My wife’s side effects

FormerMember
FormerMember
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Hi, I know that we are not on our own on this site. I have read through some very sad cases on the community chat forum and I’m hoping that we can benefit from other people who are going through this nightmare. 
My wife was diagnosed with primary breast cancer 10 years ago. On the very day of her receiving her 5 year all clear, she developed secondary bone cancer. After a 14 hour life saving surgery, we have been lucky enough to have survived a further 5 years. I feel that we have been blessed to have been given this length of time.. Last August we were dealt a further blow that the disease had spread to her liver.. This has obviously devastated the whole family. We have had further radiotherapy sessions, CT scans, MRI & Bone scans. There has been a huge change to our lives as I’m sure everybody who has suffered from this dreadful disease. Chemotherapy, has resulted in weight loss, zero appetite and the current side effect is water retention. The water retention is a huge one for her to deal with at the moment. Please may I ask if anybody else has been through this side effect. It has resulted in her not being able to walk without me by her side as she has no control or strength because of the amount of water retention. Our oncologist has no answer to why this has developed to the extent that it has. It could possibly be to do with her liver function ? Has anybody else on the forum come across this kind of side effect ? If so, I would be so grateful if I could receive some positive feed back that might help us to deal with this situation we find ourselves in.

Thanks for reading my War & Peace experience and god bless everyone who might be going through this life changing nightmare xxxx

  • Hi Bucket list,

    I’m sorry to hear all you, your wife and family are going through just now. It sounds as though you’re all going through such a difficult time and so I’m glad you’ve reached out to us.

    I see that Mike-The Highlander has offered some kind advice and information about other support groups in our forum’s and website which may bring some comfort. Like you say, sometimes the support and friendship of others going through similar experiences can be invaluable during these difficult times.

    Please also remember you can speak with our nurses directly on our support line, we’re here to offer emotional support and general advice and we’re open 7 days a week 8am-8pm.

    You mentioned your main concern at the moment, is the swelling and water retention, your wife is having to endure. This could be caused by her cancer and/or her treatment. It’s good that you’re keeping her Oncologist informed of these changes and it’s so important to let them know how this is impacting her daily life or if this is getting worse.

    Sometimes the doctors can recognise reasons for the oedema in her blood results and can look at ways of trying to reduce swelling, which may include some medications. These can include Diuretics or Steroids, but your wife’s Oncology Team or GP can offer further advice about whether they believe these may benefit your wife.

    Coping with uncertainty is extremely difficult, so please don’t hesitate to get back in touch with us. We want to support you, your wife and your family as best we can at this difficult time.

    Take care,

    Gail-Macmillan (Cancer Information Nurse Specialist)