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Emotional health after cancer: How are you doing really?
Cancer: Managing Symptoms | Last Active: Oct 31 4:04pm | Replies (272)Comment receiving replies
Thanks for the response.
My biggest problem is the sever joint pain. I can't walk very far and as such can't do much. I don't want to go places because the walk from the parking lot to the venue is too much. I don't hunt anymore. I only sail on calm days ... Secondly would be the fatigue which has lead to falling behind on simple tasks including organizing my business affairs. Third would be urinary issues. That's pretty much the rank order of what I wish I could fix.
Yet, I'm alive and my oncologist says I'll probably stay that way for awhile. Now I just have to find new ways to enjoy it.
Replies to "Thanks for the response. My biggest problem is the sever joint pain. I can't walk very..."
I don’t know how far out you are, but I can relate. My oncologist told me that I had every side effect he’d seen in his 30 years of practice plus two he knew were side effects from treatment but never seen. My attitude had to make a major shift. And the treatment almost killed me. I required hospitalization more than once. I realized earlier in my life that we truly have no control over what happens to us, only our attitude about it. I made it through the treatment but needed another attitude adjustment when I realized recovery would not be the fast process I’d always expected. I’m four years out now. I still have issues that may never go away. Recovery is slow, but I press myself to work at it. Due to neuropathy and lung damage from radiation I still have to take life slowly. I don’t have the stamina I used to, but stay with it. I was where you were, but I’ve slowly worked up to being able to do fun things with my family again. We all know that I’m still slow and need to rest from time to time, but we are together. Not only the patient lives with cancer, but the family has to make mental adjustments too. Good luck on your journey.
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@remington,
Your last sentence is a good summation to what many of us feel, " I just have to find new ways to enjoy it." Finding that new normal is a task, isn't it?
@ken240,
Your comment, "because I am task oriented. I have get used to relying on others, and that's hard, too." This comment is something many of us can relate to represents great insight.
@danno123
When you say, "it’s very debilitating and makes it hard to do anything." You are stating some of the frustration of chronic illness. Does the numbness create safety issues for you? For example, falling?
@ajfromchicago
Congratulations on recognizing that you can still do a lot of the things that you used to enjoy! It's also great that your wife is part of your support system. Have support is so important! You mention, "brain fog." That is a very disagreeable side effect from meds.
So, thinking about these responses let's see how we can:
1. Begin the process of creating a new normal.
2. Develop a support system (if it is lacking right now).
3. What can you add to your daily life to replace what is missing?
4. What can you personally do to help with brain fog? Any suggestions?