My sister has just finished her first round of therapies for liver cancer. Capecitabine and Phesgo. She experienced nausea, sickness and diarrhoea and has ended up with colitis.
She is being rehydrated in hospital and given anti-diarrhoea medication. She began to improve but now, after five days, she’s had another very painful and explosive attack of diarrhoea.
Her diet in hospital seems to be including a lot of milk and I’m wondering whether this is helping or not. I will suggest to her in the morning that she asks to speak to someone who might be able to advise but in the meanwhile, I would be interested in comments.
Thank you.
Hi Freeartstudio and a warm welcome to the Macmillan Community but I am sorry to hear about your sisters diagnosis.
I know from experience having been on my cancer journey for over 26 years with two very rare, hard to treat types of Non Hodgkin’s Lymphomas (one incurable), Asbestosis and recently Prostate Cancer that navigating this journey can be such a stressful and challenging time but talking with and getting support from people who have walked or are walking the ‘exact same' treatment journey, be it as a patient or caregiver can help a lot.
Based on my long chemo experience (750+ hrs) unexpected explosive diarrhoea episodes can happen…. I drank a lot if milk and thus was not seen as a problem….. keeping hydrated is very important but do talk with her team just to understand what is going on.
This New to Community area is like our reception desk where we try and link you in with the best areas in the community. The community is actually divided into dedicated Support Groups (Discussion Rooms) so can I recommend you look to join and post in our dedicated…….
……. support group.
This group is a safe place 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 support journey.
As for the practical and emotional challenges of supporting your sister and indeed yourself you may benefit from joining and posting in our general cancer……
Carers only (if you are her caregiver)
……. support groups where you will connect with a wide range of members navigating the exact same support challenges.
To connect with a group click on the “Bold Links” I have created above …… then once the group page opens click in the [Black - Click to Join - Banner] that appears at the bottom of the page and this will then confirm that you have joined the group.
When you are ready……. you can introduce yourself by putting up your very own post by clicking [+ Create new post] or [+] in the top right of the group page.
You can copy and paste the text from this post into your new post.
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.
As always the Macmillan Support Line is open between 8am-8pm (timings may differ across services) 7 days a week on 0808 808 00 00…… this service provides cancer information, practical information, emotional support, benefits and financial guidance or just a listening ear.
Do get back to me if you need further help navigating the community.
