Reflecting on 3+ years of chemotherapy plus giveaway

As I finally begin to count down the very last week of son1’s chemotherapy, I’ve been reflecting back over all the necessary medical nasties that he has had to endure over the last 3+ years. The most traumatic for him was the psychological impact of repeated failures on cannula insertion. Poor boy was like a pin cushion and he still had to go through this occasionally after his port implant, if multiple drugs needed to be administered intravenously at the same time. He developed a phobia against everyone who worked at the hospital, be they doctor, nurse or even cleaner, as he associated them all with wanting to hurt him.

My cheeky chap now sporting the latest fashion trend – wear a cushion on your head!

Whilst at the hospital on Monday, we went to collect his latest Beads of Courage from the play specialist. But as usual he refused to go in the playroom. I had to get them for him. Although a fantastic room for the children, it has too many negative associations of being attached to a drip when there as an in-patient for him.

He will shortly be going on a waiting list to have his port removed, probably in the autumn. And although this is a huge bonus in terms of less risk of possible infection, plus he will be able to start participating in contact sports, I do worry how he will cope with needles in the future, especially as I know that all his vaccinations since babyhood need to be repeated next year.

And he does amazingly well with swallowing pills. I know I couldn’t swallow a pill at his age, but he soon worked out that the liquid medication was much worse.  On average he now takes about 40 pills a week and he is so looking forward to that reducing to 4 pills in a week’s time once chemotherapy finishes.

When he needed his first blood transfusion, we discovered that he is allergic to platelets, so the poor poppet was itching away whilst waiting for anti-histamine to take effect.

Brotherly cuddles back in August 2013 when son1 was just starting to lose his hair

Also there are all the side effects he has to cope with. Hair loss is the one that everyone else saw. When he was hairless, strangers would stop me in the street and ask how he was doing. Thank you so much for your concern. It was very touching. He hates having his hair cut now, again psychological. But as a mum, I’ve seen all the other side effects – pain, sickness, constipation, loss of appetite, over-eating, mood swings and lack of concentration. Of course we were offered more medication like strong painkillers, anti-sickness pills and a vile tasting Movicol laxative drink.

Life will certainly be simpler once I can buy over-the-counter remedies for him without having to consult with the hospital as to what is suitable or not for everyday ailments like hayfever and veruccas. The same applies to some foods. If it is a bio yogurt, back on the supermarket shelf it currently goes.

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The first thing to throw out will be the big box of Movicol sachets. I’m sure when next needed we can find something more pleasant, if tummy massage doesn’t do the trick.

Perhaps Docusol Paediatric Solution which is indicated for the effective and gentle relief of constipation in children and babies over six months.  It is a strawberry flavoured liquid oral solution containing docusate sodium.  Docusate sodium acts as a dual action constipation treatment that helps to makes stools softer and easier to pass by increasing absorption of water and fats and also acts as a gentle stimulant.

I did giggle when I watched the Docusol ‘Make a Nappy Happy’ campaign. Take a look at their fun video.

Docusol Paediatric Solution is available in 125ml bottles, currently retailing at £7.99 from pharmacies. It is reputed to get to work within one to three days.

And I’m hosting a rafflecopter competition to giveaway a baby travel changing mat courtesy of Docusol to 2 lucky winners.

a Rafflecopter giveaway – Please click on the link to enter.

And you may see my other giveaways here.

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Disclosure.  Although I am hosting this giveaway, I have not received any products.  All opinions are my own.