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My 13 year old son has been receiving black specks in his poo and I am worried for him

Sorry in advance for the long post. My mother was diagnosed with terminal mesothelioma around this time last year. The average life expectancy for her cancer is thought to be 6 months to a year. I had just graduated college and was 2 weeks into my new career in a different city when we found out. With 6 rounds of chemo coming up to try and contain the cancer I had to move back home to look after her as she couldn’t live alone. My employer was incredibly understanding and agreed to let me work from home temporarily. My elder brothers live abroad so it’s just me here and no other family to rely on. The chemo made her incredibly ill with her constantly needing to be admitted to hospital which is always a battle to get her there. She wouldn’t eat for weeks on end, couldn’t stand on her own, dress herself anything. I was sleeping on her floor for weeks to make sure she was still breathing, it was quite honestly traumatic. This was pre covid and my brothers flew home a handful of times so I got a day to myself once every month or two. I barely held onto my job with how much work I had to keep taking off. I’m a finance trainee so my hours can range up to 60 hours a week including weekends during busy periods and I’m also meant to be sitting exams. Looking back I’m not sure how I kept it together. The chemo was eventually dialled down and the harsh drug removed as she couldn’t handle it. Then covid hit and in a bid to keep her safe we have been completely cocooned since March. I don’t leave my house except for a walk when she’s ok enough to be left alone and I don’t see anyone at all. We are completely alone all day everyday. 6 months post chemo she’s been doing relatively ok and the struggle she went through was worth it. But we’ve now found out the cancer has entirely collapsed one of her lungs. In order to slow its spread, the decision has been made to try an even more aggressive 6 rounds of chemo again. As much as I want to be there for my mum and I don’t want her to die I don’t know if I can manage it all again on my own. I honestly don’t believe she will be able to handle the side effects this time around and will be left with no quality of life for her final months. She won’t have a carer come in to help and because I was only straight out of college I’m not entitled to sick pay if I have to take time off work again. It looks like I’m going to have to give it up altogether and apply for carers which I don’t think we can financially survive on at present and job is the only thing I have left of a normal life. I love my mum she’s the only family I’ve known and the idea of losing her has been very hard to accept so I feel an incredible amount of guilt that I don’t want to do this round of aggressive chemo again. Any opinions I had on this have been immediately shut down by the team as they assured me she would be looked after (she wasn’t at all the last time, in fact various complaints were filed over neglect issues in the hospital). I can’t describe in words how stressful and isolated the last year has been. She barely survived chemo last time and that was before Covid meant trips to the hospital were so much harder. I’m terrified if she goes back in she won’t come back out and could die alone in the hospital like so many have since the virus started. Chemos starting next week and I’m just not ready for it. I don’t know how other people are coping with it all during these times but I applaud anyone who is managing it. I’ve been running on adrenaline the last 12 months but I’ve run out and don’t know how to keep pushing through. If anyone else has had similar experiences or methods of coping as a carer I’d love to hear them.

Hi, I am male, 46 and recently had visible blood in my urine (it occurred on one day and in two occasions of urination). Ever since, I have had frequent urination, pressure/pain in the bladder/abdomen and just generally feeling unwell. I went to my doctor the day after i had blood in my urine and he did a manual check of my prostate and said everything seemed ok. There was no sign of any infection but i was put on a precautionary course of antibiotics. My blood tests came back and my doctor said that they found no cause for my symptoms and has referred me on to a Urologist (who I am still waiting to see). I also had an ultrasound and all that showed up was a small kidney cyst that the sonographer said wasn't anything to worry about. I am up the walls with worry and am finding the uncertainty unbearable. I am tormenting myself on google wondering what kind of terminal illness could be at the root of this. I would really appreciate any feedback from anyone who has gone through this. Thank you

Hi all, I have recently gone through the whole diagnosis and surgery element of breast cancer. I was fortunate enough to have caught it early after a screening and was told I had a 2mm tumour removed. Thankfully it wasn’t in my lymph nodes. I am still finding my feet about information on post-surgery with radiotherapy and treatment. I have just began Tamox 20mg and am quite scared with how many side effects are listed on the patient information leaflet. I’d really love to hear from others who have or still are going through the treatment and see real stories about the drug. If anyone also has any tips on dealing with treatment day-to-day I’d be so happy. It’s been a scary few months and I am trying to stay positive but it is hard. If anyone could give me an insight, I’m keen to hear your stories 💗 sending best wishes to all of you through these times

Hi there, I got diagnosed with nasopharyngeal cancer on 28 Oct and have started treatment 3 Dec - for 35 treatments including 1 day each week of chemotherapy. In 2018 I had a virus which led me to have a dull hearing in my left ear and a runny nose. 2 years later I have a 43mm tumour in the nose cavity and has travelled to lymph nodes in neck. Its a rare cancer and I hope I can get shut of it this way. does anyone have anything like this?

Are you over 18? Have you been told in the last 12 months that you have lymphoedema as a result of cancer treatment by a health care professional? If you have, our reseachers would like to hear from you! A team of researchers at DCU, funded by the Irish Cancer Society, are looking for people who have been recently told they have cancer related lymphedema to take part in a research study. The study involves filling out questionnaires on how you feel about lymphoedema, how it affects your life and your body image. Body image refers to the picture we have of our own bodies and the emotions and thoughts associated with that picture. For further details and more information, please go to https://www.facebook.com/Bodyimageandcancerrelatedlymphoedema or contact Emma Byrne at emma.byrne83@mail.dcu.ie  or from 9am – 5pm at the following number  083 0953847.

Hello, I went to my GP with a small lump in my right breast and a referral was sent to the Mater Hospital clinic for review. I have been waiting 10 weeks now for an appointment and told there are delays because of Covid19. In the mean time a larger lump has developed in my left breast and I have noticed my breast is larger and feels heavy. I cannot lie on my front due to pain in both breasts. I am wondering if I should revisit my GP or continue to wait for an appointment? Also, during the clinic visit will both breast be reviewed or just the one on the referral? Kind regards.

Hi There, I had a mammogram last week after finding a lump. I had to wait 8 weeks for appointment so i just reallly want to get the results after such a long wait! I was told no news is good news. I went to vincents hospital and am just wondering has anyone else had to wait 2 weeks even if something is found. My mind is going crazy.I still have the lump and pain in collerbone. They didnt do an examination, just the mammogram. Thanks so much in advance

I've started bleeding ans its 35 days since my last period which was before I started chemo. I was told that my period will stop all together when on this drug. Had anyone else still gotten periods on Taxol? I'm starting my 3rd round of Taxol next Thursday.

Hi I never posted in anything before so here goes, I was diagnosed 6 years ago with dcis with mi, sentinel node clear, I had a mastectomy and no other treatment. I've had pain in mastectomy side on and off but since August it got worse. My gp sent me for an ultrasound in breast clinic. The radiologist seen a swollen lymph node and done biopsy. Got the results Tuesday, cancer cells in node. I had a ct and bone scan since, I'll get results Tuesday. Has anyone had anything similar. Im so scared. Thank you