The ... What are you doing or thinking right now - Topic

[Bob Bryden]

My aunt was in for the chemo recently - but curiously didn't lose her hair?!?!

According to the Cancer Society literature I've read on chemotherapy not everyone has side effects. Some have none at all. There is evidently a wide variety of chemotherapy drugs used with unsurprisingly a wide variety of side effects. As I think I mentioned before, I had some chemotherapy drug injected or inserted (I was right out of it under general anaesthetic at the time so I don't know exactly what the surgeon got up to ) into me during the cancer surgery & I've experienced nothing since that I could attribute to chemotherapy side effects.

At least my appetite is almost back to normal - should be better still once I can exercise more. Unfortunately the surgeon drew my attention to the fact, of which I was already aware, that I need to lose weight. Easier said than done though. When disharged from hospital I was told I needed to go on an iron rich diet with steak recommended to build up my blood again. In addition to the iron & folic acid pills I got from the hospital my iron intake comes mainly from mince, sausages, eggs & tuna. I like steak but haven't had it since Mum died. Neither Dad or I are keen on cooking it.
Bob

[VivAyrshire]

Glad the appetite is almost back to normal !!

One thing I would say: it's important to definitely try to get out & among people !!!!!!!!!

When one of my neighbours took cancer, he hid himself in his house whilst he was having the chemo - no longer talking to or dealing with people, and it does NOBODY any good to shut themselves away !!!! Or feel they can't say what's really going on.

[morag]

I'm thinking a wee dram would go doon weel the night, bliddy cauld here, didnae get oot the 50's and in the thirties later the night..then back up mid 70's by weekend..too bad there's no a drap in the hoos! Well, still hae a half bottle of wine, off to the shops tomorrow or it'll be hot tea and I'll be up a' night! lol!But honest, it is cold, I wiz even going to vacuum just to get warm but the cats were all asleep...I'm so soft hearted..lol!

[bobnetau]

I'm wondering where our hot weather went to. One day scorching hot and the next I have to look out warm clothes. Hope it heats up for George arriving in Portarlington next week. Should have vacuumed today to heat up but I had a good book and that won the toss.

[Meg]

Lovely spring day here - crocus are all out, lambs bouncing about in the fields. Probably be up to our necks in snow next week!

Meg

[morag]

Dear old Scotland...mind you, it's been the same here.. maybe a solar storm cycle? weird weather all over!

[morag]

Rare, night tornadoes hit Harrisburg, Branson, and other Midwest towns

Harrisburg, Ill, was hit by a rare, massive night-time tornado with 170 mph winds. At least 12 people were killed by 16 tornadoes in three states. Friday could see a similar storm system, say meteorologists.

By Jim Suhr, Associated Press / March 1, 2012

[BigIan]

Rare, night tornadoes hit Harrisburg, Branson, and other Midwest towns

Harrisburg, Ill, was hit by a rare, massive night-time tornado with 170 mph winds. At least 12 people were killed by 16 tornadoes in three states. Friday could see a similar storm system, say meteorologists.

By Jim Suhr, Associated Press / March 1, 2012

After reading that, I think I'll just stay here!

It is bizarre weather, 9'C in the middle of the night, unusual for this time of year, and up into the high teens during the day. Perfect time for the boiler to be out of action!

[Bob Bryden]

Feeling apprehensive just now after my latest visit to the hospital last Thursday for a follow-up with the Urologist who made the initial cancer diagnosis 3 days before last Xmas. The main purpose was to review the results of the biopsy on the cancerous tumour removed from me last month. Not what I wanted to hear unfortunately - the cancer in the tumour was of the invasive type that can progress beyond the lining of the bladder & if it does that usually means complete removal of the bladder & maybe the prostate gland & other bits & pieces. Consequently I'm to go back into hospital within about a month for further biopsy surgery to verify that all the cancer has been removed & to check if it has spread elsewhere. The Urologist says he is optimistic that I'll be OK & won't have to have my bladder removed - I certainly hope not. I feel not too bad at the moment & that recovery is progressing OK - hope that's a good sign

He also said that some people who've had the invasive cancer & have elected not to have the bladder removed have been dead within 2 years. He mentioned that following the type of surgery I had on 25th. January it usually takes the bladder about 6 weeks to heal UNLESS as in my case, a chemotherapy drug has been used & it can then take several months to heal. Now before it has properly healed I'm to undergo further surgery thus lengthening the healing period - assuming of course that I still have a bladder after this latest proposed surgery. When this further biopsy occurs I'll be again given a general anaesthetic & be kept in overnight in view of my past history - presumably that refers to the major blood clotting problem last time.

The imminent prospect of losing my bladder despite the Urologist's optimism to the contrary is thus making me apprehensive. Electing to keep it regardless of the results of this latest proposed biopsy would seemingly be signing my death warrant - not a pleasant prospect either way. However, fingers crossed, touch wood & anything else in that vein that after my next hospital visit I'll finally be on the road to recovery with no vital bits missing

Hoping for better news by 14th. April - Dad's 96th. birthday

Bob

[John Donnelly]

Hi Bob,

Keep your chin up mate. There's squads of us out here thinking of you and keeping you in our prayers.

JD.

[BigIan]

Hi Bob,


I can only echo what John has said, keep thinking positive thoughts!

If it's any help at all, I have a good friend who has gone through the same thing as you.........five years ago! He still has his bladder and is on six monthly check-ups which they are shortly reducing to annual reviews, so it can be beaten, just got to keep fighting!

Good luck

[ellenyoung31]

Hello Bob,
sorry to hear of youre ilness. I pray you will be all right.
my best wishes. Ellen.