How Was Your Day?

[Jattdogg]

14 minutes ago, Izzy said:

Bless you mate, that's so sad.

 

My Mum is dying from pancreatic cancer and the chemo hasn't worked. We know she hasn't got long left and my Dad is struggling to come to terms with it.

 

I hope your family are all pulling together and supporting each other through this difficult time.

It's tough watching a parent go through this and how it impacts the other. My dad had a tough time with it as well.  Enjoy the time you have left with her. Get those hugs/chats in and take care of yourselves.

 

Thoughts are with you all who might be in these tough situations right now.

[Wymsey]

18 minutes ago, Izzy said:

Bless you mate, that's so sad.

 

My Mum is dying from pancreatic cancer and the chemo hasn't worked. We know she hasn't got long left and my Dad is struggling to come to terms with it.

 

I hope your family are all pulling together and supporting each other through this difficult time.

My partner's Grandmother has it too (had around 6 months to live, after being diagnosed in July) - but she doesn't want chemotherapy, because it might give her flashbacks as to how her decreased husband struggled when he had the treatment himself.

Edited 20 September 2024 by Wymsey

[Izzy]

37 minutes ago, Wymsey said:

My partner's Grandmother has it too (had around 6 months to live, after being diagnosed in July) - but she doesn't want chemotherapy, because it might give her flashbacks as to how her decreased husband struggled when he had the treatment himself.

My Mum's tried two different types of Chemo during the last nine months but the cancer keeps coming back. They've offered her a third go but she's declined as she had no quality of life on Chemo.

 

We know it's only short term now but she currently looks and feels better now she's stopped her treatment. On Chemo she was permanently exhausted, pretty much bed ridden, and hardly eating. At least now she can go out and about a little bit with the time she's got left.

 

I really don't blame people for declining Chemo, it must be horrible being pumped full of poison with all the side effects.

 

Just a case of letting nature take it's course now... 

[The Bear]

Very sorry to hear about your mums Wrighty22 and Izzy. I know how it feels as I lost my dad to cancer 18 years ago. Absolute bastard of a disease. 

[HighPeakFox]

It was yesterday. I'd had some bloods done, thought I was all clear but got asked to call the surgery. Phone appointment made, and the doctor called yesterday just after 9. Apparently I have some strange protein levels in my blood, which means I might well have a blood cancer called Myeloma. More testing to be done urgently.

 

No pity asked for, I'm very Zen about it, but it was quite a shock. Que sera sera.

[The Bear]

4 minutes ago, HighPeakFox said:

It was yesterday. I'd had some bloods done, thought I was all clear but got asked to call the surgery. Phone appointment made, and the doctor called yesterday just after 9. Apparently I have some strange protein levels in my blood, which means I might well have a blood cancer called Myeloma. More testing to be done urgently.

 

No pity asked for, I'm very Zen about it, but it was quite a shock. Que sera sera.

Best not to get ahead of things. I'm guessing it could be other stuff too. Hope things work out well. 

[bovril]

1 hour ago, HighPeakFox said:

It was yesterday. I'd had some bloods done, thought I was all clear but got asked to call the surgery. Phone appointment made, and the doctor called yesterday just after 9. Apparently I have some strange protein levels in my blood, which means I might well have a blood cancer called Myeloma. More testing to be done urgently.

 

No pity asked for, I'm very Zen about it, but it was quite a shock. Que sera sera.

Good that they've detected it. As the Bear says could be various things. Wishing you the very best.

[Daggers]

3 hours ago, HighPeakFox said:

It was yesterday. I'd had some bloods done, thought I was all clear but got asked to call the surgery. Phone appointment made, and the doctor called yesterday just after 9. Apparently I have some strange protein levels in my blood, which means I might well have a blood cancer called Myeloma. More testing to be done urgently.

 

No pity asked for, I'm very Zen about it, but it was quite a shock. Que sera sera.

We don't have a heart or hug emoticon. Fvcks to that. *hugs*

[Daggers]

Took wife out on the Bosphorus for our anniversary. She likes dancing, I think dancing is shit. She liked I gave her dancing and food on the river. Reckon I can carry on being a shit husband for another year now.

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

15 minutes ago, Daggers said:

Took wife out on the Bosphorus

 

Keep your twee euphemisms to yourself!

[Crinklyfox]

12 hours ago, HighPeakFox said:

It was yesterday. I'd had some bloods done, thought I was all clear but got asked to call the surgery. Phone appointment made, and the doctor called yesterday just after 9. Apparently I have some strange protein levels in my blood, which means I might well have a blood cancer called Myeloma. More testing to be done urgently.

 

No pity asked for, I'm very Zen about it, but it was quite a shock. Que sera sera.

Five years ago I was told by my doctor that my blood results weren't 'normal'.  There are paraproteins which the body produces in response to the presence of cancer cells which had been detected.

 

There are many different types of cancer, it's important to find out which one if you have paraproteins.  In my case the cancer (non-Hodgkins lymphoma) was found in my bone marrow.  The level of paraproteins is also important - my doctor told me that my cancer was slow growing and the paraproteins were at a low enough level for no action to be taken at that time.  He also said my cancer was incurable but not untreatable and that although I had cancer in my bone marrow, I didn't yet have tumours.  I've been monitored regularly since my diagnosis and although my paraprotein levels have increased, thankfully I still don't have tumours.  The regular monitoring is there so that if they develop I can be treated as soon as possible.

 

I also do a regular self check for tumours, which in my case will first develop in the lymph nodes in the neck, armpits and groin.  If I find anything unusual I have to contact the hospital asap.

 

I can understand your shock - when my doctor told me I had cancer he carried on talking but I couldn't hear anything else, my mind was racing with thoughts of my own demise.  It's natural to think that way but the fact that I'm posting this almost five years after my diagnosis shows that there are outcomes other than a short terminal illness.  

[jgtuk]

13 hours ago, HighPeakFox said:

It was yesterday. I'd had some bloods done, thought I was all clear but got asked to call the surgery. Phone appointment made, and the doctor called yesterday just after 9. Apparently I have some strange protein levels in my blood, which means I might well have a blood cancer called Myeloma. More testing to be done urgently.

 

No pity asked for, I'm very Zen about it, but it was quite a shock. Que sera sera.

 

41 minutes ago, Crinklyfox said:

Five years ago I was told by my doctor that my blood results weren't 'normal'.  There are paraproteins which the body produces in response to the presence of cancer cells which had been detected.

 

There are many different types of cancer, it's important to find out which one if you have paraproteins.  In my case the cancer (non-Hodgkins lymphoma) was found in my bone marrow.  The level of paraproteins is also important - my doctor told me that my cancer was slow growing and the paraproteins were at a low enough level for no action to be taken at that time.  He also said my cancer was incurable but not untreatable and that although I had cancer in my bone marrow, I didn't yet have tumours.  I've been monitored regularly since my diagnosis and although my paraprotein levels have increased, thankfully I still don't have tumours.  The regular monitoring is there so that if they develop I can be treated as soon as possible.

 

I also do a regular self check for tumours, which in my case will first develop in the lymph nodes in the neck, armpits and groin.  If I find anything unusual I have to contact the hospital asap.

 

I can understand your shock - when my doctor told me I had cancer he carried on talking but I couldn't hear anything else, my mind was racing with thoughts of my own demise.  It's natural to think that way but the fact that I'm posting this almost five years after my diagnosis shows that there are outcomes other than a short terminal illness.  

There are several stages to this. 
That initial test result can be absolutely overwhelming, even though it’s not definitive. 
The waiting and not knowing is incredibly destructive for your mental health and, as a knock on effect, your physical health too. 

If the results prove positive, there are many, many ways it could go but we, being human, focus on the worst case scenario, it’s almost impossible not to. 
 

I was first diagnosed in 2008 after having minor symptoms for some time. 
I was treated with surgery, removal of tumours, and have had many treatments since. Bloods taken every 3 months, and a full test regime every 12 months, including scans etc. 

I’m on long term antibiotics as my immune system is compromised and suffer minor illnesses constantly. 
 

I’m relatively fit and able and not disabled in any way. My life just changed in 2008. The trick is to learn to live with illness and there are many thousands of people living relatively ordinary lives whilst having all sorts of illnesses, including many cancers. 
I think we’re conditioned to believe that cancer = imminent death (of course it can) but it very often doesn’t. 
I hope you can find some peace of mind currently and your outcome is positive. 
 

[HighPeakFox]

Thank you everyone - I am feeling remarkably OK about it - for some reason I am dealing with it sensibly, it's just now part of life.

[ajthefox]

25 minutes ago, HighPeakFox said:

Thank you everyone - I am feeling remarkably OK about it - for some reason I am dealing with it sensibly, it's just now part of life.

Fingers crossed for some positive news for you.

[spacemunky]

Apparently I only sleep an hour and a half at a time now.

[FoxesDeb]

On 22/09/2024 at 11:07, HighPeakFox said:

Thank you everyone - I am feeling remarkably OK about it - for some reason I am dealing with it sensibly, it's just now part of life.

I had a very similar experience to Crinkly, allbeit with a different diagnosis, I have Polycythaemia Vera which is also a type of blood cancer.

 

The phrase 'my world tilted on its axis' exists for the reason that this is exactly what it feels like to receive news like this, I remember the phone call from my doctor after a routine blood test like it was yesterday, and I felt like I shifted 45 degrees sideways. My outlook was a life expectancy of about 15 years, but I quickly realised that people are usually diagnosed with PV at a fairly old age when they possibly only have around 15 - 20 years left anyway, and I am one of the lucky ones who can receive treatment to manage it given that I was still in my early 40's when I was diagnosed.

 

Wishing you all the best and lots of love, I'm at the end of my DM's if you ever need to chat xx

[String fellow]

Has anyone else on here ever taken a field-of-vision test at the opticians?

It's not just a test of your eyes, but also of your hand-eye co-ordination, your boredom threshold (it seemingly goes on forever, then you have to repeat it), and frankly your will to live. Add to that the jeopardy of knowing that failing it will result in being banned from driving ever again, and you feel like you've really been through the wringer.

That's what happened to me this morning. To add to the pain, the optician doesn't then tell you the result, so it's a case of waiting for the DVLA to make a decision on whether or not to renew your driving licence.

Edited 26 September 2024 by String fellow

[HighPeakFox]

Glad to say is that I have been told that it is 'highly unlikely' that I have cancer. 

 

Bone marrow biopsy and blood taken on Tuesday to make sure. 

[jgtuk]

46 minutes ago, HighPeakFox said:

Glad to say is that I have been told that it is 'highly unlikely' that I have cancer. 

 

Bone marrow biopsy and blood taken on Tuesday to make sure. 

That’s amazing news. 
Good luck 🤞 

[Daggers]

Also in good news, our taxi driver to the airport looked the dead spit of Arthur Mitchell, the Trinity Killer, from Dexter...but I was not thrown from a building or murdered in a bath, so he probably wasn't Arthur Mitchell, the Trinity Killer, from Dexter.

 

Actually, thinking about it, that's probably bad news for a lot of people. It is good news for me though.

[LiberalFox]

12 hours ago, HighPeakFox said:

Glad to say is that I have been told that it is 'highly unlikely' that I have cancer. 

 

Bone marrow biopsy and blood taken on Tuesday to make sure. 

Great news (hopefully). 

[Leicesterpool]

Things a bit stressful at the moment, yesterday my dad took ill. He was suppose to be travelling with me to Bridgnorth along with mum and girlfriend. Woke up saying he was feeling dodgy, just very tired and exhausted. So he pulled at the trip, whilst me and my gf still went on to Bridgnorth. My dads health didn't get any better, he said he was started to feel out of breath so decided to take him to a and e. After so many tests turned out he got multiple blood clots, he's stayed over since and been oxygen since. Went to see him this afternoon, didn't look too great. Was talking and watching the tele. But seeing your dad on oxygen and having to see your dad needing assistance to be walked to the loo ain't good. He hasn't been well for while, last few months he said he's felt dodgy and exhausted all the while and know why. 

[Zear0]

8 minutes ago, Leicesterpool said:

Things a bit stressful at the moment, yesterday my dad took ill. He was suppose to be travelling with me to Bridgnorth along with mum and girlfriend. Woke up saying he was feeling dodgy, just very tired and exhausted. So he pulled at the trip, whilst me and my gf still went on to Bridgnorth. My dads health didn't get any better, he said he was started to feel out of breath so decided to take him to a and e. After so many tests turned out he got multiple blood clots, he's stayed over since and been oxygen since. Went to see him this afternoon, didn't look too great. Was talking and watching the tele. But seeing your dad on oxygen and having to see your dad needing assistance to be walked to the loo ain't good. He hasn't been well for while, last few months he said he's felt dodgy and exhausted all the while and know why. 

Wishing him a swift recovery, always painful seeing family suffer with ill health. 

[Tommy G]

My grans birthday today, she would have been 92. We lost her 18 months ago, will forever remember the special times we had. 

[jgtuk]

1 minute ago, Tommy G said:

My grans birthday today, she would have been 92. We lost her 18 months ago, will forever remember the special times we had. 

Times I regret not asking more questions when mine were alive, you can’t put a price on the memories and information lost when they are gone.