Diagnosed with stage 4 cancer - the long winding road it has become

[King_Crispy]

Not the same issues/symptoms as you but all I can say is make time and go to the doctor.

I was 'off colour' for months from December 2017, feeling flat, not entirely ill but not right, and ignored all the issues right through to early May 2018.

In the end I was forced to go to a specialist as my weight suddenly dropped from 80kg down to 64kg in a two week period.Almost overnight I became too weak to even tie my own laces, needed help to walk across the bedroom etc.

Yet even then I was in complete denial that anything was wrong, to the point that when the specialist saw me and told me I had to stay in hospital that night and go in for a procedure the next day I fought like hell to go home (to be fair Liverpool were playing a CL semi final second leg that night, which is really important...). Have to admit when the words necrotic and kidneys are strung together in the same sentence it isn't something you want to hear.

Anyhow - long story short, I had 100% kidney failure going on because I had refused to acknowledge the symptoms and had a major aversion to doctors. I never realized just how ill I was and found ways to justify ignoring the symptoms. And that, I was told later, all but killed me. Even after the procedure I was not expected to survive (but no way was I letting my wife off that easy )

The single thing I took from this was - If your body is sending you a message then you need to listen.

Glad to hear you survived the initial onslaught.

Be strong and fight on

[Steven Knoetze (sk27)]

What a very tough week...

Went for infusion on Tuesday. Spent the whole day at Wilgers. The new treatment (Erbitux 900mg) took 2 and a half hours, and then started with the Leucovorin or FOLFOX treatment. Got the usual chemo pump (5-FU) again.

 

Went back on Thursday and the nurse told me to get on the bed and gave me 4 drips (I wasn’t feeling to well) One with B12 and one with more nausea meds. So spent about an hour getting some more IV’s pumped into me. Got in the car and pushed for home.

 

The usual symptoms presided again, nausea and not being able to sleep without CBD oil or weed. And lost about 2 kg’s of weight again. Went to fill my prescription at Dischem, but the one branch forgot to add that there are 4 refills for the prescription. I am just glad I took a photo of the prescription and the pharmacist said she will phone the branch and sort it out. She was a darling and filled the prescription (maybe because I was as white as a sheet and on my way to the floor).

 

I lost most feeling in my hands and feet. My nails are giving me a hard time. Feels as though they are going to fall out of the nail bed at any moment and is rather painful to touch and has a funky red yellow color to it.

I am not to eat my nails.

 

Showering has become a problem as I am limited to 5 minutes and not with hot water but warmish water. I can’t use normal soap anymore due to the harsh chemicals. Dischem gave me a few samples to use with the new treatment. My skin is taking a huge hammering with the new treatment. The only indication that the treatment is working is that it causes skin problems (acne-like rash on my back, neck and face)

 

I still miss cycling, but can’t due to my hands as the skin can rub off due to the treatment.

 

The treatment is terrible, I have seen it first hand but keep at it.

It is the road you have chosen and you seem to be taking it in your stride even though it is a tough road to travel.

Done with the cliches now......all the best. My thoughts are still with you.

[ChrisF]

Cois ek weet nie wat om te sê nie .... my hart breek vir jou en jou familie !

 

 

Hoop en vertrou dinge sal spoedig verbeter.

[RobertWhitehead]

One sliver of hope is that your body is reacting the way they said it was going to. I hope and pray that you'll start to see some positive results and that the tumor will shrink in size.

 

All the best & we will keep a close eye on your feedback

[Cois]

And another kick to the nads. My UIF claim was rejected. So now I have to go back to the incompetent Department of Labour to find out why my claim has been rejected.

[MrJacques]

If it hasn't been done yet, how about starting a GoFundMe, I'd definitely like to contribute.

[Cois]

If it hasn't been done yet, how about starting a GoFundMe, I'd definitely like to contribute.

Will have to and thanks.

 

Had to fork out R400 for meds that the medical aid does not want to pay. Nausea meds and a beta blocker.

 

Will try to get the page up soon.

[RobertWhitehead]

https://www.backabuddy.co.za/ - just set up a page for yourself and send us the link 

[Cois]

https://www.backabuddy.co.za/ - just set up a page for yourself and send us the link

Waiting for approval. Started the process, but it timed out every attempt. Got it right This time... or at least I think I got it right

Will post the link ASAP.

Thanks everyone. I do not know what to do, but the next job I have I will refuse to pay UIF.

Edited June 3, 2019 by Cois

[RobertWhitehead]

I can't understand how mundane things like processing a claim can be so difficult it boggles the mind! 

 

Before I got married I used to be very spiteful and always wanted to get equal but my wife has taught me that I work myself up and the other person just carries on with their lives as if nothing happened. 

 

My point: If the donations thing works and you can get some breathing space through people making donations sort the UIF thing out when you're ready and at your own pace. You don't need the additional stress on top of everything else. 

 

Looking forward to the link

 

 

Waiting for approval. Started the process, but it timed out every attempt. Got it right This time... or at least I think I got it right
Will post the link ASAP.
Thanks everyone. I do not know what to do, but the next job I have I will refuse to pay UIF.

[Steven Knoetze (sk27)]

I can't understand how mundane things like processing a claim can be so difficult it boggles the mind! 

 

Before I got married I used to be very spiteful and always wanted to get equal but my wife has taught me that I work myself up and the other person just carries on with their lives as if nothing happened. 

 

My point: If the donations thing works and you can get some breathing space through people making donations sort the UIF thing out when you're ready and at your own pace. You don't need the additional stress on top of everything else. 

 

Looking forward to the link

 

It is a deviation from the topic but all beaurocracy is getting crazy.

Need to make appointments to renew drivers licence and ID's now too. System is so screwed.

[Cois]

Guys and girls. Sorry, but if you believe please pray. The pain level is at 10 out of 10. The UIF thing was the tipping point of it all today.

 

The tumor is bleeding like never before. And the stoma is bleeding way more than usual. I am in a huge amount of pain and only opioids will work to dull the pain. (First time in a very long time that I will take pain meds)

 

I will try to send PM’s tomorrow to those who requested info. I am a bit out of it at the moment.

 

The pain can alter a lot of things and reality is one of them.

 

Thanks for all the messages and thoughts.

[RobertWhitehead]

I'm real sorry to hear that things are not well at this point in time - I believe and will pray for you. 

[Escapee..]

Hope you feeling better today Cois.

 

Thoughts are with you.

[MrJacques]

Will do, hope things are going better today.

Edited June 4, 2019 by Jacquers

[Spinnekop]

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