Hi, I had the above treatment. My last chemo cycle was in Feb 24, I was scanned in March and seen by Oncology, who signed me off with them and passed me over to colorectal for monitoring. At this time I had slight numbness in my feet and swelling. As the months went on the neuropathy kicked in, I believed it is called 'coasting' when the effects happen after treatment. By July I was only able to walk with a stick, couldn't even negotiate a kerb, but being a stoic person, I've battled on, concentrating on walking and all recommended activities.
I also developed chemo brain, so I struggle with memory, recalling words, taking in information. I have to write everything down and this really affects my ability to return to work, so I am still signed off as sick.
My HR dept are supporting me with an ill health application to try and get my pension a bit early. They are particularly keen to have something in writing about how my treatment has affected me cognatively - and if this is permanent. Oncology can't help because it has been over a year since they saw me and I didn't have the symptoms at the time, my colorectal consultant can't help as she can only talk about what I have and responses to treatement etc, and she hasn't seen me in person for about 2 years. (I'm on watch and wait - supposed to be scanned every 3 months, but I'm lucky if I get a 6 month scan).
To keep HR happy I had an appointment with my GP to discuss my cognitive thing, and to mention the neuropathy, the general weakness I still have in my legs, lack of core strength etc. The stuff you only find out about after treatment.
My GP had never heard of chemo brain, or its technical term. She couldn't possibly diagnose me (not what I was asking for, I wanted a record on file to say I was struggling cognitively) she wasn't bothered about any of the other side effects, and basically - she wasn't listening to me at all.
We all know how anxious the treatment and diagnosis is and that doesn't go away - to have to sit there and not be listened to, after a 45 minute wait, when it took me a lot of courage to go - really upset me and I'm now questioning myself - so
Has anyone else who has had chemo for bowel cancer, suffered or is still suffering from chemo induced cognative impairment? I know the breast cancer chemo drugs cause it, and it seems that capox does too, but there is little about it to confirm it.
I even wrote everything down that I was experiencing (as I can't remember stuff) and she wouldn't even look at it or discuss it. She said that my sick note should be all they need, my cancer should be enough to get me ill health retirement (she wasn't listening about my need to provide info for the pension service) She did give me a repeat prescription for eye drops though to help with the chemo dry eye and cataract I'm developing She then opened the door and stood there waiting for me to leave the room. She couldn't have wiped the floor with me any more.
Anyone got any ideas how I can get this information for my HR dept - or am I just wasting my time. Is there any way I can provide this GP with info on what happens when you have chemo?
Thanks all.
