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.

I had a lovely day yesterday. Found a pretty and very peaceful 5 mile walk I’ve never done before, only 20mins drive from my house. I live in a bit of the midlands which is mainly flat farm land and dull/impossible for walking, and it’s a long drive to anywhere more interesting. There are various nature reserves and NT places but I have done all the nice walks a million times. It’s the one thing we really don’t like about where we live. So it was great to find somewhere new. The DDs came too and we had a pub lunch half way round and all agreed it felt like being on holiday! I also swam in the morning and my legs and feet hurt today. Must do more stretching.

Enjoy the celebrations and your tidy house @TopOfTheCliff and sending solidarity to @BG2015 and anyone else who needs some just now.

Catching up.

feel rotten today. Poor tummy is not happy. Possibly my fault though. Went out last night. Drank way more than I have done in a long time. Had such a fun time though.

positive news.

I’ve made steps to see a therapist. Have emailed and am on a wait list. Around 2 months. But I can wait.

I also have lost weight. I’m 3kg down. This may be because of tummy issues. But whatever. I’ll take it.

went to the gym this week and went riding this morning. Hoorah.

with the meds am having to really rethink my diet. At the moment I’m trying to work out what the “trigger” foods are. So far fatty foods seem to affect me the most. Which makes sense. So I’m trying to eat better.

today I’ve just had plain pasta so far.

Catching up.

feel rotten today. Poor tummy is not happy. Possibly my fault though. Went out last night. Drank way more than I have done in a long time. Had such a fun time though.

positive news.

I’ve made steps to see a therapist. Have emailed and am on a wait list. Around 2 months. But I can wait.

I also have lost weight. I’m 3kg down. This may be because of tummy issues. But whatever. I’ll take it.

went to the gym this week and went riding this morning. Hoorah.

with the meds am having to really rethink my diet. At the moment I’m trying to work out what the “trigger” foods are. So far fatty foods seem to affect me the most. Which makes sense. So I’m trying to eat better.

today I’ve just had plain pasta so far.

Also just catching up after a trip to France for 5 days - we left and left builders finishing the bathroom subfloor, which was done when we were away.

Nice time in France - went to stay with MIL near Paris and had a meal by the seine for her birthday, she's in her 90s, was a lovely meal and BIL, SIL and my niece came and haven't seen them since lockdown as well as DHs aunt and MIL. MIL even told me I had my figure and was a beautiful flower. 😂DH got told he was fat. Then went to stay with French friends who have a chateau in the countryside and went to a 60th birthday party, lovely meal outside with all their family and DH also collected a classic car he'd left there and got it brought back to MIL. He now has 3 classic cars that I know of. Then back to MILs and another meal there, beautiful weather and she is still an amazing cook. DD stayed home to be with DS and the cat, silkies went to holiday home. Delays on Eurotunnel on way back so home very late, all fine here but needs to be tidied. I had a bath and did the bathroom from the builders so that's done and rest will be done tomorrow morning.

Enjoy the celebrations @TopOfTheCliff

Glad you had a lovely day @dotty2

Hope you get all clear @BG2015 I've had similar pain and mine was clear, not sure if its a menopause thing.

Sorry you are ill @ememem84 Think its very common with that drug. Might be worth telling team to see if they have solutions.

Lots of busyness on this thread 🙂 @ememem84 I'm sorry you're feeling crappy, I hope it eases for you. And hugs to all those that need them.

I've been away for the weekend again, with another weekend away planned for a couple of weeks time. And, most excitingly, I visited a specialist salon the other week and had a semi permanent hair system, so now I have the longish blonde hair that I've had for most of my adult life back. And I don't take it off at night 😁 It's been the best thing, and has made such a difference to how I feel about myself. I'm really enjoying my weights workouts, doing a lot of walking and have regained some of the weight I lost, so I look more 'me'.

I'm still really tired, I hope that eases off a bit soon though!

@MsPengiuns @BatshitCrazyWoman im doing ok. I think the Alcohol was a trigger. Which sucks.

I’ve got a call with my oncologist this evening (was meant to be a face to face but he asked if a call was ok as he has a guitar lesson….!) im
having bloods done at 1130 so it’s mostly a check to see how I’m doing and how the bloods are before I collect the next round of drugs on weds. So will mention it.

im feeling ok now I’m myself. I think sat was a combination of hangover and drugs not liking each other.

yesterday we went for breakfast (avo smoked salmon and poached eggs on toast - avoided the delicious bacon rolls….) and then bbq’d a whole chicken (spatchcocked) on the beach. Stayed until 9 when the sun was setting and the tide hit the sea wall. Beaut.

Thank you everyone for all of your kind words.

Lots of lovely things going on with you all this weekend. BBQing chicken on the beach and staying until sunset sounds bliss.

We had a great weekend celebrating my DP 60th. Attempted a BBQ but it was so windy we cooked it in the oven and air fryer 😂. He had lots of lovely gifts.

My thigh pain is still there but doesn't feel quite as bad so I'm holding onto that. Bone scan is the 20th so will carry on as normal.

Enjoy your week whatever you're up to

X ray results back and are normal. It says
No radiographic features of metastases 👍🏻
Presuming the bone scan will say the same 🤞
So much for the x ray department saying it's a month for results.

That's great its all clear @BG2015 Mine was too. I don't know if its anything to do with it but when I thought about it I think the pain comes from the muscle outside the hip for me and my shape has changed with DIEP - have a flat stomach and bmi is at 24 but I am wider there than before. I wonder about trying to lose a stone and hope it goes there. Says she about to have a Portuguese tart. 😂I also can have a final follow up for DIEP and arrange DIEP2 which I probably should do but again lacking motivation to do another hospital visit and surgery. Its already really good too so am nervous about losing feeling again.

Busy so far today cleaning house with DH in time for 1pm keyworker visit for DS. We got it all done apart from one room and it was quite the task with builders have been in and two older teens being here for 5 days plus a very fluffy 1.2m cat moulting.

Ah fab @BG2015 that’s great news. I’m sure you are right to presume you won’t get a nasty shock with the bone scan.
The whole wedding weekend was fabulous. It was an Anglo- Indian three day mash up which worked out so well. Our new In-laws are very sweet and the bride and groom were so happy and relaxed all weekend. The games we had built and sourced and the water activities we provided all went brilliantly (one aunt and new BF capsized a boat but all was well!) The only downside was I got unwell during the main meal with a fever and had to retreat to lie down. I’m okay on and off but waiting for a pack of Covid tests to arrive. One of the family landed at Heathrow with a sore throat so that may be the cause. I think I just wore myself out last week!
Taking it easy now. Phew.

Brilliant news @BG2015

Great news @BG2015
sounds like a wonderful weekend @TopOfTheCliff - sorry you fell ill. Do take it easy.
@MsPengiuns France trip sounds lovely- hope meeting for ds was useful.

Hey all, quick question, what supplements do you find helps with menopause symptoms?

Im also on Zoladex (& exemestane) and I have really bad joint pain and stiffness. It’s like I’m 80 and I need oiling like the tin man! I’m back to swimming twice a week, eat a fairly balanced diet and I walk every day but what else helps?

I take a “health & her” menopause multi vitamin as post chemo I was vitamin D & various B vitamin deficient but my latest blood test was normal. I’m bombarded everyday on social media with “ancient & brave” “nutrition geeks” etc - are these actually any better than just a standard supplement from Tescos? Do they work? I’m totally lost.

I tried magnesium butter for sleep which I am a massive convert of, but not sure what to take for joint aches! Any suggestions welcome!

Thanks @thesandwich Hope you are having a nice summer.

Hope you feel better soon @TopOfTheCliff Glad wedding was good.

@Littlecaf I have no stiffness but some joint pain mainly in my hips, sometimes in my ribs. I am on Tamoxifen which is easier on joint pain than AIs but has a very slightly lower success rate but my oncologist thought was the better option for me so I could be active. Sounds like you are doing all the exercise and I also just take a Wellwoman 50 vitamin but only once every 2 weeks or so. That does help but not sure what in it helps, maybe magnesium. Other than that it maybe worth seeing if oncologist can do anything - mine said some people get bad joint pain on one AI but not another so can be worth swapping. I think the lighter you are helps (without going underweight) as well as its less weight for the joints to carry. I found when I was in the year after active treatment swimming was fine but I struggled with walking but now its fine - might be a me thing as always swam loads but not a walker. Now I can walk fine. A lot of these things you have to build up.

Busy week here with house things - Mon was cleaning all house and keyworker, today has been replacing outside tap, accounts and cleaning chicken coop and getting silkies back and starting to sort some clothes cupboards, Wed is builder coming to discuss options for tiling bathroom, Thurs is DHs car being valeted for 3 hours, and hopefully bathroom tiling will start soon, possibly this week. We also have painting to do in living room and kitchen and re-oiling of worktops. Neighbours party on Saturday.

Slowly recovering but it is unnerving feeling sick and achy with no explanation. I definitely had a fever but no sore throat or cough. It makes The Fear stir 😨
I’m so enjoying my tidy clean house. We’re inviting DHs old boss round tomorrow while it is looking lovely. It won’t last!
Good idea for a car valet @MsPengiuns I used mine to carry logs to the wedding fire pit so now it’s full of sawdust.
I donated the leftover wedding food to the community fridge in town. There was a lady there minesweeping who took lots of it straight away.
The bride and groom popped in for lunch and debrief too. They are just so happy it’s a joy!

@MsPengiuns thanks - I’m swimming a few times a week but it’s takes me at least 10 lengths for it to stop hurting, So achy. I tried tamoxifen but it gave me awful vestibular migraines (which I get anyway and are under control) and made me so anxious. I don’t feel like that on exemestane, just achy joints & have carpal tunnel (which is also a side effect). Or maybe it’s the Zoladex! Just took the dog (we are looking after a friends for a week) and the kids for a walk, a gentle 45 mins on relatively flat fields etc, and now I can’t walk up the stairs. So painful.

@Littlecaf I'm on Exemestane too and have terrible joint pain ( hence my painful thigh/hip). I swapped from Astrazole which made me feel miserable and my already depleted sex drive non existent. It seems different drugs leave us with different side affects.

Yes the joys of meds side effects, it is often choosing the least worst and trying out different combinations. I did chemo finishing in July, radio in Aug and also started Tamoxifen in Aug and took one brand and felt not great the first month so swapped to another brand and felt much better. But in hindsight I don't think it was the first brand as I've taken it since fine and the side effects were as chemo effects continue for 3 months before improving. Its hard to know when there are so many treatments. I also think I was anxious about first month.

Hopefully oncologist can find a better solution. I get a bit of pain on Tamoxifen but its minimal, no painkillers required and can swim with no pain and walking, can generally walk for 2 hours anywhere before hip starts kicking off. Then I have to hobble. Though when I was in first year I struggled with walking and could not walk that far at all and had to get my swimming back, build up my fitness and then build up walking. That might be a me thing though and was more related to breathing.

Hope visit is enjoyable Top

Car interior deep clean valet of DHs car just finished - first time had it done and it really needed it. DH is very happy. We had builder round yesterday to discuss tiling bathroom. I had just wanted floor tiled asap but the guy was trying to persuade DH to have whole room redone. DH seemed persuaded though I am not - I don't want bathroom out of action for ages (he was on he could do part next week and mentioned had another big job in September and I was envisaging being left without a bathroom for ages and downstairs one is just toilet and sink which DS uses). I am not convinced would get money back on selling as its perfectly useable and clean enough as is and these houses sell to old people and I doubt they care too much about the latest tiles. We are getting a quote and seeing. I'm not too bothered either way but I hope we aren't having a bathroom out of action for ages. DH did say he could pay for the whole thing as he needs to use all his salary but I pointed out DD at university was already using a lot of his salary. We have to choose tiles. It would be nicer all redone but these things always seem to get seriously expensive very quickly and its mostly white tiles atm - does have a 1990s border but meh. It was just one old lady in her 90s here before and us and I don't know if she even used that bathroom much, it looked barely used when we got it.

Has anyone seen this? The study relates to breast cancer but, with further research, could have relevance for other cancers too. I will definitely be taking my Covid vaccination this autumn - I didn't bother for the first two I was offered, thinking I hadn't had chemo so my immune system probably wasn't suppressed. Won't make that mistake a third time!
COVID, the flu and other viral infections can re-awaken dormant breast cancer cells, new study in mice shows

Actually, I think this article covers it better, and shows wasn't just applied to breast cancer: Covid and flu can awaken ‘sleeping’ cancer cells, scientists find

@PaperbackWrighter I saw Liz O'Riordan post on Instagram about this - she's going to do a reel on it, I think she said.

Looks good - she says it's not as scary as it sounds and she's going to break it down. Have started following her so will be interested to see the reel. I'm not going to worry unduly but will start having my covid jab along with my flu one.

Interesting, thanks for sharing.

Picking up on the side effects discussion, I’m on letrozole and def feel achey after being still for a while. Getting to the bathroom in the night I feel like I’m 80 but it’s muscles rather than joints for me. I was also on zoladex but have been given the ok to take a three month gap and have a blood test to see if I’m naturally menopausal (I’m 52). So keeping fingers crossed for that.

Also wanted to share the good news that DD2 got her A levels yesterday and did brilliantly and got her grades for her Cambridge offer. She went out with her friends last night and had a lovely time chatting in the pub but wanted picking up before they went onto a club, and was in bed by midnight. Girl after my own heart!

off for a swim now. Looks very busy. My gym has fewer swim sessions on a Fri and they are always really full. V annoying

Wow Dotty That's brilliant news. Big congratulations on the Cambridge place for DD2, hope she's very happy there.

Interesting about the illnesses. I only had the original two or maybe 3 in all covid vaccines though my cancer appeared after the first vaccine into a 5cm lump almost overnight so I have always been nervous about them though likely coincidence. I have only had covid once since cancer and that was right after chemo and hardly get ill nowadays. I think exercise helps with that.

DD has gone off to work and will be going on a camping trip with friends next week. We have a garden party with neighbours at the weekend. DS has been swinging off a high branch on our apple tree long hair swaying in the wind like we have a new pet orangutan. The silkies were altogether looking at him.

Hope everyone has a good weekend.

Oh @PaperbackWrighter that’s not what I wanted to read as I struggle with my mystery virus 😂 I am feeling better though.
Hooray for @dotty2 s DD we like a good celebration!

I met up with my DD who is now 28 weeks pregnant but still out running daily. She is so well and happy it’s a joy.

I have sneaked off with DH for a few days hoping to sail west to the Isles of Scilly but when I went to start up the boat engine I found the starter motor has exploded! I am so used to dealing with jaw dropping news I barely reacted! My whole plan for the week is out the window and I just shrug these days. It’s small stuff when we are healthy and happy. But bah! I expect we will play engineers for a few days until DH gets bored.