2008 Mar 13th - Progress Update

Tomorrow will be three weeks since Mr A chopped of my PTW and threw him away!

I've been home for ten days now and for 9 of those have progressed from liquid waste to solid waste, albeit I never pass anything larger than my thumb. I just have to pass about twenty of them to empty! That's on a good clear out visit to the loo - I'm getting better at having a couple of those a day and then the odd mini clear out when I go for a wee if I feel the urge.

I'd say I'm getting down to about 5 times a day now, but the most was really 7 or 8 once my colon remembered what it's bloody job was! My main problem is the pain. Every time some air tries to escape I'm rooted to the spot clinging to the nearest grabbable object or I lie on the bed or sofa. Initially when I go to the loo it hurts too. It's the same passing broke glass pain I had during those months of radiation and waiting for surgery last year. To be fair it's not as bad because. like I said I'm only passing things the size of my thumb. The radiation damage, I'm guessing, isn't going to get any better. I have read that some people are given anal dilators as well as vaginal dilators after low pelvic radiation because of the massive shrinking that occurs. The thought of my surgeon doing further digital examinations makes me cry so it's going take a bloody good case to convince me that dilating my burned, shrunk, chopped up arse is a good idea.

It might be just inflammation and maybe I can get something for it. I'm just putting off calling my colorectal nurse until next week in case it means a physical examination. The pain isn't constant, but it's pretty frequent. It keeps me awake at night until I give in, get up and try and pass more air and stools. I suppose I should stop eating earlier in the evening? There is a constant dull throb which has been present for about the last 13 months where the "action" was for radiation and surgery.

My little wound where PTW was is healing very well. I've got the oddest shaped abdomen ever! There are lumps and bumps and dents all over the place. I am quite pleased to report that I have in fact lost some weight again! Becky insisted I looked a lot thinner after about a week on drip only diet - to be expected I guess but my scales said otherwise, until today! Also after I checked what I did weigh before I went in (which in my head I'd reduced but had written down somewhere else as evidence of my poor diet) ............and I've lost 9 pounds! Ooer! I hope it's fat off my thighs and not any of the muscle I managed to build up at the gym.

As you can probably make out, there is still some yellow bruising to the centre of my belly and I do still feel some tightness when I turn over in bed. The majority of the scab has gone but I think it'll be another couple of weeks before there is delicate new skin and no scabs. I'm patting some Bio Oil in when I remember in the hope that it doesn't cause me any trouble when I get back into wearing my jeans on a regular basis - I'm still wearing low rise joggers and big t-shirts (for decorating also) to avoid putting any unnecessary pressure on the scar.

If those of you who still have a rectum, or managed to escape radiation have a reversal coming up then I can say I would recommend going for reversal. I had an awful time in hospital, I really did think I'd be heading back to theatre for a permanent colostomy or ileostomy if my colon refused to work, I was scared of food and the future yet again. I'm still holding in the back of my mind the thought that I've got another liver scan coming up in a month or two because they're being cautious over the "chemo damage" streaks and want to make sure that's exactly what it is.

Still, even with the pain, which I'm sure can be reduced by some treatment, if not eradicated completely, I think I'd rather have this and have the chance to wear what I want again. On a more positive note the pain in my butt does take my attention away from the stabbing shooting pains in my feet and the horrible, shudder inducing numbness and soreness that is peripheral neuropathy. I had thought I'd be handing my blue badge back sometime soon, but my feet are so sore and painful I'm keeping it.

2008 Jan 19th - New Year, New Surgery!

19 Jan 2008

Where did the last month go? Category: Life Blimey, I knew I'd not been posting much lately but it's nigh on a whole month ago! So........what's been happening. Well Christmas was.......how can I put this....painful. Emotional. Glad it's over. I stupidly expected that after the last couple of years this one was the one I deserved and that everyone would be happy and it would be great. WRONG. I'll never learn, always build it up to something that it can never be. New Year's Eve was better (see photos) but by 'eck did those tears make themseslves known come midnight. I got through Auld Lang Syne and that was it, flood gates opened. Yes I do hope I have a great year, but I know that there is no magic wand that gets waved at the stroke of midnight to wipe all the fear and worry and current family troubles away. I'm being a bit grumpy about it, actually the night was great. I was with people who cared about me and who I care about and I ate too much and drank even more, even managed to throw a few shapes on the dancefloor. This was despite the horrid painful feet and toes (yeah cheers for that chemo). I only managed one song at a time then had to sit down for two or three, but alcohol did numb it a fair bit. Good old G&T eh? So this year is the final stage of treatment, hopefully. Always with the hopefully, nothing is ever concrete is it? Last week I saw my life saving surgeon who said how much better I was looking and what a difference he could see in me (yeah finishing chemo, amazing what it does for you). He's on hols in March so it was either third week in March......or third week in Feb............no brainer! Surgery is now booked for 22nd February. I don't have to go in the night before and be stabbed to death or starved first, just roll up mid morning and then a short five day stay. He went through the usual risks involved and possible complications and that he may need to open up the whole ten inch wound again if there is scar tissue or adhesions but otherwise, just a two inch scar. I can't wait..........oh hang on........then I get so sit on the loo for hours at a time and my radiated butt already suffers when it's having a clear out of mucous from my colon. Lord knows what sort of pain I'm in for with diarrhoea. I've seen and felt the pain of macerated skin on my tummy (only yesterday in fact) with diarrhoea from my stoma. Eek. Still, means to an end and all that. I'm being spurred on by the upcoming joy of being able to wear anything I want and not worry about leaks all down my front. Faerie, I'm thinking visit to Mancland and a shopping frenzy, what do you reckon? At least I can "nappy up" down there and it's a bit less obvious than a swelling bag when I've eaten onions or been drinking anything fizzy. I'm doing pelvic floor excercises as I write. Less than five weeks to go now! I have a huge stock of skin barrier wipes which I'm hoping will make things a little more bearable. I saw my GP this week and got another type of anti-depressant to add to my rattling stock of drugs. I'm on SSRIs for depression and now tricyclics which he hopes will stop me feeling the pain of the nerve damage which HOPEFULLY (that bloody word again) will be cured by the Pyridoxine. Oh and I confessed he was right about the HRT, I'm doing great on it. I don't know if it's finishing chemo or the HRT or a combination of the two but my hair has gone from straw to soft and silky feeling again. I still have patches of what looks like cradle cap but I can live with that. The only problem being that when I scratch it, because the ends of my fingers are dead as dodos I scratch harder and make it bleed. I've discovered just how damaged my nether regions are by the evil radiation (I say evil, I know it shrunk the tumours and I know it may have prevented a recurrence but by god it's a price to pay). Again there is hope that it may improve, but no guarantees. I saw the Lone Ranger too, my 6 week post chemo check up. Discussed the nerve damage, yeah yeah, hopefully it will be gone, may take a year.........yadda yadda. I'm to have a CEA test (oh and FBC, Us and Es too obviously) every three months and see them for results every three months for the first year, then every six months...........til I get cancer again........doh I mean til I'm five years clear! I told him about the surgery and he was surprised no one has already arranged a scan (they don't really want me having surgery only to find out later I have more cancer and have to go through the whole sorry process again) so he's trying to rush one through in the next three weeks or so. Trying not to think about that. I've been pushing myself a bit too much I think, visiting friends and family all over the country.......well the furthest was Derby but it's a long way for me! I'm now laid up in bed feeling shattered with a thick foggy head, sore and glandy throat and aches and pains. Of course it could just be dehydration, my tongue is constantly cracked like a dry riverbed and I know I'm not drinking enough, I just forget now I'm busy flitting about here there and everywhere. So bed it is this weekend, no visits or visitors, just me and the Skittles curled up in bed (on the bed in his case on the proviso he does NOT wee on it again EVER). Has any one else fallen in to the "yeay chemo is over, lets try and do all the things we couldn't do the last six months all in a few days" trap? Yesterday I went, with Umpa, to have a tour of the local gym with a view to joining for some kind of social life and for me to build up my fitness again, before and after surgery. I was knackered, my throat was sore, I ached and felt lousy but pushed myself (and the poor Umpa) to visit DIY stores YET again to look at lighting for the living room and then went back later to buy some. Why? I've not even got the living room ceiling paper off yet, it's months away from being ready for the lights to be changed but because I CAN I wanted to do it. I'd have been so much better off in bed, resting. Better late than never, I'm off for a snooze now, nanight xxxx

2007 Sep 17th - Chemo Denied!

Monday, September 17, 2007

I tried to make them give me chemo, they said NO, NO, NO! Damn, I knew this would happen at some point. Got a call at 10.14 this morning from Lisa on the chemosuite, asking me to come in for another blood test. Poo. Emergency text to my taxi driver (Becky) and dived in the shower to wash, do hair AND change bag since it's hard work to do any of those on chemo week. Collected a blood form with URGENT on it and went off to sit and wait for another blood test. We thought we may as well grab some lunch in case the bloods were good this time and we'd be there all day. They weren't. Neutraphils were 1.3 on Friday and have dropped to a pathetic 1.1 today! Normal range between 2 and 7.5. Heavy doses of radiation ,chemotherapy ,and many other forms of stress can reduce the numbers of neutrophils so that formerly harmless bacteria begin to proliferate. The resulting opportunistic infection can be life-threatening. Hmpf, guessing having an infection in my arm didn't help either. Or recent stress caused by family members (thanks guys). Stoopid chemotherapy, now that's knocked me on at least another week into November before I'm done with this, it'll probably still be Christmas before I finish 8 cycles . Oh well, it's sort of a week's holiday and maybe my taste buds will have regenerated by the time I do get more drugs. (Wish I was the cheerleader off Heroes). 13:09 - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment - Edit - Remove

Umpalumpa

Naughty cells........................................xx Posted by Umpalumpa on Monday, September 17, 2007 at 22:32

2007 Sep 13th - Unlucky for Some

Thursday, September 13, 2007

Aaaagghhh. Can I have any MORE bad luck? Category: Life Well after the good news from Onco re reduced dose AND sentence (it feels like I got parole for good behaviour) AND the Willow Foundation coming up trumps with our break in Sherwood Forest I think I got a bit complacent. Had some family dramas this week resulting in me spending more time with my ex husband than I have in total over the 10 years we've been apart and in my house too. How civilised are we? Funny how you can put differences aside when it comes to your kids isn't it, well MOST of us can. Anyway because the first three days of this week were very stressful (I could hear my heart thumping loudly and was pretty sure my blood pressure was high) I just couldn't face the shower, the bath guard, the hairdryer, the straighteners or finding something I've not yet worn to the chemo suite to go and have my line flushed. It's been sore this last week and I have a swollen pus-filled red hot lump around the entry site. On Tuesday due to a hot sticky night (yeah that fabulous radiation induced menopause again) the waterproof dressing started to come away a bit so I cleaned it with a swab from my supplies and stuck some new gauze and another waterproof dressing on as a temporary measure to absorb the yukky stuff. Today after some Chemicals (as in The Chemical Brothers at full blast) I felt up to dragging myself into the shower and witnessing large quantities of hair block up the bath trap - having to empty it three times to drain the shower afterwards. It's getting a bit upsetting now seeing it on my pillow. More hair comes out when I wash it that when it was a foot longer, defo the chemo! Cringe! I arrived at the chemo suite about 3.45 and got a prime disabled spot in the free car park (say what you like about cancer, free parking is always a bonus). Thought as I'd only had one slice of toast all day and three ginger biscuits I ought to eat something else (hunger signals don't appear to reach my brain any more and I'm trying to maintain my weight but god it's hard, never thought I've have that problem). I had a healthy lemon chicken wrap, a piece of cake (for calories) and a packet of French Fries, salted of course to replace what I collect in the bag on daily basis. Needn't have rushed because I didn't get seen for an hour. They did have the requisite three nurses which was a bonus but a LOT of patients so I waited outside and forced the food down, wishing I'd got a drink because my tongue is cracked which I think means I'm dehydrated AGAIN. Matron (ooo matron) looked at my dressing and was NOT happy. In fact she said how unhappy she was with it approximately 7 times, just to me. Lisa the nurse looked at it, they called the Lone Ranger down to look at it. Matron took a swab to see what it grows in the lab - hopefully another life form, maybe a cure for colorectal cancer? She cleaned it up while the Lone Ranger scrawled a prescription for antibiotics and it started bleeding - this made her VERY unhappy. I'm thinking, should I actually be worrying at this point? I keep carping on to the kids that they must wash their hands etc because I have to avoid infection and still managed to get one under waterproof dressings. Lisa literally "ran like the wind" in her own words to try and make it to the pharmacy before it shut at 5pm, but not fast enough. She rang my surgery who said I could go to their pharmacy to get it. Great. New dressing on after the air had got to my seeping wound, which by the way smells rotten and off I went. The Pharmacy refused to fill the script. To be fair it does state only to be used in hospital pharmacy on it, but you know I'm a bloody cancer patient, I'm on chemo, I have lowered resistance to infection - which could kill me if my white cells are low enough (they're not right now, don't panic), give me the sodding drugs. Snotty chemist bloke said he couldn't apologise for something someone else had done and that I needed to make an appointment with my GP and get him to redo it. FFS! After a half hour wait in the surgery (no-one admitting to taking the phone call which I heard Lisa make myself) one of the docs put the prescription onto a different piece of paper and then snooty chemist bloke accepted it.............at first then told me (at this point I was close to tears) that usually you get the drug four times a day but GP had put 3 times a day on the script. I pointed out that the GP didn't prescribe it, my oncologist did (his attitude changed a bit at that news). He asked if I wanted him to check with the GP and did I have the original hospital script. Duh! No! They won't let me walk around with two will they? I told him it had been shredded by the receptionist but since I've had half my guts ripped out, four months of chemo and now had an infection I didn't really want anything else to go wrong so, yes, whatever he thinks best. I'm on three a day - possibly not enough, as the Lone Ranger said I was to have five days, they've assumed the quantity is over seven - quick maths means I have enough tablets to do either! I've necked two for good measure (on an empty stomach - no worries I hardly ever eat). I have to go back to the chemo suite tomorrow to have the dressing redone if it's messy again, then I have an appointment on the ward (ooer that's special treatment innit?) for Saturday as Matron is really NOT happy leaving it until Monday, especially with the bleeding and smelly yukky pus. Grim. Hopefully they'll whip me into isolation and let me have some rest from family troubles and warring cats (my son's pregnant cat is here and hates Skittles). I have a few wounds on my hands from intervening in the odd cat fight. Not recommended in my chemo book of truth. Cancer's shit. 20:42 - 8 Comments - 5 Kudos - Add Comment - Edit - Remove

	Billy Bollockchops	Oh noo, that's awful. All of it. Sorry I've not had the chance to come over this week. xxx Posted by Billy Bollockchops on Friday, September 14, 2007 at 14:44 [Remove] [Reply to this]

	Umpalumpa	I read this and want to do a Kevin/Perry "Its sooooo unfaair" - because its just NOT fair. We'll get you through this, and before you know it you'll be getting some serious (well deserved) pampering. MAJOR pampering. And I think this calls for an (accidental) trip for a new bag/top/skirt/kitchen flooring after the trip to vampire towers tomo pm.? xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Posted by Umpalumpa on Friday, September 14, 2007 at 14:45 [Remove] [Reply to this]

	Peter	You're right, cancer is shit. So, find somebody else to throw some shit at, me if you like, then sit down and have a large drink or ice cream or whatever. Sod the world and worry about Lisa as she's the most important person here. Loving you from a distance, Peter Posted by Peter on Friday, September 14, 2007 at 14:45 [Remove] [Reply to this]

	Lisa Left Eye Loopylalalalala	Peter, if you were old enough I'd say you were the dad I never had.........which is a bit rude since mine is still alive but always absent (not really his fault as my mother dragged me counties away as a baby and I didn't know stepdad 1 wasn't my real one). Posted by Lisa Left Eye Loopylalalalala on Sunday, September 16, 2007 at 19:49 [Remove] [Reply to this]

	Mandy	Just wondering how the wound is now? hopefully the antibiotics have kicked in and things are improving. Which Centreparcs are you going to btw? we enjoy weekends at Sherwood and Whinfell with the kids, from time to time. Hope you're feeling a bit better x Posted by Mandy on Monday, September 17, 2007 at 13:05 [Remove] [Reply to this]

	Lisa Left Eye Loopylalalalala	It's much less inflamed and the swelling has gone down quite a lot now - must be doing alright on the tablets. Off to Sherwood Forest! Posted by Lisa Left Eye Loopylalalalala on Monday, September 17, 2007 at 13:08 [Remove] [Reply to this]

	Fiona	Hiya Lisa, I'm rubbish at saying the righ thing - foot in mouth all the time, espesh after the large glass of red I've had this afternoon. Rotten time you're having, been thinking about you, wondering how you're doing - I'm also rubbish at loking around the system for blogs, Its either laziness or fatigue still. Hope you can get some rest and the antibios kick in pdq. Don't read the thread until p101's gone - it pulled me down, but fought back with all the positives I could muster - prob done the wrong thing again. Cancer is shit, but you're def at the top of the survivors in my book. You're living life and barking mad, and you're great. Posted by Fiona on Monday, September 17, 2007 at 13:05 [Remove] [Reply to this]

Lisa Left Eye Loopylalalalala

I had a white wine spritzer last night.........only half a glass of wine and I'm gone! I subscribe to blogs it's easier - otherwise I'd miss them too. Hope you don't have too much of a hangover Fi! Posted by Lisa Left Eye Loopylalalalala on Monday, September 17, 2007 at 13:09

2007 Apr 25th - Seeing the Surgeon

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Still no date for surgery......... Category: Life Well I arrived, just in time despite roadworks at 1.45. A chap came in a few minutes after me also to see Mr A. Evenutally Mr A came out and said "Lisa, I'll see you now" I like the first name thing, they still have me down as Mrs on my hospital notes which I'm clearly not any more. Mr W, the chap who arrived after me - bless him he looked a bit vague, trotted off (beating me with my old lady bones!!) to follow Mr A down the corridor and was shaking his hand in the consultation room doorway before I caught up. Uber confusion - two nurses, Mr A and I were all just staring befuddled at the poor chap before Mr A and the nurses all chipping in with "I thought I was seeing Lisa" and "Oh no it's Lisa next". I just sort of stood there feeling embarrassed........and Mr Vague toddled back to the waiting room. So after a false start I sat down and Mr A told me he'd got the referral from Dr Tom to say my chemoradio had finished but that I'd experienced quite some "discomfort" in the radiated area (slight understatment Tom but thanks for mentioning it). He asked how things were now - still getting internal pains but not as bad as they were. The op would normally be scheduled for the end of May and (not without some reluctance as I'd happily have the operation next week if we didn't have to wait for the radiated tissues to calm down) requested a delay til after 8th June so mum is back to play Nursey/Mum/Babysitter etc. Oops and she thought she was retiring at Christmas, she's never been busier! He sat back in his chair pondering with chin in hand, "mmm'd" and then consulted a calendar, mumbled 13th or 20th June as possible dates and said he'd confirm in writing. Grr I was hoping for the 9th . Patience NOT always my strong point. So now I'm assuming 20th but secretly hoping for 13th (the day they started to bring down the Berlin Wall in 1990). I told him I could wait until nearer the time for the details of exactly what he's going to do to my insides (believe me I've researched on the internet and I'm pretty sure I know plus I know of all the possible complications). I have a follow up appointment on 29th May. I should also then arrange to get a practice stoma kit so I can walk around with a bag stuck to my belly and decide exactly where I want my "bum on my tum" putting. Fabbo, can't wait! Apparently they rustle. I accidentally bought four more plants yesterday from the flower shop in the village. It would have been rude not to, they were four for a fiver! More weeding of the drive and I dug over a small bed so it's looking more and more civilised by the day. I think one more mug of Rooibos Earl Grey and I'll get out there again. it's perfect weeding weather with a bit of a breeze and I'm sheltered from the sun on the drive mostly. 12:17 - 3 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment - Edit - Remove

	GlitterGirl....	Hello Percy Thrower!! Great to hear you've got dates(s) for surgery. I would def wait for your mum to be back..it has the advantages of allowing you to heal and prepare as much as poss and having your mum there when u recover (I would have been lost without mine...!) You will prob be in for about 10 days and if you're anything like me you will find it difficult to move for the first few days (kind of like an armadillo on its back...you can only waggle your arms and legs!!) I will also check out Dorrie's photies...!! Still planning the trip over your way...just getting CT out of the way tomorrow but I am thinking the weekend at the end of my next chemo cycle. I will e-mail you with some suggested dates over the weekend if it's good news - hope that's okay!! And a big fat YES to the shopping trip - sounds perfect. Must get ready for work...chat soon lovely! K xxxooo Posted by GlitterGirl.... on Thursday, April 26, 2007 at 08:58 [Remove] [Reply to this]

Deborah

....starting to feel i should be doing more in the garden, you and Katie are putting me to shame... but aren't we s'posed to be staying away fro germy stuff? We need to do a serious dump trip and i have given Simon till next weekend as we are having a bbq next weekend. If only we all lived closer.... xxx Posted by Deborah on Saturday, April 28, 2007 at 18:50

2007 Apr 16th - Emotional!

Monday, April 16, 2007

"Emotional" Before I started radiotherapy the side effects were all explained, but then I'd researched everything on the net anyway. One of the most surprising side effects was feeling "emotional". It seems to be from the tiredness, is very common and also a bit odd. I would set off in the car feeling alright, not miserable or anything, yet a song on the radio would have me bawling my house. Jo Wiley's "changing tracks" were the worst. Uncontrollable tears! For the last two or three weeks I wanted to cry as soon as I walked out of the oncology department doors, sometimes before I walked in and once, just before treatment. Luckily the radiographers expect this and were prepared with tissues and cuddles. As side effects can continue for weeks or months after treatment (yes MONTHS) I'm quite pleased that the debilitating tiredness has been replaced by a more acceptable level. Some days I wake up and want to stay in bed still, but usually by lunchtime I'm pottering about. Today feels like a duvet day. Think I overdid the gardening yesterday - planted out a load of herbs I bought on Saturday, which included lifting some patio slabs. Weeded the forest around the roses at the front and then came in to whip up some home made houmous which we then ate with some stir fried leeks, scallions and tomatoes and left over brown pesto rice. Yummy! There's a massive bowl of houmous left in the fridge so guess what's for lunch today? Getting back to the "emotional" thing, I had random acts of weepiness yesterday, just felt like crying for no reason whatsoever. I feel a bit the same today, but then I have been rereading the side effects of radiotherapy. Not terribly thrilled about the possibility of getting lymphoedema in my leg(s) after the surgeon whips out most of my nodes, including the ones that have been zapped! They take out a lot around the tumour then check which ones have cancer in them - I might get my staging revised one way or another. At the moment I'm Stage 3b due to suspect nodes. That's Dukes C. Mostly at the moment I don't feel like I've got cancer, then wham it hits me like a ton of bricks. I know the worst time will be after treatment finishes. That's when there are no regular hospital appointments, just the rest of my life, however long that may be, to figure out. All the "offers of help" whether empty or not will disappear and I'll have to return to work, if I can. Depends on my level of ability after surgery and any nasty complications, (yes I know glass half empty, but lets look back at my history shall we? Rather be prepared thanks). I live from one day to the next at the moment, there is so much I don't know, can't know and won't know for a long time I can't think any further ahead. I want a holiday, at least I think I do, but I actually like staying at home - I suppose it feels safe and I know I can go to bed whenever I want! I want a job nearer to home, preferably part time if I can manage it, but what? Who is going to risk employing me? I've got two years of menopausal symptoms (expected to be more severe as they're radiation induced) to look forward to. How is that going to be amongst people I don't know and who don't understand me? I think the best thing I can do right now is go and eat some Goji berry organic, vegan muesli - Gillian McKeith would love me right now! Except for my poo, she would NOT be impressed by that! Here's some info on Lymphoedema! This is a risk to anyone with cancer particularly after radiotherapy. Causes The swelling is due to a build up of lymph fluid. This happens if the lymph nodes (or glands) in the groin or pelvic area have been removed during surgery or if they have become damaged by radiotherapy. Lymphoedema can occur a few weeks or several years after pelvic radiotherapy. It happens in up to 1 in 10 people (10%). The risk of it happening to you depends on the type of cancer you had, as well as any other treatments you had. Rarely, the trunk or genital area can become swollen. The lymph nodes act as filters within the lymphatic system, helping to fight infection and disease. If the nodes have been removed or are damaged, the lymph fluid is unable to pass along the vessels and excess fluid can build up, causing swelling. The area affected by lymphoedema is also more prone to infection and if infection happens it can be difficult to get rid of it. Lymphoedema can also occur if the cancer has come back and is blocking the lymph drainage channels. Resulting problems If your leg is swollen because of lymphoedema it may become stiff, uncomfortable and awkward to move, making daily activities like dressing difficult. The skin may get tight and stretched. Once lymphoedema has occurred, it cannot be completely cured. However, many things can be done to help reduce the swelling and discomfort. Preventing lymphoedema After pelvic radiotherapy it is important to avoid infection, as this increases the risk of lymphoedema. It is important to avoid any cuts or grazes on your legs and to look after the skin by using moisturisers if the skin gets dry. Clean any cuts, grazes or wounds with antiseptic. Some things may trigger lymphoedema, such as: insect bites standing for long periods air travel sunburn being overweight. It is helpful to avoid these if possible. You can help to prevent lymphoedema by following a healthy lifestyle and exercising regularly. Walking (in well-fitting shoes) and swimming stimulate fluid to drain from the legs. The earlier treatment is started, the more likely the lymphoedema can be controlled. So it is important to let your doctor know if you notice any swelling of your foot, leg, thigh, lower abdomen or genital area. 9:35 - 2 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment - Edit - Remove

	Billy Bollockchops	"It is important to avoid any cuts or grazes on your legs" You're going to get a smacked hand if I catch you picking at that scab again. Do you want to come for tea some time this week? Posted by Billy Bollockchops on Monday, April 16, 2007 at 10:44 [Remove] [Reply to this]

Lisa Left Eye Loopylalalalala

oops. That's kinda what I thought, then heaved a sigh of relief that I bought those fantastic blue welliboots to protect my legs from burning and scratches in the garden. I looked a pretty picture yesterday in a vest, skirt and wellies! Suppose I have to be really careful shaving my legs, not just cos I've just had chemo, grrr why not just wrap me up in cotton wool and be done with it. Sod it I'm of to Skeggy with a tartan blanket and a flask of broth. That should sort me out a treat. Not sure about tea, mum's on Wed as usual, maybe Thursday though, will see how I feel on Wed if that's OK? Posted by Lisa Left Eye Loopylalalalala on Monday, April 16, 2007 at 12:58

2007 Apr 13th - Torpedoes Launched

13 Apr 2007

Torpedoes launched! Category: Life Ooo my good mate/boss came over yesterday, she was "working from home" at my house. Well she mentioned work once I think, does that count? She arrived with M&S grain selection (as I'm off lots of bad foods at least until Tyson has been evicted to starve him but feed myself) which was yummy, a pile of gossip/celeb mags from work, thickening hair serum for next lot of chemo and dry shampoo for those days when I can't be bothered with the hair washing! Also for some bizarre reason I got a pay rise - letter in post today, very odd considering the man holding my particular fate wanted to shove me out his dept onto a temp contract after 6 years in the business, so I'd have no job and no redundancy, maybe it's delayed guilt at never once enquiring after my health or well being. Oh hang on, I'll be on half pay hahahahahaha, it won't cost them much at all! Anyway it reminded me of funny comment made by Dr Tom. I'd told him about the poorly skin so he wanted to take a look. He'd obviously imagined that some of the pain was external and was surprised to see two sores the size of 10pence pieces - he said "that's reassuring". Angela said, "hang on a minute, your oncologist said it was reassuring looking at your arse?" Cue fits of girly laughter...............it was funny at the time honest, maybe you had to be there......... In true girly gossip fashion we discussed her new "love interest" who she's seen for about two hours three times over the course of three weeks. Big belly laughs all round - so felt much better after her visit AND torpedo painkilling steroids are working!!! Still get pains but bearable ones. It's really good to forget all about cancer, drugs, treatments etc just for a few hours and just be silly and girly. I almost wanted to go out to the pub, then didn't as it would involve too much effort. By the time I'd have got myself presentable I would have been too tired and had to have a kip. Had a tired start - awake before 9 and refused to go back to sleep. Eventually had a mad cooking frenzy whipping up some brown rice and root veg mash with cauliflower (and some to freeze), vegetable soup (to freeze), rhubarb crumble (free rhubarb courtesy Lesley's farm and garden shop) and then whipped up some turkey stirfry thingy with veg and oven chips for Karys and her BF. Drove her BF home and realised, I've been in the kitchen for several hours, no wonder my back is hurting and I'm cream crackered!

2007 Apr 10th - Alas Poor PICC ....

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Alas poor PICC I knew him well.......... I was in soo much pain on the loo this morning that my daughter asked if I needed an ambulance, inbetween spasms of pain (worse than pushing her 9lb 2.5 oz body with massive wrong way round head out), I said "no, this always happens when I go to the loo, don't worry", she wanted to know if they'd give me any painkillers - I wasn't sure. Cried again when mum came because it hurt so much and was still stinging and spasming and she'd seen Karys and given her a lift to the bus stop - who'd told her I was in "quite a bit of pain". Was nearly in tears by the time I saw the Dr, two periods in three weeks, permanent cystitis, bleeding from everywhere, agony in the loo and my hair HAS fallen out, just not on my head (sorry but true). He racked his brain and decided on some torpedo suppositories with painkillers in them for the pain and steroid to reduce inflammation. Then I cried properly when I said goodbye to John who has terminal pancreatic cancer, spread to his liver. I wished him well and shook his hand but it was all a bit much. He's a lovely bloke, seen him a few times on a Tuesday for his chemo, or blood tests, always chatty, had a painful weekend over Easter and he was out of breath by the time he'd walked from the car. I was a bit choked saying goodbye to the chemo nurses too, knowing I won't see them again. They've been really lovely. I didn't see anyone I knew in radio today, which made me a bit upset too as after five weeks you get used to the same crowd. I HAVE NO PICC LINE IN ANY MORE! No more massive dressings, no more hanging bags on the shower rail, no more foul taste in my mouth when they flush the line every week! No more cytotoxic drugs in my veins (for the moment). I was grinning like a Cheshire cat cos Dr Tom said I could have it removed today and no more chemo until the path results from surgery - then we'll see what happens, likely another four months, but I may just be lucky. Going to be very emotional tomorrow I'm sure with my last trip to Lincoln. I can hardly wait! 17:04 - 4 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment - Edit - Remove

	GlitterGirl....	Well done on that PICC line...enjoy your hassle-free showers and not looking like Robocop any more! I'll be thinking of you tomorrow...I'm sure there will be a few tears (I cried just reading your post!) but it's another step on the cancer journey and you just need to keep plodding along chick. Hope the diet is going well...I'm going the other way and fell off the wagon on Sunday. Just a small glass of champagne. It was bloody gorgeous...a tongue in the glass job!! I miss my wine....sigh!! Oh and on the hair loss front...I am losing from both my collar and my cuffs, if you know what I mean! I am going to take advantage and have a severe wax on the basis that it will hurt less... ;o) I hope the torpedoes and steroids do their job soon and give you a bit of relief. Thinking of you lots. xxxx Posted by GlitterGirl.... on Tuesday, April 10, 2007 at 19:25 [Remove] [Reply to this]

	GlitterGirl....	Oooh and no - Dr Dreamy doesn't know I call him that - it would only go to his head. My nickname for him is "Bean"......much less flattering, but he likes it!! Posted by GlitterGirl.... on Tuesday, April 10, 2007 at 19:26 [Remove] [Reply to this]

	Deborah	I am sooo happy for you now you have lost your robotic arm, albeit slightly jealous! Plugged in for session 5, only 7 to go now.... I can imagine it is all rather emotional for you - i decided on my last session to bake fairy cakes for the staff. did it hurt when it came out? Scared of that already! xxxx Posted by Deborah on Wednesday, April 11, 2007 at 17:34 [Remove] [Reply to this]

Hayley

I'm detecting a penchant for melodrama - all these shakespearean references........ try this one How poor are they who have not patience! What wound did ever heal but by degrees. Maybe quoting shakespeare while your ring is burning will take your mind off it. I will now spend the day searching for inappropriate quotes............... Hxxxxx Posted by Hayley on Friday, April 13, 2007 at 08:41