Right hemicolectomy 3 weeks ago

https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/bowel-cancer/staging-and-grading-of-bowel-cancer

Hi Monkey puzzle

Firstly can I just say how sorry I am for such a difficult and sad period in your own life . That must have been very hard watching your husband endure that and then to face your own health issues .

Great news you are through surgery and no lymph nodes involved. To cover it more fully I have linked in a Macmillan leaflet on grading and it covers the three different grades of cells . Getting more information before your meeting allows you to follow more clearly the discussion and participate more fully in the decision. 

I think it’s pretty standard to provide this information to all patients as they like to Provide as much information as possible.

Hope your starting to recover more and you will be relieved to be safely through it all . 

Take care ,

Court 

Thank you Court for your quick reply.

I will have a read of it now.

Take care x

Hello

Saw oncologist about week ago. 

Told me my tumour was a high grade tumour so recommended 6 months Capecitabine  starting on 23rd July.

I know my dear husband will be watching over me and helping me get through this next 6 months.

The only positive is that as I have a phobia to needles it's in tablet form!

I see my surgeon next Wednesday for my 6 week check up .

Thinking of everyone going through this.

Take care xxx

Hi Monkey puzzle. The clear lymph nodes is good news and the capecitabine will just be an extra precautionary measure to put the belt and braces on it. I think most people find the capecitabine tablets on their own to be pretty doable (although they are quite large!). They can cause tingly hands and feet though so it might be wise to pick up some Aveeno cream with Shea butter at the supermarket/chemist and keep them well moisturised. 
Hope the meeting with the surgeon goes well

Take care

Karen x

Thank you Karen for your reply. 

I'm not good with big tablets! Got told off by a nurse in hospital for not swallowing their paracetamol as I though they were too big!!

Hopefully be able to get them down. I have to take 4 in the morning and 4 after tea.

Roll on January 15th as that's when I finish all being well.

Take care xxx Barbaraxx

Hi

Wonder if anyone has any suggestions on how to drink more.

I've been having trouble drinking sufficient liquid since before I had my right hemicolectomy on.June 10. To be honest this started months ago. I was full time carer for my husband who sadly passed away last November with a brain tumour. 

I was always busy so just didnt bother drinking a lot as I didnt have time and this has culminated in me finding it hard to drink enough now.  I was told in hospital to keep drinking and I really tried.

With my 6 months of chemotherapy starting on Friday this week and knowing I have to drink about 2 litres or more a day I was wondering if anyone else has found this a problem or has anyone any ideas.

My Oncologist has told me I must not get dehydrated as my kidneys could be affected so need to up my liquids. 

It will be 6 months of Capecitabine I will be taking.

Sending love to you all

Barbara  xxx

Hi Monkey puzzle

My mum is really terrible at staying hydrated at the best of time . Only a little tea now and again .

Chemo became very challenging with a few hospital admissions as she dehydration knocking her electrolytes out. Or I think that’s what happened so we had to really work hard with her on it . She found drinking glasses of water at a time too challenging and often was sick with it . However we were told to get her a bottle of water . She had to literally just take a small sip often until she has taken in her amount . She just Carried it around with her ! She was taking the equivalent of a spoon full each time but it worked ! It just became a habit !

To be honest I do the same now as I am really Ned too but it works for me ! 

The other aspect , we could actually monitor the volume she was taking ! She added a little flavour now and again . Plus it was easier to make it room temperature for when she was on Oxaliplatin.

Take care ,

Court 

Hi Monkey puzzle You can get ‘motivational’ bottles on-line which have little lines on showing how much to drink by 8am, 9am etc. Could you set an alarm on your phone to remind you to have a drink every hour? x

Thanks Court glad I'm not the only one who finds it difficult!

I've got 500ml bottles of water in the fridge which I thought I could get through 4bof them a day that would be 2 litres but am finding that hard to do.

I will try taking sips just like your mum.and see how I get on.

Will let you know how I get on !! 

Thanks x

Hi Karen

Thanks for reply.

I have some of those bottles.  I start off with good intentions of drinking it all but after a few mouthfuls I lose the plot!

The last thing I want is to end up in hospital because I'm dehydrated so I will go all out this week to conquer it.

Setting an alarm is a good idea. 

Will let you know how I get on.

Thanks x