h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Chemo doctor told us different stuff so I am going to ring the specialist nurse tomorrow to check all the facts.

not an uncommon situtation.... - I've been given so much differnt information often about the same thing, that entirely contradicts, its difficult somtimes to find out what they actually mean/want.... Hope its easily sorted and not anything too confusing or bad

Thanks 2legs

Helga rang me back from my garbled and probably non-sensical answering machine message, and tried to reassure me but I really don't understand. We were told one day that the cancer was localised in the gullet, and chemo was about to start, and, importantly, by the surgeon doctor, that it had not spread. The following day we saw the chemo doctor who said that last week's endoscopic ultrasound camera-thing could not pass the growth to reach the stomach and was abandoned (new news). He also said that the cancer was in the top of his stomach and had encroached into the surrounding lymph nodes. I was so shocked I forgot to write down what he was saying, pen poised mid-air (I have been keeping meticulous notes as those who know me will attest). Holding his hand going back to the car, I think I was shaking and clinging on to stop me falling over. When Carrie & I were alone we had a mutual meltdown (Carrie lost her Mum 4 years ago not long after the cancer spread to her lymph nodes).

I made Ian a pre-birthday special meal of strained chicken soup followed by ice cream and a glass of wine to accompany. We watched Andy Murray win his US Open match on my Eurosport channel (Ian doesn't have access to this at his house) and then he opened his card & gift from me (a personalised dressing gown, his request), gathered the rest up and I drove him home. His other daughter & family are visiting today and I'm getting Mum up in a few minutes and bathing her, cancelled the lunch call as well so I'll be free this afternoon to pop round for a birthday kiss & cuddle later.

your just not going to remember when it is things that your told like that... - hopefully you can get some clarity soon, this must e so stressful for you both

Well I've had a lovely day, except for another major shock. I got Mum up, bathed & fed this morning, then got a call from my sister, she's in A&E with chest pains, awaiting a CT scan! Luckily her hubby was with her so I didn't have to search for a cloning machine. After doing Mum's lunch & all the clear-up, I headed for Ian's shopping, then on to Ian's house for a well-earned and 2 hours of his company then as I was leaving he said he'd forgotten that he was supposed to be collecting his powdered meals from the chemist, so I drove him round there, good job as there were 90 boxes!!! He'd have needed a wheelbarrow to get them home
At least I know he's not going to starve as I took him some milk and we got 9 tins of soup while out yesterday. He has now lost a total of 1½ stones. I'm looking forward to building him up when all this is over

A pity I can't share out the 3 stone in weight I gained over my treatment last year

Life's hitting you hard at the moment it seems. Hold on to the fact that "this too shall pass".

Deb

from me also!

Following stuff as best I can. You are having it tough at the moment. Stay strong and look after yourself as well.

Take care,

Websailor

Just a quick note to say Ian's having his first chemo session today, an all-day job.

Me, I am heading for the to get Mum up as I stupidly cancelled morning & lunch carers assuming I'd have my car back (it failed MOT last week and needed work doing, including welding). It wasn't ready yesterday so

As Caroline has hairdressing clients all day, I think it's going to be a very long day for Ian

any day at a hospital ends up being a long day... here's hoping the chemo goes as well as pos, with as few sideffects as possible too

Thanks 2legs

His day was ok, although I got a call-out to take him back to the ward as his temperature was outside the range, he seemed to have made a lot of friends as everyone spoke to him and the nurse who saw him said he was happy with the temp range.

He's been told to keep away from animals so can't come to my bungalow now, but no worries I can go to his and I have my car back now which makes my life multiple times easier

I'm glad it went OK. I am happy you got your car back. Have a better week and we are thinking of you and Ian.

Thanks Elektra & Dmitri

Great news you've got the car back..... The nurses and Drs can be very strict about saying you can't do X, Y or Z, whilst on chemo, due to the infection risk.... I missed knowing most of this in detail before I began treatment, as they failed to give me my pre-chemo 'talk', and, actually half the advice I know now I would have been given, I'd not have been able to follow anyhow; not use public transport.... eerr..... so not able to get to hospital etc., etc., true enough I did get a couple infections during chemo, but my infection risk was greater anyhow, than just from the chemo drugs effect, as I've got the panhypopitutiarism, and the extra steroids for that increase my infection risk also... Just be careful with hand washing in particular, and watch out for some foods , and, well, do what you both can to that end, and just hope that is enough I guess... I also had to ignore their advice about 'not visiting busy places'...... - the hospital is so busy for a start! and I'm sure I'd have gone mad, if I'd just never gone out at all during the whole of treatment... I know some people who, in London, during their chemo, wore those face mask things, whilst travelling on the tube etc, but I'm not sure to what extent that sort of extreme is necessary....

HOpe you've both the oppertunity to have a good week, as far as possible

Wow, it's amazing anyone survives the treatment!

Ian has actually been after one of those face mask things but neither of us know where they are sold or supplied, and the hospital couldn't tell us.