Help Ryan fight his cancer

Had my two days of testing and scans at the Christie. Bone marrow biopsies don't get any easier even after 3. Similar to this video if anyone's interested, not for the feint-hearted probably.

Then had 5 samples taken from my kidney tumour, similar process:


We head back down next Wednesday and Thursday to find out if I'm eligible for the trial, and if so, start the trial drugs and keep me in to monitor toxicities and kidney function for a couple of days to ensure no ill-effects. We're trying to find out about what expenses are available from the sponsoring company - initially told it would be £40 per visit, which doesn't even cover half the petrol to get down there, but they may be able to help out with accommodation costs too, so I'm looking forward to hearing back about that.


Again, thank you to everyone who has been able to donate, you have no idea how it feels knowing that you're all behind me. x
 
I nearly passed out when I saw the missus have her bone marrow biopsy. I've never considered myself squemish before, but it looked horrific, like a 3/8" drill bit going into the skin.

The missus was completely fine with it. /shudder

Anyways, ongoing good luck with you, I sincerely hope the donated funds help out.
 
Have you spoken to McMillan support? I'm currently in talks as they provide some financial help as I'm currently not able to work so they may be able to give you a grant. Finished my second session of chemo yesterday after being pumped full of poison for two and a half days. The side effects are interesting but not the worst for me yet but it's still early stages.

The after effects of bowel biopsy was bad enough for me let alone bone marrow. Fingers crossed for you that you get the results you want.
 
Xez said:
Have you spoken to McMillan support? I'm currently in talks as they provide some financial help as I'm currently not able to work so they may be able to give you a grant. Finished my second session of chemo yesterday after being pumped full of poison for two and a half days. The side effects are interesting but not the worst for me yet but it's still early stages.
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I've left a message with my Macmillan lady to see if they're able to help with this. I was able to get a grant from them too when I first got back in the country, helped a lot.

What chemotherapy are you on? You'll start noticing it hitting you harder once you get a few more cycles in, the effects are cumulative :(
 
Ryan0r said:
I've left a message with my Macmillan lady to see if they're able to help with this. I was able to get a grant from them too when I first got back in the country, helped a lot.

What chemotherapy are you on? You'll start noticing it hitting you harder once you get a few more cycles in, the effects are cumulative :(
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Folfox and 5FU is what I'm currently on through my picc line. My oncologist is hoping after my third session the tumours will start to shrink. I stopped taking steroids but my liver and bowel became inflamed again causing huge discomfort and bowel blockage. Thankfully back on them as it gives me an appetite but I need to be careful how much I do eat.

My left outer thigh on my left leg is always numb which they were worried about as it's happened so soon! I can live with the rashes and acne. I feel completely drained whilst the 5FU is pumped in me over a two day period but once its removed I'm much better within a day or two at the moment. The biggest pain for me is having to travel over an hour to get to the hospital for chemo. a lot of time wasted on travel unfortunately.
 
Haven't had either of those, but different chemotherapies for different cancer types. Side effects look similar to most. Here's hoping they do the business buddy.

Yeah the traveling sucks, especially when you feel like a bag of crap. Are you managing to keep yourself occupied when you're recovering? I found my attention span was 0 when on chemo, couldn't even muster the energy to watch a movie or read a book. When'll they re-scan you?
 
That is a huge problem that I do have and its really hard to stay positive when feeling so drained. It worries me as it puts a lot of strain but my girlfriend is coping very very well. Without steroids I was like a zombie I just wanted to lay and do nothing but a lot of that was because my liver being so enlarged and inflamed causing me discomfort and pain.

For me adjusting to life has been hard, I struggle to do basic tasks now and my energy levels are low. Boredom is a huge thing to, I just want to get back to work and keep my brain active and occupied! Unfortunately for me work is an hour commute and I dont want to take the risk of driving at the moment until I'm used to the chemo. They want to PET scan me half way through so after six sessions and mine are every other week.
 
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