Week 4 done.

You're doing great. I won't lie - the last week and a half was a slog, feeling uncomfortable and tired. But I'm two and a half weeks out the other side and I'm pretty much back to normal - off out for dinner with 'the girls'tonight :-).  My skin is all healed now. My tip is to move to sudacrem as soon as your treatment finishes, providing your skin isn't broken. It works a dream on peeling and itching skin but not sure how it would do on weeping wounds. 

You've got this! x

Hello Michelle F6eb802 

Your immunity is low whilst taking chemo and they are always on the lookout for infections, which is we are told to go to hospital if we have a temperature spike.  The same thing happened to me, fortunately it also happened at the weekend and I was discharged Monday morning and went straight on to the cancer hospital for that day's radiotherapy session.

So you only have three more days?  There is a light at the end of the tunnel, just be very kind to yourself, lots of rest and the relief of not having the daily visits is overwhelming.

Not long now, Michelle.  Gentle hug.

Irene xx

Hi there Michelle F6eb802 ,

I'm so sorry you’re having a rough time at the moment. When you’re nearing the end of treatment it can get a bit bumpy to say the least & it’s when you begin to wonder if you’ll ever feel anywhere near your old self again but please believe that you will.

Don’t worry too much about meals, as long as you’re still adding fuel to your body to try & sustain some energy then snacking your way through is fine but if you find your appetite takes a real nosedive then ask your oncologist if they can prescribe you some meal replacement drinks, that way you’ll know you’re getting your essential nutrients without having to force yourself to eat if you don’t feel like it. 

I know it’s so difficult when you’re feeling ropey but try & focus on the end of your treatment, it’s in touching distance now then no more daily hospital trips & you can retreat to the comfort of your own home to begin your recovery. I slept A LOT during that first week post treatment & generally moved from bed to bath to sofa to bath & back to bed again but once my side effects peaked my recovery was surprisingly quick especially the improvements in my skin! The fatigue lasted a little longer but the gaps between days that I felt exhausted gradually got longer & longer. 

Wishing you the best of luck this week & I hope you’re feeling a bit better really soon. Thinking of you & virtually cheering you on to that finish line.  

Nicola 

Hi Crystaltipps73f2a8 , it’s fabulous to hear that you’re doing so well so early into your recovery. We often hear from those of us that are struggling as it’s then that support is so important but it offers great hope to others & is really welcomed when members post positive experiences too so thank you.  

I hope you enjoyed your girly dinner date & your recovery continues on same trajectory. 

Nicola 

Hello Michelle.

It sounds like a very rough week for you. I’m sorry that you had the chest infection on top of everything else and had the additional challenge of strong antibiotics and a hospital stay. That must have been very distressing. I hope the infection is clearing.

Im not surprised that you feel more tired and just hoping that you are able to rest up over the weekend.

I don’t know about dressings as I didn’t have any but like Bungle1, definitely did the John Wayne walk and used loose cotton clothing, sudocrem ( but not before RT treatments), Cystopurin sachets and diluted cranberry for the radiation cystitis. 

Some forum members have recommended coconut oil and Manuka honey with good results, but it definitely sounds best to speak with your team on Monday.

The end of treatment is in sight even if it feels like a long way to go right now. You are almost there. 

Wishing you all the best for the week ahead and hold on to the goal if you can. 

Sending healing hugs xxx