Living with cancer

[Miffy29]

I have searched for a thread for those of us Tattlers with cancer or have a loved one going through a cancer fight but couldn't find one so thought I'd start one. I thought it might be good to share stories and chat about our situations, I know talking really helps me and now im permanently off work I'm always here so.... Anyway heres a bit of my story;

I have stage 4 bowel cancer, it's spread to my liver, an ovary and peritoneum. Had a liver resection in January but then had sepsis thanks to the primary tumour perforating my bowel which I then had to have removed as an emergency. Currently on intense chemo hoping it shrinks enough for a further operation on my peritoneum/ovary area. Its bloody hard sometimes to stay positive but I keep trying!

Sending love to everyone out there living with this horrible disease

 

[Purple star]

I have searched for a thread for those of us Tattlers with cancer or have a loved one going through a cancer fight but couldn't find one so thought I'd start one. I thought it might be good to share stories and chat about our situations, I know talking really helps me and now im permanently off work I'm always here so.... Anyway heres a bit of my story;

I have stage 4 bowel cancer, it's spread to my liver, an ovary and peritoneum. Had a liver resection in January but then had sepsis thanks to the primary tumour perforating my bowel which I then had to have removed as an emergency. Currently on intense chemo hoping it shrinks enough for a further operation on my peritoneum/ovary area. Its bloody hard sometimes to stay positive but I keep trying!

Sending love to everyone out there living with this horrible disease

Thank you for starting this thread ..I hope ur doing well with ur chemo treatment Staying positive must be hard ….Do you have lots of supportive family and friends around you ? ..My dad has lung cancer he’s having Immuno therapy treatment ..He’s had chermo put was so ill after having it twice having to go in2 hospital he also had sepsis ….He’s like a completely different person now since the diagnosis I Miss how he used to be He was so funny and out-going ..Now I think he’s suffering with depression but won’t get help with it…I don’t know what to do for him …I feel so angry and alone with it’s all..I lose my mum and now my dads sick ..I feel like..Why me…My group of friends don’t have to deal with all of this

 

[Serene Serena]

Great idea for a thread. Sending you healthy healing vibes @Miffy29 - are you in a lot of discomfort from your illness?

One of my sisters is in remission from stage 4 aggressive NHL. She went through surgery, chemo, radio, more chemo, 2 familial stem cell transplants, and eventually, after 2.5 years of intensive treatment, was told her MRI scan showed no evidence of cancer.

That was 7 years ago.

She suffered badly with depression, and like @Purple star's dad, wouldn't get help with it at first, she thought it was a side effect of the treatment and her mood would lift once the treatment was finished. Eventually her oncology nurse convinced her to start Sertraline 50mg, increased gradually to 200mg per day, and she is still on a maintenance dose of 25mg (just half a tablet) a day now.

She still has ongoing chronic fatigue but is a member of an online support group and has coping strategies in place. She still works, but only 15 hours per week. There is ALWAYS the fear that it will return, a lot of research suggests NHL doesn't go away, it just lies dormant, and can come back in later life.

Sending love and support to everyone and anyone dealing with this wretched disease.

 

[Purple star]

Great idea for a thread. Sending you healthy healing vibes @Miffy29 - are you in a lot of discomfort from your illness?

One of my sisters is in remission from stage 4 aggressive NHL. She went through surgery, chemo, radio, more chemo, 2 familial stem cell transplants, and eventually, after 2.5 years of intensive treatment, was told her MRI scan showed no evidence of cancer.

That was 7 years ago.

She suffered badly with depression, and like @Purple star's dad, wouldn't get help with it at first, she thought it was a side effect of the treatment and her mood would lift once the treatment was finished. Eventually her oncology nurse convinced her to start Sertraline 50mg, increased gradually to 200mg per day, and she is still on a maintenance dose of 25mg (just half a tablet) a day now.

She still has ongoing chronic fatigue but is a member of an online support group and has coping strategies in place. She still works, but only 15 hours per week. There is ALWAYS the fear that it will return, a lot of research suggests NHL doesn't go away, it just lies dormant, and can come back in later life.

Sending love and support to everyone and anyone dealing with this wretched disease.

I really wish my dad would get some help with his depression it’s so hard to see him the way he is..I feel like he’s loss all interest in everything..Including my children all of us really
Am so glad to hear your sisters doing well 7 years on …I need to hear positive stories..I feel like you only hear the bad stuff …..

 

[Serene Serena]

I really wish my dad would get some help with his depression it’s so hard to see him the way he is..I feel like he’s loss all interest in everything..Including my children all of us really
Am so glad to hear your sisters doing well 7 years on …I need to hear positive stories..I feel like you only hear the bad stuff …..

There are cancer survivors, lots of them. It's hard to think positive when you are in the midst of treatment for the disease. Does your dad have a specialist nurse you could talk to about his disengagement with the family since his diagnosis. Depression is so common with any potential life limiting illness, and there are lots of different medications that can help elevate his mood.

 

[Miffy29]

Thank you for starting this thread ..I hope ur doing well with ur chemo treatment Staying positive must be hard ….Do you have lots of supportive family and friends around you ? ..My dad has lung cancer he’s having Immuno therapy treatment ..He’s had chermo put was so ill after having it twice having to go in2 hospital he also had sepsis ….He’s like a completely different person now since the diagnosis I Miss how he used to be He was so funny and out-going ..Now I think he’s suffering with depression but won’t get help with it…I don’t know what to do for him …I feel so angry and alone with it’s all..I lose my mum and now my dads sick ..I feel like..Why me…My group of friends don’t have to deal with all of this

It really does completely change someone, I miss my days of worrying about what nail colour I'll get next or when the next night out will be. I think the best thing you can do is be there for your Dad which I have no doubt you are. Eventually he may ask for help. Is he seeing/speaking to his oncologist regularly?Mine comes with some lovely clinical nurses who I've had some good chats with too. I thought why me alot too! The mind is a horrible prison sometimes

Great idea for a thread. Sending you healthy healing vibes @Miffy29 - are you in a lot of discomfort from your illness?

One of my sisters is in remission from stage 4 aggressive NHL. She went through surgery, chemo, radio, more chemo, 2 familial stem cell transplants, and eventually, after 2.5 years of intensive treatment, was told her MRI scan showed no evidence of cancer.

That was 7 years ago.

She suffered badly with depression, and like @Purple star's dad, wouldn't get help with it at first, she thought it was a side effect of the treatment and her mood would lift once the treatment was finished. Eventually her oncology nurse convinced her to start Sertraline 50mg, increased gradually to 200mg per day, and she is still on a maintenance dose of 25mg (just half a tablet) a day now.

She still has ongoing chronic fatigue but is a member of an online support group and has coping strategies in place. She still works, but only 15 hours per week. There is ALWAYS the fear that it will return, a lot of research suggests NHL doesn't go away, it just lies dormant, and can come back in later life.

Sending love and support to everyone and anyone dealing with this wretched disease.

This is another reason I wanted to start the thread, to show there are positive stories out there too! How lovely for your sister. I dont know what NHL cancer is though?

 

[Serene Serena]

It really does completely change someone, I miss my days of worrying about what nail colour I'll get next or when the next night out will be. I think the best thing you can do is be there for your Dad which I have no doubt you are. Eventually he may ask for help. Is he seeing/speaking to his oncologist regularly?Mine comes with some lovely clinical nurses who I've had some good chats with too. I thought why me alot too! The mind is a horrible prison sometimes


This is another reason I wanted to start the thread, to show there are positive stories out there too! How lovely for your sister. I dont know what NHL cancer is though?

Non Hodgkins Lymphoma, it's a type of blood cancer. I fundraise for Bloodwise every year when I do Sober October.

 

[Miffy29]

Non Hodgkins Lymphoma, it's a type of blood cancer. I fundraise for Bloodwise every year when I do Sober October.

Ahhh yes sorry!

 

[Purple star]

There are cancer survivors, lots of them. It's hard to think positive when you are in the midst of treatment for the disease. Does your dad have a specialist nurse you could talk to about his disengagement with the family since his diagnosis. Depression is so common with any potential life limiting illness, and there are lots of different medications that can help elevate his mood.

That’s what I’ve told him to speak to the nurse about it ..But he won’t ..I feel like am getting frustrated with him because I know he needs help and I think deep down he knows it 2 .It’s sad seeing him so low..

 

[Serene Serena]

That’s what I’ve told him to speak to the nurse about it ..But he won’t ..I feel like am getting frustrated with him because I know he needs help and I think deep down he knows it 2 .It’s sad seeing him so low..

Can you go with him for moral support at his next appointment? Then you tell the nurse, while he's there, how concerned you are about his low mood.

 

[Saddlesoap]

Thank you for starting this. Cancer has clouded the 11 of the 14 years of life with my husband.

4 years in he was diagnosed with Leukaemia and last winter with Bowel Cancer. The leukaemia should have killed him really, but the bowel cancer was a real kick in the teeth. He had surgery and is now getting mop up chemo.

I should add he is only 34.

 

[Serene Serena]

Thank you for starting this. Cancer has clouded the 11 of the 14 years of life with my husband.

4 years in he was diagnosed with Leukaemia and last winter with Bowel Cancer. The leukaemia should have killed him really, but the bowel cancer was a real kick in the teeth. He had surgery and is now getting mop up chemo.

I should add he is only 34.

Is the bowel cancer related to the leukaemia? Poor man, and poor you. Sending you a virtual hug.

 

[Saddlesoap]

Is the bowel cancer related to the leukaemia? Poor man, and poor you. Sending you a virtual hug.

Probably a side affect of the radiation, but who knows really.

 

[Tommyb]

I have searched for a thread for those of us Tattlers with cancer or have a loved one going through a cancer fight but couldn't find one so thought I'd start one. I thought it might be good to share stories and chat about our situations, I know talking really helps me and now im permanently off work I'm always here so.... Anyway heres a bit of my story;

I have stage 4 bowel cancer, it's spread to my liver, an ovary and peritoneum. Had a liver resection in January but then had sepsis thanks to the primary tumour perforating my bowel which I then had to have removed as an emergency. Currently on intense chemo hoping it shrinks enough for a further operation on my peritoneum/ovary area. Its bloody hard sometimes to stay positive but I keep trying!

Sending love to everyone out there living with this horrible disease

So sorry for what you are going through. I'm worried about a relative of mine who is being investigated for bowel cancer. Of not too personal could you share symptoms you had? If you don't want to that's fine .

There is a youtuber tiffanythinks who has stage 4 colon cancer. She is the sweetest positive thing. She is 29. She's in the hospital right now with c diff. Might help you to watch as you might be able to relate?. The comments are one big community too xx

 

[masterone]

My mother had stage 2 breast cancer. They recommended a lumpectomy but she decided on a mastectomy. She was 63 and it was caught on a routine mammogram (I'd hate to think of everyone who's missed one due to the pandemic). It hit us all like a tonne of bricks. She had radiation for a while afterwards and has been on meds ever since, we've been told she has to stay on them for 10 years. She has awful side effects from the medications esp if we can't find a certain brand as the ingredients can be slightly different in some. Her cancer was estrogen related so it's all about keeping them under control.

She was so strong throughout, and it's honestly changed her so much, but I'd say in a more positive way. She had a very hard life and what she went through with my father's and brother's death really just broke her. After her cancer she's more positive and doesn't let little things get her down, before these things would turn her into an absolute wreck.

I'm so sorry to hear of everything you are all going through. If you don't mind me asking how were you/your partners diagnosed?

 

[Miffy29]

So sorry for what you are going through. I'm worried about a relative of mine who is being investigated for bowel cancer. Of not too personal could you share symptoms you had? If you don't want to that's fine .

There is a youtuber tiffanythinks who has stage 4 colon cancer. She is the sweetest positive thing. She is 29. She's in the hospital right now with c diff. Might help you to watch as you might be able to relate?. The comments are one big community too xx

I've just started following Tiffany, bloody 29, it's so awful how it doesn't discriminate age

I've put the main symptoms below from the bowel cancer site. For me I didn't have any of the classic symptoms, I actually went back and forward with the doctor querying endometriosis before I started noticing bowel changes. It's just important to know that if something is off with your body then you go get it checked.

My mother had stage 2 breast cancer. They recommended a lumpectomy but she decided on a mastectomy. She was 63 and it was caught on a routine mammogram (I'd hate to think of everyone who's missed one due to the pandemic). It hit us all like a tonne of bricks. She had radiation for a while afterwards and has been on meds ever since, we've been told she has to stay on them for 10 years. She has awful side effects from the medications esp if we can't find a certain brand as the ingredients can be slightly different in some. Her cancer was estrogen related so it's all about keeping them under control.

She was so strong throughout, and it's honestly changed her so much, but I'd say in a more positive way. She had a very hard life and what she went through with my father's and brother's death really just broke her. After her cancer she's more positive and doesn't let little things get her down, before these things would turn her into an absolute wreck.

I'm so sorry to hear of everything you are all going through. If you don't mind me asking how were you/your partners diagnosed?

Sending love to you and your mum

I was diagnosed with a CT scan and colonoscopy followed by an MRI and PET scan all within about 3 weeks. Was told after the colonoscopy and that was the worst day of my life.

 

[M.Ponderosa]

I have searched for a thread for those of us Tattlers with cancer or have a loved one going through a cancer fight but couldn't find one so thought I'd start one. I thought it might be good to share stories and chat about our situations, I know talking really helps me and now im permanently off work I'm always here so.... Anyway heres a bit of my story;

I have stage 4 bowel cancer, it's spread to my liver, an ovary and peritoneum. Had a liver resection in January but then had sepsis thanks to the primary tumour perforating my bowel which I then had to have removed as an emergency. Currently on intense chemo hoping it shrinks enough for a further operation on my peritoneum/ovary area. Its bloody hard sometimes to stay positive but I keep trying!

Sending love to everyone out there living with this horrible disease

I never know what to say with things like this. I can only imagine what you are going through. A couple of years ago we thought my mother had bowel cancer as she was having problems. Luckily it turned out to be celiac disease but because bowel cancer is in the family we all feared the worst.
I can only hope that whatever or whoever brought you to tattle is keeping you entertained.

 

[Mbella]

I was diagnosed with breast cancer a month ago, age 37. Had some pain in the night, found a lump. Bit of a shock.

I've started chemo and feeling exhausted. The oncologist is very positive but it's very daunting if I think too much about what's ahead.

 

[Serene Serena]

I was diagnosed with breast cancer a month ago, age 37. Had some pain in the night, found a lump. Bit of a shock.

I've started chemo and feeling exhausted. The oncologist is very positive but it's very daunting if I think too much about what's ahead.

Take it really easy during chemo. Be kind to yourself, if you're tired, sleep. If people offer help, accept it. The most important person here is you, and getting you well again. One day at a time, don't project too far into the future and start thinking about worst case scenarios. If you have to google, the look up survival rates for breast cancer, and look at Kylie Minogue, diagnosed at a similar age, and now in her 50's, having been happy and healthy for decades. That's going to be you too.

 

[nettleteareader]

I was diagnosed with breast cancer a month ago, age 37. Had some pain in the night, found a lump. Bit of a shock.

I've started chemo and feeling exhausted. The oncologist is very positive but it's very daunting if I think too much about what's ahead.

Wishing you all the best