Sorry, I havn’t been on here recently, getting two daughters ready and delivered to uni - one already delivered to Liverpool, one off to Cardiff on Saturday, - house is bombsite, and I am shattered.
I’ve addressed this to both of you, because I know from the beginning the special thing about you guys has always been the ‘in it together’ - quite rare and very special.
Debs I hope that this is just a really bad patch, and that’s what I shall believe until you or Brian say different. In any event, it’s bloody terrifying and I know that look of sadness toward each other - and it really is incredibly heartbreaking.
I know there is a school of thought that says there is nothing brave or courageous about having breast cancer, but I just don’t know what is, if it isn’t going through moments like these or going for chemo again and again, when you didn’t think you could after the first time. So I think you are both courageous, there are not many times worse than these, and yet you still do not allow your warmth or humour to desert you.
Your GP sounds great, and I wish my husband could access some support, and I know he has often talked about wanting to talk to someone but - where to go?
I’m thinking of you guys and I’m hoping and praying for the very best - with much love Celeste xx
Hi, well I am back from chemo I got my treatment but I have to have a blood transfusion next week as red count has gone a bit low. Lets hope it will help improve my breathing it can’t get any worse well it can but we won’t go there.
Celeste sounds like you have been busy getting the girls off to uni, think of all those long romantic nights you and hubby can have. Well that’s after doing all the tidying I know how delightfully messy girls can be!
Thanks Val, Leny, Pat and Marmite.
Ian has ‘Happyface’ back and he was talking of setting up a support group so when they sort him out maybe he will be able to help others. I think that would be good he has such a calm gentle way about him and going through it the way he is at the moment it would be good to give back.
Well no funny stories no dramas just an ordinary day. Hope you all have a good weekend. Weather here is really lovely still plenty of holiday makers around.
Good weekend to you too. Going mad in Cardiff, but hopefully after that things will settle (or will that just be the dust!) Wondering what an empty nest shall be like?
Great you got your treatment Debs, I really hope the blood transfusion helps you as well. Ian sounds like such a generous man to be thinking of setting up a support group, I’m glad he got some help and has happy face back.
I havent posted very much but wanted to add my voice here to tell you how brilliant you are. Im only 31 and have been living with a secondaries diagnosis for a year, my primary diagnosis having been three and a half years ago. I have found the lack of information from my doctors about the reality of this disease confusing and in many ways more frightening than knowing what to expect. I have a wonderful husband but often feel very alone as my friends are all busy living lives that have been untouched by the kind of sadness I feel. Thank you for sharing your experiences with those of us who dont necessarily post but come on here to look for knowledge about what we are facing and support. You have many friends here who are following your posts and willing things to improve for you.
Really glad to hear that you were able to have your treatment today and am hoping that the blood transfusion will help next week with your energy levels.
Also glad to hear that “happy face” is back again.
Before I lose my connection again (don’t ask) I just want to say that I hope you feel some benefit from having chemo today, without too many side effects too and sleepiness. I think you will feel much better after your blood transfusion - I needed one a few years back and could barely walk or breathe, but gradually improved after 2 pints were put back. (Maybe it was the vodka that went with them that helped, as in a bloody Mary!) LOL.
Hi Debs,
So glad you got your treatment and that Ian is feeling a bit better following his appointment with the GP.
It’s good to hear that you sound to have a supportive GP.
I do hope you are able to have a reasonable weekend. We’ve had lovely weather here today.
Thinking of you both and keep your wonderful posts going.
Much love and hugs,
So glad to hear that, fingers crossed, there may be signs that you are experiencing some ‘green shoots of recovery’ in your energy levels and hope that the transfusion helps you with that. Ian sounds like one helluva guy to be be thinking about a support group. Hope you have a good weekend.
Just wanted to say I always read your posts and notice that you are often the first to support the newbies and others who need advice and support, despite your daily struggle with this horrible disease, I admire you for that.
Your strength, warm advice, and the way you cope really inspires me to carry on.
Well one step forward and all that. Had treatment yesterday and last night a friend from Manchester came for dinner We had popped in our local farm shop and got 3 big pork chops. They are their own pigs so we know they have a good life before making it to the table. Couldn’t eat mine as I started to get griping pains in my stomach, this happened last week as well but I thought it was a one off. Well I had to leave the table say my good nights and spent the next 6 hours shivering and shaking on the loo. Talk about colonic irrugation(?) the eye of a needle springs to mind!! Been asleep most of the day but had to keep waking to check I don’t poo the bed.
As most of you will remember with ‘berrygate’ Ian is very fond of his whit egyptian cotton sheets. Maybe I should check out e bay for some winciette ones.
Thanks for replies hope you are all enjoying the sunshine. I do get a glimpse of the sea from our bedroom window if I can stagger over to it.
Love Debsxxx
nothing worse is there… not fair!!! during chemo i was either like you are just now or the other way, i always called that making piles! but i am sorry and i hope tomorrow is a better day, it should still be sunny maybe you might get to enjoy it a bit. i’m sure ian won’t mind the odd stain or two…
I’ve spent the weekend like a burst couch after my chemo on Friday and had stomach cramps, basically never been off the toilet either. I’ve never had this reaction before but that’s one thing I’ve learnt there’s no point in trying to predict what this disease will do next.
Hope you are feeling a wee bit better and really glad to hear that you got your treatment.
Hi Debs
Hope you are feeling better after an awful weekend. Also that Diane is recovering as well. It is a truly awful disease in more ways than one as we all experience so many different things from the treatment alone.
To everyone on here going through bad times I hope you improve soon and the treatment does it’s job and, as Candide says, thanks for all the support you all still give even when feeling so cr@p.
Nicky x
Bloody hell Debs - I hope the rest of the weekend improved after that. All that time on the loo, shivering and shaking is exhausting, - this disease and the treatment is bloody dreadful a lot of the time.
I too hope that you will feel much improved after the transfusion.
Sitting on the loo is not where we want to be at the best of times, whether it’s the runs or the turkey-sized poos, so I dread to think of the 6 hour shakes plus a thorough colonic irrigation. Euuughh. Really pleased to hear that the Egyptian cotton survived, but too bad about the pork chop - sounded lovely!
I hope the transfusion gives you the boost you need - I hadn’t thought about how the red blood count affects the breathing, but thinking about it now it makes perfect sense as it’s the oxygen that’s being pumped into the blood, isn’t it? (or something like that).
I’m really glad that Ian has felt better since seeing your GP. I find that that offloading, or verbalising thoughts that have been running around in your head unspoken, can really lighten the load and give relief. I have found the support from the hospice - whether it’s counselling or complementary therapies - really beneficial, so I hope you find it helpful too.
So sorry you’ve had such an awful weekend Debs - hope you’re feeling a bit better now and that reaction was a one-off. Really hope the transfusion does the trick and gives you some energy as well as helping with the breathing, it must be awful for you.
Glad Ian’s feeling a bit brighter too, thinking about you both.
Oh Debs - so sorry - sounds awful - hope things have improved since then - and you have been able to get more than a glimpse of the sea - sending you much love , jaynex