Cancer and my story

06/12/2023

Hey everyone, it's been a while since I've posted.

Due to me being medically discharged next year from the navy.

Ive been doing courses constantly to set me up for when I leave.

I had a funny turn with my mental health and had a break down, but it was a good thing.

A realisation that I can't just do everything and constantly work as I then get alot of pain and fatigue.

But these courses have been very fun.

I have found another side affect from my chemotherapy, 2 of my heart valves are regurgitating blood the wrong way.

Only slightly and it's nothing major.
It can make me a bit more tired and a bit weaker but it should get better.

Like everything in life there is always a silver lining.

Life is tough you are given tough times because it can make you a better person.

I always try to give back to people who need it like others did for me.

Don't wait for others to help, 1 good deed a day will make the world a better place

13/09/2023

I learned something today❗

Today I learned that with chemotherapy it really messes with the hormones in your body.

I know it could do something with it but didn't know how much.

I've realised why I'm feeling this way for a while.

I'm having a bad time with my mental health.
After having goals to work towards for years, now I have none, it's really annoying when your used to working towards something, and have nothing now.

I feel like a failure, really sad and just like I've given up.

With depression you can be happy to do things you don't want to do, just to get a smile out of the people around you.

It's hard to feel this way but you just have to keep working through it. I'm lucky to have a psychiatrist I can talk to and just have a chat you know can walk you through your stress, anxiety and pain.

One step at a time

Too many people bottle it up, too many people succumb to the stress, pressure and pain.

You can beat it, you know you can and everyone knows you can.

Young Lives vs Cancer
Teenage Cancer Trust
The Voice
Military vs Cancer
NHS Professionals International
NHS Devon

26/08/2023

Next appointment is with a genetic counselor.

What is a genetic counselor

Genetic counsellors work directly with patients and families offering genetic/genomic information

Support allowing them to make health decisions.

Why might someone go to a genetic counselor?

The reasons that a person might be referred to a genetic counselor, medical geneticist, or other genetics professional include:

A personal or family history of a genetic condition, birth defect, chromosomal disorder, or hereditary cancer.

Two or more pregnancy losses (miscarriages), a stillbirth, or a baby who died.







NHS Devon
Teenage Cancer Trust
Bowel Cancer UK
Young Lives vs Cancer
NHS Professionals International
UK Doctors
NHS Professionals
Cancer Research UK
Military vs Cancer

12/08/2023

A massive thank you to Holidays For Heroes Jersey

It was such an amazing opportunity to be invited on a trip to jersey.

I had never been but I am glad I have.
I had so much fun there, We all did.
They are an amazing charity❗

Holidays for Heroes Jersey is a local non-profit making charity based in Jersey offering holidays to past or present members of HM forces who have suffered mind or bodily injuries in service.

Upon your arrival in Jersey, you will be met at the harbour or airport, transported to your hotel where you will enjoy a relaxing week of Jersey hospitality.
The accommodation is on a half board basis at the vibrant, family friendly, Merton Hotel close to St Helier.

Thank you so much to

12/08/2023

12/08/2023

Neuropathic pain

Neuropathic pain can be caused by alot of different factors, such as :

Vinca alkaloids, which include vinblastine (Velbe), vincristine (Oncovin), vinorelbine and vindesine.

Platinum-based drugs, such as cisplatin, oxaliplatin and carboplatin.

Taxanes such as docetaxel and paclitaxel.
thalidomide.

There are ways to manage the pain such as:

Gabapentin with nerve pain, it's thought to block pain by affecting the pain messages travelling through the brain and down the spine.

Pregabalin works by controlling brain chemicals which send signals to nerves, to reduce the level of pain you experience.

Which is amazing.

Common side effects for Gabapentin:

Feeling sleepy, tired or dizzy.
Feeling sick (nausea)
Being sick (vomiting)
Diarrhoea.
Mood changes.
Swollen arms and legs.
Blurred vision.
Dry mouth.

Some side effects of Pregabalin:

Dizziness.
Drowsiness.
Confusion.
Blurred vision.
Tremor.
Unsteadiness when walking.
Weight gain.
Constipation.

Some of these can be prevented by taking it with or after a meal

Feeling sleepy, drowsy, dizzy will slowly go away as your body gets used to the medication

Hopefully this helps anyone in the same situation
Xx

12/08/2023

Having cancer is a tough fight❗

I knew it would be, what I didn't know is that after surgery and chemo I would still have a fight.

At the moment I am fighting with pain. Something I thought would be finished after chemo.

Well I was wrong as you know I have peripheral neuropathy which is lack or no feeling in my extremities. I cannot feel my fingers or my feet.
That isn't too bad you get used to it.

I also have nerve damage in my back, sharp pains in all of my joints, and extreme head aches too.

The medications I had been on for quite a while we're sub par and were causing more pain.
(Co'codamol 30/500) This medication was causing me to be extremely constipated, which when you have alot less intenses and a twist in your bowel causes alot of pain.

I have now seen a new doctor that has advised me that I should change to Tramadol and Gabapentin. Which I am now trialing.

Tramadol is a strong pain killer which should help with the pain and can be less constipating.

Gabapentin is used to treat epilepsy. It's also taken for nerve pain. This has to be taken every day 3 times a day to be able to work.

Hopefully this will work.

Picture is of me in Jersey last month with HOLIDAYS FOR HEROES JERSEY a big thanks to them it was such a nice experience to be able to relax. We all had an amazing time!

Teenage Cancer Trust
Cancer Research UK
Young Lives vs Cancer
Bowel Cancer UK
NHS Professionals International NHS Devon Military vs Cancer Cancer Research UK Race for Life UK Doctors The Voice

27/06/2023

Sunday 25th June 2023

That was a fun but tough day, that was the day that I and the help with some friends ran and walked the race for life 5km Barnstaple.

It hasn't been long since I have been in remission l.

But that is what made me want to run it.
If I can get through cancer I can get through a 5km.


Thank you to everyone who donated.
A massive thank you to everyone who supported me on that day too.
I couldn't have done it without you all.

29/05/2023

Hi everyone

As of the 20th of may 2023, I'm am officially in remission. It's been a tough journey but it's finally over.

I had a colonoscopy on the 20th due to abdominal pain but it came up with a twist in the bowel.

As there was nothing on my scan wrong and nothing on my colonoscopy. I am in remission.

One thing that will not change though I will not stop fighting to make medical professionals realise that you can never be too young to hear bowel cancer.

I'm am one of the lucky few that survive this bad card.

It's something I wouldn't wish upon my worst enemy.

Thank you everyone for your love and support is has helped me through the last 8 months massively.