chemo

I think that the shop assistant was probably a bit flummoxed by your remark but I think her philosophy is sound. If you were excusing a basket full of chocolate and can eat it on chemo then go for it. I was told pineapple really helps and they are 50p round here and yet I see them as a luxury. Anyway Etheltb do an imaginary Jennifer Arniston .tell yourself you're worth it.

I never told my MIL about DH's cancer ethel I knew I couldn't stand the sepulchral voice she would use when talking about him, and the fact that she would see it as an instant death sentence. She was under the impression that he had osteoporosis "Like Me" not that she did have it - but thinking she did gave her something to talk about. We've told one or two neighbours on a need to know basis, but if people don't need to know I usually don't mention it.

Well, you shouldn't have mentioned it then, ethel! What did you expect...?

Scream away! There will always be people in these situations who say the wrong thing - you have to rise above it!!

daffydil it is good to hear stories like yours, my bowel cancer has spread locally and I feel that my life is on hold until I get the all clear.
There are some jolly types who get chemo and put on a silly smile and try to be positive but the bottom line is that we have a life threatening illness and I cant laugh and be jolly. They must all be putting on an act and that is false.
I try to tell as few people as possible as I don't want pity but I told a shop assistant in a shop I never go to normally and she looked at my shopping and said in a patronising voice, 'well, dear you should buy yourself all the treats you want while you can'. I wanted to scream.

I was diagnosed with breast cancer which had already spread to the lymph glands under the arm and later the neck. I had a year's treatment of chemo, surgery and radiotherapy and am just coming up to the 20th anniversary of being clear.
Delighted to hear the news about your son Falcon and very best wishes for the future.

Yes the situation looks very hopeful. The Consultants are hoping to remove the stoma bag in about 18 weeks time. My son was terribly ill for over a year but he is proof that you can recover from cancer as is my cousin who had colon cancer and has been clear for over 10 years .

Best wishes for your son falconbird

All the best to your son Falconbird

What good news Falconbird I hope he continues to do well.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Gransnet has helped me such a lot during the past year. {flowers}

Ditto the above .

It is good news about your son falconbird - I hope he continues to do well and is soon back to full health.

Falconbird what a worry this must have been. I'm thrilled to hear that your son's blood tests are clear and his future looks promising.

To him and all others fighting this battle

My son never needed a nurse calling in (he is recovering from bowel cancer)
but had contact numbers for people at Oncology.

I don't know all the details - but the good news is he has had blood tests and they have all been clear and his cancer was at quite an advanced stage. He will have more blood tests to keep checking but it's looking very promising.

He went to all his chemo and radiation appointments on his own except for the first treatment. I was amazed by that but he said he was fine and wanted to go it alone. He is a youngish chap being 44.

There used to be a MacMillan adviser at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle.

I don't actually need 'nursing' so I don't want anyone to come to the house but advice would be nice.
I also find that when anyone seeks advice from an organisation they are given lots of follow up phone calls and I wouldn't like that I would find it intrusive. If there were a macmillen adviser in the hospital I would use that service but I don't need a trained nurse (yet and hopefully never).

My experience of MacMillan is that you get through to a help line, chat to them and then they put you onto a nurse. I rang about my son. He has had blood tests throughout the chemo and thankfully they were all clear.

My cousin who had bowel cancer actually had visits from a MacMillan nurse but that was years ago so things may have changed.

Don't get into a panic now ethel blood results can be up and down and you really need to finish the whole cycle to get an accurate view of what's happening. Do try and forge a good relationship with your doctor, it makes all the differenceto how you feel about the treatment.

I agree - and do phone the nurse, ethel, they are very helpful and will know what the usual procedure is regarding scans and blood tests, it's early days yet.

I'm glad you're coping well!

He will not know anything until you have finished the course and had the next scan.

But if you are afraid that he might be keeping something from you, then for goodness sake ask him! He is not God, and above questioning, just a doctor! If you don't see him in person (they do delegate a lot of stuff to others), then ask one of the doctors or nurses at your next appointment. They can look at your notes and reassure you that it is "so far, so good".

Oh gosh yes, don't take any supplements or herbs while you are on chemo unless your oncologist has approved. There is even a theory that too much vitamin c can counteract the effects of chemo. Save all that stuff (if you really like taking it) until after the treatment is complete and your blood count recovered.
My cousin had bowel cancer when she was about 80 and recovered. In her mid 80s she had lymphoma (cancer of the immune system) and recovered. She is now 91 and in good health. Hope the rest of the treatment goes well.

My BIL has completed 6 doses over 3 months and is having a scan and blood tests today to see if he needs more treatment . He didn't get results of blood tests till he had 3 treatments

I think it is usual for a helpline to pass you on to the person who has the appropriate skills and knowledge to help you with your query. I have had this happen when using the Parkinsons helpline. It is definitely worth your while ringing the nurse on the mumber you have been given. Good luck with this.

Isn't it possible that the nurse has more expert information than the person you spoke to on the helpline?