Chemotherapy Cycle 1 week3 (Mental health issues)

[Ollie13]

Well week 3 is almost finished and tomorrow I start Cycle 2. This week I am going to touch on a subject that some of us shy away from and hope I don't upset anyone. Well week 3 started with a few nose bleeds and my psoriatic arthritis came back with vengeance. This is something I hope to discuss with my rheumatologist at the end of this month to ask if it was the steroids or treatment that gave me so much relief from pain. Still feeling extremely tired.

I also had a telephone call from the wellness nurse a Macmillan nurse attached to the cancer unit at RBH. I had one of these when I started Immunotherapy in 2018. I discussed a lot of things going on in my head. how I feel different this time round with the therapy this being the 3rd therapy in 3 years. Now I know that we all tell everyone on here to stay positive and that is a good thing. Sadly I seem to have lost it at the moment and I'm sure some of you on here can relate to this. I have questioned my life reasons for everything and had some very dark tearful days. I have started to loose my lovely red hair which I knew would happen but I won't loose it all this is so sad.

However after speaking to the wellness nurse I will be embarking on some useful counselling in the next week which is all happening quickly. I think this will be very useful because as much as we love our family and they support us 100% we cannot always talk to them. What I am trying to say that it is okay to feel sad angry and all the other feelings that come with having this horrible disease. If you can get help from your cancer team, the nurse on this very helpful site or even from the other cancer people on this site go ahead and ask for it. I was brought up to sort out my own problems stay stoic but sometimes we all need help so PLEASE don't be afraid to ask/talk about how you feel if not with your family then someone else.

So tomorrow Cycle 3 we shall see what awaits us. Hope this has been helpful to you all.

[Bebe55]

Hi Ollie I completely understand your feelings no one knows unless they are going through the same thing how you feel. I believe most if not all of us with LC have the darkess of days it's there morning noon and night filling us with dread and despair. Its easy for people to say you'll be fine, and lord knows we hope we are. But please do not give up hope, because you never know what the next treatment will bring, keep putting one foot in front of the other and enjoy the good days.

Bebe55 xx

[Ollie13 in reply to Bebe55]

Thank you Bebe55 I won't give up hope and try to enjoy my good days even just walking my dog in the forest helps xx

[Cockailschemocancer]

Good luck for tomorrow - I find Instagram a great platform not just for lung cancer but all cancers. A bit of an outlet to say what’s going on the good stuff and the bad stuff too! I posted the other say about big fat tears and the next week it might be something yo beat. What ever platform you use, here IG, FB, counsellors - now is not the time to be stoic (also brought up the same) good luck and your beautiful hair will return! Xx

[Ollie13 in reply to Cockailschemocancer]

Thank you cocksildchemocancer no I don't used other flatforms only on Fb to keep in touch with friends. Just back from hospital cycle 2 had phone call counseling starts tomorrow 🤞 see how it goes. Stay safe and well xx

[Red58]

Hi yes I get same feelings I'm go today cycle four feel bit horrible today. It hard at times think posative but the truth is we have keep going no matter how hard it is after today I get four week break then start maintenance maintenance they take away strong chemo I get mild one and immuno they not say how long get chemo for I know immuno for 2 years that if it doesn't spread so dread today 4 half hours we just have to do it xxxx

[Ollie13 in reply to Red58]

Sort of glad to hear others feel similar. Hope your treatment goes well. I had immunotherapy in 2018 so as you probably know you only get one go of it. Yes I'm off in a moment for Cycle 2 dreading it but on we go. Take care xx

[Red58 in reply to Ollie13]

Take care Ollie be think about you I'm in at one going be long day

[Bebe55 in reply to Ollie13]

Good luck for today and every day Ollie, thank you for sharing your journey I think alot of us shy away from expressing how we feel in order to save others i.e family. My husband completely burys his head in the sand doesn't want to know, if he doesn't see it then all is OK. So platforms like this are a safe way to off load our thoughts and feeling...

[Ollie13 in reply to Bebe55]

Hi Bebe55 lovely to hear your thoughts had Cycle2 today knackered now glad it's over for the time being. Surprised how quickly things are moving here got 1st councillor session tomorrow 🤞. Stay safe and well xx

[Bebe55 in reply to Ollie13]

Hi Ollie I'm glad it's over for you to. My friend is having chemotherapy for leukemia she is handling it well another friend is having adjuvant chemo and felt dreadful for a few days but she's back to her old self. I had my first scan today after 10wks of treatment I feel I'm super lucky that I'm on targeted therapy fingers crossed its working. I'll know in a couple of weeks. Always wondered why cancer patients were call warriors and now I know it because of the battle we face everyday. I wish nothing but good health. Look after yourself hope to catch up with you soon x

[Ollie13 in reply to Bebe55]

Hi Bebe55 let me know when your results come in🤞 my thoughts also to your friends xx

[Bebe55 in reply to Ollie13]

Hi Ollie as promised scan results were good such a relief, feel I can live and breathe for the next 3mths. How are you doing?

[Ollie13 in reply to Bebe55]

Hi Bebe55 Omg that's great news may the good news continue that's all we can hope for. I've found cycle 2 harder than 1 and I'm just picking up ready for cycle 3 on Thursday. So we continue this fight/journey with hope in our hearts. Take care and enjoy life xx😀

[Bebe55 in reply to Ollie13]

I really hope this next round is easier on you Ollie 🙏 and keep posting xx

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Hello Ollie,

thank you for the updates and sharing your journey with us. It is good to hear that the wellness nurse has made contact with you and can offer some counselling as it can be a difficult journey which can have an impact on your mental help so any support that is offered will be valuable. Best of luck with the 2nd cycle of chemo

Kind regards

Roy Castle Support Team

[Jules_58]

Hi thanks for all the info it’s made me feel so much better x I’ve been suffering mentally as friends and family only like to hear the I’m ok bit, I’ve had no one to talk to properly, I’ve been put on the cancer lung local group but they only meet fortnighty and I’m starting my 2 nd round of chemo and radiotherapy this Monday, I don’t think I can wait another fortnight ! I missed the last one as I was having chemo, I’ll ask my Macmillan nurse about counselling x

[Ollie13 in reply to Jules_58]

Hi Jules_58 sorry to hear your struggling I really understand. Macmillan was great they referred me to counselling free of charge. I've only had 1 session it's a weekly thing. Do try them. Hope your 2nd round goes well I've found my 2nd cycle harder and it was nice to off load to someone that doesn't know me. Keep me informed 🤗🤗🤗

[Jules_58]

Thanks Ollie I will ring them next week x Or maybe tomorrow xx

[sassassas]

HI Ollie13 just wanted to thank you for your brilliant post. Hope cycle 2 is going well.

All of you going through this are incredible. Sarah x