just joined and you have already eased many of my fears

lazymary999

I just had the bandages removed from my port.  I will start 5FU in a fanny pack next Monday. Will go 5 days of chemo and radiation, weekends off, and that for 5 weeks.  Then dr says hopeful that my stage 2 rectal tumor will be small and easily removed by surgery.  So I guess I'm looking at a kinda crappy summer but a sunny outlook for maybe Thanksgiving on to Christmas. I didn't know what a port was, or that chemo can go 24/7 (or 24/5) along with radiation.  I am aware because of this forum, that I will probably want to stay close to home for those last few weeks, near a bathroom, I think!! Not knowing what to expect is so scary, and this forum eased my mind on many issues.  Thank you all for honest discussion.

 

Trubrit

Welcome

You are on the road to beating the beast.  

Some days during this next five weeks, you will feel like it will never end. Some days, you will think, this is going fast. It will be a mixed bag, but each day brings you closer to the last radiation, the last whosh of the pump, and then you will join the throng of those waiting and watching.

Take one day at a time.  Be prepared for the worst - get yourself a bag of Depend Underwear, while hoping for the best.  You may breeze through the whole five weeks, or you may find yourself pleading for them to stop.  You will not know which way the pendulum swings until you are neck deep in it. 

I wish you all the best.  Stick with us here, and we'll be with you throughout. 

Tru

annie4145

Hi, the first week, the

Hi, the first week, the treatment stretched endlessly in front of me.  I couldn't imagine weeks of treatment, being away from work, etc.  I went to a craft store and got craft supplies (a loom to work on a project) when I was off work. But in the end, the six weeks sped by, and I never worked on my project at all!  I just rested and took care of myself when I was not doing treatment.  And it will go by fast, and then you can look back on it.  Thanksgiving and Christmas should be good!

Lovekitties

getting ready

You may want to consider getting a bidet attachment for your toilet.  It is an easy way to clean but not additionally irritate the skin which can get sore from the radiation.  They are easy to find in some big box stores like Lowes or Home Depot, or if all else fails at places like Amazon.  Depending on model, it should be relatively easy to attach.

Marie who loves kitties

lazymary999

just joined

thank you all so for your comments.  you already know how important that is to a newbie.  I have already discussed the bidet attachment with hubby, who says it should be easy to attach, as long as it doesn't have any electric wiring.  we will be looking at Lowe's and Home Depot this next week.  and already have been pricing out depends....ah the joys...

Trubrit

lazymary999 said:

just joined

thank you all so for your comments.  you already know how important that is to a newbie.  I have already discussed the bidet attachment with hubby, who says it should be easy to attach, as long as it doesn't have any electric wiring.  we will be looking at Lowe's and Home Depot this next week.  and already have been pricing out depends....ah the joys...

I had a little saying

'Depends are my friends'.  

It is hard. Makes you feel old, but oh my word, they saved my bacon so many times. 

I got my bidet from Amazon, and it was a real bargain. I will post the link, but the mods can delete it, if it is not acceptable. 

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B003TPGPUW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1  

I have been using mine since 2013. It may be cheap, but it has stood the test of time, as I use it multiple times a day. 

Tru