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

Posted by deserthykr @deserthykr, May 13 8:10pm

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 cancer: what’s next?”

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 tulips

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

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Cancer Support Group.

I am crying reading your post. You must have a beautiful relationship with your husband (do you still talk to him?. I talk to mine, who passed away nine years ago!j

Your words are inspiring and bring me hope and joy. I can feel your love and the love you shared.

P,s. What kind of puzzles do you do? I made the glorious mistake of doing a wooden puzzle a few years ago and am hooked? My partner and I finished one last night.

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@deserthykr

I am crying reading your post. You must have a beautiful relationship with your husband (do you still talk to him?. I talk to mine, who passed away nine years ago!j

Your words are inspiring and bring me hope and joy. I can feel your love and the love you shared.

P,s. What kind of puzzles do you do? I made the glorious mistake of doing a wooden puzzle a few years ago and am hooked? My partner and I finished one last night.

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Thank you for your tears and kind words! That was so sweet! I'm so sorry you lost your husband 9 years ago! It's nice that you talk to him. I talk to my husband too. It helps. I also talk to God everyday and that helps too. My husband and I did have a very good relationship. We loved each other very much and said so a lot, especially before he died. I'm so glad we did. I'm glad you found my words inspiring! I like to be able to help whenever I can.

We liked doing 1000 piece jigsaw puzzles. I still do them by myself. They are very relaxing to do. I've never seen a wooden puzzle. I like the older jigsaw puzzles that are actual photographs of trees, mountains etc. You can only find them in thrift stores now. If you do buy puzzles new, Ravensburger are the best brand because the pieces are well made and fit right. My husband made a special puzzle table with an edge that keeps the pieces from falling off. I sit at it every night and do the puzzle and remember the good times and there were many with him.
I'll say a prayer for you about your cancer.
PML

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@deserthykr

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

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I enjoy many mediums including acrylic, watercolor, & felt currently. I try to paint all cards I give, birthday, Christmas, Thanksgiving you…

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@cu2

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

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What a beautiful way to express yourself. My sister died of cancer in 2018. She also journaled. Her journals have been a great source of comfort, and have helped her husband understand her internal journey through the disease. An unintended gift to him. Best wishes to you & your family.

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Wondering with the $billions spent on cancer research, when will start seeing cures?

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Hi,
I think you have made a good decision! More importantly you feel that you made a good decision too. My husband had lung cancer and after he almost died from Keytruda treatments he quit all treatments! We ate healthy and that did include good quality steak and vegetables, enjoyed each other's company, did the things we liked doing such as watching John Wayne movies, doing puzzles, making cookies, praying together etc. My husband lived with Stage 4 lung cancer for 14 years until God called him home last July, 2024. Now, I'm adjusting to life alone but with God anything is possible and things are getting easier. All we have to do is ask for God's help and he's there. I'll say a prayer for you.
PML

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@pml

Hi,
I think you have made a good decision! More importantly you feel that you made a good decision too. My husband had lung cancer and after he almost died from Keytruda treatments he quit all treatments! We ate healthy and that did include good quality steak and vegetables, enjoyed each other's company, did the things we liked doing such as watching John Wayne movies, doing puzzles, making cookies, praying together etc. My husband lived with Stage 4 lung cancer for 14 years until God called him home last July, 2024. Now, I'm adjusting to life alone but with God anything is possible and things are getting easier. All we have to do is ask for God's help and he's there. I'll say a prayer for you.
PML

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@pml you must miss your husband ….you seem to have been very close to him. Your husband is one of the blessed ones because he went to be with the Lord…he’s finally home. As you say…you have God and your faith…and you’ll see your husband in Heaven, again. Praise God that he is always with us…I may not be able to feel or sense Him on some days…but I know that He is holding me up during trials and rejoicing with me during joyful times. Praying for you…please keep me and my husband, family in your prayers . Rose 💕

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@rose1966

@pml you must miss your husband ….you seem to have been very close to him. Your husband is one of the blessed ones because he went to be with the Lord…he’s finally home. As you say…you have God and your faith…and you’ll see your husband in Heaven, again. Praise God that he is always with us…I may not be able to feel or sense Him on some days…but I know that He is holding me up during trials and rejoicing with me during joyful times. Praying for you…please keep me and my husband, family in your prayers . Rose 💕

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Rose,
Thank you for your kind words! My husband and I were very close for 30 wonderful years. But he also was very ill and I'm glad that he's up in Heaven now. We'll be together again in God's time. I will definitely say prayers for your husband, you and your family. God will be right there for you! So, try and not worry. Just have faith. Although I know sometimes that is hard but it works!
PML

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