Pamela thread 5 - Bile Duct Cancer, chemo begins

Fantastic update, Pamela. Next time, do wake Kerr. From your descriptions of him, I am certain he would rather be woken than you be in pain. I hope today is peaceful.

I swear by half moon pillows for wedging in places when bed bound ,so I'm just leaving these links here .

And all strength and love to you and your family .

https://www.dunelm.com/product/half-moon-velour-moss-1000199212

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B001R56YTI/ref=sspa_dk_detail_2?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B001R56YTI&pd_rd_w=rfVfg&content-id=amzn1.sym.84ea1bf1-65a8-4363-b8f5-f0df58cbb686&pf_rd_p=84ea1bf1-65a8-4363-b8f5-f0df58cbb686&pf_rd_r=2XKRPPYAJB773WPFP6K1&pd_rd_wg=c3gqY&pd_rd_r=42964052-698b-43f6-85b9-45876ced5ef4&s=kitchen&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWw

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08TQH6NNR/ref=sspa_dk_detail_1?psc=1&pf_rd_p=84ea1bf1-65a8-4363-b8f5-f0df58cbb686&pf_rd_r=37DBRM3DM2QWGHFT950A&pd_rd_wg=rOoOo&pd_rd_w=gbz12&content-id=amzn1.sym.84ea1bf1-65a8-4363-b8f5-f0df58cbb686&pd_rd_r=90d32430-30d1-40c6-a55f-51153babaff5&s=kitchen&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWw

I think it's too soon for chemo to have affected your mouth and I suspect your right about it being thrush .Hope you can get it sorted .

Might be a good idea to get some head coverings before you need them ,it can be surprisingly cold in bed without something .

https://www.etsy.com/uk/market/chemo_headwear?ref=cq_tag_raised_image-0

You are what courage looks like: keeping on keeping on, finding better bits in amongst the hell.
As others have said, remember last week - you have come so far. You’re amazing.

Bless you, OP, you're a Wonder Woman.

My mum had stage 4 cancer and she ended up with severe oral thrush which started like yours. She spoke to her team and was prescribed a lot of things to ease the symptoms so she could eat again, so don't suffer in silence xx

Hi Pam! Thanks for the update, must be wonderful to not be in hospital.

Good luck with whatever today brings, that's to everyone on this thread actually, your updates make me value life and love so much more xx 🌸 🏵 🌼 🌞

Wonderful update Pamela. Your friend sounds a complete star🌟

May I second an idea posted earlier..
keep a written record of which medication taken and when , any side effects and how you are generally feeling. I did this and simply handed the consultant the sheets each visit. So much easier.

love and very best wishes to you and your family xxxxx

So pleased things are improving Pamela, glad you are more comfortable, 💕

Had a massive thunderstorm with lightning last night. I was enjoying the show from my porch and wanted to take a picture for you, Pamela. Just then a rainbow appeared in the middle of the storm. It's a little hard to see, but it's there!!

Pamela, would it be worth trying some live yogurt for your poor mouth?
if it is oral thrush it’s supposed to work for thrush in er, other places x

Sending positive thoughts and wishes to you. I’ve been following your journey from the very beginning - very hopeful that you make a quick recovery and kick it to the kerb.

We just managed to get away for a few days to Switzerland and wanted to share some snap to hopefully lift spirits.

I haven't been posting but I've been reading your threads every day. I'm so glad you got to London, you've started chemo and you're feeling more comfortable and more positive. Sending continued good thoughts from mostly rainy Portrush.

Your friend sounds like such a treasure. You deserve every bit of the cherishing she is giving you.

You’re in my thoughts daily. Sending you and your family every good wish as always xx

Good afternoon and I'm so pleased you are out of hospital, keep on top of the pain meds .
Constantly thinking of you and hopefully on Monday I can show you a photo of our new puppy

Hoping you are having a restful day today. Your friend sounds wonderful. We all think you are amazing. ❤️ sending love

I've been reading your posts from the beginning but haven't commented till now. If washing your hair would take too much out of you, no rinse shampoo is a thing. Basically pour it on your head, rub in well (or get your lovely husband to do so) and towel dry. It's the towel drying that actually cleans hair.
Amazon sell it. Nilaqua is the most common brand but it has a really strong perfume (think Always pads!!). Abena do shower caps filled with it which are also unscented. I've used both and while they aren't as good as a proper soaking they do a fairly good job.

Def not a no-rinse shampoo salesperson by the way. I've used it when chronic health issues mean a quick scrunch with a shower cap and a towel dry is all I can manage

@Seenoevil33

they're amazing growing like that. It's a really surreal photo! I'm glad you have life growing around you again!

Pamela, that's a great update (on the whole!!). I think even though there's still
pain & other nasties (mouth issues) it now feels like they're side effects of kicking it's Ass rather than the cancer attacking you, hope that makes sense!

your friend sounds fabulous! It's a bit if a shame her house isn't a bungalow! But all that love & care will all add to your healing.

Are you not allowed to shower with the bag?? If you are, hopefully with Kerr's help you'll manage to stand in the shower while he washes you & your hair very soon. There's nothing like it to make you feel human again. Bed baths/various no rinse/dry shampoo etc are all 'ok' when absolutely necessary, but a shower is well worth spending your energy on.

Jaundice does take a while to go, get sunlight whenever you can, even inside the house helps.

wheelchair sounds good, hope it has arrived this afternoon.

morning meds. Can you deal with them yourself if they prepared on your bedside table?

if not agree a time with Kerr and as someone else said, set an alarm.

hopefully now you're at your friends, with your friend there (at times anyway) Kerr Can get some cat naps in!! (Maybe you both can, you in a sofa if the stairs are off putting.

Are they going to do any tests/scans to see how the drains are doing?

I hope you have nice evening with Kerr & your friend and have a restful night with the absolute minimum pain possible

katie
hampshire
xx

Good evening to you both, hope you've had a good day. How are you doing? Thinking of you, and hoping you've managed to have some lunch and dinner. Maybe have a little venture outside for some fresh air, a little walk round the street or into the garden perhaps. Does wonders for the mind ❤️ enjoy your evening xx

Checking in again - So pleased to see that chemo has started and your friend definitely sounds heaven sent xx

I'm so happy to hear you are at your friend's house and can rest and recuperate. Wishing you a peaceful weekend filled with sleep!

My husband said chemo was worse than the cancer, the cancer would of killed him without the chemo, he said he would never do chemo again and hopefully he never will, just like you I pray you will never have to go through all this again, but keep fighting you brave woman, I know once this is all over you will be an advocate as your words are eloquent and have meaning and feelings behind them.

So glad I found you again, the other link not working threw me! Glad you've found a combination to keep the pain at bay. Here's hoping this is the start of your recovery journey and this time next year this will all feel like a bad dream. Take care of yourself, we're all rooting for you and sending love ❤️

Am glad you are with your friend now and being well cared for. Definitely take the MST bang on 12 hours . You probably have oral thrush so ask Dr for nystatin to knock it on the head and try eating live yoghurt if you can bare it !
I hope today has been a quiet calm day for you and you get your hair washed. That will make you feel a bit more human!
Lots of love Pamela
Lizzie Kent X💕