Bowel cancer carers, family and friends chat

Morning All!

How has everyone's day been so far?? Sound like you're having fun Jkee with your `furbaby` or is it Simon having more fun. That was good what he said though `he has something to get up for` wish Jay had that attitude. Physio been in and he wasn't very complient with the physio this morning. He had a student in with him this morning. He had him at least sitting up and standing just for a minute and between us we managed to get the bottom sheet on the bed changed as I've not been able to do that because Jay won't get up. The physio knows though they are not stupid. He said he wants him to try to sit up at the side of the bed and do what I call a `bum shuffle` just more or less try and slide himself up and down the side of the bed. The physio knows he can do it and I know he can do it, but he needs to do it himself and it's getting him to actually do it. So we have to carry on with the leg exercises and do the `bum shuffle` (sounds like a new dance move). Asked me to get his wheelchair up from the car which I did but then decided it wasn't needed so need to humph it back down again later on. The physio knows he can get up and walk but it's all psychological with Jay and it's all reverting back to when he had that fall a couple of weeks ago they even had him walking with his frame in the hospital which back then they didn't think he would do but since he's come home it's been nothing. The clots in his catheter (touch wood) seem to have died down a bit but I phoned the GP this morning anyway and he got a call back. She wants to put him on a 7 day course of antibiotics and I need to take up a urine sample later when I go up to collect them. The blood (sorry being graphic again) has a slight tinge of brown through it now so hopefully its easing off- Please God! So we've got more physio homework to do for next week bum shuffling and leg stretches. He'll be up doing the `slosh` in no time got to laugh, if not you cry. Take Care All.

xx

Patty this will all be up to him. You and the physio know as well he an do it. I would not trust myself if I was on my own.   Have you got a blow up bed to put on the floor in case he is disoriented and falls. He just needs that extra safety so he is not nervous. I really don’t know how you cope. At the moment every day roles into one. Daughter and grandchildren poorly so guess we won’t see them for a while. Molly will be 7 on Saturday so hoping they are all clear. Obviously have to stay away from Les. Every day is different for the husbands but ours are the same. You’re right you have to laugh at times otherwise we would go under. Good luck Patty on trying to get him to sit up as I don’t envy you at this minute now. Everything on tv is out the c word and I am fed up of it. Take a breather and have a cuppa. Keep us all updated. Huge hugs to you all. Maggie 

Thanks Maggie!

Just doing that wee bit this morning has exhausted him. Phoned the pharmacy at the GP surgery to check his anitbiotics were ready to be collected and guess what, surprise, surprise they're not. So much for the GP putting the prescription through right away. The surgery closes between 1 & 2 for lunch so can't go back up until after then. Never known a surgery like ours they literally only have to walk `feet` away from one another so don't know what the GP's are doing all day. I know they are still not doing face-to-face appointments at times so other than paperwork don't what else they're doing. Yes you're so right the days do just role into one. Everyday is `groundhog` day for us same old, same old. Yes I know what you mean too about the C word on the TV you watch TV to try to get away from it for a wee while and it still hits you in the face. Not watching Eastenders just now as they have the Lola character dying with brain tumour (my sister's twin died with that) and can't believe they wrote into Emmerdale one of the characters the male nanny lying saying his dad has prostrate cancer how insensitive! They just finished a cancer storyline last year too. But I think when you or someone you know is going through it, it is just so prominent whereas, you probably wouldn't give cancer a second thought otherwise. Wish me luck getting this prescription today. I live in hope. 

xx

I do wish you luck on the prescription. Gosh I don’t feel too well at moment and can’t be bothered. Les walls out room when eastenders or Corrie is on as it is jus doom and gloom. I can see a dead bee on the floor and will get round to it when I can be bothered.  That is terrible of me xx

No it's not!  I have stuff just lying everywhere. I used to be `slightly` houseproud but now I don't give a toss. When people came in I'd get very `housebarassed` as they call this these days if the place wasn't tidy but think they know you have other things going on other than trying to keep on top of housework. Some days I just can't be a***d. Yes all the soaps are really depressing just now and I don't blame Les for walking out the room between the MND storyline in Corrie and cancer in Eastenders- really! wish they would write something a bit more cheery. 

xx

You certainly have a lot in your plate, I sometimes think they only think of themselves and not what the wives have to put up with emotionally and physically. It’s so hard . well we have completed probate, paid the fees and then blooming £6.75 to sent will off to them. Don’t know how people cope especially in their own, thank goodness our daughter is efficient in that department!! Apparently it can take at least 16 weeks so if anyone needs money they have had it!!

nurses been and has another cry and for phone numbers for counselling so will give it a try next week maybe

love Helen x

Hi everyone  just has snappy moment with Simon i'm so tired dog messed on my rug my fault not get to him shouted i've broke my ribs can't move quick enough yes and I have cancer it's your dog and so on . Think we are both tired but he's still positive won't last he is beautiful but i didn't need this so if you do not want ground hog day get a puppy yesterday did not have a wash today i did lol xxx love to you all

Got prescription and handed in urine sample- Yay! Highlight to my day.

xx

What a day you are all having. Just found out Lucy the youngest daughter and her family have caught the runs etc off her youngest.  Great they were round on Sunday and Lucy has just come down with it and so has her hubby. I hope Les does not catch it or me. That is all we need.

torry we had to go through solicitor as too much money and bits and bobs but it landed on the right persons desk so done in less than 6 weeks. I kept a list of what we paid out etc and made it easier for the the solicitor. What we never had we won’t miss regarding solicitors fees plus the bungalow has to go up yet. We have more things to worry about. 

Jkee try and get some rest if you can you sound as if you are run off your feet. Your ribs are important so be careful. 

Patty glad you got medications sorte. Sad when it is rpthe highlight of the day.

I spoke to my doctor and she said I should go for a colonoscopy but I said I will be telling the specialist I can’t afford to lose weight as they will put me in hospital and my appointment is half hour before Les gets his telephone consult. Therefore relaxed on the outside but not in the inside tummy etc still hurts before I go. Of course I am so worried about it as we both can’t be poorly at the same time if they find anything. I am shXtting myself to put it bluntly.  Dreading tomorrow

love and hugs to everyone maggie x

Hi Torry,

I think you are being hard on yourself. I found it took a good 3 months before I didn't feel like crying at the drop of a hat. I also spent a lot on postage at the time. Everyone seemed to ask for a death certificate. I sold our motor home as I can't drive, and the new owner tried to create an account for the Dart crossing. He couldn't because it was still registered in my husbands name. I never thought about that!!! So, even they wanted a death certificate. I got very frustrated with it all.