Spain...anyone else

Hi,

The volcano is on the other side of the island, and I'm safe. The only effect it's had on me is worrying about friends. Three of them think their houses have gone. So far it's not affecting flights.

It feels a bit surreal watching the whole island battling a volcano while I'm sort-of off to one side fighting a completely different battle.

I've had my first trip to see my specialist doctor on Monday and I like her a lot.

She's organised a day of tests for next Thursday. Contrast MRI of the primary tumour, chest and abdomen scan for secondaries and a biopsy. There was some muddle about the dates which I found emotionally wearing but it's four departments to coordinate and it does make sense to do it all in one day since I have to get on a plane.

She also looked at the low contrast MRI done on La Palma and gently told me that she couldn't say anything certain until she had more data, but there's a real chance she'll have to amputate my leg. She also told me that prosthetics these days are fantastic, and pointed out that people do ultramarathons with bionic legs. Of course, that would involve a ton of physio and it would only make sense if I'm cured or at least in remission.

And then I found what my physical limits were by going miles past them. I walked a total of 4km which was far too much. Tenerife North airport has changed so we had to hunt for the taxi rank. Then the hospital is a labyrinth and we kept back-tracking, By the time we got to the airport I was collapsing.

My husband was great. He "liberated" a wheelchair and we blagged and pleaded our way to the plane steps, then learned what we're supposed to do for next time. 

I've found that the place to go for help is the AECC (associación española contra cancer), but I haven't contacted them yet. The poster said that they help with wheelchairs, transport, counselling, accommodation and all sorts. I'm hoping they can help with my sick leave paperwork. 

Ohhhhhh what a hard day you had, like you said you know now what your limits are. I do hope that you can get the help you need with regards to the AECC. Any help is good.  The logistics are going to make your journey though this battle difficult but you sound very strong, especially if you can walk that far with the poorly leg! I hope that you have a good support network around you and your hubby sounds like a complete star! Mine is too, which is a good job as I have no family or help at all.  Anyway keep in touch and strong, let me know how it goes on Thursday….. I wish you the best it can be… and here if you need to chat x

Hi, Paul. My husband has lung cancer, too, has failed immunotherapy and is now on chemo. We are in Valencia and have received great care through IVO. Curious to know where you are being treated.

Hi ,i had my treatment in malaga ,my chemo and immunotherapy were given together , i was accepted onto a clinical trial initially ,my last cocktail was in april 2020 and at present i have a tac scan and oncology appointment every 3 months and my tumours have dissapeared. Hopefully for good , hpoe things go well your end 

Regards   Paul

Hola! I'm from Spain too. Maybe it's a good opportunity to share with you my story... My name is Paula. Mom of a boy Carlos and a beautiful girl Camila. I was diagnosed with bladder cancer in the april 2022. It’s very hard to describe my emotions and loved ones when I was diagnosed… especially kid's emotions... Of course we didn’t know any clinics, we would never have thought that this was waiting for one of us. We started reading a lots of articles before about cancer and I was sure I'll get diagnosed. Of course I try not to talk about cancer not to cause even more pain to my family but I know how much they care about me and maybe it's a big mistake to hide my emotions. In june of 2022 I started my treatment via them (not sure is it important) which is still going on. It’s hard to say how I’m feeling now... all the time I feel a little pain... I feel lonely all the time… I hope I’ll find a bit of support here I just want to share my emotions and just to talk. My friend Mariana advised me Macmillan Community and after a few days here I found similar people with similar problems and stories so I feel now not so alone how I was before. I know how imagination works and I understand how loved ones can think about things worse than they really are but I'm still afraid to make them constantly think about it. But the feeling of expecting something bad does not leave me. Autumn is my favourite season and I’m fighting to see it again! How do you share your emotions with your family and do you even share with somebody?? Big hugs to the community here‌‌I have read several stories already and I feel this pain, I am sure that everything will be fine if we stick together! Paula

Hello Paula.   I think it's very hard to try and protect the family BUT I think it's important to be able to speak freely.  My cancer in incurable, but like you I'm looking forwards , even though I have dark bad days.  Everybody deals with their diagnosis differently, but it's good to talk etc  Feel free to Message me any time or vent on here.  Best wishes

Hi, Paula. My husband is the patient (lung cancer), and we have been very open with our family in the the United States. It helps that I worked in health care, so my adult kids are used to hearing about medical things, but I think it is important that they understand what is happening so if things don’t turn out well they don’t get a horrible surprise. Of course, I share the good things (like scans that show improvement, etc.) as well. I don’t dwell on it, but I am honest. He is the same way with his adult daughter.