lalupes
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Hello, Jeff. I’ve never been able to do handstands, so I was already in awe, the minute I read that you can
Welcome to this amazing family, without which I would have gone totally loopy over the past 2.5 (nearly 3) years since my sister’s diagnosis.
I really love your attitude. I’ve had a very hard few days and your amazing approach to 1, 2 & 3 lifted my spirits immensely. I’m sorry you had to find us, but I’m glad you did. Please keep in touch.
Like Katja, I’m grieving the imminent loss of our National Health Service but it must be so hard to have to juggle a system like you describe.
My best to you
JuliaJose, my sister has only been drained for ascites once, but they drained 9 litres over 3 or 4 days. I don’t remember her saying it was any more painful than any of the other drains she’s had, but the toxin build-up was affecting her quite badly and she was “out-of-it” much of the time.
I think she may need draining again soon, though. She legs are very swollen again and that’s how it started last time.
Julia x
Jose, when my sister had ascites, her breathing sounded terrifying to me; she wheezed and rattled and I couldn’t believe anyone could breathe so badly and yet still take in enough oxygen to stay alive. The doctors said the build-up of fluid in her abdomen was pressing on her diaphragm and compressing her lungs but that she was still managing to absorb enough oxygen to keep all her organs functioning.
Once the fluid was drained, her breathing went back to normal.
I do hope you can talk to someone who can give you some answers. My sister likes a light on all night, too, and to have the doors open between our bedrooms, so she knows I’m near. I’ve taken to sleeping with an eye-mask, as I can’t sleep with too much light. That way, we’re both as comfortable as possible.
What an amazing brother you are. Hugs to you both.
Julia x
Chemo produces some very “odd” side-effects, Jose. So do the steroids they add for the nausea. My sister gets extremely hyper-active on those. She can talk total nonsense in a perfectly rational manner, until my brain spins. This diminishes as she slowly reduces the steroids.
The drugs she’s on also cause her to see things (my sister generally sees cats; another person I know sees vikings in full battle dress and my neighbour’s husband used to see Shaolin Monks walk into the house quite regularly).
I can’t comment on the weight-loss, but it could easily be the chemo, too. Do talk to your sister’s Oncologist or specialist cancer nurse, if you’re worried.
My very best to you both.
Julia x
Welcome to this wonderful site, Jose. My thoughts are with you and your sister. My lovely sister has cc, too. She was diagnosed in August 2009 and is still doing well in March 2012. She has been told her cc is not behaving the way they expected it to. I hope your sister proves her doctors wrong, too. Please don’t listen to “life expectancies”; as Lainy says, absolutely no one knows.
My best to you both
JuliaDearest Roni, I’m so sorry for all you’re going through. My sister’s pain gets out of control, too & all I can do is rub her back, whilst my heart also breaks. Hospice is wonderful for symptom control; I do hope your mother is able to accept the help they can give.
I’m thinking of you. XX
Thank you for this lovely post. I’m thinking of you, your mum & family. My sister is in & out of Hospice for symptom control (she’s back in at the moment) but the visits are getting more & more frequent, as the disease progresses. I fond your post strangely comforting, considering how sad the whole situation is. I hope that makes sense.
Thank you
Julia
