Update from Fran

[Guest guest]

Everytime I get a bit of time where I might tell you how things are

with us I read as many posts as I can to see how you all are and

then the time is gone!

My husband Matt had his op on 12th October and came home a few days

later. He has recovered very well from the surgery although he still

does look worryingly thin. The results from the surgery showed that

6 out of the 19 lymph nodes were also cancerous but the tumour had

stayed within the bowel. The second tumour they removed did not

prove to be malignant I am relieved to say.

Last week he had the first of 12 cycles of chemo with 5FU and

Oxaliplatin. He has been given anti-nausea medicine which he had to

take the first couple of days. Since he finished those and then went

onto the Metaclopramide he started to have some diarrhoea. We

thought the Met might be the cause so he didn't take them today and

seems to be okay.

The main problem he is having is tiredness and feeling very cold. We

are really having to wrap him up even indoors. It is cold outside

but we have a stove and heating within. He had been feeling a really

positive surge in energy before starting the chemo so the tiredness

is a big disappointment to him and it is difficult to get his

spirits up. His mother came to stay this week and was very kind and

supportive but tended to not let him do anything at all. I really

felt that spending long hours in a chair was not doing him any good,

however, I worried about the fact that as I have not had chemo am I

in a position to judge? We have been out to lunch with family

visiting in the area and he did seem to perk up and enjoy himself

although obviously got tired. I don't want him to do too much but I

think it is important to move around and get some stimulation.

We also had a late night visit to the hospital as he had tracking up

the site of his PICC line. They said the vein was just irritated and

to keep the arm warm with heat packs several times a day.

To be honest I am loving being with Matt so much, although obviously

I would rather he did not have cancer. It does feel special to be

given more time together, although we reckon we should go to more

fun places than the hospital! (Actually we did have an outing on

Saturday for Brunch and some browsing in local antique shops and

that did feel really good.)

Anyway we are very much feeling our way through things. We have

still only told a few people other than family so we do have a lot

of friends we need to inform before the Christmas cards start going

out. That is our challenge for this week.

I get few opportunities on the computer these days but that does not

stop me thinking of people here every single day, Brave Hearts that

you all are.

Love from Fran

[Guest guest]

Hi Fran, Thank you so much for the update. Glad that Matt has been

doing so well. The tiredness is very normal from chemo. I am Praying

and hoping that he tolerates the chmeo well. Please have a Great

Thanksgiving and enjoy life!!!! Love . Ingrid

>

> Everytime I get a bit of time where I might tell you how things are

> with us I read as many posts as I can to see how you all are and

> then the time is gone!

>

> My husband Matt had his op on 12th October and came home a few days

> later. He has recovered very well from the surgery although he

still

> does look worryingly thin. The results from the surgery showed that

> 6 out of the 19 lymph nodes were also cancerous but the tumour had

> stayed within the bowel. The second tumour they removed did not

> prove to be malignant I am relieved to say.

>

> Last week he had the first of 12 cycles of chemo with 5FU and

> Oxaliplatin. He has been given anti-nausea medicine which he had to

> take the first couple of days. Since he finished those and then

went

> onto the Metaclopramide he started to have some diarrhoea. We

> thought the Met might be the cause so he didn't take them today and

> seems to be okay.

>

> The main problem he is having is tiredness and feeling very cold.

We

> are really having to wrap him up even indoors. It is cold outside

> but we have a stove and heating within. He had been feeling a

really

> positive surge in energy before starting the chemo so the tiredness

> is a big disappointment to him and it is difficult to get his

> spirits up. His mother came to stay this week and was very kind and

> supportive but tended to not let him do anything at all. I really

> felt that spending long hours in a chair was not doing him any

good,

> however, I worried about the fact that as I have not had chemo am I

> in a position to judge? We have been out to lunch with family

> visiting in the area and he did seem to perk up and enjoy himself

> although obviously got tired. I don't want him to do too much but I

> think it is important to move around and get some stimulation.

>

> We also had a late night visit to the hospital as he had tracking

up

> the site of his PICC line. They said the vein was just irritated

and

> to keep the arm warm with heat packs several times a day.

>

> To be honest I am loving being with Matt so much, although

obviously

> I would rather he did not have cancer. It does feel special to be

> given more time together, although we reckon we should go to more

> fun places than the hospital! (Actually we did have an outing on

> Saturday for Brunch and some browsing in local antique shops and

> that did feel really good.)

>

> Anyway we are very much feeling our way through things. We have

> still only told a few people other than family so we do have a lot

> of friends we need to inform before the Christmas cards start going

> out. That is our challenge for this week.

>

> I get few opportunities on the computer these days but that does

not

> stop me thinking of people here every single day, Brave Hearts that

> you all are.

>

> Love from Fran

>