Getting to treatment

Oh Podperson, I'm so sorry you are suffering like this.I have no experience of the pain you are going through I just want to send you the biggest hugs and best wishes, don't give up I truly hope things improve for you soon. Love Lynn x

Hi Podperson, my heart goes out to you. You have been and are going through an awful time. Constant pain is demoralising and of course your spirits and strength are low right now. I dont have any experience of radiotherapy Podperson, but I know there are folk on here that have , and may be able to help answer your questions. After all that you have been through, do you have any nursing services that come out to see you at home ? Any physio therapy ? Coping with all of this must be draining. make enquiries to see what support you can get at home . Take care and good luck next wednesday x

Oh I’m so sorry you are in so much pain.Thinking of you and sending my best wishes that radiotherapy will help.Love Jane xx

Dear Podperson,

I'm so sorry to hear all this. I don't have any information re radiotherapy though it should reduce the pressure, hopefully but am wondering if some of your pain might be from your back. I have several defects in my spine and know how very painful it can be. You mention back  and leg spasms and if you have just had the stoma your core muscles are probably sore and unable to support your spine as usual.

Recliners are great - I have a couple myself but you may not be in the right position for your body now. Is there any way you could raise your legs eg on a firm pillow or two?

The best way I have found to help my back in an emergency is to adopt a z shape 90 degree bends at hips and knees. That forces your lower back down and your spine can lengthen and expand the gaps between vertebrae. When in pain, I used to lie on the floor, head on book so nose was straight up to ceiling then legs against the sofa and bent  so lower legs were resting on the seat. Then you breathe as deeply and slowly as you can and unclench jaw and anywhere else that is tense. 

I appreciate you might find it hard to get into this position and one leg may not bend from the hip. However, even if you went to hospital, you could get a similar position by using the bed  remote to lower head and shoulders right down and get a bend at hip and knees.

I hope you can get some relief somehow. 

All the best,

Latestart x

Hi Podperson

I had my lymph grow to 4cm, I got a DVT in the groin, my leg trebled in size. The radiotherapy did help with the pain, I described it as a sciatic pain. It wasn't instant but slowly it did relieve the pain a measurable amount. I only had a 5 day palliative course aimed at the tumour in the bladder and that lymph node but I believe that made difference. I'm sorry you are going through this, it's not nice. 

Unfortunately for me that's all it did do relieve symptoms. I am now on a clinical trial and must say I've never felt better. The lymph node has shrunk by 50% and the tumour by a small amount. But, I am walking more, get myself into and out of London on the train for treatment twice a week. 

Don't give up hope, I'm going on holiday for a week in three weeks. Never did I think back in August I would even get on a plane again! Good luck 

Nanna