Cancer sucks

**patsycat** · 14-07-2017, 11:11 PM

Thanks, Bower. I know that you and your wife went through this. And she fought for years. My Aunt survived almost 20 years.

There are about three consultants, all Oncologists, on my case. Plus the nurses who are trained really well to deal with the chemo, drug trials etc. The University Hospital where i am being treated - they have about 60 or 70 cancer related drug trials going on at the moment. I think i am one of six people in the whole of Switzerland on this specific one. It's a drug that is already recognised in the States and other countries.

We sometimes forget the nurses, and think back decades that the only thing they do is wipe your brow!! They may not have trained as much as the Specialists - but they certainly know their jobs. Also they bring a bit of happiness and laughter into your life!! My nurse and I get on really well, which is good - coz this is going to go on for years.

I do ask the questions, and get honest replies. They have no reason to lie to me, and tell me everything will get better. It might, it might not. Who knows?!!

Going to Google radiotherapy this weekend. There is a lot of info out there, also a lot of dross.

You guys are great!! If any of you need any inside info from me. Don't hesitate to ask. It's only been 7 months, but has become my life. Why they can't make all my appointments on one day - instead of three or four days every week, sort of pisses me off!! Plays bugger with your social life!!

Oh, and the really sweet and kind ladies on a Forum here have got together to knit or crochet me a snuggle blanket!! How nice is that?!! They are a bit pissed off with me - because i keep sneeking a peek.

**yortyiam** · 15-07-2017, 03:01 AM

As Steve McQueen said "You might as well attack life, it's going to kill you anyway". I don't mean that in a malign sense, Patsy, you are being very upbeat and brave about your predicament. All the best. Sweet of the ladies knitting for you! I hope wise words and kind gestures make this all a bit easier for you.

**Latindancer** · 15-07-2017, 01:33 PM

Hey Pats....you might like to Google the various herbs, vitamins, minerals or compounds which, if you take them, will

protect you from the more harmful effects of radiotherapy.

**patsycat** · 15-07-2017, 11:21 PM

I have bottles and bottles of vitamins, eating well, drinking less.

As i have said, this is all new to me, so shall googledegook later on. Problem here, you have to pay for any "alternative" stuff. And it's expensive!!

**GracelessFawn** · 16-07-2017, 08:28 AM

Patsy the natives here swear that papaya leaves can cure cancer, so does soursop leaves.

Soursop leaves is a potent cancer killer that doesn't harm the good cells. It contains high Vitamin C and other antioxidants helping to strengthen the immune system and fight off infections… and scavenge free radicals. The Health and Sciences Institute published papers saying that soursop leaves were very effective in killing cancer cells without harming the rest of the body.

Papaya Leaves have a milky sap that’s great for preventing and killing cancer cells because it contains acetogenin.
There are many studies including studies in Japan showing that Papaya Leaves are effective for curing cancer. And there are people who have cured their cancer by drinking Papaya Leaf Tea for extended periods of time. The University of Florida did studies showing that Papaya Leaves contain agents that kill cancer, especially cervix, prostate, liver, breast, and lung cancer. The more concentrated the tea the better the results… and there are no side effects of any kind.

One can never underestimate the power of alternative medicine... I know a flipper who can cure appendicitis without operation. Some call him a quack doctor, but I believe his healing powers come from the plants he used to bandaged the afflicted area with. Whatever it is, it reduces inflammation pretty quickly. I am not a believer of his spiritual chants, but firmly believe that the healing came from the herbs.

Whatever method of treatment you use, keep your spirit up as it is now.

**Crestofawave** · 16-07-2017, 05:34 PM

I had 6 weeks of radiology for prostate cancer last year Patsy. Minimal side effects. I've never had chemo but it sounds like hell from what I've heard.
Keep up the fight Patsy, live one day at a time and all the rest of the cliches!
Love from an old friend from Thai Visa!

**al007** · 23-07-2017, 09:02 PM

I have both colorectal and prostate cancer, and underwent radiotherapy and chemotherapy at Chulalongkorn in bangkok
Suffered few side effects
Have a team of four consultants looking after me
I also have no medical insurance
Have so far avoided the knife, originally everyone thought it was inevitable
I am checked every three months, at the end of august another MRI, another colonoscopy, body xrays and many blood tests, So far I have been very lucky
Chulalongkorn a government hospital is probably the top cancer hospital in Thailand, with state of the art equipment
I also had prostate holep surgery in India

I am not a doctor but have learnt a lot on these two specific cancers and am happy to help others

**patsycat** · 27-07-2017, 07:09 PM

Went to see the radiologist yesterday. She is really nice, aren't they all?! The side effects can be nausea, vomitting, headaches and hair loss (again). And it was just starting to grow back!! At least i have enough hats to be able to open a shop.

So, Monday I get fitted for my personal head gear, and they will start ASAP 10 days, everyday, for about 10 minutes. They all know i am going away on the 25th for a week. So are going to do it before then. Sort of worried. The changes in my body i can handle - I just don't want to go GaGa!! But they are confident that they will zap the tiny little dots in there.

The hair loss is a pain, but I'd rather be healthier and bald than dead. Must be a lady thing - you sort of lose your femininity when you lose your hair!! And I know it grows back, slower than i would have liked, but it does.

**Crestofawave** · 27-07-2017, 08:07 PM

You won't be going gaga for a long while yet and the winter's not that far off in Switzerland- perfect for your hat collection.
By the time springs comes around you'll be feeling better and you can cast those hats to the wind.
Hats off to Patsy.

**al007** · 28-07-2017, 01:45 PM

Goodluck Patsycat, all the treatment I had in Bangkok was without significant side effect, they had state of the art Varian equipment very accurate and did CT scan while actually doing the radiation

**Latindancer** · 28-07-2017, 02:06 PM

Originally Posted by patsycat

Must be a lady thing - you sort of lose your femininity when you lose your hair!!

Just pretend you are Sinead O'Connor's sister.

**Topper** · 28-07-2017, 02:08 PM

Originally Posted by patsycat

you sort of lose your femininity when you lose your hair!!

I think it would be hard for you to lose your femininity even bald, you're that kind of lady.

**raycarey** · 28-07-2017, 03:22 PM

Originally Posted by patsycat

you sort of lose your femininity when you lose your hair!!

**patsycat** · 28-07-2017, 06:19 PM

Originally Posted by CSFFan

Originally Posted by patsycat

you sort of lose your femininity when you lose your hair!!

I think it would be hard for you to lose your femininity even bald, you're that kind of lady.

That's lovely!! Thank you.

The hats!! There is no way i'll chuck them. They are special, German made hats made out of Bamboo. Not just for cancer sufferers, I''ll wear them all again with or without hair. And they are not cheap. The others are baseball caps.

I'm going to google Radiotherapy at the weekend. So far I've resisted, but may have questions. When i googled chemotherapy etc. a few months ago I sort of scared myself!! Lots of info out there, but also a lot of scary stuff!!

**birding** · 28-07-2017, 07:43 PM

You don't have to worry about radiotherapy Patsy, no pain and only takes a few minutes.

My experience was that once they get you positioned on the table with lead blocks to prevent any movement a computer takes over. The staff leave and the pointy thing on the machine aims precisely at the target (tumor) gives a buzz then moves around and does the same from 3 other angles. Then unless someone wants to talk to you its get dressed and walk out of there till the next appointment.

**S Landreth** · 31-08-2017, 07:19 PM

Emily Whitehead : My Journey Fighting Leukemia

Local doctors get the green-light for new leukemia treatment

FDA Wednesday, gave the green light to a groundbreaking treatment for leukemia.

And two local researchers have been at the forefront of developing it.

The FDA's decision has been 30 years in the making for Doctor Carl June of Penn Medicine, and Doctor Stephan Grupp of Children's Hospital.

"Pure unadulterated joy. We thought this day would never happen," Dr. Carl June of Penn Medicine said.

Their idea was radical - harvest a patient's own T-cells, then genetically modify them, adding a new gene, then put the modified cells back in the body.

The new gene tells the T-cells to target and kill cancer cells that cause acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Clinical trials show it works.

Emily Whitehead is one of the success stories.

**Latindancer** · 01-09-2017, 06:06 AM

^ Great stuff !

"I think this is most exciting thing I've seen in my lifetime," said Dr. Tim Cripe, an oncologist who was part of the FDA advisory committee panel that voted in favour of approving the drug in July.

https://www.sciencealert.com/a-cance...s&limitstart=1

**birding** · 01-09-2017, 10:03 AM

Another development :

Nanomachines that drill into cancer cells killing them in just 60 seconds developed by scientists

**Takeovers** · 01-09-2017, 01:31 PM

Originally Posted by birding

Another development :

Nanomachines that drill into cancer cells killing them in just 60 seconds developed by scientists

Maybe this from the linked page sheds some light on the quality of the source.

New planet is 'about to destroy Earth' and the clue is written on the pyramids

The news on GM cells that target cancer is exciting. Even though on the news there was mention of sometimes severe side effects.

**patsycat** · 03-09-2017, 01:52 AM

Well. Did it and got away to Munich for a week!!

Hair fell out on my second night there, at least my brother and his wife saw me with hair, for the first time in months, side effect was severe fatigue, and my fingernails are getting wobbly so will fall out.

I won't get the results for a few weeks. Seeing my oncologist on Tuesday, so hopefully should restart the drugs trial again soon. All in all, a painless procedure. I got them to take a few pics in my mask!! Dark sense of humour in my family!! They even gave it to me to bring home!!

**GracelessFawn** · 03-09-2017, 08:18 PM

Hang on there Patsy. Your strength is an inspiration. Keep that high spirit up.

**Eliminator** · 03-09-2017, 08:58 PM

Keep up the hard work sweetheart and all the best to you.

**patsycat** · 04-09-2017, 01:59 AM

I do have my moments of complete emotional collapse!! Have a good cry and wake up feeling good again. I think you have to try and stay positive, otherwise it would just add to your worries. The other patients at the hospital helped with that. In fact, none of us really went into the details of our own symptoms. But nattered about all sorts of things.

The only one that got to me, was a young 24 year old, who had been diagnosed with breast cancer the day before Xmas. I often think of her. Also, she was an adopted Thai girl. Not that that makes any difference, all in the same boat. But I, and others did have a tear for her.

Your support, all of you, is really touching and appreciated.

Thanks so much, Oops - tear in my eye!! My recently deceased Mother would probably tell me to pull my socks up and get on with it!!

**Hugh Cow** · 04-09-2017, 11:22 AM

Originally Posted by patsycat

Well. Did it and got away to Munich for a week!!

Hair fell out on my second night there, at least my brother and his wife saw me with hair, for the first time in months, side effect was severe fatigue, and my fingernails are getting wobbly so will fall out.

I won't get the results for a few weeks. Seeing my oncologist on Tuesday, so hopefully should restart the drugs trial again soon. All in all, a painless procedure. I got them to take a few pics in my mask!! Dark sense of humour in my family!! They even gave it to me to bring home!!

Pats every fashion comes around and I'm sure bald women will be in vogue. I personally find them quite sexy. Just consider yourself a fashionista ahead of her time!

**patsycat** · 04-09-2017, 05:45 PM

I am no fashionista!! Slouch around in my jammies most days!! I even have some that I go out in. Look like trousers.

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