So annoyed with myself

Hi Kirsty87

No need to apologise - you have a lot to get your head around and this journey can feel a bit of a rollercoaster at times. So this space is a great safe space for you to let out any emotions and get information.

I finished 6 months of chemo just a few months back - I have been incredibly impressed with how quickly my hair all over has regrown. I found having the option of a wig or two quite fun to have different personnas, lots of beanies to keep head warm and I got false eyelashes to help protect eyes. The cancer charity www.cancerhaircare.co.uk can be a wonderful support.

Each person can react differently - many don't lose hair but if you do, feel free to talk to those of us on here that did and hopefully we can help support you.

Getting your treatment plan is one of the biggest steps. Take time to be kind to yourself right now and listen to your own needs. And remember you can also go back to your oncologist, usually via their secretary, or go to your CNS to ask more questions about your specific treatment plan options.

Hi Kirsty

so sorry to hear that. I am not expert as I got differing treatment plan , mine was surgery first and now I am recovering and waiting for histology but might be worth to ring your Colorectal nurse and try to discuss different approach to your treatment plan if you are not happy what they advise you 

sorry can not help a lot 

but I think you will be fine , don’t thinks worth can happen to you , you need to trust your team 

take care 

Thank you so much for your reply, i suppose im just panicking more about the baby more than anything else, and i think she will be fine but im not sure i will be if i cant be around her when shes ill thats what us mothers are 4 n we :( im sure il love trying on different wigs and i wear false eyelashes alot now anyway... I think i will give my col nurse a ring tomorrow just to ask a few morw questions, i was so overwhelmed earlier i couldnt think of anything to ask 

Thank you 4 ur reply. Tbh the consultant i spoke with didnt seem at all sure that the treatment would work, kept saying the only way to get rid of it is to get it out, so think i will def speak 2 my col nurse and tell her my feelings. Hope your ok and feeling well xx

Also hope ur feeling well after ur chemo 6 months must of been hard xx

Yes Kirsty87, the 6 months of chemo wasn't my favorite time in my life but I'm hoping the months and years ahead are kinder on my health and much more fun

Thank you 

I am nearly one week after Robotic surgery 

Ring them tomorrow and ask all questions!

all the best! 

Hi Kirsty87 

https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/impacts-of-cancer/infection#:~:text=Chemotherapy%20is%20one%20of%20the,time%20is%20called%20the%20nadir.

I have linked in an information leaflet on infection . Literally thousands of people of all different cancer types have chemo with young children in the house . Even if you do catch a cold as many do it does not mean you are going to end up neutropenic  as is my limited understanding. Many people catch colds and recover fine . They will watch your bloods closely and stay vigilant and if you feel unwell get checked out . 
I called it a common sense approach . My mum initially stayed with me when she went through chemo and I had two primary school kids . I was worried but my dad had just had a stroke so it was the only practical solution. 
I sanitise my hands frequently and if any of our family thinks we are slightly viral if possible we stay away . But also mum puts on a mask . Stays at the other end of a room. Etc .

Right now she has a chest infection so I am more alert and got an antibiotic right away . Don’t sit on anything. I have delayed her chemo until she picks up . 

We avoid handrails and doorknobs where possible or use hand sanitizer afterwards .

If you feel unwell act right away as they can get onto it .

But I can assure you many people come through this and we are here to support you . I am going to link in Star74 if she has time to reassure you as she has a young family . 

Have a chat with our helpline staff to see if there is any local support for you on 0808 808 0000

Surgeons sometimes like to get as good margins as possible but if you are unsure about the plan you can get a second opinion. Sometimes its really helpful .

Some people are super responsive and get great shrinkage . 
A very tough day for you and very overwhelming. Have a chat with our helpline staff as I am sure they could put some perspective around this .

Take care ,

Court 

Dear Kirsty87

When you speak to the consultant, I’d encourage you to ask what the intention of the chemo is. It might be called neo-adjuvant chemo - this means pre-surgery treatment to shrink the tumour to make the operation more successful. So check whether they’re planning surgery as part of your treatment. And if you don’t think you’re getting plain answers, you can ask for another opinion. 

Chemo affects us all uniquely. The effects may build up so you might like to get friends to rally round and support you in practical ways, especially with such a young child to care for. 

Hi Kirsty,

I was diagnosed in 2019 and had surgery, followed by 12 cycles of chemo (FOLFOX). My kids were 12, 10 and 6 at the time and carrying plenty of germs. I didn't make any effort to stay away from them when they had the sniffles and caught a bit of a sore throat but nothing more than the usual symptoms. I was back on 12 cycles of chemo over last winter (FOLFIRI this time) for lung metastases, followed by radiotherapy (SABR) and managed to catch a few colds and a chest infection, which meant one of the infusions had to be delayed by a week, but I wasn't any sicker than I would have been without chemo and it cleared with a course of antibiotics (also got covid in July whilst on radiotherapy). The oncology team will be monitoring your white blood cell levels throughout the treatment to make sure you retain enough immunity to fight infections.

I found most side effects were manageable and was able to keep running around the kids and work, although I had to reduce my hours to 20hrs/week. Having said that, treatments are different and people cope differently as well.

When they found the metastases in the lungs, I wanted them removed as soon as possible but the oncologist advised for chemo first to try and get rid of any rogue cancer cells in the system before targeting the tumours with radiotherapy and the chemo did shrink the tumours slightly.

My hair got very thin and I did consider shaving it all off but I was concerned about the reactions I would get from my clients at work and having to explain the situation so I kept it very short (it is short anyway so it wasn't difficult). If you want some support and advice about hair loss, I recommend checking out Look good Feel better, I attended one of their workshop and really enjoyed it (https://lookgoodfeelbetter.co.uk/).

It is important that you understand your treatment plan and why the medical team are choosing a certain option over another so make sure you ask lots of questions and, as already mentions by other members, don't hesitate to reach out to your specialist nurses, sometimes I find writing down my concerns/questions before ringing them helps.

Take care,

Cecile