Cancer & Chemo

[22A]

There's been a lot in the news recently about Cancer and how so & so is undergoing chemo therapy. Here's an acoount of my experience.

One Saturday evening in November I went to the toilet and out came a pint of blood. I went to my GP on Monday and he took blood samples before sending me to hospital for tests & observations. These showed I had a tumour in my bladder. In December I had the tumour removed, but further internal exams showed the tumour was removed, but it's root was embedded in the wall of the bladder and I was urged to undergo a course of Chemo therapy. After 12 weeks another internal exam found the that root had not spread and had actually shrunk. I was offered a choice of bladder removal or Radiotherapy and had the side effects of both explained. As I'm only in my sixties I went for the bladder removal as that had less side effects. If I was older they would have urged me to have Radiotherapy. I spent a week in Addenbrookes Hospital at Cambridge, had my bladder and prostrate removed and a urostomy bag attached. The Surgeon assured me that the operation went well and all was 100% removed. I'm now looking at returning to work next week after a six month absence. However a Urologist at Cambridge has now seen me and confirmed all signs of cancer are gone, but "just to be safe" he suggests I undergo another course of Chemo, but I am to discuss this with a specialist Doctor her in P'boro.

As for Chemo. this is a fluid that is dripped in through an IV line. The composition of the fluid varies according to which form of cancer is to be treated. As mine was bladder cancer, my chemo did not induce hair loss. My day was Tuesday. Week 1 was a seven hour job of lying there with the drip going. Week 2 was only four hours and week 3 was just a consultation with the specialist. That cycle was then repeated with the strength of the fluid increasing each time.

I stated i suffered no hair loss, but there were other side effects. A permanent metallic taste in the mouth. To get round this I kept a supply of ice lollies in the freezer. We were served sandwiches whilst lying there. As a result I can eat sandwiches, but if I see a pack of sandwiches, I throw up. If anyone uses cleaning products anywhere in the house, i can smell it. All electrical products give off a smell as soon as they are turned on. However the PC is different to the kettle which is different t the microwave. More seriously though, once the 12 week period starts you have to avoid crowds as the immune system deteriorates and someone may cough or sneeze near you. Chemo also induces fatigue. Having spent Tuesday at hospital, Wednesday would see me sleeping most of the day. To avoid crowds that's meant being off work, but I couldn't even go for a walk as direct sunlight has to be avoided. Thankfully there's been televised cricket, football & rugby matches to watch. I've only joined the remainder of the family to collect meals & drinks and returned to the settee and TV. One downside to that, nearly every channel throughout the day seemingly shows adverts for Cancer Awareness followed almost immediately by one for Funeral Plans. I did resist the temptation to throw something heavy at the screen.

Every cloud has a silver lining. Cancer sufferers get free prescriptions and at P'boro' free parking at the hospital.

So there you have it; I appear to have won my battle as many others have done, but appreciate others lose their fight. Please note, I've not written all this seeking comfort and sympathy, but to explain what it all entails.  

['Orns]

Glad to read you've beaten it!

On the news this morning it said there were more cancer diagnoses in the UK than there were weddings....that is pretty depressing

[The Gasbuster]

54 minutes ago, 22A said:

There's been a lot in the news recently about Cancer and how so & so is undergoing chemo therapy. Here's an acoount of my experience.

One Saturday evening in November I went to the toilet and out came a pint of blood. I went to my GP on Monday and he took blood samples before sending me to hospital for tests & observations. These showed I had a tumour in my bladder. In December I had the tumour removed, but further internal exams showed the tumour was removed, but it's root was embedded in the wall of the bladder and I was urged to undergo a course of Chemo therapy. After 12 weeks another internal exam found the that root had not spread and had actually shrunk. I was offered a choice of bladder removal or Radiotherapy and had the side effects of both explained. As I'm only in my sixties I went for the bladder removal as that had less side effects. If I was older they would have urged me to have Radiotherapy. I spent a week in Addenbrookes Hospital at Cambridge, had my bladder and prostrate removed and a urostomy bag attached. The Surgeon assured me that the operation went well and all was 100% removed. I'm now looking at returning to work next week after a six month absence. However a Urologist at Cambridge has now seen me and confirmed all signs of cancer are gone, but "just to be safe" he suggests I undergo another course of Chemo, but I am to discuss this with a specialist Doctor her in P'boro.

As for Chemo. this is a fluid that is dripped in through an IV line. The composition of the fluid varies according to which form of cancer is to be treated. As mine was bladder cancer, my chemo did not induce hair loss. My day was Tuesday. Week 1 was a seven hour job of lying there with the drip going. Week 2 was only four hours and week 3 was just a consultation with the specialist. That cycle was then repeated with the strength of the fluid increasing each time.

I stated i suffered no hair loss, but there were other side effects. A permanent metallic taste in the mouth. To get round this I kept a supply of ice lollies in the freezer. We were served sandwiches whilst lying there. As a result I can eat sandwiches, but if I see a pack of sandwiches, I throw up. If anyone uses cleaning products anywhere in the house, i can smell it. All electrical products give off a smell as soon as they are turned on. However the PC is different to the kettle which is different t the microwave. More seriously though, once the 12 week period starts you have to avoid crowds as the immune system deteriorates and someone may cough or sneeze near you. Chemo also induces fatigue. Having spent Tuesday at hospital, Wednesday would see me sleeping most of the day. To avoid crowds that's meant being off work, but I couldn't even go for a walk as direct sunlight has to be avoided. Thankfully there's been televised cricket, football & rugby matches to watch. I've only joined the remainder of the family to collect meals & drinks and returned to the settee and TV. One downside to that, nearly every channel throughout the day seemingly shows adverts for Cancer Awareness followed almost immediately by one for Funeral Plans. I did resist the temptation to throw something heavy at the screen.

Every cloud has a silver lining. Cancer sufferers get free prescriptions and at P'boro' free parking at the hospital.

So there you have it; I appear to have won my battle as many others have done, but appreciate others lose their fight. Please note, I've not written all this seeking comfort and sympathy, but to explain what it all entails.  

A very interesting read, 22A.

Pleased that you are now returning to a "normal" life.

Good luck with your future plans. 

[fishpondsred]

Thanks for this 22A, lots of good stuff for others to draw on here. Very helpful points such as your use of Ice Lollies etc. I am sure your experience will be a source of strength to others.

[RedM]

Really appreciate this @22A unfortunately my Dad couldn't have Chemo as it wasn't suitable but although I've often wondered about it and only know the very basics. I must admit I know very little about it and found your account honest and helpful. I know I could watch the many TV programmes e.g. Kids hospital type things etc but I really can't watch those sort of programmes. It's bad enough dealing with cancers and illness when you have too, never mind when you don't in my opinion. Although granted they do create awareness, but as I said I protect myself emotionally by staying ignorant.

I hope you can stay well, someone once told me it's much about being positive mentally and just the way you write with humour sounds like you have the right attitude. Please keep us updated.

[Tipps69]

My 69 year-old mum was diagnosed just over a year ago, she admitted to bleeding down below & I asked her if she had done anything about it? She replied no!! I googled it & found similar people reporting similar things with regards to their mothers, mother-in-laws, aunties & grandmothers & said it needed checking out. I passed this information on......

Within a couple of days she went to see her GP, bloods were taken & within a week she had an appointment at the gynaecologist's at Southmead, a scan was done & she was referred to St. Michaels Hospital & they confirmed cancer!! 

She had numerous other scans done in Bristol & Cheltenham & everything was explained & as well as needing an operation, she could have brachytherapy, chemotherapy & radiotherapy or any of her choice, she decided against the radiotherapy.

Within a couple of weeks (if that but less than a month from her very first appointment), she was in for a full hysterectomy & back home within a couple of hours (I kid you not)!!

Follow up appointments were done & it was then she started brachytherapy & chemotherapy, brachytherapy was done in a couple of weeks at the oncology hospital with no real side affects & chemotherapy would be 4 sessions, 1 session a month at the oncology hospital. Each session consisted of 3 bags of chemotherapy & would take 8-9 for a days session.

Unfortunately mum did lose her hair & that was probably the most upsetting thing for her so as it started falling out I made her aware it was a bit patchy & it was decided that we'd both shave our hair off (so I could make her feel not so alone)

She was offered a free wig from the oncology hospital & it was fantastic for her, they matched it to her own colour & there was such a choice for her to choose from & it enabled her to continue going shopping without being paranoid (although I couldn't actually go with her because of my fairly well documented struggles) & people she knew didn't actually notice she was wearing a wig!!

The side affects were after the 2nd session, she felt very sick & for about 3 days she was unable to get out of bed, she also struggled with pins & needles type symptoms in her hands, fingers & feet & then before we knew it, it was time for her next session!!

Throughout she has been told her kidney function wasn't right & all they kept saying was drink more water!!

In December she was told this cancer had gone, in affect the total hysterectomy had taken it all away but scans had shown a couple of little nobules(sp) in her neck!! They think it is linked to her lymph glands but apart from a couple of scans & appointments to see consultants, they haven't actually done anything about the neck & we're kind of treating as nothing but kind of expecting a call to inform us of the worse.

Throughout all of this, mum has never actually felt ill, she had in fact been bleeding for about 6 months before telling me!!

One thing for anyone going for chemotherapy at the oncology hospital, Bristol. We weren't told anything about parking & it is nigh-on impossible to get a parking space in the grounds of the oncology hospital, we parked in the lay-by on the main road & the meter would only allow me to put 4 hours worth of money in, so after 4 hours I went out & put another 4 hours in but when we came out at the end of mums chemotherapy session, I had a parking ticket!! In very small words on the parking meter it says that after 4 hours, you have to drive away & not return for an hour (I think it was)!! I was savage to say the least!! I had paid the necessary fee's to park, if someone else had parked there, they wouldn't of got any more money!!

When I got home, I got on the PC and appealed the parking ticket & about 3 or 4 months later I got an email to simply say I had won my appeal & no further action was to be taken!!

It wasn't until our next visit to the oncology hospital that I went to the office to ask what I should do about the ticket & they then told me that I could get a parking permit from reception!! There are no signs up to inform you of this & there is no information in any of the numerous booklets mum was given but for anyone unfortunate to have to go through similar, what you have to do is park in the hospital car parks (which isn't the lay-by on the main road outside the oncology hospital but it is either the oncology car park (never found a space in there), the car park half way up the hill on the left or St. Michaels hospital but what you have to do is pay for 2 hours parking, put that ticket in the windscreen & then get the parking permit from reception at the oncology hospital, tell them what level you are on & what treatment is being done & put that in the windscreen next to your parking ticket!!

I'm not sure if you can get a permit for all of your appointments as I don't like to take advantage of any situation but I know they did daily permits or weekly permits (as some people have chemotherapy every day for a week).

It all a very stressful thing to go through even if it's not actually yourself suffering from the illness.

I'm glad to hear that it looks like you have won your fight with the BIG C @22A one of the biggest & toughest fights to win!!

[22A]

Two side effects I omitted. During chemo due toi the fatigue, I was not allowed to drive. After the operation I was not allowed to drive as the body would not withstand an emergency stop. Yesterday I drove for the fist time in six months. To ensure te car was OK and the battery didn't drain I had to get my son to take it for a long drive once a week.

After the operation, I was not allowed and for a week was actually incapable of lifting a kettle. Every cloud etc. Lying on the settee unable to do any housework, watching the grass grow ever longer and having tea & coffee made for me.

One other point; during chemo I thought it was no alcohol at all. The specialist nurse however said I could have a small glass of wine or a half pint of beer twice a week.

[TRL]

17 hours ago, 22A said:

There's been a lot in the news recently about Cancer and how so & so is undergoing chemo therapy. Here's an acoount of my experience.

One Saturday evening in November I went to the toilet and out came a pint of blood. I went to my GP on Monday and he took blood samples before sending me to hospital for tests & observations. These showed I had a tumour in my bladder. In December I had the tumour removed, but further internal exams showed the tumour was removed, but it's root was embedded in the wall of the bladder and I was urged to undergo a course of Chemo therapy. After 12 weeks another internal exam found the that root had not spread and had actually shrunk. I was offered a choice of bladder removal or Radiotherapy and had the side effects of both explained. As I'm only in my sixties I went for the bladder removal as that had less side effects. If I was older they would have urged me to have Radiotherapy. I spent a week in Addenbrookes Hospital at Cambridge, had my bladder and prostrate removed and a urostomy bag attached. The Surgeon assured me that the operation went well and all was 100% removed. I'm now looking at returning to work next week after a six month absence. However a Urologist at Cambridge has now seen me and confirmed all signs of cancer are gone, but "just to be safe" he suggests I undergo another course of Chemo, but I am to discuss this with a specialist Doctor her in P'boro.

As for Chemo. this is a fluid that is dripped in through an IV line. The composition of the fluid varies according to which form of cancer is to be treated. As mine was bladder cancer, my chemo did not induce hair loss. My day was Tuesday. Week 1 was a seven hour job of lying there with the drip going. Week 2 was only four hours and week 3 was just a consultation with the specialist. That cycle was then repeated with the strength of the fluid increasing each time.

I stated i suffered no hair loss, but there were other side effects. A permanent metallic taste in the mouth. To get round this I kept a supply of ice lollies in the freezer. We were served sandwiches whilst lying there. As a result I can eat sandwiches, but if I see a pack of sandwiches, I throw up. If anyone uses cleaning products anywhere in the house, i can smell it. All electrical products give off a smell as soon as they are turned on. However the PC is different to the kettle which is different t the microwave. More seriously though, once the 12 week period starts you have to avoid crowds as the immune system deteriorates and someone may cough or sneeze near you. Chemo also induces fatigue. Having spent Tuesday at hospital, Wednesday would see me sleeping most of the day. To avoid crowds that's meant being off work, but I couldn't even go for a walk as direct sunlight has to be avoided. Thankfully there's been televised cricket, football & rugby matches to watch. I've only joined the remainder of the family to collect meals & drinks and returned to the settee and TV. One downside to that, nearly every channel throughout the day seemingly shows adverts for Cancer Awareness followed almost immediately by one for Funeral Plans. I did resist the temptation to throw something heavy at the screen.

Every cloud has a silver lining. Cancer sufferers get free prescriptions and at P'boro' free parking at the hospital.

So there you have it; I appear to have won my battle as many others have done, but appreciate others lose their fight. Please note, I've not written all this seeking comfort and sympathy, but to explain what it all entails.  

A big and brave decision to make, and one tho think very carefully about, as being in hospital with Chemo is a nightmare, it rips out your resiliency to everything, and can often be the thing that helps the bug  that kills you rather than the cancer.

 

Very happy you have made a good recovery hers to a load more good years and a enjoyable retirement further down the line.

[Septic Peg]

@22A You brave person. So glad you're coming out the other side and doing well. Keep going! We are behind you!

@Tipps69 Your mum looks lovely and I wouldn't have guessed she was poorly at all. Her skin is clear and glowing and her eyes are bright. Glad she is on the mend too.

Can also see how alike you are as well!

 

For myself, I can't comment about the big C but some of you will remember that I had to have tests last year on my lady plumbing. Turns out I was one stage away from cancer. I had to have some of my cervix lasered away and scared the living daylights out of Mr Peg when the colposcopist called him into my recovery room after the procedure but it's all clear now.

So I'm a big advocate of smear tests as so many women don't have them or put them off or forget. Mine was on time so if it had been delayed, it could have been a different ball game for me.

 

I know most on here are fellas and you are understandably "ick, women's bits" but please ask your Mrs, your mum, your sister, your daughter: "Is your smear up to date?" Please ensure these ladies go. You might just save their life by nagging them.