Week 4 Treatment - reflections

Ali

I am sorry but I had a chuckle when you said you were eating balsamic vinegar crisps - I had the same experience but with tomato soup.  I needed strong flavoured food and I thought soup would hit the spot, well it did that all right but not the spot I intended!

Truly, these last few days will fly.  And then no more hospital visits, you can take your time and concentrate on recovery.  When you think about what your body has been through you really need time to recuperate.  My husband slept in a different bedroom too.  He is a very light sleeper and had such disturbed nights with me up and down to the loo and tossing and turning it helped us both when he decamped to the spare room.

There was one occasion whilst I was going for a radiotherapy appointment, the department was accessed by a very long corridor.  I walked behind this man in very loose track suit bottoms and every step he took a groan escaped;  I thought, poor man, I bet he is having pelvic radiotherapy.  I am sure our treatment comes into a class of its own.

My daughters gave me a little plaque 'this too shall pass'.  And it did.  So I am really happy to hear you sounding so positive and planning your future.

My biggest treat was after I had my three month scan; we jumped on a ferry for a long holiday in Spain - it was blissful!

Count off those days!

Irene xx 

Hi Ali 

Well done on getting this far and you have the end of your treatment in sight.

Thank you for your honest update, these are really helping me prepare as I start my treatment on 7th Jan..

I took have prepared the spare bedroom with nice cosy sheets and blankets..I have stocked up on tenna lady pants and pads just in case I have and accidents .

I also took advice fir the forum and got lots of baggy track suit bottoms, thermometer, water wipes and a sitz bath..trying to be as prepared as I possibly can.

A question I'm not sure about is the bladder an drinking part.. the hospital has gave me a drinks bottle and when I went for my fitting for tattoos I had to empty my bladder then drink the water bottle.. I. Assuming that's what I have to do every time? 

Re exercise in my mind I was thinking I can get a few mile walk each day once treatment starts but I know in my heart that won't be possible so I have looked at YouTube for some indoor walking exercises to music..least that way if I need to stop I can.. think for me it's more for my mental health.. how are you finding walking for any long durations?

I keep reminding myself this is a short period of time in my life and fingers crossed by march I will have some normality back..

I'm also going to keep a diary.. 

Good luck for finishing your treatment.. wishing you lots of best wishes x

Hi Squeak 

I was given a water bottle aswell. I had a drink time appointment where I had to empty my bladder and then drink 450ml of water as quick as possible and then on the first day my radiotherapy treatment was 20 minutes after, however those got changed to 45 minutes because I drink loads of water normally it took longer than the 20 minutes for my bladder to get full. As far as exercise went I went to the gym on the first day but after that I felt sick from the 5 days of chemo plus I had mine via a picc line so I had a chemo pump attached to me 24/7. I did some long walks at the weekend once pump was removed but by end of week 2 or 3 can't remember exactly the burns around my legs made walking very uncomfortable so no more exercise. I finished on the 6th November I'm back to the gym and I can walk probably upto about 3 miles now before the new skin on my legs gets a bit uncomfortable from where your clothing touches, but the distance is increasingly weekly and if I didn't have clothing touching the skin it would be fine. Keeping a diary is a brilliant idea, I wish I had as I can only remember rough timings of things now. Good luck for the 7th. Sending hugs.  Xx

Hi Ali

Nearly there, keep counting those days down. Sending hugs. Xx

Ps. Don't know if it counts as a treat but I'm having a new bathroom it's long overdue. I've also renamed my credit card my I DESERVE IT CARD. Xx

Thanks for your reply.

I think I'm just going to have to take each day as it comes and stop trying to plan.. so bloody hard when I'm used to being so organized and have everything planned...

Will drop some updates on this forum once a week..tge good and the bad 

X 

Hey Squeak. 

I found that week one, I felt poorly from the IV chemo and although I did manage some 20 minute walks with the hubby and dog that first week - my bowel movements were the biggest challenge (continue to be too).

I actually have found that I'm very happy just taking it easy - I thought I'd really suffer with "cabin fever" however, I'm focused on fighting and that feels at the moment like resting.  I can't bring myself to sit downstairs on the sofa anymore - it hurts my butt too much and I also seem to suffer with more wind.  I'm comfortable with the fact/hope that come mid-February I should be out and about and immersing myself in life once more.

Before I started treatment, I purchased some foods but I've not been able to eat them at all. The best investments were the wet wipes (Fred & Flo), sitz bath, bonjella (mouth ulcers), jelly babies, books (read them whilst on the toilet) and coconut oil.   Going into week I'm still using coconut oil on my butt after each BM (but not before treatment).

At the Royal Berks they give us cups - we drink three within 5 minutes, 30 mins before treatment - every day.   I tend to drink only water now other than when I take my chemo pills when I drink them down with Oat based chocolate milk. 

The one regret I had was not taking anti nausea tablets before the IV chemo on day one. I took them in the evening because I suddenly felt super poorly... So chat with the nurse...  

I do I feel pretty fortunate so far - it's not a walk in the park... And I'm trying not to overthink about what's to come and instead just focus on the right now - what do I need right now to get through this moment... 

Good luck and be kind to yourself. It's hopefully just two months of taking it easy, helping your body and mind to focus on getting well, again.

Xxx 

Thank you.. you really have gave me great advice.. so pleased I joined this forum..

Stay strong and good luck xx

Thanks Bungle1 - I'm definitely keeping my focus on another day done and dusted.  When I have a tough episode, I'm giving myself a talking to, reminding me that it's going to pass.  

I can't imagine my bottom getting any more sore but I know as my Dr said that "it's going to get worse before it gets better" - and with that in mind - I'm going easy on the morphine! 

Any advice for the next month? 

Ali x 

I always love reading your posts Irene75359  for your honesty, humour and belief - your words are always filled with encouragement - thank you!

I've got my eyes on a holiday too - I love love love the sea and feel like body and bottom will appreciate a dip in a beautiful blue ocean and to also fill the sun on my face - so fingers crossed

And love the plaque from your daughter - think it should be the anal cancer treatment mantra!! 

Here's to making memories that matter. 

Love

Ali x

Hi Ali

Not really I'm afraid. I found things healed pretty quickly although at the time it didn't feel like it. It was like pooing was painful and then suddenly it was fine not a gradual improvement just over night as such. The same with being uncomfortable walking, one day I was walking like I was 100 and the next it was normal. Same with mucous. Even though I was told things would get worse in the 2 weeks post I didn't find they did. Hopefully will be the same or better for you. Sending hugs. Xx