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.

Sending love @frostyfingers.

I’m so sorry to hear your DH has passed away @frostyfingers. I understand why you want to share it with people who know you and what you’ve been through, it is indeed very cruel and unfair.

Really sorry @frostyfingers- it’s so unfair

Really sorry @frostyfingers sending love.

I’m so very sorry to hear of the loss of your wonderful DH. Sending much love to you.

I’m so sorry for your loss @frostyfingers

I'm so sorry for the loss of your DH @frostyfingers . Sending my love x

So sorry @frostyfingers for the loss of your wonderful husband. Sending love and strength xx

Just wanted to share that DD1 has passed her driving test, aged 20, a few months after DD2. She didn’t learn while she was still at school as I was diagnosed shortly after she turned 17 and it was all Too Much. I’ve always felt bad that she missed that chance and it’s taken a while with her being away at uni, so
I’m really delighted. Hope you don’t mind my sharing some happy news on this sad day.

Well done DD1 of Dotty. It’s a milestone, and all the more significant because it happened a bit later than it might have done because of your diagnosis and treatment

Congratulations to DD1 @dotty2 Lovely news.

Great news re DD1 @dotty2 - I was a couple of years late to the driving party too and I remember being delighted to finally have my licence!

Congratulations @dotty2 dd!

Poor @frostyfingers I hope you are managing to get through the unimaginable. Take care of yourself and know we are thinking of you.

@dotty2 hooray for your DD!
I am home after my second failed attempt to get away on my boat. Happily I am over the bug I caught at the wedding. Also DH has miraculously repaired the broken engine but the weather has turned so we have come home for a bit.
I have learned some interesting things about myself. I have definitely changed as a person since lockdown and cancer and retiring. I don’t like crowded events any more. I enjoy my own company and I like a simple life. DH and I had an interesting conversation about money. His DD and her new DH spent a honeymoon night at a famous hotel. My DH was shocked at the cost. We could easily afford it but just wouldn’t! It would pay for a week away exploring a new city. Happily we share the same approach to life, aren’t interested in being flashy or showing off and enjoy simple things together. I am looking forward to planning more budget adventures as I get stronger!

Thinking of you @frostyfingers I hope you have supportive people with you.

Good boat is mended @TopOfTheCliff

We did gardening both days at the weekend and a garden party at neighbours. Shortly off to Isles of Scilly in the helicopter from Penzance and staying on St Martins with a couple of days on St Marys and night before in Cornwall in a tank. Got horseriding and swim with seals booked and its their festival week. DD has been camping in peak district and back today. Bathroom is hopefully being finished soon. Then DD goes back to Oxford shortly after we are back, back early for rowing trials. DS mainly in the garden.

Scan just done, good to get an evening one so I don’t have to do any explaining to work. Now I just have to wait to see if they call me. The waiting period is so difficult. I’ve had an upset stomach all day, had some work stress and the scan stress. I need to just calm my nervous system I think. Sat under a blanket on the sofa at the moment.

My DD’s grandad is at the end of his life, her dad told her by text at the end of June when she was at work and he hasn’t spoken to her since, he hasn’t visited his dad either since then. DD is obviously really upset about her grandad and I’m providing all the support (we did visit him together a few weeks ago and DD has been since). Her grandma is now not letting her see her grandad either, but at least her aunt is getting involved and trying to advocate for her, DD’s seen lots of people dying and dead on the wards, and my DM, so she does know what to expect.

There’s always something….

I had my bone scan yesterday. Had an injection first then went back 3 hours later. It took 20 minutes or so and then I had to wait outside whilst the dr took a look and to double check there wasn’t anything further they needed to scan, but no, all good.

They said results would be 5-7 days but I’ve looked on Patients Know Best this afternoon and it says all clear, no evidence of mets!

I just love that app.

@frostyfingers I’m so sorry, it’s crap. Do make sure you have people around you who can help and love you.

We’re currently on hols at Centre Parcs in Germany with the kids. Rearranged from last year when I was having chemo. Moving on tomorrow to the Alps. I’ve done 15k + steps a day, swam at least two hours a day, done archery, tennis, lake swimming, toboggans & cycling. I’m exhausted. But so very pleased to be here.

@BG2015 that is the best news! You have completed the roller coaster ride of doom for this year. Now come back to earth and resume your lovely stress free life.
I am back on my bike and feeling better thankfully. I am trying to work out the best day to visit DM over the bank holiday weekend . Meanwhile I am enjoying being home in my lovely still just about tidy house.

@SierraSapphire I am sorry you’re having such a tough time, and keeping everything crossed for you and your results. The waiting is so hard. I’m very pleased for you @BG2015 and pleased you heard so quickly. My trust never puts anything on PKB. I got a letter yesterday (an actual physical letter) with the result of my appointment on 22 July. Fortunately I already knew as it was a US and the dr told me straight away but what is the point of that?
@MrsPengiuins Have a fabulous time in the IOS. I went for the first time in spring and am desperate to go back. So peaceful and beautiful. I have been trying to work out what a tank could be a mistype for (re your Cornwall stay) and now wonder if you are staying in an actual tank in some bizarre glamping scenario???

All quiet here. Had two interviews for work this week and really hoping for good news for at least one of them.

Sorry to hear about your loss @frostyfingers
@PollyCreo I ended up losing both implants and now back to flat. Finally had an appointment with the surgeon - he said put you on the diep list and then decide when you get the call. I don’t think I can cope with anything else going wrong.

I’ve just been working trying to settle into a completely new job, new people, new systems and members of the general public. It’s ok. Some nice colleagues and nice library customers. We also have to deal with some tricky characters as well, so it’s a bit up and down. I’m still tutoring and I enjoy that. I’m going to try and do some further qualifications - just trying to decide precisely what.

I’m still getting nerve psin in my chest and arm on the right side. Zappy pains. I also have sore joints. Too much cake during the winter months.

I’m travelling next month - so I’m looking forward to seeing family and friends.

Next project has to be weight loss and exercise. I’m just too tired to do much more than walk the dog, work and keep the house in order.

Congrats on the wedding @TopOfTheCliff, glad the exam results are good @dotty2

I’ve been dodging sick people the last couple of weeks. Maybe I need another covid jab. I had my flu one.

I had covid at least three times - kids at work and then I caught it when I was in London in July 2022 - do we really think there could be a link? I was diagnosed in the Nov. I don’t want to google it and stress myself out even more!

Thank you for your kind words, we are struggling to get to grips with it as you can imagine.

I will bow out now as this isn't the right place, but I want to thank you all, those from the original thread and those here, for your kindness and support. We may only be connected by the internet and the most godawful disease but connected we are, and I have drawn much strength and comfort from these threads.

Best of luck to everyone. xx

@frostyfingers you and yours have been on my mind a lot. I wish you even more strength and hope the people around you bring you comfort and practical help. You are going through the same as us as well as this unimaginable loss. 💐

Thinking of you @frostyfingers at this awful time. Life can be so unfair.

@dotty2 congratulations to your DDs on their exams and driving test results. You can get your licence at 17 in Australia but my two surgeries and chemo messed it up for my kids and DH does not have the patience (or bravery!) for it. DD got hers at 17.5, DS will be at least 18.

I’ve had a shitty week. DH has been away for work, DS was doing his trial exams (similar to mocks but they actually count towards your final results). He made it through 5 out of 6 exams but became overwhelmed before the 6th so I got him a medical certificate to postpone it. It’s only 6 weeks since his friend died and he’s still grieving hard.

In the midst of all this I went to the GP for a checkup and to get the results of the scan on my sinuses which I assumed was my only problem. So half my head is completely opaque on the scan and I’ve been referred to an ENT specialist. It’s nothing scary just infection/congestion/inflammation. But she did a million blood tests and most of them were bad. In particular my iron levels have plummeted which was the first sign of my bowel cancer so cue panic. Fortunately I’d just had a CT scan and blood test of cancer markers and all was fine. So not a tumour but she assumes I’m bleeding somewhere. With no colon or uterus there aren’t a lot of possibilities! Oh and my cholesterol and blood sugars are too high as well. But my liver is doing well hooray.

So I’m now booked in for an iron infusion, have to collect urine and stool samples and might need a gastroscopy. Ugh!

Sorry you need more medical tests @Remaker- once you’ve had cancer, issues that can be created by something completely innocuous can send you into panic, hopefully it’s something easily sorted out though. Glad your scan is clear too @BG2015.

Good luck with the work @dotty2- fingers crossed one or both turn out to be what you’re looking for.

I’m having a fairly pleasant weekend, I was busy yesterday and this morning and then spent most of the afternoon on the sofa. I’ve also spent a bit of time trying to declutter my house which is rewarding. Tomorrow I have to go over to my mum’s though to check some things out to finish the property information form with the questions the solicitor asked. Nothing else has happened with the house, it’s very slow.

I feel fairly relaxed about waiting for my scan results over the weekend when I know I’m not going to get a call, not looking forward to next week though. Work’s been pretty crap too with people who don’t do their jobs properly and resent it when others do! Anyway, I will forget about that till Tuesday and enjoy the bank holiday Monday off.