Please or to access all these features

Life-limiting illness

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Pamela thread 5 - Bile Duct Cancer, chemo begins

1000 replies

WilsonMilson · 12/07/2023 15:51

New thread - can hardly believe it!

OP posts:
Thread gallery
143
Mouselemur · 14/07/2023 19:23

I hope you’ve had a restful day and your pain has been manageable.
The photo is of Flamborough head, taken yesterday. I thought of you as I was looking out over the sea, and wished for you to be able to visit it one day in the future when you’re well again. xx

Pamela thread 5 - Bile Duct Cancer, chemo begins
Itsapurplevaseofflowers · 14/07/2023 19:25

@WilsonMilson Hi Pamela, my mam is currently having chemo for bile duct cancer. It's her second time with it, she first had it 8 years ago.
I'm keeping up with all of your threads and hoping you get well again. I
just wanted to say re the mouth issue, mam was given a prescription for a mouthwash and a gel she has to use multiple times daily to prevent those issues. I will find out what they are called and send you the info, it might be helpful to you.
I hope your pain becomes more manageable and that the yellow fades away soon, Mam's was really well gone three weeks after she had her stent in February.
It takes a while to get the bilirubin back down. Thinking of you.

Tallisimo · 14/07/2023 19:38

So glad you have such a wonderful friend. I hope being with her brings you and Kerr some joy amidst the darkness. Xx

Missingmyusername · 14/07/2023 19:48

Lucky to have such a lovely friend and she’s lucky to have you too. Rare to have amazing friendship these days.
I hope you are resting as much as you can, keeping your strength up and eating little and often.

Lostinplaces · 14/07/2023 20:23

so pleased you’re comfortable as can be, wishing you well Pamela x

Janedoe82 · 14/07/2023 21:19

Hope you have had a good rest today and are starting to build your strength up. Thinking of you

PurpleBirch · 14/07/2023 21:51

Sending lots of love and good wishes Pamela from me and my little shih tzu xx

Pamela thread 5 - Bile Duct Cancer, chemo begins
Cactusali · 14/07/2023 21:51

Your friend sounds amazing. It must be a comfort to be in her lovely home. Hope you’re feeling okay post-chemo and that you can be comfortable and continue to be aware of the love surrounding you. What a lesson you are to us reasonably healthy folk. I am truly trying to find the beauty in everything.

PhoenixIsFlying · 14/07/2023 22:32

Here is a picture of a tiger and the tiger just like you, is courageous, brave and beautiful. Keep fighting like a tiger Pamela ❤️

Pamela thread 5 - Bile Duct Cancer, chemo begins
SquirrelSoShiny · 14/07/2023 22:33

I hope you are comfortable Pamela and feeling safe and cared for wherever you are. I'm so glad you have Kerr and your friend x

girlswillbegirls · 14/07/2023 22:41

I hope you had a good night sleep Pamela. I'm sure you are well looked after by your friend and Kerr. Only forward.
Thinking of you every day xx

Lougle · 14/07/2023 22:43

I hope today has been restful, Pamela.

notthedressiwanted · 14/07/2023 22:44

Hi Pamela, I've been following all the way. Here's a fabulous Giraffe to say hi and I'm thinking of you and your family. Wishing you so much love x

Pamela thread 5 - Bile Duct Cancer, chemo begins
IMustDoMoreExercise · 15/07/2023 02:09

Thinking of you Pamela.

❤❤❤

Needapadlockonmyfridge · 15/07/2023 06:39

Good morning Pamela
I hope you have had an easier night.
Thinking shrinking and de-bloating thoughts for you, and sending love across the Web to you abd your lovely family xx

Letsgoforaskip · 15/07/2023 07:12

Good morning Pamela and all of your ever growing support squad!
Your friend sounds like an absolute legend and I’m so glad you have some home comforts and wholesome food.
I hope the swelling subsides ASAP and you and Kerr are able to get some real rest away from the stress of the hospital 🌷🌼🌺🌸🥰

Toothiepegg · 15/07/2023 07:30

Thinking of you, love always xx

WaterWall22 · 15/07/2023 07:41

Good morning Pamela. I hope you had a comfortable night. Xx

WilsonMilson · 15/07/2023 08:03

Morning, so as always I really want to keep things as real as possible, and the last day has been really tough.

I’ve been feeling pretty unwell and the jaundice seems worse. I’m itchy quite a bit, my eyes and skin are definitely yellower, pee still like black tea and keep thinking it is all failing. I just have absolutely zero energy or tolerance for anything or anyone. Walking is hard with then swelling but I really do try. Stairs are an event, I need Kerr and it takes ages.
Eating is so hard, I have developed oral thrush from all the antibiotics (have got nystan drops), and while my upper body grows ever more emaciated - Kerr said he is now scared by how emaciated I look and I do too, my lower body is not clearing any of this fluid at all and I’m scared. I feel like I’m going backwards and not forwards. Honestly feel like I am dying at times, and sometimes it’s not unwelcome as this is just suffering now. I dread a new day.

I’m also a terrible house guest as I just cannot stand the conversation and noise. I’m sure my friend didn’t sign up for this. A big part of me just wants to be back at home now. I’m so shaky and weak, every exertion makes my heart race.

On a positive note, and I don’t want to speak too soon, but I’ve had lower pain during the nights - seem to have got the dosage more balanced for hitting the worst of then back pain. So, there is that.

Feeling sick quite a bit too, but not actually being sick.

Have go for a dressing change this afternoon and that feels like an absolute mountain to climb. Just feeling a bit hopeless and done today. Sorry about that, but I really try to be as truthful as I can.

I FaceTimed Jacob and my mum last night and it was a bad choice of time as I was on awful form. Need to choose my timings better. Also, and I’m not getting into massive family drama here, but had a real blow yesterday. My 97 year old grandma usually lives with my mum who looks after her (she is independent mainly, just some mobility issues), but for the last 2 months, my grandma has stayed with my mum’s brother and wife.

Well, they have had enough of this now and have asked us to make alternative arrangements. That came as a real shock. Anyway, the only viable thing is for my poor grandma to have to fly to NI on her own (with special assistance). We have plenty of room, but I just felt crushed yesterday by this. I feel guilty affecting everyone’s lives, but I just felt also extremely let down. It is what it is, and grandma will be well looked after in NI, but the lack of family support really upset me. Anyway, enough of that and moving on.

OP posts:
sunglassesonthetable · 15/07/2023 08:07

Another day ☀️☀️☀️☀️🌸🚀

And this one. Usually a bad boy but a good dog.

Pamela thread 5 - Bile Duct Cancer, chemo begins
sunglassesonthetable · 15/07/2023 08:11

So sorry I cross posted with your update. You have so much to deal with.
Sending strength.

Just get through today xxxxx
Your family love you.

Chickenfeed67 · 15/07/2023 08:11

Please try and find out about local hospice care - there must be more that can be done to make you comfortable.

sunglassesonthetable · 15/07/2023 08:13

My OH struggled with oral thrush. I think he had something called Nyastan for it. x

rileynexttime · 15/07/2023 08:31

Steroids have a very powerful effect on mood and if you're tapering down from a high dose it's very likely you'll crash a bit (oxymoron alert) as a result .
I imagine though it's hard to say with so much else afflicting your poor body .

I'm loathe to bring this up as I know it feels like a rubicon to cross but it might be a good idea to get a commode . Leaving some water in it so it's not used dry is a tip I learned from experienced carers .

willing love and strength to fly to you from SE London xx

Willmafrockfit · 15/07/2023 08:35

concentrate on positive thoughts Pamela
sending hope Flowers

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

This thread is not accepting new messages.