Hi my name is Sarah and this is my story xx
So it's the 6th of October today and I can honestly say the month of September flew past in a blur for me as I spent the whole month in a hospital bed. Started feeling unwell in August and my doctor and a different hospital just diagnosed me with gastroenteritis. No tests run, just a simple diagnosis. So carried on, listened to everyone's advice, tried desperately to get better but the pains just kept getting worse, I was struggling to cope. So on the Tue afternoon after finding I'd dropped 1 and a half stone I was rushed by ambulance into Glangwili. Within hours I had a life saving operation to remove a huge mass they had found blocking my large intestine. The whole of my large intestine was removed. So the last few weeks I've been recovering under the amazing care of the staff at Glangwili, I even had to learn to walk again and I'm back on my feet unaided slowly. Unfortunately my results came back yesterday and they're not the best, the mass they removed is cancer and further tests have show its spread to my liver quite badly. They are hopeful that we can fight this and im going to bloody well give it my all I've been referred to the liver specialist at the Heath hospital Cardiff so just waiting for them to make up a plan for me. Next steps for me now is to keep putting weight on (I'm down to 6 and a half stone) and the long term plan is to start chemo and then another operation, but on my liver this time. I'm riding an emotional rollercoaster, I've been nicknamed smiler on the ward but inside I'm broken. I don't know how I'm supposed to behave or feel but I've come to the conclusion that I'm competing in the biggest competition I will ever be in and the only option I have is to win. This sort of experience definitely shows you a different outlook on life and I'm so honoured to have such an amazing support team behind me. Supposed I just got to grit my teeth and fight now
Hi and welcome to the Online Community, although I am always sorry to see folks finding us and so sorry to hear about your whirlwind and diagnosis.
‘Smiler’ I was Mr Positive and yes, this may well be that battle of a lifetime and a good amount of grit and determination goes a long way to getting through this and out the other end.
A cancer diagnosis brings a lot of confusion, stress and many questions but talking with other people who are on the same type of journey helps a lot.
The Community has various cancer specific support groups so can I direct you to our Liver, secondary cancer group as this is the place where you will connect with others walking the treatment journey both as patient or family.
Follow the link I've created above then choose ‘click to join' when the page opens.
You can then introduce yourself and post questions selecting '+New' or '+' (depending on your device) you can also join in with existing discussions by clicking on 'reply'.
The Macmillan Support Services provides lots of information. The service is open every day 8am to 8pm and it's free to call on 0808 808 00 00 have a look by Clicking here for more information.
You can also email them, use the online chat and we also have our Ask an Expert section, but do allow two working days for replies from our expert team.
Our Online Information and Support Section is a good place to find information covering diagnosis, treatments and pages covering most types of cancers.
All the very best and a virtual ((hug))
Oh Sarah, what a situation to find yourself in and in such a hurry, no time to think.
All I can say is there is no right way to behave. This time is your own and you don't owe anybody anything but to look after yourself, you don't have to prove you're strong. Look to your team and trust them. You don't say whether you have family or friends involved. I hope you have some support both physical and mental and of course there will be folk on here to help.Grit your mental teeth and we'll grit ours with you. All the best.
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
