Blogging can be a great way to journal your experiences and share with others. Why not create your own cancer journey blog, or have a read of other blogs created by our members?
Unsure how to get started? Take a look at our help pages on blogs.
Looking to the future - talk to the Macmillan nurses who visit the wards where treatment takes place re financial difficulties if unable to work, benefits, grants, disability aids etc, and find out if there is any help available whilst you are receiving care.
Checkout free prescriptions with your specialist, once diagnosed you will be entitled to an exception certificate for medicines. Ensure you get a sick note to cover you at work whilst having treatment. Ask about Carers allowance for...
My partner was diagnosed with non hodgkins lymphoma - aggresive, in july last year - six months after discovering a lump in his left groin that grew to the size of a tennis ball. Following the biopsy and removal of the lump he developed kidney and stomach pains and suffered drenching night sweats, he was told he would need chemotherapy.
We were both knocked for six by the diagnosis, I closed down our businesses and I took on the role of carer whilst he underwent chemo.
We too like many of you...
Remembering to take medication was our biggest hurdle, especially when his temperature shot up, he got confused and over tired, and often couldn't remember whether he had taken them or not, so I devised a chart a bit like a calender to put near his medication, this told him which ones, when, at what time, and how he should take it, ie with or without food, he would cross them off after he had taken them.
Leaving him in control of taking his medication was the best option so he didn't feel...
Coming to terms with the fact that you are no longer in control of your body has been the hardest part of the task.
Keeping my partners spirits up has been so hard, especially when immune systems deplete, resistance is low, emotions go haywire, and tempers flare due to frustration and there seems no end to the drugs and feeling sick.
We have weathered all storms and come out fighting. Support, love and help when needed plus very broad shoulders to lean on is the best medicine you can offer...
My partner has been in hospital now since May after the lymphoma returned it has wrapped itself in and around the sciatic nerve in his right leg. We are awaiting high dose chemo and a stem cell transplant after we were told his lymphoma had returned and it was a more aggressive strain.
For those of you out there who are awaiting a stem cell transplant and undergoing high dose chemo, ask your consultant about anything you are not sure of, ask them to explain each stage of your transplant...
having just joined the community about 2 hours ago, i find it fascinating!! havnt a clue what to do but determined to succeed! watch this space for progress,, fingers crossed!!!
…..would be proud of me. My mouth and throat are a sanctuary it seems for thrush. Ok, so maybe Mr Oddie wouldn’t be that impressed as it’s not the feathered variety of thrush but you can’t please all of the people all of the time! I actually thought I was doing quite well clearing them out of the nesting spot at the back of my throat but Dr Tinkerbell said otherwise and Tuesday’s chemo was postponed. Did you notice that it was Dr Tink’ and not Dr Socks I saw...
Been just over a year since I kicked the cisplatin habit. Can honestly say that not one part of me got on with it in any way - but it can sure kick some serious cancer butt.
Towards the back end of last year I was able to be objective about things - all I can say now is let that WMD do it's thing. There are no guarentees - and as it never signed the Geneva Convention be prepared for some collateral damage - however it is well understood and no reaction you have to it will be a surprise to the Doctors...
Chemo 5 went ahead without any hitches. Sal doesn't get much in the way of symptoms during the chemo session but she does get a "moon face" from the steriods.
She is quite well today, just waiting for the chemo fog to kick in in the next day or two. She says it is like having several bags of cement on top of her! Mind you, her appetite for ice cream hasn't deminished! Good job the golf is on TV for the next couple of days.
Sal's symptoms seem to have settled down into a pattern...
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