Help for my partner

Hi  and welcome to the Online Community, although I am sorry to see you finding us and so sorry to hear that your partner is suffering some issues.

In these situations I would always be talking with his medical team as they are the experts and there are many meds that can help.

I had very bad water retention during my many treatments and it only was fixed using IV treatments - so do explain to his team sooner than later.

A cancer diagnosis can bring a lot of stress, confusion and questions on all the family but talking with people who are on the same journey can help a lot.

This site is organised into various groups so we do have lots of support groups that are Cancer specific  and also ones that are general Cancer experience groups.

Have a look though the links above and join some groups as this will open up your concerns to a wider audience who know exactly what you are going through at the moment.

Once you find the groups you feel you can fit in follow the links then hit the ‘Join This Group’ tab just under the main group name, then go to the 'Start a Discussion' tab and set up your very own Discussion and introduce yourself to the group and ask your questions.

You may find our various Macmillan Support Line Services to be helpful - call them on 0808 808 00 00 This free service covers Emotional Support, Practical Information. Clinical Information, Financial Support and Work Guidance mostly open 8.00 to 8.00 but check the link.

We also have our ‘Ask an Expert’. section where you can post questions to our mostly Volunteer Experts but please allow 2 working days to get a reply.

Our Online Information and Support Section  is a good place to find information covering cancer diagnosis, treatments and pages covering most types of cancers.

Talking to people face to face can help a lot so check to see if you have any Local Macmillan Support in your area or a Maggie’s Centre as these folks are amazing.

When you feel up to it try putting some information in your profile. This really helps others when answering. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. Just click on YOUR username, select 'Edit Profile'. Put as much or as little in your profile and you can amend it at any time - you can see members profiles by hitting our forum names.

All the very best.

Dear I’m so sorry to hear that your partners oral thrush is not responding to fluconazole, when I did my 8 cycles of chemotherapy I was given nystatin to use by my consultant and did not develop any problems with thrush, so maybe you could mention that to your doctor. As for the water retention, I really think you should raise this as an issue with your team as it may be necessary to keep and eye on kidney function as a precaution. Never suffer in silence as we are all unique in how we respond to chemotherapy and need to be treated as individuals and not generically. You don’t mention what kind of cancer your partner is being treated for ? Also how are you doing ? It’s not an easy task being the supporter of someone with a cancer.

Hi Johnty,

My partners doctor put him on nyostatin over 2 weeks ago along with the fluconazole, just doesnt seem to be working or healing. His swollen feet and ankles he has been put on a tablet for water retention. He has been diagnosed with small cell lung cancer, and had his 1st treatment near 3 weeks ago and had no problems till last week. He has now developed a nasty cough  which hes now retching with and trying to bring up white slimy mucus. Not sure what I can do to help him 

Sadie 

Sadie, what you need to do is call his team for advice and especially as he has developed a cough and tell them all the issues that are going on as they should be able to help out but they do need to know.

Can I direct you to this link to our very supportive Lung Cancer group as this will open up your concerns to a wider audience who know exactly what you are going through at the moment.

Just follow the link I have created then hit the ‘Join This Group’ tab just under the main group name, then go to the 'Start a Discussion' tab and set up your very own Discussion and introduce yourself to the group and ask your questions.

Dear, I agree with the other advice from the highlander, you need to raise these issues with your team at the earliest opportunity. If your partner is not responding to standard treatment for his symptoms of oral thrush and water retention it’s important to explore the alternative options with your doctor. The immune system of each patient is unique to them and sometimes the doctors need to think out side the box to come up with a solution. Your job is to encourage your partner to speak up when he is suffering in this way and let the team know what is going on, it’s their responsibility to come up with solutions, so please don’t feel bad you don’t have the answers. I think your probably going to need some support for yourself so I would consider joining the carers section of the forum where you can talk freely with people in the same position as you.