Hello

Hello..I was diagnosed last week and hopefully starting immunotherapy in the next couple of weeks. Hope you're doing ok?

Hi Elsie

Pleased you have joined the group but not that you find yourself here, like all of is. I hope to begin immunotherapy soon too. Just finished 6.5 weeks of Chemoradiation (I day chemo and 5 days a week radiotherapy with 3 extra days). Got CT scan on 17th Aug to see if tumour has grown or not. If it hasn't I should be approved for the treatment. Durvalumab is the one I would be on. Done loads of research on it so if you need any info just let me know. Good luck and let us know your story. We are all here for each other. 

Sally 

Hi there,

Hope youre bearing up ok.

I think I'll be starting on keytruda ..just waiting on one result to come through. Very scary times we all find ourselves in, but fight we will xx

Hi Sal,

How did you find chemo? If you don’t mind me asking my mum starts chemo soon radiotherapy has proper knocked her sideways so just looking for some heads up x

Hi Onedaful. a very warm welcome to the group from me as well.  

If you have a moment it will be very helpful if you can put some details about yourself on Your profile This is very helpful for others to see your journey, and see if they are on the same treatment plan. You just click on your username then select profile. You can edit this information at anytime, and update the journey as you go.  You can have a look at my profile to get some idea, just click on my user name or picture to go to my profile.

Hi ManchesterLady88x I have been thinking about your mum and wondering how she is getting on.  x 

Hi Chelle I hope your keeping well?

Oh where do I begin.. it’s just like jumpin on the big one at Blackpool this cancer ride, your up, your down and being thrown around & around!

She had a pleural effusion and was in hospital for 5 days so her chemo I had to cancel as she was discharged the day it was about to start, then Christie’s cancelled all her appointments for the week after and never told her  
M‍obility is still an issue i said she’d spoken to her team and when I’ve asked her if it’s stiffness or pain I’ve just got my head chewed off, noticed today that she’s gotten a moisture lesion due to lack of movement so had to get onto her DNs about that, im a HCA so I know how to mange them but they need to be aware of it incase it breaks down further!

Chemo starts next week and I’m literally excuse my language shitting it for her she’s dreading it herself but after the side effects of radiotherapy.. I can’t even imagine what chemos going throw at her.. Really feel like we take 2 steps forward get around one corner then there’s a massive hurdle in the way.. X

Hi Manchester lady. 

My Chemo was weekly every monday and I actually coped really well overall. My blog can tell you more in detail, I still need to finish the final blog entry which I hope to write this week. There are a few tips I included there to. The drugs given need to be taken exactly as instructed so a meds chart can help. You need to keep your eye on your condition throughout and report on any symptoms using your 'Cancer treatment record book's which you are given on day one unless your mum already has one. My treatment lasted most of the day and the main issue I had was inserting the canulas. Drink LOTS of water the day before chemo to keep the vien easier to find. Take books, magazines, snacks and drinks with you for the day. Covid means we have to go it alone at present. I have completed the 6 weeks and not lost my hair, kept infection free but breathlessness has been my biggest issue. The steroids do give you boundless energy so she needs to be prepared to lose sleep and the mind may play tricks on her until she gets used to them a bit. Anything you are worried about, you will have an emergency number to call. Dont worry about making a fuss, they really want to hear from you unnecessarily rather than too late. How long and how frequently is your Mums chemo going to be? Mine was a first treatment but some have it after surgery or other treatments as a back up treatment etc which I think you say she has already had radiotherapy. I had radiotherapy concurrently, so after chemo I went there on the same day and also 4 days on each week day too. Each person is different so this is only my experience. Your mums may be so different. I was so pleased to hav completed and apparently fairly unscathed but many have problems. 

My best advice is ensure you try to keep your mum a healthy as possible, eat well as expected with all food groups included and try to rest but with a little gentle exercise too. 

Good luck. 

Sally

Oh no your poor mum. A rollercoaster is a very good description of what she is going through at the moment. Just because she has had a rough time with the radiotherapy doesn't mean she will have a bad time in chemo. The chemo team will keep a very close eye on her, and the treatment can be tweaked if need be. 

I can understand you are both anxious about it. Get the first one out the way and hopefully she will feel better about it x 

Hi Sally. I stumbled across your blog, which I have started to read with interest, and need to continue tomorrow. Do you mind if I share a link to it on the group tomorrow, as I think it is really informative and will help a lot of people here. X