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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

@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 💕

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

I am in the process of deciding when to stop treatment. Stage IV rectal cancer (I have posts elsewhere on this site if anyone is interested in more detail), currently stable since June. I feel just fine apart from neuropathy in both feet which is numbness not pain, but will likely not resolve. I have just reached a point where my mental health is beginning to suffer. I'm tired of being tied down to appointments and infusions every two weeks with chemo ball for 46 hours. I was told that this schedule will be for the rest of my life -- there is no break, there is no cure, and there are no surgical options for me. I had a second opinion at Moffitt earlier this year, and I'm in the process of getting another opinion from MD Anderson in Houston. If they offer no other treatment beyond what I'm currently doing, it will make my decision much easier.

I'm 58, no kids, limited support network, no debt, both parents have passed, and I have just a few family members who live in other states. I have been traveling to bucket list places, but it seems very limited because I need to be back home for treatments every two weeks. I am currently fostering kittens, and I want to keep them, but feel I cannot give them much time with me. It wouldn't be fair to them to have to adjust to another home in a few years. It's easier to find homes when they are still small and cute.

When I decide to stop treatment, I will focus on traveling, going to musicals/ballets/symphony concerts, wonderful restaurants for great food (I'm fortunate that money is not an issue for me), good quality sleep every night which is challenging on those nights I'm wearing a chemo ball for 2 nights every two weeks, spending time with family/friends in other states, yard work/plants inside and out, going through my things to sell/toss so it is less for my beneficiary to do (which I think will be my brother but I'm not sure), getting paperwork in order to make it easier when the time comes, watching TV/movies/reading books I haven't read yet when I'm home relaxing, and allowing myself time to reflect and make peace with my decision. I do attend church and I do pray, so some of my peace comes from God and the promise of Heaven. I hope this response is helpful to you!