It has been quite a while so I thought I should take a few minutes to provide an update for anybody who might be interested.

I just reread the last post to get a feel for what updates I need to give you. Turns out it’s not much.

The pain is still the biggest impact from the cancer. I’m still not able to do much around the house. I can’t sit up practically at all anymore. I haven’t driven since sometime in maybe mid-December. I have only been out of the house once since December 30. Both the Dec 30 and latest outings were for doctors’ appointments.

Friends were wonderfully helpful in both of those appointments. They drove me to and from the appointments. When we got there, they went in and got a wheelchair for me (so I didn’t have to walk in) and wheeled me about as needed.

When I got to the appointment room (I can’t remember what it’s actually called), I got out of the wheelchair and lay on the little examination bed the have there. Lying on my side is still the most comfortable position for me, so I try for that as much as possible.

When we were done they wheeled me back to the car and we headed home.

For pain management, we tried a bunch of different things before landing where we are now. I take three pain medications, one of them being administered through a CADD pump. That’s fairly new – about 3 weeks – so I’m still getting used to it.

My occupational therapist has also recommended a specific type of chair cushion that might help with easing pain while sitting. It has these “cells” in it that are kind of like really big bubbles on bubble wrap. You are able to customize the cushion by selecting specific cells to remove in hopes of making it more comfortable to sit. I need to pick which cells for them to remove and then order the cushion. It costs about $1,100, but insurance covers most it, so even if it doesn’t work, it’s worth a try.

I also continue to use the cognitive behavioural therapy skills that I learned in the Progress Over Pain program I did in the fall.

My doctor’s appointments are now either on Teams, Zoom, or phone so that I don’t have to go in-person. I have been referred to the community palliative care team, now. The doctors in that group come to the house for appointments. That’s pretty snazzy! Mind you, I do prefer the more virtual appointments. That said, it’s important to be seen in-person sometimes, so doing that at home is definitely better than at the clinic.

There has been another bizarre physical development in the past 3-4 weeks, too.

WARNING: If you are squidgy about weird medical things, you’ll want to skip ahead to where it says “IT’S SAFE NOW.”

After the last scans/scopes, my oncologist told me that based on the way my tumour was growing, there was the possibility that it would develop a rectovaginal fistula. Essentially, that means it builds a tunnel between the rectum and the vagina. If that happens, then feces wouldn’t only pass through the rectum and anus, but also the vagina. Three to four weeks ago the tunnel was completed. While it’s super weird feeling, at the same time, it’s really quite an interesting thing that it can even happen! “Let’s just create a new internal orifice or two, shall we?” Turns out, this is one time where women have it medically better than men. For men, if a fistula is built from the rectum, it goes to the bladder. Men end up with a lot more infections because it’s a lot harder to eliminate feces from the bladder than it is from the vagina. That means more infections for men with these fistulas than for women. I am very grateful to have two X chromosomes! There’s no pain from it. It feels bizarre, but the only impact really is there are more hygiene habits added to my regimen, which is quite manageable.

IT’S SAFE NOW.

As I mentioned in my last post, and likely other posts, too, I am very blessed to have the friends and family that I have. They come to visit me. They help around the house without complaint. I am blessed beyond measure.

I am sorry I haven’t been better at keeping these updates going. It’s hard to type on my side. Leaning on my left elbow for any length of time makes that hurt and I’m sure you can understand that I’m not super keen to add more pain or discomfort to my day.

And I think that’s it. I hope you and yours are doing well. If you aren’t, I hope you have the support that you need. Take care and keep me posted in the comments!

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