to move!

The next day I was absolutely fine, so chill it sounds far worse than it actually is

Good luck

x