The Great Recovery part 4

[TopOfTheCliff]

Time for a new thread. Welcome aboard!

You may have finished active treatment for cancer, be in remission or NED. You want to look forward not dwell on the past. You know you ought to be eating well, exercising more and picking up the threads of your old life. Join us and share the ups and downs of recovery. We understand!
Here are some resources we found helpful:
The Mountain Lion
https://www.cancerpal.co.uk/post/what-it-s-really-like-to-receive-a-cancer-diagnosis
Peter Harvey on Psychology of recovery:
https://workingwithcancer.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/After-the-treatment-finishes-then-what.pdf
Resources from Penny Brohn:
https://pennybrohn.org.uk/our-approach/resources/
Breast Cancer Now Moving Forward:
https://breastcancernow.org/information-support/support-you/moving-forward
Get your Oomph Back with Carolyn Garritt
http://www.oomph.london/home.html
Charity providing treats for cancer patients:
https://somethingtolookforwardto.org.uk/
Exercise is good for you:
https://www.webmd.com/cancer/features/exercise-cancer-patients
Any more suggestions? Post them below
There is also a thread for those suspected to have cancer, or newly diagnosed and facing treatment, and also a thread for those with Stage IV cancer who want to talk to others in the same boat.

Somebody once advised me that when putting symptoms into Google to add benign to the search terms so that it brought up all the things that you could be that are not cancer. But of course your mind is going to go there. I found ChatGPT to be fairly reassuring as well In my situation.

Yes @TopOfTheCliff I feel like anything affects me, but definitely anything with probiotics in it makes it a lot worse, and I have been trying to follow the FODMAP diet and I found it makes it better, but it doesn’t completely go away, though it’s possibly just constipation from chemo. Lovely topic to be discussing online 😂. I don’t have any pain and I can’t feel anything any different from normal, If I hadn’t previously had cancer, I probably wouldn’t be thinking anything about it at all.

I’m away visiting DD, but she’s gone to work today, so I’m having a bit of a mooch before heading back home. No exercise today, though I have bought some new fancy tennis shoes, and I’ve done a lot of walking!

@SierraSapphire that's a great hack on adding benign to search terms! I will try that in future.

Welcome back @dotty2 I’m sorry you’re in the awful waiting zone. Fingers crossed that all is clear. And best wishes for good results to you @SierraSapphire Never apologise for TMI discussions about tummy trouble, I am unshockable. I’m in a support group for people who’ve had a colectomy and some of them love to share all the details on a regular basis.

Thanks again for the kind words about DS. My beautiful 17yo gave a wonderful speech at his friend’s funeral yesterday. We are so proud. He’s back at school and they’re keeping an eye on him.

DH came home for a couple of days before heading to Melbourne this morning to join his friends for more sport watching and drinking. DD is back at Uni so it’s just me and DS - quite peaceful really! I have a CT scan on Monday, will be good to have that over.

Sounds like your DS did really well @Remaker- you must be very proud of him. DD has had some young men her age die (suicides or drinking accidents) but only on the edge of her friendship group, not so close, but it does have an ongoing impact, her BF recently went to an anniversary thing of his friend’s death. Good luck with your CT scan too, is it routine?

Well done for going to your class @PaperbackWrighter- I go to bodypump, which sounds similar. I don’t do incredibly heavy weights because of another condition, but I can definitely feel I’ve had a workout. This morning it’s bodybalance, I was hoping for a lie-in as I’m on holiday, but no, my body and brain have a different idea!

Your Ds has done his friend proud @Remaker I’m so sorry to hear of this. Sadly, too many losses amongst the younger generations.

I’m off to my first annual Breast Nurse review today, it’s just over a year since my first operation. I need to talk to her about ongoing pain and discomfort where the reconstruction has happened, and about how absolutely exhausted I am, which I think is possibly the hangover from the last year’s treatment and chemo, but also because I’m on letrozole. Then I’m off for a swim, followed by a walk in some pleasant gardens.

@Remaker "Never apologise for TMI discussions about tummy trouble, I am unshockable. I’m in a support group for people who’ve had a colectomy and some of them love to share all the details on a regular basis."

It's the same with us who've had Whipples op. Strange bowel "events" just become part of our lives and we end up so matter of fact about describing them. I never thought I'd become so familiar with the Bristol Stool Chart.

Well done on the class @PaperbackWrighter I think its normal after cancer treatment for the garden to look in need of work and it also depends what else you have on. I don't work at the moment (did for about 6 months before) but off since May which gives me a lot of time to do garden and house projects. I think the first year of it was mainly reducing / taking out what was overgrown and getting fencing redone and house painted. Sometimes its easier to start on a small part and transform that.

Good you are keeping up the swimming @dotty2

Well done to your DS @Remaker.

Just doing the listed buildings consent application for a project here, its a bigger project so a lot of paperwork and plans, and may be a few times back and forth. We are getting someone in to redo bathroom floor and kitchen ceiling next week and will be good to have those done.

Ooh @MsPengiuns it sounds like there’s a Project coming! That’s exciting.

I worked really hard yesterday both on myself with two classes and on the houses. I’m quite resentful that I am not getting much help on the PILs house at the moment so am going to step back a little until our house is Wedding Ready. I can’t do it all, especially without help. Yesterday I sanded and painted 5 metal poles and I have a load of balcony edge to paint too once DH has finished repairing it. It will look great once it is done.
My gym session was heartening. I am stronger than I thought but my trainer pushed me hard and I enjoyed it. We are going to have a few more one on one sessions then decide how to go forward. I still can’t get up off the floor without using my hands. It’s a great goal to work towards!
@PaperbackWrighter we have a Body Blast class here too so I will investigate it. Sounds hard but fun!

I think there will be a lot of paperwork going back and forth for maybe a year before anything happens on the bigger project and currently we are at council saying you can apply and we will reject it as 500 years ago your house wasn't like that. 😂And show us exactly how your house looked 500 years ago and every internal change since. Our heritage builder reckons it always starts like that and he thinks we will get approval eventually. 13 forms or so.

So I am doing those forms and also we are sorting bathroom and kitchen ceiling next week hopefully. Gardening tomorrow. Also doing lots of sorting financial records. Quite surprised how much time you can spend on garden and house projects.

Sounds like you are busy and achieving a lot on projects Top

Good to read of exercise, projects, gardens, weddings, impending grandchildren; life going on. Good to see people porting over from the treatment threads, moving on from the panic of diagnosis and grind of treatment.

So sorry about your son’s friend@Remaker, v tough for your boy.

Dotty try not to spiral and catastrophise. Easier said than done, I know.

I’m not sure why, but I’m in a much better place with recurrence anxiety currently, and indeed the whole cancer thing, do realise that that could switch in an instant, and that I will fret round next check up. But just now, I’m kind of ok with it all. That was then, this is now. It was shit, but now it’s in a box, with a lid more or less on, put away in the corner

Wishing everyone well

Another silent ish poster checking in- as @GrannyGoggles says it’s great to read of life going on. Four years post diagnosis here.
@Remaker that is so very sad to read. Your DS sounds awesome.
I love hearing about boat, gardens and projects- here it feels like weaving a new patchwork of life as things shift and change- enjoying lovely expeditions and theatre trips, concerts, art and gardens- not enough exercise🫣 but working on it… saying yes to adventures( however micro) and new people.
Thank you all for sharing your stories.

Lovely to hear everyone’s updates. I’m been quiet only for a couple of weeks, mostly because I haven’t really had time to post! DH has been away, including completing a 26 mile Macmillan Mighty Hike, and it’s been end of term. I’ve finished my radiotherapy and had my last Phesgo injection. So active treatment is officially over. I’m not very joyous, but I do feel a weight lifted. Lots to look forward to over the summer, although I’m working two day this week, and travelling for them both. I feel like my brain is slowly getting by back into gear. It will be a year on Wednesday since starting chemo and it’s been a long road. I’m exhausted physically but I think that’s the fact I’ve had three back to back days out with the kids this week, plus two days of travelling to work and it’s two weeks after the end of radiotherapy - the bit when the side effects are their worst. I did manage a sea swim yesterday though and a bit of socialising at the kids cricket last night.

@MsPengiuns good luck with the house. That’s what I do. I probably know your conservation officer. Do shout if you need help but I’m sure you have a good architect.

I’m still v anxious about my scan but trying to keep busy and my mind off my ever-increasing list of possible symptoms (do I have a tight chest? Is my thyroid swollen. Stop it!!)

anyway, it’s very good to hear from some lurkers like me, as well as those of you who’ve been keeping the thread going. I‘be been gardening in the drizzle but have run out of steam and I’m now having a cup of tea in the drizzle instead. I’m thinking of buying a sofa set in the sales to put in a wooden gazebo for next summer and I’m trying out a spot we might put it, in a messy area down the far side of the garage. There’s a nice view of the garden from here and I think it would work well.

As well as my scanxiety, im a bit worried about work at the moment. I normally freelance but have been doing a sixth month interim role. I had been blithely assuming some work would come my way ready for September but the market is so tough at the moment and I don’t have anything lined up. I can manage for a bit financially and have lots of jobs I can do at home. But I don’t want to be out of my sector for too long. Though my current scare has also made me realise I don’t want anything too full on or demanding. I think I’ll return to that worry after my scan on Tuesday

In the meantime, DD2 turns 18 tomorrow and we have a weekend of low key treats planned. Cinema and favourite curry today. Sadly, DMIL is unwell and DH has had to go over to see her but I hope he’ll be back for the evening. Poor DD, I was looking after my dying DDad on her birthday last year. My kids have put up with a lot these last few years.

Potential view from my gazebo to be!

Lovely to hear everyone's updates.

Happy Birthday to DD2 for tomorrow @Dotty2 Gazebo will be lovely.

Thanks so much @Littlecaf, that's very kind, may take you up on that if we don't get anywhere. Well done on finishing treatment and a sea swim sounds lovely. Our conservation officers initials are KC, she seems really nice and is covering so much on her own though is quite strict and quite a few round here just do the work anyway though the issue is then selling. I am hoping we can show we care about the building and its history and we are not affecting the character at all and she will come round. We don't have an architect. Though we will see how it goes, will do an application ourselves and we have a heritage builder who came to quote and advise and just had conservation officers free 15 mins twice but will try and see how we get on. If we get a lot of pushback we may pay for conservation officer to come out (its about £500 here) and / or get an architect. We have got listed buildings consent for simple projects easily and 1 complicated project on 3rd attempt which took almost a year. I love having such an old and beautiful cottage but the needing permission can create delays and work but can understand why they have it.

Great to hear your updates @thesandwich and @GrannyGoggles and glad life is going well for you both. I also have almost completely forgotten about cancer.

Just been doing sorting finances, listed buildings consent forms and some cleaning and painted a couple of radiators. Hopefully bathroom floor and kitchen ceiling being done next week so been planning the bathroom out, trying to avoid redoing everything but want to improve things. Saw DS in the garden today with a large ladder climbing the apple tree, he does love his fruit. DD has been doing her punting job today and we've been chatting.

@SierraSapphire it is a scheduled CT scan. I normally take them in my stride but I have been feeling more anxious about this one. I’ve been feeling dizzy and lightheaded recently. My logical brain tells me it is more likely to be related to the ongoing sinus issues I have. Plus a lack of sleep and stress worrying about DS. Once I get the CT scan done I will focus on my sinus issues. My GP has referred me for a CT scan of my sinuses (which of course cannot be done at the same time as my chest/abdo/pelvis because that would be too simple!) plus a whole raft of blood tests so we can do a ‘healthy heart’ check that is recommended for people of a certain age. I’ve enjoyed several months free from any medical stuff which has been lovely!

@MissMarplesNiece I whipped out the Bristol stool chart when DH was having some issues recently. Romance is definitely not dead haha.

Just went to Kew Gardens and went up the pagoda. Spent about 2.5 hours walking round and was nice plus drink and cake. Got achy hips though but bones were checked and fine a month ago, feel too young for this though otherwise feel really fit and healthy. We used to go there a lot pre kids and with little kids and it was a bit where did time go and how are we older now.

@dotty2 happy birthday to DD2 hope she had a good day.
I have been busy, starting yesterday with a 5k your way move against cancer Parkrun (walk) then a swim in the sea with DD and a coffee in the rain. Today was a 70 mile bike ride with friends and I met a nice man who is recovering from T cell Lymphoma (chemo and stem cell transplant) and had a hip replacement. We kept reminding each other on the steep hills that we were just glad to be alive and fit enough to ride our bikes. I looked after my nemesis ex friend who savaged me at Christmas as she was struggling 😇. Home now with a Chinese meal feeling tired but happy.

Had a lovely totter around Brighton today with the kids, my bestie and her DS. DS got his ice cream pinched by a seagull! I’m working tomorrow, and I’m on a panel for a work thing on Wednesday, and I’m looking forward to it, which probably tells me I’m ok to actually go back to work properly come September - they’ve been giving me easy stuff to do, the sort of things I can do in my sleep, rather than the big projects which I’m used to.

That sounds lovely @Littlecaf

Well done on all the activity @TopOfTheCliff

Just painted the front of the garden shed with DH, well most of it as ran out of paint. DS loves it in there and when we went he had a tall ladder next to the tree so he must be tree climbing again. Lots of trees in our garden.

Reporting back. Good news. My lump is just a normal supraclavicular lymph node which isn’t even enlarged but which is just palpable for some reason. I think the radiologist implied that it might be protruding more because I’ve been prodding it so much, or maybe she meant I’ve just had my attention drawn to it and it’s kind of psychological, just that I’m more aware of it. Anyway, I will leave it alone and nothing else is going on in my neck so I can stop worrying. I’m hugely relieved but was mainly just exhausted by the time I got home. It was so horrible being back in the hospital, sitting in a room full of other anxious people, waiting and worrying.

In more positive news, DD2 had a lovely birthday and I have a day off work and am driving up to Yorkshire today for a summer meet up with my sister and cousin: brunch and a long walk. I finish work next week and want to plan some nice, life affirming things to do for the rest of the summer. A level results are looming but this has definitely put those into perspective (for me at least).

That’s brilliant news @dotty2- I had a scare not long after my chemo ended, it’s horrible, but well done for getting checked out. I remember feeling a bit flat though when I got the all clear, not quite as delighted as I thought I would be!

I’m into the practicalities of selling DM’s house now, we’ve got an offer although it’s quite a long chain so lots can go wrong, so I’m dealing with paperwork and although we’ll get house clearance I still need to go through everything to make sure I’ve removed anything confidential or personal or anything that anybody wants. My DB is being a dick over issues with the paperwork, there have been some problems but there is no need for him to be aggressive over them to the solicitor. I’ll be really glad when the house has gone and I don’t have to go round there anymore. Though obviously also sad.

I’m working from home today as there’s work been done on our office and it’s too noisy, then tennis this evening.

Wonderful news @dotty2 such a relief.

@TopOfTheCliff you are inspirational as ever on the exercise front.

I had my CT scan on Monday. The waiting room is usually busy especially first thing in the morning so it was strange to find myself alone there. Then when I went through to the treatment area I was the only patient but there were so many staff hovering about discussing the equipment and a guy in a suit offering everyone coffees (thought it might be cheeky if I said yes haha). I caused my usual kerfuffle by not wearing any metal then challenging them when they wanted me to change into a gown. They eventually agreed but still made me sit in a cubicle and closed the curtain. By eavesdropping I worked out it was a brand new machine, I was the guinea pig patient and all the extra staff were sales people anxiously waiting to see if their expensive machine would perform. All seemed ok from my perspective!

Great news Dotty and glad the birthday went well.

Hope house sale goes smoothy @SierraSapphire

Had the two heritage builders around today, father and son and planned out how they will repair ceiling and do bathroom floor and mend living room wall. The bathroom floor is more involved than I thought as it involves taking the bath, toilet and sink out and they said maybe for 1 or 2 days. We do have a second bathroom but its DSs. Needs doing though. Have been looking on the visualiser sites to see how things would look. I wasn't expecting them to take the bath, toilet and sink out though. DS is mainly in the garden at the moment so we can probably work round it - today he's kept running between the garden shed and our house running 2 metres up the apple tree each time and jumping off. Been choosing tiles as well, its almost all white, grey, or black plus a few quite loud patterns so guess white it will be. Tomorrow the son is back, who was lovely, he complimented the house and stroked the cat, and he will hopefully get kitchen ceiling and living room done. Just getting more paint so we can finish DSs garden shed and will also go to Hyde Hall Flower Show at the weekend. Getting fish and chips as well tonight.

I haven't been on here for aaaages 🫠

Double mastectomy two years ago, chemo and radio. Zoladex and Saderon....yay 🥵😅 Reconstruction has been a nightmare, left boob is perfect but the right side has been a disaster from Day 1 🙃 Long story short, my right implant has been removed and that's it now, game over. I've just come to terms with it (after several surgeries) and I've got a prosthetic now, so happy with it.

Two years of bloody surgery, two failed expanders and a lot of pain but I'm putting it all behind me now. Desperate to get my life back and start swimming and Pilates classes again, won't be for a while but creeping towards it 🤞

Menopause symptoms ok except for the hot flushes 😭 However, so SICK of people suggesting HRT..... FFS!!!! 😂