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Life challenges

Life challenges

So I wanted to share a bit about myself and what I'm facing in life.

I've had health issues throughout my life things like arthritis, scoliosis, heart problems etc. Things that have mostly been able to be treated with medications. But last year I was diagnosed with cancer and it's been a hell of a fight ever since. I've undergone several surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and things were looking ok. But recently I was told that the cancer had spread and I'm probably not going to make it to see my 50th birthday which for me is less than 3 years away.

I haven't got any support around me and this information has been hard for me to process. Whilst I knew my life was on borrowed time it never really sunk in until I was sat down and told the facts.

As you can imagine with everything I've gone through during my life I suffer from mental health issues and recently that's become alot worse. For me I don't want to get to that point where my body is shutting down.

I don't like not being in control but at the moment everything is out of my control, I'm reliant on medical teams, medications, other people trying to work out what the next step is. I'm unsure whether I want to put my body through more chemo or radiation therapy or whether to just let this ride its course. Even doing it it's only going to buy me a little bit more time so is it really worth it or do I just try to enjoy what time I have left.

Anyway that's a bit of my story and what I'm facing. Thanks for reading.

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In response to: Life challenges

Re: Life challenges

Hi @MJG017 . They have changed it to a different one now so let's hope that it starts to kick in soon. It would be nice to have a bit of energy back.

It threw me when they asked it, I got questioned if I had someone to put down as an emergency contact which I said no I don't have anyone. Just made me feel even more alone than I already did.

In response to: Re: Life challenges

Re: Life challenges

@Hopeandlove

I'm sure that question would throw any of us. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you that this new med does the job and you're at least able to get out of that bed for a while.

I understand why they ask about emergency contacts, but it would be nice if they were a bit more prepared when someone says they don't have one. I hope they were at least a bit empathetic when you told them.

I've had to talk to a new member of my support group the past few days. He's been dealing with it for a little while, but has just been told it looks like it has spread to his liver and is obviously upset. But he also doesn't have anyone at home for support and is having to deal with all of this alone. I've been chatting to him tonight and he also find social situations difficult so it just makes it all so much harder. So i think it's so important to get around people going through this who are alone and do what you can to support them.

When I first joined an adoptees support group last year, someone welcomed me and said I had found 'my tribe'. That still sticks with me and I feel the same about people going through cancer, especially more advanced. You support everyone in your tribe.

In response to: Re: Life challenges

Re: Life challenges

@MJG017 I'm keeping everything crossed, well in my head i am, it hurts too much to move anything.

They were empathetic when I told them I didn't have anyone.

Sounds like he has been dealing with alot and we know how hard it is to go through any type of cancer alone. It's amazing that you are so supportive of other people especially knowing what you are going through yourself. Sounds like it is great that he has found your support group and I hope he is doing ok.

In response to: Re: Life challenges

Re: Life challenges

@Hopeandlove

Definitely don't cross anything if it hurts. It still counts if you do it in your head. Plus we all have fingers crossed for you.

I've been chatting with him online tonight and we just had a good chat about growing up in the same suburb and had a bit of a laugh, so I think he's feeling a bit better about things now. It's still not easy for me to reach out to people like that, but i'm glad I did.

In response to: Life challenges

Re: Life challenges

Sorry to hear the first antibiotics didn’t work @Hopeandlove

Good that you are on another type which will hopefully be more successful. There’s plenty to try and if they know which bug is involved they can target it in treatment. However, that can take a few days to get results back.

The resuscitation and emergency contact questions are standard questions. However, it can be confronting when you are on the receiving end of them. Also you can change your mind on these in the future, just need to let them know.

I’m hoping that the treatments start to work and you start to feel better. It is tiring for your body when you’re fighting an infection especially with other things going on.

What type of ward or you on? Are you in oncology?

We’re still here for you when you feel up to chatting.

In response to: Re: Life challenges

Re: Life challenges

@MJG017 I'll let others do the finger crossing for me.

Good on you for reaching out and it sounds old like he needed the cheering up. It's great that you made that connection with him especially finding something in common with each other.

In response to: Re: Life challenges

Re: Life challenges

@Till23I'm limited a bit when it comes to antibiotics due to allergies which only complicates things more. Feeling like this is starting to take its toll not only physically but mentally.

I get that they are standard questions but it was confronting and I wasn't exactly in the right frame of mind to answer them but I didn't have a choice there.

I want to start feeling better but it seems there's another hurdle to try to get over now. I've been put into ICU, the staff have been amazing here and I'm trying hard to rest and trust that I'm in the best hands.

In response to: Re: Life challenges

Re: Life challenges

I’m not surprised that you are physically and mentally exhausted @Hopeandlove, anyone would be.

I hope you can rest, even though I think you said you find it difficult to accept help from others.

ICU can be stressful, depending on the layout of the department, but usually there is low patient to nurse numbers, so nurses have more time with patients.

Are you saying there’s a new hurdle apart from antibiotic type and your allergies?

All the best with new treatments and we’re still here for you.

In response to: Re: Life challenges

Re: Life challenges

@Till23 I've been the focus on attention here, not sure I like all the attention I'd much rather just be left alone. But I have a whole team of medical staff trying to work out how to get on top of everything happening, if that's possible.

So news this morning after scans is that I have pneumonia and my left lung has collapsed and the right is not able to compensate enough. My heart is weak and rolling over causes my heart rate to drop considerably.

My fears of ending up in hospital and not making it out is fast becoming a reality.

Thanks for checking in with me, I only wish I had better news to share with you.

In response to: Re: Life challenges

Re: Life challenges

It’s good to hear from you @Hopeandlove.

Yes I understand not wanting to be the focus of attention.

Remember it’s early days of treatment. You were really in a compromised state when you were at home, so I wouldn’t be surprised if it takes time to recover. Hopefully they can find what the bug is causing the pneumonia and then they can target it specifically.

Are you able to sit out of bed or walk a bit with a physio? Or it might be too early for that. Getting moving definitely helps with lung problems.

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