Saturday, February 15, 2014

Feeling the "Love"

I really felt the love for valentines day and during the week with lots of love from across the world, seeing Mel and Chris, Lein and Duane, Isla and Esmé, Rommeij and Rikki over the internet. I had a homemade card from Mr Margie. I got get well cards and drawings, flowers from my aunt in Australia, a basket of flowers from my parents, crocus bulbs from my dear friends and special visits from dear people who have my recovery at their very hearts. I have visitors lined up for next week too. 


This week I met with my Oncologist and my GP, both of whom are very supportive  and understanding.  My Oncologist informed Mr Margie, my Mum and I that since the cancer has been removed the mop up chemo will be tailored especially towards my needs. I will meet with her again in early March to discuss starting date and chemo drugs.  My GP identified my leg pain as L5 nerve memory pain due to the epidural. It will slowly improve and walking and exercising will help. There is a drug I could take but it has side effects and with chemo on the way I prefer not to have more complications. 
As a result of all the love I am improving slightly everyday, able to be up longer and a bit more active and eating a little more also. I am feeling very loved and very proud of myself.
Big hugs, 
Love Margie ❤️

Sunday, February 9, 2014

Next steps and update

I had a hospital visit last Friday with the histopathology of my surgery, it showed my cancer is quite advanced, I had a 6 cm tumour and 4 of the 28 lymph nodes contained cancer, so mop up chemo is the next step. I will be starting another three rounds of chemo in a week or two and I am busy everyday at improving my eating, a challenge in itself due to the small amounts I can take and the unpleasant and painful side effects of over eating or being dehydrated. Yesterday afternoon I tried some croissant, only to suffer for the next three hours, pains, sweats, weakness, symptoms of something called "dumping syndrome" apparently these symptoms reduce in the first 6 months to a year after Gastrectomy.

 

 I have not been sleeping too well either, I have had pains in my legs, that woke me up after one or two hours sleep, perhaps dehydration the dietician said, perhaps psychological as a result of the surgery the doctor said, I wondered if it was the result of having the epidural for eight days. All my bloods came back within the normal parameters so not electrolyte issues.  I started taking multi vits two days ago and last night was a good night, no leg pains for six hours and only waking for a few minutes, not the hours of before, so hopefully it was a lack of some trace element. I feel that I have had a move along to a slightly better feeling, so it can only be upwards and onwards from here. 
Big hugs, 
Love Margie ❤️

Monday, February 3, 2014

14 days after surgery

It has been a difficult time for me. I was discharged from hospital on Wednesday and spent three days feeling broken, loosing weight, no apetite and not caring if I lived or died. I was in pain and loosing my fighting spirit. Thankfully will the love and care of my family and friends I am pulling through. I have begun to eat a bit, that bringing it's challenges too. I spoke to Ming, my friend in Singapore,  who has just beat cancer, and he explained the first month after surgery is very tough. he has set up a website with a friend called You Are Not Alone to support stomach cancer sufferers.  Friends and family kindly send me texts and messages of love to keep me fighting. Others sent gifts and cards to bring me along. I am the lucky recipient of a handmade personalised box and card from my blogging friend Julie M, they are so beautiful. Mel sent me a frame with photos of Isla and Esmé, a friend from Dublin sent me a scarf/shawl and a dear friend from Ascot spoiled me with a beautiful CK knitting bag. 

Big hugs, 
Love Margie ❤️