Bowel cancer CARERS, FAMILY & FRIENDS chat

Hi everyone. How are you all coping. 

helen how are you coping. 

Jkee how is it going as well.

les had his fitness test today but don’t find out if he is fit enough for the anaesthetic so he then went straight to chemo. His 16 session and he seems okay which is a relief. They have provisionally booked him in for the first week in may as he needs to stop chemo for six weeks. Another rollercoaster with the waiting. If the op goes ahead I will have to book a hotel as it is too far to keep going up and down and I dislike driving.  

I really hope you are all bearing up under the circumstances. 

big hugs to everyone xx

Hi Maggie I have been thinking about you all Les is such a trooper 16 sessions he deserves his operation and his life to take a u turn. We are ok here nothing is getting any easier or worst at the moment just waiting game for more scans and bloods we have markers booked for 18 March fingers crossed they are not still rising been to the beach today for a hour dogs first birthday Simon stayed in car while we went on beach for a run gosh it was cold best bit fish and chips in car. Keep us in touch with any news . Helen hope you and your family are ok Vicky lovely to hear from you thank you for keeping in touch cannot be easy for you both xx

Jkee fingers crossed for 18 march and everything else crossed. We see the oncologist on 14 so she might no more of what is going on. He was quite well after his chemo and went and got fish and chips but I found them greasy.  I can’t believe your little one is 1 year old. That has past so quick xx

Morning all, hope you all get some foods news for a change.

my life is very depressing - visit hospital every day driving 40/50 miles lots of crying and can’t see and end to it. Paul not doing too well and wants it all to end - it’s so heartbreaking knowing that there is absolutely nothing I can to help. It’s shouldn’t be like this - this time last year I was dealing with Kevin’s cancer and feel like I’ve had no time to grieve properly.

sorry to be so down but that how it is

Helen x

Hi Ladies!

Well Helen my week has not been that great either but it's nothing compared to what you are going through just now. It's horrible when they begin to speak like that `wanting it all to end`. I remember Jay saying that to me one time `it would be better if he could just go`. I've had one of my `stuck weeks` again. I have just had no notion at all to do anything or see anyone this week apart from my sister who I have to see. I just feel that a lead weight is sitting on my chest refusing to move just feel so tired where I really feel I've nothing to be tired for. Phoned the GP and had a chat with her and she said that I may not realise it, but I have been through so much with losing Jay and how I had to endure watching him deteriorate so much over the last two years and then once he had gone I had the same thing going on with my sister so soon after Jay passed but the outcome for her has been a lot better. She has prescribed me more Diazepam for a short period to get me settled again. The GP asked how my sister was and if it was bowel cancer she had as she remembered me speaking to her previously about it. I told her it was and she had to have a right hemicolectomy but did not need any post chemo or radiotherapy and she said the was good about that. She asked about my counselling and I told her I had just finished that a few weeks ago but still have numbers to call if I feel I need to and she said yes just keep those numbers handy and do that. Just said it's not an easy journey and as everyone says people get through it in different ways and there is no set time for this to lift. I think because it's the first year and I'm constantly thinking back to this time last year what was all going on then.  Helen you'll be feeling the same no doubt. Oh and my oven broke down so that's something else. I have someone coming out to fix that this week though I have repair cover for it. 

Maggie good to hear that Les is back on his chemo. He's a trooper to endure so much of that really hope they can get him in for the operation. Fingers crossed. Jkee hope they can get Simon sorted out as well only 7 days away just about for you to find out about his markers. As I've said before it's just the waiting but try your best to keep occupied and Happy Birthday to the puppyyes that year has flown in. Sending you all hugs ladies. Stay strong. We're stronger than we know xx

Helen I can’t imagine how you are coping and all that driving. No wonder your life is depressing. You must be strong to keep that amount up. Helen I wish there was something we could all do to help but please just come on here and moan as much as you like. You must be absolutely distraught with everything. There are no words that will make you feel better but a virtual hug might help. I am pleased you came on to let us know how you are. Keep putting anything on here as we are all here for you. Sending you a big hug xx

 Vicky remember you are doing a great job. Between you and Helen I can’t imagine how you get through it all, like Helen with your sister. I am pleased the doctor gave you something to help settle your mind and body. I see a counsellor now and then and I always come out feeling better, we also have a little laugh which helps. I hope you get the oven sorted. I have gone back to meals from marks and Spencer’s, so easy, microwave for 4 minutes. They are probably not really healthy but I hate cooking. I hope you go back and see the counsellor as they may be able to help. I have the same medication but sometimes I need to take one, they are only 2mg but it helps. My heart goes out to you and Helen

sending you a virtual hug xxx

Helen I am so so sorry I wish we could be with you to hug and support you I hope you have the support around you to give you comfort you need.I have no words for the pain you must be going through just remember we are all here xx

Vicky bless you when you think how you went from loosing Jay to then your sister you couldn't write that just so much for you to deal with you have shown how strong you are but someone told me you can keep busy but grieve will always find you and wait for you it's seem it is now coming out of you let it all out if you want to stay in be all day then do so it is still really early days. How you both even get up each day amazes me through this difficult time you are not alone xx

Thanks Maggie.

Yes 2mg is the dosage I'm on. I can one up to three times a day. They relax you but can make you feel drowsy so I can't take one if I think I'm going to be driving. I went out for an hour yesterday and took one when I came back but forgot my sister was coming along so couldn't drive her home because I just felt my eyes closing so wasn't risking it I'm getting better at driving but still finding my confidence so don't want to jeopardise it. I have the ready meals too nice and convenient in the microwave as it's just me don't use the oven a lot but fancied a bit of fish last week and wanted to make it in the oven switched the oven on and the interior light came on but 10 minutes later the oven was still cold inside. Hoping it will be something simple like the heating element or something this happened before it just burnt itself out but it got used constantly with Jay always cooking something. Never even went to the gym this week hopefully i'll get back into it next week and things will get better. Take Care. 

xx