The bottom of the barrow

[Shorty864]

Dear All,

I am at the bottom of the barrow and don't know how to start to climb out, anyone been there and how did you begin to climb out?

Been in hospital in the last few days because of bloating and pain in the stomach has well as breathlessness - came out, have had a few calls to 111 and the cancer ward and yesterday I had a fairly good day, but today I am bloated and breathless again. Had paramedics in but i refused to go to A and E - to wait a lone for probably 4 or 5 hours before getting a bed. I am now on my second round of Taxol ( weekly dose).

Sorry for this sad story, but I don't know who to turn to and my hubby is psychological destroyed.

Love you all. Anne XXX

[Hidden]

Hi Anne, Have you got a CSN can they not help? It’s so stressful anyway but more so at this time. when is your next Taxol?

Lisa x

[Shorty864 in reply to Hidden]

Dear Lias,

There is no one around in the weekend unfortunately. Next taxol is next Friday.

Love Anne XXX

[Hidden in reply to Shorty864]

The bloating and breathlessness are such dreadful side effects of this disease. I hope you get some support tomorrow. X

[Lindaura]

Oh dear, Anne,

This is the worst possible side effect of the virus. Full A & E and no beds for you.

Your cancer is ramping up and I don’t know what to say to help you.

Did it help when you were in hospital?

If you can make it through the night, it is always better to get to the hospital in the morning.

Also, I have heard from other ladies, that a stay in hospice can stabilise you.

They know the right meds and procedures to give you to make you comfortable.

My mother, in the USA, lives with my sister and has just begun home hospice, which is not what you think.

They brought her a bed and oxygen, and a new specialist doctor reviewed her meds and spent hours talking to her.

Lots of nurses visited and within two weeks, she was her cheery old self, yelling at Trump while watching the cable news.

Anyway, try everything, but first talk to your Chemo emergency line and MacMillan.

You definitely need support.

I wish I could help more.

Much love and good thoughts sent out to you,

Virtual Hugs

🙏🏼🥰🙏🏼

Laura

[Shorty864 in reply to Lindaura]

Dear Laura,

What a horrible place to be, I have always been so up beat, but it has been a very difficult last three weeks.

I can't get comfortable, can't sleep and now can't stop crying, and my poor hubby is in pieces and making it a hundred times hard is this awful virus.

I will try and hang on tonight and talk to our local hospice in the morning.

So glad to hear your dear Mum is back to her old self.

Did not reply to your post as it has been a very difficult day, but always thinking of you.

Thank you so much for your very wise words as usual. A virtual big hug back. Anne XXX

[Flamingobeef18 in reply to Shorty864]

Anne have you tried phoning your Chemo emergency number?

I have had to call them a few times and have always found them very helpful.

Also if they tell me I need to go to A&E to get sorted for some reason I am more likely to think well that is obviously where I need to be.

If you need to do not hesitate to call 999 again. I know for a fact that the paramedics would much rather come out a dozen times than not be there when you do need them. Also my husband finds it very reassuring that he has not got to get me to A&E on his own.

I seem to have spent a lot of time recently in and out of hospital and A&E. I understand how awful and scary it can be when you are discharged but find yourself having the same trouble again at home. The last place you want to be is back in hospital but for me it was the best thing and second time around they did get me sorted.

All the very best

Juliax

[Hidden]

Hi Anne, you are having a rough time and yes the corona virus is worrying us all and A and E isn't where we want to be. See if you can contact your CNS in the morning if not I would ring for an ambulance. It has to be a worrying time for you, will think of you during the night

[Cynthia18]

You'll always have your teal sisters here.im sorry things are so rough right now.i remember when my belly was so big and bloated. It was hard to breath sometimes. Please keep us posted. I hope and pray for a better day tomorrow

[January-2016-UK]

Hope you get things sorted this morning. What is causing the bloating, is it ascities? Maybe you could be drained. Good luck anyway.

[27-359]

I am so sorry you are feeling so low. Why don't you give your hospital a ring and ask how busy A&E is? When I was there for a scan on Thursday, the nurse told me that she had never known it to be so quiet, as a result of the virus.

Jenny

[Hidden]

These are depressing times for us all, sometimes I can’t believe what is happening, I find the uncertainty of the future overwhelmingly depressing and I have to give myself a good talking to, it’s hard to believe sometimes that we could be worse off but it’s true, we have to dig deep and hang on in there. Chemo will eventually dry up the ascites for you, in the meantime take care and do try to stay out of A&E X

[LittleSan]

Hoping that dawn brought a brighter say for you Anne and that you get the right support now weekend is over. You sound bone weary and need someone to whisk you up and get you sorted. I'm late in responding but hope you rang the hotline or 999. Sending love and strength. Sandra 💐😘

[sticky3006]

Good morning Shorty. How are you this morning? I hope you got some help yesterday? Please let us know when you can,

sticky3006

[Rankij11]

Probably a bit late replying , but when I got into difficulties during chemo with severe sickness the Macmillan team took over. I was managed at home but they sent nurses every day and talked about care in the hospice if it became necessary .

Hope you feeling better today

Jennifer

[Alifit]

Just sending my love to you and best wishes for recovery. The ladies have given the best advice above. Thinking of you! Ali x

[fendweller]

Oh Shorty , I'm so sad for you , there is lots of brilliant advice on here , Macmillan and hospice care would be top of my list ,please make those phone calls today if you haven't already ,I know you're at the end of your tether and I can understand that and how your husband is feeling ,I hope you get the physical and emotional care you need today. Sending love and strength my love .xx

Cheryl.

[Maxjor]

Just a note of support Shorty. Not great when you can't cry to the hubby but it does overwhelm some of them and they may not say it but I think they feel terrible they can't be more help so go "inwards". You should not feel alone though and hope all these wonderful ladies have helped you with suggestions and also to know you are not alone. I am in the US so the systems here are different (they won't let you near a hospital if you call and say you think you have the virus, so hoping its not a 4-5 hour wait if you do end up going. Please keep us posted. Hugs, Judy

[Cropcrop]

I’m so sorry you’re having such a difficult time.

If you go/are taken to A&E and present your cancer patient card they should make you a priority especially as your immunity is reduced.

I’m sure your hubby doesn’t like to see you suffering and would much rather you receive some help, even if that does entail an initial visit to A&E in order to get that help.

Your oncology department may also be able to help you so could you contact them?

I hope you soon get some resolution for this awful situation you find yourself in. We are all here for you and will support in any way we can. Take are❤️Xx Jane

[JustKBO]

Oh Anne it’s horrible to feel like you do. We all go to that dark place at times. No amount of “stay positives” from well meaning people can help you unfortunately this blasted virus has made everything so much worse and we feel so helpless about it all. I had lots of bloating, breathlessness and tummy pain last cycle. If you go to A and E they put you on fluids, paracetamol and if there’s an infection antibiotics. Drink regularly, take pain killers and if your temp goes up you will need antibiotics but maybe your GP would supply. Mostly be kind to yourself none of us are superhuman. As for your husband mine has had me crying this morning and I know it’s so hard for him too. We are living in bizarre times. Sending kindest thoughts.

[Mommoo65]

Shorty, just wanted to give you a huge hug from across the pond. I live in the US and procedures to follow are different but I just wanted you to know I care and am sending up a few prayers for you that you feel better. 😘😘😘

[Iside]

Any chance of a District Nurse visiting to give help & advice? We have a very helpful GP who is always prepared to give advice etc., I always phone the surgery if I am having a problem !!

Good luck X