Back to Chemo...

I knew from the initial conversations and plans back in August 2020, that I had a further 4 chemo sessions to endure once my operation had been completed. However, I always had in the back of my mind that that would be it, and that I would walk out of the last chemo session with a huge sense of relief, never having to worry about cancer again.

However, I knew now that that wasn’t the case, and I was having to face a further operation and potential treatment. For that reason, it never felt final and made the next chemo sessions even more of a battle.

Since my operation in January, I had been struggling with shooting pains in my back as well as tingling and numbness in my feet, which I had put down to the effects of the epidural during surgery. However, after having spoken with my consultant, he had informed me that these were more than likely long-term effects of the Oxaliplatin, which commonly causes ‘peripheral neuropathy’ (pain, numbness, tingling and weakness of the hands and feet) and can happen weeks even months after chemo.

Due to these side effects, my consultant decided to lower the dosage of Oxaliplatin for my last 4 sessions, as the effects are irreversible, and he didn’t want the symptoms to worsen. We therefore decided to do 75% of the Oxaliplatin and 100% of the Capecitabine tablets, a gamble which would hopefully fight the cancer whilst not causing me any further long term nerve damage.

Now, I am fully aware that I’m not the only young person to have cancer but sitting in the waiting room surrounded by patients 70 years plus does make you question what the hell you’re doing there?! I remember my husband trying to make me feel better by pointing out a lady similar aged to myself across the room. I quickly informed him that she was waiting for her nan who had just been taken into the chemo ward- nice try though!

After my first session, aside from the usual sickness and cramping, I was going to bed with severe stomach cramps and could barely move without stabbing pains in my right side. I was extremely worried that something had torn inside me from the operation and that this was causing some form of internal leek!

I rang the chemo ward and they said to come in the following day. I arrived at 9.00am and was examined by the doctor who seemed quite concerned and sent me straight away for an ultrasound. Luckily this came back clear. She then decided I should go for an X-ray to see if there was any other damage which hadn’t shown up. At this point it was 12.00pm and the X-ray waiting time was pushing 1 ½ hours, but I thought I must sit this out as it could be something very serious!

After having a very lengthy conversation with the Xray lady, trying and convince her that there was no chance I could be pregnant, I had my X-ray and walked back down to the waiting room of the chemo ward to await my results. Eventually, the nurse swung open the double doors and proudly announced to the whole waiting room that there was, ‘no need to worry Elizabeth, it’s just constipation!’ As she handed me a bag of laxatives and a picture of my constipated bowel, all I could think was, that’s 5 hours of my life I’m not getting back!

#bowelcancer #bowelcancerawareness #nevertooyoung #nobutts #Bowels2Cancer