Now Ye're Talking - to a cancer patient

I have cancer, AMA · 08-06-2017 10:52pm

Masterofballs wrote: »

You have an extraordinary way of explaining yourself and bringing a sense of calm to such an awful illness and i am sure there are may, many people who have read this tread but not posted who may have worries about cancer and i am sure they would feel a lot better after reading your replies, truly a brave and considerate person you are and i hope (know) you will live a very happy and long life. Well done.

Thank you so much, this is such a lovely post and one that brought a tear to my eye.

skimpydoo wrote: »

My parents are getting used to it and the will be glad when it's all over. I have never asked myself why me but I do know that my parents have and I try and reassure them by saying I am facing a minor inconvenience at the moment.

Having the best of both worlds helps as does having family friends who will support me at the drop of a hat.

You are also right about treating yourself and at the moment the most important person in my life is me and if people can't understand that I don't want them around me.

You are doing the right thing by saying it is a minor inconvenience, because that is exactly what it is. It's only going to be a part of your life, not your entire life.

Yes exactly you are the most important person in your life and anyone who doesn't understand (because can't or won't) are not people you need (or want) to have around you, particularly at a time like this.

DirkVoodoo · 09-06-2017 1:05pm

Well done on sharing your story! No question, just wanted to offer my support.

I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma shortly after Christmas, your feelings about "this happens to other people" were exactly how I felt. Even when I was in the middle of chemotherapy I found it hard to believe that I had cancer.

The fatigue and bi-weekly sessions just became "the new normal" after a while, it's only now that I'm getting better (last session over 3 weeks ago!) I realise how sick I was. I tried to be as active as possible (work, cycle, friends) but your advise of "be selfish!" is one that I would urge anyone who has recently been diagnosed to listen to. I tried to work as long as possible but eventually had to stop towards the end and I'm glad I did. Working at 50% just became frustrating for myself and those around me: missed deadlines, foggy brain, etc.

I was cycling in Kerry with my club at the weekend, I walked out along Inch strand on my own, dipped my toes in the water, and nearly broke down. It was the first time that the entire reality of what I'd been through and how lucky I was hit me at full force.

skimpydoo · 10-06-2017 12:11am

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

Well done on sharing your story! No question, just wanted to offer my support.

I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma shortly after Christmas, your feelings about "this happens to other people" were exactly how I felt. Even when I was in the middle of chemotherapy I found it hard to believe that I had cancer.

The fatigue and bi-weekly sessions just became "the new normal" after a while, it's only now that I'm getting better (last session over 3 weeks ago!) I realise how sick I was. I tried to be as active as possible (work, cycle, friends) but your advise of "be selfish!" is one that I would urge anyone who has recently been diagnosed to listen to. I tried to work as long as possible but eventually had to stop towards the end and I'm glad I did. Working at 50% just became frustrating for myself and those around me: missed deadlines, foggy brain, etc.

I was cycling in Kerry with my club at the weekend, I walked out along Inch strand on my own, dipped my toes in the water, and nearly broke down. It was the first time that the entire reality of what I'd been through and how lucky I was hit me at full force.

What affect does your treatment have on you and how tired does it leave you? I should be starting treatment for Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma in July and a little heads up would be greatly appreciated.

I have cancer, AMA · 10-06-2017 1:08am

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

Well done on sharing your story! No question, just wanted to offer my support.

I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma shortly after Christmas, your feelings about "this happens to other people" were exactly how I felt. Even when I was in the middle of chemotherapy I found it hard to believe that I had cancer.

The fatigue and bi-weekly sessions just became "the new normal" after a while, it's only now that I'm getting better (last session over 3 weeks ago!) I realise how sick I was. I tried to be as active as possible (work, cycle, friends) but your advise of "be selfish!" is one that I would urge anyone who has recently been diagnosed to listen to. I tried to work as long as possible but eventually had to stop towards the end and I'm glad I did. Working at 50% just became frustrating for myself and those around me: missed deadlines, foggy brain, etc.

I was cycling in Kerry with my club at the weekend, I walked out along Inch strand on my own, dipped my toes in the water, and nearly broke down. It was the first time that the entire reality of what I'd been through and how lucky I was hit me at full force.

skimpydoo wrote: »

What affect does your treatment have on you and how tired does it leave you? I should be starting treatment for Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma in July and a little heads up would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

I am so sorry to hear that, I hope you are doing well and treatment is going well for you

I was the same, even now I am finished chemo I still find it hard to believe that I do have cancer and that I've had months of chemo, it still feels surreal for me.

Well done on working through treatment for as long as you did, you are very brave, not many people would do that, I know I wouldn't, I would find it too difficult, physically and emotionally.

Congrats on finishing chemo, its the hardest part of treatment, its just awful, it is absolutely exhausting. It zaps all of your energy.

I haven't had that happen to me yet, my CNS and counsellor did say that it could be after treatment that it hits me and they have told me to watch out for it.

I wish you all the best with your treatment.

Persephone kindness · 12-06-2017 3:34am

skimpydoo wrote: »

I saw my EMT specialist yesterday and I am having one of the swollen lymph nodes in my neck removed next Monday morning.

I got diagnosed over 2 months ago and I should have started treatment by now. I have had a lot of delays and results etc going missing along with certain departments not arranging appointments for me when they were told too.

My day to day life has changed too as I can't do as much as I used to until my immune system gets back to normal, and one positive is that I have stopped drinking coke a drink I used to love. I mainly drink OJ and also water at home and that has made such a difference. Also as I will be home alone a lot I decided to convert my living room into a mini man cave and I treated myself to a 49 inch 4K smart TV, a 320 Watt sound bar to go with the TV and a new X Box one S. Within 3 weeks I will know what treatment I will be receiving and also the exact type of Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma that I have.

Living alone has its benefits as I have nobody to disturb and if I need someone to be there for me over a few days I stay at my parent's house.

I got negative thoughts and tears for the first time yesterday and I was glad that nobody else witnessed it and I aim to make sure that is a rare occurrence.

Thanks for the hugs and I am sending some right back at ya.

Good Luck on Monday.

I hope you come back in a year or something and tell us all how fantastic you feel then!

Lots of love x

I have cancer, AMA · 12-06-2017 7:23am

Best of luck this morning. I will be thinking of you today.

Sending you big hugs.

skimpydoo wrote: »

I saw my EMT specialist yesterday and I am having one of the swollen lymph nodes in my neck removed next Monday morning.

I got diagnosed over 2 months ago and I should have started treatment by now. I have had a lot of delays and results etc going missing along with certain departments not arranging appointments for me when they were told too.

My day to day life has changed too as I can't do as much as I used to until my immune system gets back to normal, and one positive is that I have stopped drinking coke a drink I used to love. I mainly drink OJ and also water at home and that has made such a difference. Also as I will be home alone a lot I decided to convert my living room into a mini man cave and I treated myself to a 49 inch 4K smart TV, a 320 Watt sound bar to go with the TV and a new X Box one S. Within 3 weeks I will know what treatment I will be receiving and also the exact type of Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma that I have.

Living alone has its benefits as I have nobody to disturb and if I need someone to be there for me over a few days I stay at my parent's house.

I got negative thoughts and tears for the first time yesterday and I was glad that nobody else witnessed it and I aim to make sure that is a rare occurrence.

Thanks for the hugs and I am sending some right back at ya.

I have cancer, AMA · 12-06-2017 5:16pm

I had my pre op appointment today so if anyone would like any advice or anything about those appointments feel free to ask and I'll do my best to help

skimpydoo · 13-06-2017 3:03pm

Persephone kindness wrote: »

Good Luck on Monday.

I hope you come back in a year or something and tell us all how fantastic you feel then!

Lots of love x

I have cancer, AMA wrote: »

Best of luck this morning. I will be thinking of you today.

Sending you big hugs.

Thank's all went well. I was told that I might get some of nerves in my shoulder damaged when they were removing the node from neck, but that didn't happen.

When I woke up I felt like I had the worst hangover in the world as I was so nauseous but thankfully that's gone now. I will be seeing the EMT specialist who operated on me yesterday, next Tuesday. He wants to check and see that the area that he removed the node from has healed up and he also wants to make sure other departments are doing their job, as they were not in the past.

I also see my haematologist next Thursday who will confirm what type of Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma that I have plus what treatment I will be getting.

I have cancer, AMA · 16-06-2017 2:32am

skimpydoo wrote: »

Thank's all went well. I was told that I might get some of nerves in my shoulder damaged when they were removing the node from neck, but that didn't happen.

When I woke up I felt like I had the worst hangover in the world as I was so nauseous but thankfully that's gone now. I will be seeing the EMT specialist who operated on me yesterday, next Tuesday. He wants to check and see that the area that he removed the node from has healed up and he also wants to make sure other departments are doing their job, as they were not in the past.

I also see my haematologist next Thursday who will confirm what type of Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma that I have plus what treatment I will be getting.

I'm so glad to read this and see that you have no nerve damage.

I hope the appointment with your hematologist goes well and I wish you all the best with treatment and recovery x

Persephone kindness wrote: »

Like if there was something ANYTHING someone could do right now for you ..what would that be??

I've thought about this and if there one was thing anyone could do, I would love for the "rule" to be changed regarding age.

I posted this previously

I have cancer, AMA wrote: »

The only thing that I do have an issue with is that women in Ireland under 35 are put on waiting list until they’re called for an appointment, anyone over 35 is seen within two weeks, because women over 35 are more at risk.

Now to me, symptoms are symptoms so regardless of age if you present to your GP with symptoms and are then referred, you should be seen ASAP not put on a waiting list. That is one thing I would prefer to see changed as soon as possible.

If there was one thing anyone could do for me or for anyone, it would be to do away with this rule and see people regardless of their age.

I am mid-twenties and have cancer that is generally only found in women who are twice my age and more, and if my symptoms weren't what they were, I probably wouldn't have been seen as quick because of my age and would have been put on a waiting list until I was called and by that stage, it could have been too late for me, my cancer might have developed too far to be curable.

skimpydoo · 16-06-2017 2:57am

I have cancer, AMA wrote: »

I'm so glad to read this and see that you have no nerve damage.

I hope the appointment with your hematologist goes well and I wish you all the best with treatment and recovery x

Thanks I also have to see my EMT specialist, the doctor who took out node. He wants to make sure that I am healing nicely.

con___manx1 · 16-06-2017 3:07am

I just want to wish you all the best.

Boards.ie: Niamh · 19-06-2017 9:22am

Thanks so much to our guest for taking the time to answer all of these questions about cancer treatment and her experience, it's been very interesting!

Best of luck on your road to recovery

Now Ye're Talking - to a cancer patient

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