we saw the oncologist on Wednesday and although he is happy with my progress he wants to wait a bit longer for my surgery wound to heal and for the stoma output to be thicker . So I see him on 5th Jan with the aim to start chemo again the following week .Doc felt the sickness before my op was mainly down to the blockage in my bowel than due to the chemo which is good news .
So for now we focus on the wound healing and having a wonderful Christmas
Merry Christmas and thanks again for all your love and support
Tracy and Chris xx
Friday, December 22, 2017
Sunday, December 3, 2017
The op, stoma and beyond
sorry it’s been so long since an update . On the 11th November I underwent emergency major surgery where they did a right hemicolectomy ,an end ileostomy and transverse colon mucus fistula. In short in 3 1/2 hours they took half of my large bowel out and fitted two stoma bags. It was all very rushed. I had been admitted to hospital as I was being so sick which we thought was due to the chemo . On the Thursday I was in a lot of pain and a CT scan showed a large bowel obstruction. At 1.30 -m Saturday the surgeon came over from the QMC and they said it was literally going to burst and they had to operate immediately . Woke up completely disorientated and completely out of it with pain relief . On Saturday 25th the wound started leaking after they had removed the staples closing it (30 stitches !) so now I have a district nurse coming every day to pack and dress the wound (ouch!)
Fast forward to Monday 27th and they let me come home . It’s been really hard getting used to the stoma as have had a few leaks , including in the night . From tomorrow I’ve got someone coming in to help me wash and dress - I can’t bend , plus I’m not allowed to lift more than a kettle as at risk of a hernia . It’s very frustrating not being able to do much but the focus for now is concentrating on the wound healing , all my insides healing and the Stoma’s settling down . Hopefully we can resume chemo in the new year . Very tired and I’ve learnt now that if I can’t keep my eyes open then my body needs sleep ! Thank you to our amazing friends who stepped right in and helped with the kids and came to keep me company , words can’t say just how much we appreciate it and how grateful we are
Trace xx
Fast forward to Monday 27th and they let me come home . It’s been really hard getting used to the stoma as have had a few leaks , including in the night . From tomorrow I’ve got someone coming in to help me wash and dress - I can’t bend , plus I’m not allowed to lift more than a kettle as at risk of a hernia . It’s very frustrating not being able to do much but the focus for now is concentrating on the wound healing , all my insides healing and the Stoma’s settling down . Hopefully we can resume chemo in the new year . Very tired and I’ve learnt now that if I can’t keep my eyes open then my body needs sleep ! Thank you to our amazing friends who stepped right in and helped with the kids and came to keep me company , words can’t say just how much we appreciate it and how grateful we are
Trace xx
Monday, October 30, 2017
3am
Ugh awake again.
Friday was a tough day, saw my oncologist and visited the chemo ward . For the first time palliative care appeared in written form,god I hate that word . Got told off for not taking the laxatives - much talk of overflow and I feel like my bowels are a broken toilet . Soo less thinking and more just taking the cocktails of drugs coming at me. No idea how people work during treatment as blood tests, line flushes, oncologist and chemo as been lots of hospital trips.
We brought Ryan’s birthday sleepover forward as I wasn’t sure how I would feel after chemo . Maudlin thoughts of would I see another of his birthdays .. as Alison says it’s ok to go there ( to THAT place) but you are not unpacking so mental shake and back on the horse we go. The kids are being really careful around my PICC line, it’s still very tender but healing . Flu jab today as oncologist said best squeeze it in before chemo ( surgeon had said no). The low residue diet is taking some getting used to but worth it if we can keep obstruction at bay .
Chris has done a spreadsheet of symptoms and meds and their side effects 🙈 in quite a lot of pain but I understand even from the first treatment the chemo will help reduce that
Time to try sleeping again , was in bed for 9 as I get so tired now
Friday was a tough day, saw my oncologist and visited the chemo ward . For the first time palliative care appeared in written form,god I hate that word . Got told off for not taking the laxatives - much talk of overflow and I feel like my bowels are a broken toilet . Soo less thinking and more just taking the cocktails of drugs coming at me. No idea how people work during treatment as blood tests, line flushes, oncologist and chemo as been lots of hospital trips.
We brought Ryan’s birthday sleepover forward as I wasn’t sure how I would feel after chemo . Maudlin thoughts of would I see another of his birthdays .. as Alison says it’s ok to go there ( to THAT place) but you are not unpacking so mental shake and back on the horse we go. The kids are being really careful around my PICC line, it’s still very tender but healing . Flu jab today as oncologist said best squeeze it in before chemo ( surgeon had said no). The low residue diet is taking some getting used to but worth it if we can keep obstruction at bay .
Chris has done a spreadsheet of symptoms and meds and their side effects 🙈 in quite a lot of pain but I understand even from the first treatment the chemo will help reduce that
Time to try sleeping again , was in bed for 9 as I get so tired now
Wednesday, October 25, 2017
In the words of The Offspring
Ladies and gentlemen
Welcome to the disclaimer
That's right the disclaimer
This American apple pie institution
Welcome to the disclaimer
That's right the disclaimer
This American apple pie institution
Known as parental discretion
Will cleanse any sense of innuendo or sarcasm
From the lyrics that might actually make you think
And will also insult your intelligence at the same time
Will cleanse any sense of innuendo or sarcasm
From the lyrics that might actually make you think
And will also insult your intelligence at the same time
So protect your family.
This album contains explicit depictions
Of things which are real.
These real things are commonly known as life.
This album contains explicit depictions
Of things which are real.
These real things are commonly known as life.
So, if it sounds sarcastic, don't take it seriously.
If it sounds dangerous,
Do not try this at home or at all.
And if it offends you, just don't listen to it.
If it sounds dangerous,
Do not try this at home or at all.
And if it offends you, just don't listen to it.
Songwriters: Dexter Holland / Greg Kriesel / Kevin Wasserman / Ron Welty
Disclaimer lyrics © Round Hill Music Big Loud Songs
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PICC or George Weasley
I had my PICC line put in today. I was really nervous and said to the surgeon I've had 2 babies this should be a breeze. Her reply was I had chosen the babies and had no choice in this which makes a big difference. The surgical team were fab, kept me talking so I was amazed when she said it was all done! It's sore tonight like any cut/wound but at least it means no more canulas . Ju has ordered me some pretty covers - hospital just put a tubigrip over the dressing and they always look grim. No swimming due to infection risk and I have to wear a cover over it in the shower
More difficult to deal with is the change in diet - many staple foods like veg are simply no go and things like onion crop up in everything. It sucks but if I can avoid blockages and inflammation it's worth it. The paracetamol and buscopan can cause constipation so yesterday and today I tried to manage on half the dose but the pain won out so back to the full monty. It seems insane to have so much pain compared to three months ago but Delores is aggressive and has spread so I guess it makes sense
Calling the PICC line George as he had a fundamental part in Umbridges downfall
Next stop in the oncologist Friday and chemo nurses to prepare for the first session. Worked out that the Panitumab alone is over 2 grand a dose , it specialises in advanced colon cancer and metastases. I hate that I now know what ascites are , the omentum... It's all so scary and the more we discover the worse the outcome looks BUT as I said to the oncologist I am not average and we are determined to give the bitch a good kicking even if a cure is so unlikely we can shrink her and stop her growing
More difficult to deal with is the change in diet - many staple foods like veg are simply no go and things like onion crop up in everything. It sucks but if I can avoid blockages and inflammation it's worth it. The paracetamol and buscopan can cause constipation so yesterday and today I tried to manage on half the dose but the pain won out so back to the full monty. It seems insane to have so much pain compared to three months ago but Delores is aggressive and has spread so I guess it makes sense
Calling the PICC line George as he had a fundamental part in Umbridges downfall
Next stop in the oncologist Friday and chemo nurses to prepare for the first session. Worked out that the Panitumab alone is over 2 grand a dose , it specialises in advanced colon cancer and metastases. I hate that I now know what ascites are , the omentum... It's all so scary and the more we discover the worse the outcome looks BUT as I said to the oncologist I am not average and we are determined to give the bitch a good kicking even if a cure is so unlikely we can shrink her and stop her growing
Tuesday, October 24, 2017
It’s chemo time
Tomorrow I get my PICC line fitted ready to start chemo on the 2nd. Terrified but glad we are finally getting on with the treatment . Ryan’s worried his friends will laugh at me when my hair falls out but I think I’ve managed to reassure him that it’s nothing to worry about and I won’t be upset by it
Sunday, October 22, 2017
Can’t sleep. The last 48 hours in particular have been so fucking horrendous , thank god for my parents , sister and friends for pulling me through it when I was on my own . Incredibly angry my husband and children were taken away from me when I needed them most .
I won’t be the one explaining in years to come when I’ve gone that mummy wasn’t in those photos ( which I don’t want to see )because she was ill in hospital with cancer . Think that’s awful? Welcome to my fucking world right now
I won’t be the one explaining in years to come when I’ve gone that mummy wasn’t in those photos ( which I don’t want to see )because she was ill in hospital with cancer . Think that’s awful? Welcome to my fucking world right now
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