My brother in America, is having some experimental chemo. 5 sessions every fortnight before his scan and another two sessions with 3 to go before his next scan. I was, surprised one Sunday to learn he was still feeling rough on Sunday when I texted asking when it was convenient to ring. His chemo is on Thursdays, when he rang this Thursday before his session he told me is now hiving two drugs at the hospital and a third fitted with a bag that he wears at home giving continuous chemo, then has removed in another hospital trip on Saturday's. Thus the chemo side affects lasting longer. I thought I heard him mention stoma, which I thought was something else. It was an unexpected call when I was making lunch between going out again, and he had to ring off to deal with emails before going to hospital. He has a tumour in his pancreas so was treated for diabetes before getting a scan that found the tumour, and also has to take ensymes before food. The tumour is pressing on his bile duct, therefore he was having problems with digestion for months before the cause was found. Is this type of chemo that you continue at home common? I know his Irish oncologist who moved to New York 20 years ago is now a world expert in Pancraric Cancer. She told him that the tumour could have continued to grow, during his first 5 sessions, but the last scan showed that it has, shrunk in length by 25%.
Hi Clougha Pike sorry to hear about your brother.
In blood cancers (I have been in my journey for 25 years) going home with a portable chemo pump happens a lot.
As you know the Community is actually divided into dedicated Support Groups (Discussion Rooms)……… so if you care to have a look through THIS LIST you will find all our dedicated cancer support groups listed……
These groups are safe places to talk to others who may have a similar diagnosis, treatment experience, to ask questions and get support from family members who are navigating the same journey.
As for the practical and emotional challenges of supporting your brother and indeed yourself you may benefit from joining and posting in our……..
……support group where you will connect with others navigating the same support challenges.
It is an emotional time supporting family so you might find this Macmillan information your feelings when someone has cancer helpful as well as this link getting help with your emotions.
