Life after treatment: What I plan to do next, what about you?

I have made a it priority to say yes, & following through on trips, & visits with friends, etc. In the past, there was a lot of “we should go…”, and “wouldn’t it be fun to…”. Now I book the trip. I’m retired, so it’s easier. I have to be careful because I over did it last year though. Four trips & 2 surgeries in five months was too much. I am also painting more, and don’t get angry as easily. Little things don’t matter anymore, unless they are little pleasures. Best wishes to you! There is a difference between being/staying alive & living.

Hello to the both of you, I have Stage 4 liver cancer and I am living through this the best I can. I started doing a lot of things that makes me happy. I thought about this as I was reading your post about doing things or planning something. I have taken up Journaling myself and it has brought so much JOY back into my life. I have a Journal for my experiences with cancer my treatments, medication I’m on, how I feel any time good or bad, whatever thoughts I have about living with this and continuing to live life in spite of. I have stickers, markers, flowers 🌸 it’s called my Cancer 📚 book and I also have one for everyday living but it’s so inspirational. I go to Hobby Lobby for stickers for every occasion. But before I forget the most important one is my Spiritual Journal I write in every Sunday and I have to tell you this gives me purpose and as I go through this thing called LIFE. It gives me something to do and it keeps my mental health in check. I get use my imagination as I write, color, glue pictures etc. but I love it and something to feel good about and not sitting around waiting, wondering when this CANCER thing gonna go left. Thank goodness!!!! I am Grateful for it ALL

Oh, good reminders! I am also retired and paint, too. What is your medium? I am a watercolorist.

I have a spiritual cancer journal too, but don’t write in it regularly, just occasionally. You may have inspired me!

I also have a friend who engages with me regularly, whose job it is to keep reminding me I am on a spiritual journey, not a medical one. Thanks for taking the time to write!

My best wishes sent to you all. Your respective outlooks on the obstacles & tribulations you face is remarkably strong. Thank you for sharing, which is a subtle reminder to those of us facing far less “stress & mess” in our lives, to be grateful & stay positive. Blessings to you.

Watercolorist Wow now that sounds interesting. Do you do it with a brush or fingers just curious?

Fingers? Someone paints with fingers? Wow! Brushes for me!

Sorry … I posted my question incorrrctly and don’t know how to edit, so I am posting again, with the right question!

I am looking to hear from others who decided to stop treatment for cancer. For me, it is esophageal cancer, but it doesn’t really matter what kind of cancer you have, I want to talk about “life after TREATMENT : what’s next?” My question is about living with cancer for a while.

So far I have:
1. Bought an Oura rung to keep better track of some aspects of my health
2. Changed my exercise routine
3. Decided to stay with my acupuncturist for neuropathy, as that to me is symptom management, not treatment
4. Planned a couple of trips in the short term
5. Met with a palliative care doctor
6. Started to, trying to, grow my hair back in
7. Scheduled a facial, a massage, and a Reiki session
8. Asked my partner to buy me a big batch of tulip
9. Keep painting and reading

What about you? What else did you do “next”?

I am sorry that you were put in a position to make such a decision. I hope that you can find the hope, joy and peace that you deserve. Please remember to be kind to those that love and care care for you!

My Dad had esophageal cancer back in 1996- he was in a clinical study through Moffitt in Tampa. Florida for 9 years.

Luckily Dad didn't have many side effects with this cancer- in the end his body shut down- thankfully no pain and very peaceful.

When I was diagnosed Jan 25 I was not going to do any treatments. I am doing treatments with not many side effects. Myeloma is treatable but there is no cure, at some point I will need to make a decision for quality vs quantity of life.

Living life and much as we can is so important- take the trip/s, enjoy all the little things.

Wishing you all the best!!