Diagnosed with Squarmous Cell Carcinoma 4/5cm lump.

Hi Chieffee

Welcome to the group and so sorry you are going through this. I start treatment on Monday and it's been such a long wait.. 2 months since diagnosis after months of going back to the dr knowing something wasnt right.The pain can wake me up at night and I haven't slept properly since December. The fatigue is also really difficult to deal with now. I was so active before this but gradually my energy levels have plummeted. I have learnt to give into the tiredness and now sleep when I need to. A day time  nap is now my norm..

As for pain I  popped paracetamol and ibrobrufen regularly but the pain was getting so bad. I eventually got put on morphine patches which takes the edge off but I do need to take laxatives as they have a constipation side effect. They alao have a drowsy effect  so I wasn't keen but my cancer nurse was super helpful and said do not suffer with the pain. I have had to sometimes alao top up with oral morphine which helps too. I generally hate taking meds but figure this is short term. 

My bloods recently showed up I was very low in iron so had to have an iron infusion I also had started bleeding rather heavily but that seems to have died down now thankfully.

I definitely recommend talking to you cancer team about pain meds and going back to your GP. I called my GP and said my cancer team advised I was put on morphine patches slow release ones. The fast action ones made.me feel very sick so make sure you get slow release ones if you go on them.

Good luck with it all

Polly

Hi Polly,

Just want to wish you well for Monday. Although it’s daunting it can be such a relief to start treatment. It sounds like you have had a really difficult time for months on end so have everything crossed for you. xx

Polly

We will all be thinking of you on Monday, please come back and let us know how it went.  The first day can be a long one, but after that, provided your bladder is full, you can be in and out of treatment in 20 minutes.

And start marking off that calendar!

Irene xx

Sending massive good luck wishes. I was given Pregabalin. , it's a nerve ending pain killer ,once I was about the 3rd week in  on treatment. Also  creams to apply lots in the day. I recommend you get some puppy pads for your bed,  a Sit bath, water wipes are a must, and I bought some cotton gloves off Amazon for applying the creams. Drink about 3 litrs of fluid a day. I went on a low fibre diet to help with the loose stools. Im 4 weeks on from treatment , and still struggling to wear clothes. But i am improving slowly each day. . Rest as much as you can. It really helps.

Sending positive hugs Anne

Hey Anne

I've just ordered a sitz bath and stocked up on wipes ans creams thanks for recommendations. Also ordered some pads you but in the fridge to help with swelling. It's surreal isn't it I still feel this isn't happening to me! 

Keep getting well and hope ypu start feeling better soon

Xxx

Thanks you so much Irene. My husband has made a massive chart with all days of treatment on and I am looking forward to crossing those days off.

Xxx

Thank you so much Peb24. Im so ready for treatment to begin but am nervous too...

Xx

Hi Polly,

Im sorry you are also going through the same journey as me.

Today was ok for me, Chemo felt good, so much so that i was happy to stay for longer. I shall be back again next week and like you I shall be needing an Iron infusion too.

Hopefully the stuff does its magic and im happy to have finally started.

I just hope the worry of a blockage does not happen.

Hey Chieffee that's great news. So pleased today went OK! We are going to smash this  have a good weekend and rest up.

Xx