Week 6 – Light at the End of the Tunnel

Hi Mix

You sound like you are doing well. So nearly done, count those days down then rest and recover. Sending hugs. X

Hi Mix,

The end is now in sight for you thankfully but I absolutely remember the challenges of that last part of treatment. It’s hard.

Sounds like you are doing all the right things and taking it day by day and being very courageous in keeping such a positive outlook.

Wishing you well for the week ahead.

Stay strong and big hug to you x

Hi Mix,

Terrific that you are now entering the final stretch of treatment and seem to being doing well--how exciting to think about not having to take daily chemo tablets and making the daily trek to the hospital!

I am one week behind you, and if not for this awful back pain, would be doing okay from a treatment standpoint. I start chemo again tomorrow (the all-IV version), which I'm not looking forward to, but I remind myself that there is a point to all of this--and that's for every single one of us going through it to get well!

Wishing you all the best this week and look forward to hearing from you once you complete treatment! Xx

So sorry to hear about your back pain, that must be awful for you. Can they give you more medication to easy the pain? 

I'm on round-the-clock oxycodone, ibuprofen, and gabapentin, but it's nerve pain, so is hard to control. The doc is going to give me an epidural steroid injection once I finish treatment, plus I'm getting a nerve conduction study, so the medical team is on it. My main concern is that this is temporary pain and not related to radiation-induced damage. Send good thoughts please! 

On the happier side, with all those pain meds on board, I'm not feeling a lot of the side effects of chemo radiation treatment. Pain with BMs is controlled and I don't have diarrhea due to the narcotic's constipating effects, so that's a relief. Just wish the nerve pain would improve a bit!

Bless you, you’re in my prayers and sending you lots of virtual hugs xx

Mix, those last seven days will really pass quickly and then you can concentrate on rest and recuperation.  You really are at the very sharp end of treatment now, but 'this too will pass' (a little plaque my daughters bought me when having treatment).  And it does, and life starts to look a bit more normal - maybe a new normal but one that we all embrace to be cancer-free.

Just be very kind to yourself and don't expect too much in the early days, your body has a lot of healing to do.

Lots of healing good wishes

Irene xx

Thank you so much for all your kind words, I am so greatful for this group , it has been so helpful before and during my treatment and I know you will all be there for support afterwards 

Hi Poppydays,

I wondered how you were doing with the nerve pain. It sounds bad and I’m glad to hear that your Consultant has a plan for you. 
I am in total sympathy with you as the nerve pain caused by my stenosis for last 5 weeks is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. I’m due to be seen again at the hospital tomorrow and really hope they offer something like that to me! I’m on oromorph and pregabalin but the pain cuts right through..

You are really going through such a lot at the moment and am sorry that you’re having to deal with so much at once.

Most definitely sending loads of good thoughts to you right now. Xx

Hi PEB24,

I am so sorry you are going through nerve pain too! I totally agree that the pain meds don't treat it adequately. I told my husband that the pain meds make it semi-tolerable, but I'm never pain-free. And that pain can be so exhausting. I'm really feeling for you!

Please keep us posted on what the doctor recommends for you. My doc is holding off all treatment until I finish treatment and my blood counts normalize (he doesn't want to stick needles in my back when my platelets might be low), but hopefully they can get right to work with you.

Sending you all my good thoughts and best wishes for relief! Xx