Attended Late Effects Clinic - Answers at last

[divvykev]

Yesterday I received the news that my two year post op checkup for Stage 3b cancer was still clear and led nicely to being seen at the clinic in Clatterbridge today.

It was so nice for a specialist to be listening, explaining what the probable cause was and then offering solutions where possible.

It is obvious I have damage from radiotherapy and the first plan is to treat the leg pain I struggle with. I am on Pregabalin twice a day to see how we go for the nerve pain. There is hope that if this helps at the low dose then my fatigue may ease as well. Time will tell.

Also struggle with wind and with a stoma it's an issue as I cant "trump" the normal way obviously so often have to go to a loo just to burp my bag. Peppermint tea helps but it also bring a "clearing" effect close to Movicol for me (not really but you get the idea) so I have been given Colpermin which are slow release peppermint oil to see if that helps.

Finally, at this stage, he was happy that I am able to control my bladder urgency by, oddly enough, drinking enough. When I dont drink enough I have the urge to wee so often with little output and the thought is that the radiotherapy has damaged the lining of the bladder and so when the urine becomes concentrated then this causes the issue. Weird huh.

Feeling positive at last that the worst of the symptoms are being dealt with and there is little that can be done about the chemo fog if it hasnt gone by now.

Glad I persevered and chased up at the cancer centre myself as my GP was putting it down to needed a hip replacement or not sleeping properly.

Hopefully these clinic become more common.

Hope you all have the best Christmas possible.

Kev