Cancer Support Thread

*Robin*

Mrs_Optimist wrote: »

Update
My FIL has stopped the chemo for the lung cancer, had another round of radiotherapy for the throat cancer and is going to have to have some more as it has returned - as they said it would.

He knows it's a waiting game but had really had enough of the chemo and chose quality over quantity of his remaining life.

We are taking each day as it comes. ....

For some positive inspiration, g00gle "Driving Miss Norma" - the experiences of a 90 year old lady who decided to decline cancer treatment in favour of going with her son and his wife on a motor-home trip, exploring the United States. They've had some amazing adventures - making what will be Miss Norma's last year the best it could possibly be.
You'll find plenty of ideas for treats and excursions in Miss Norma's story, which could be adapted to give your FIL as many good days as he can manage, and great memories for your whole family.

Amber_Sunshine

2nd chemo on Tuesday. My hair is now going, and it's going fast. I chopped it short today as it was clumping and looked awful. Somehow I feel that the 'falling out' stage will be worse than the 'no hair' stage. It's horrible. I really feel like a 'cancer patient' now.

JadedAngel88

Amber_Sunshine wrote: »

2nd chemo on Tuesday. My hair is now going, and it's going fast. I chopped it short today as it was clumping and looked awful. Somehow I feel that the 'falling out' stage will be worse than the 'no hair' stage. It's horrible. I really feel like a 'cancer patient' now.

My daughter just shaved her head as soon as the hair started to fall out, she said it cut the worry of whether it would fall out or not. I guess it depends on what treatment your on, but hers didn't fall out as much after she had her head shaved.

I guess it's tough for us women to lose our hair, have you asked about wigs and there are some nice hats out there now we are coming into the colder weather.

Good luck and I hope you find a way through this. Will be thinking of you and follow your progress on here.

Caroline_a

Your Macmillan nurse will help you with getting a wig - usually you get a voucher towards one which, depending on what you want will either pay all or most of the cost. I'm now 5 months on from my stem cell transplant when the little bit of hair that had grown since the 5 weeks of my last chemo all fell out. My hair is now about 2cm long, slightly wavy and a very dull brown colour. I feel a visit to the hairdressers is due!

To anyone who is or will be undergoing a stem cell transplant - it does take about 3 months before your hair starts to grow again, which can seem ages!

elisebutt65

Amber_Sunshine wrote: »

2nd chemo on Tuesday. My hair is now going, and it's going fast. I chopped it short today as it was clumping and looked awful. Somehow I feel that the 'falling out' stage will be worse than the 'no hair' stage. It's horrible. I really feel like a 'cancer patient' now.

I had my hair cut short before I started chemo and then shaved it once it started falling out as it was so depressing finding hair everywhere; in the shower' in my food, all over the bed etc. I had a lovely wig, but only wore it on special occasions as it was so hot! I treated myself to some gorgeous missoni scarves from tkmaxx, big sunnies and rocked the look with bright red lippie.

I also went to a Look Good Feel Better workshop. Your cancer nurses should be able to refer you. Had lots of fun, got great advice and a huge bag of goodies to take away.

As an aside, does anyone know when I should stop feeling tired? It's been 3.5 years since I finished treatment, still on exemestane for the foreseeable future. I can only work 3 days a week, but managing my masters as well for one day a week. I just get exhausted and end up napping all weekend.
I was full time for a bit after I went back to work, but I kept getting ill. I just want the old me back and not just existing in a fog of fatigue.

JIL

I had radiotherapy and chemotherapy over six years ago and I still get tired very easily. I find if I do a long day at work say ten hours then I am really tired for the next couple of days. I am really lucky in that I can work flexible hours.
I have learned over time to pace myself, if I know I will have a busy day I build in some time to rest.
Also it's not how much sleep you get but the quality. I am so much better if I can fit in some excersise during the day, like a 40 minute dog walk.
Good luck with your masters.

DUKE

Amber_Sunshine wrote: »

2nd chemo on Tuesday. My hair is now going, and it's going fast. I chopped it short today as it was clumping and looked awful. Somehow I feel that the 'falling out' stage will be worse than the 'no hair' stage. It's horrible. I really feel like a 'cancer patient' now.

After 3rd chemo mine started to come out so I got the scissors & chopped it all off, it felt so liberating as I'd had too many bad hair days in my time to even care. Mr Duke shaved it for me, & it looked & felt good, no more washing, conditioning, curling, straightening, drying, cutting, colouring. I was quite disappointed when mine grew back actually.

I had a free wig, it was a really good one too. However, I choose to go bare as I felt that people needed to know, & seeing me would perhaps get them to check themselves.

Amber_Sunshine

I'm looking into doing one of those beauty workshops, there's a Spanish version. So far I'm sticking to scarves as I find them very comfortable, and it's fun playing around with different patterns and colours.

The good news is that after first chemo, the tumour markers dropped by half, and again after the second one. It's looking good!

Caroline_a

So I'm now 6 months down the line after my stem cell transplant. Not having any treatment now, apart from a 2 monthly injection of Rituximab which apparently keeps the dreaded disease at bay - so they say!

However.... my hair is now about an inch long. Unfortunately it's the colour of a dead mouse, which is the same colour as a live mouse only dustier. So on Saturday I'm off to the hairdressers for a trim and a colour! Wish me luck, because I'm tired of wearing wigs!!

Amber_Sunshine

Chemo finished two weeks ago, and I coped with it well. As my oncologist predicted, there were a few days after each session when I felt off-colour, but it wasn't intolerable. The worst thing was the hair loss. I have a wig that really helps me feel more like myself.

BUT - my hair started to come back only a week after the last chemo! My eyebrows are also coming back. Along with the few odd 'tache hairs :rotfl:

And after chemo 4 (the last result I have), my tumour markers were only just above acceptable levels. So I'm hoping for good news when I see my oncologist next week :T