1. < Cancer

Taking care of "present you"

Posted by northoftheborder @northoftheborder, Jan 3, 2024

When you're living with cancer, sometimes you have just enough energy for yourself, and nothing left to help other people.

I'd like to suggest that "future you" is one of those other people. Worrying about or preparing for what might happen a week, month, year, or decade from now is helping "future you."

If you're having a rough day, leave "future you" to take care of themself, and focus on "present you", because that's who you are right now, and that person needs all your attention and love.

Just a thought. Stay strong and joyful.

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

penn | @penn | Apr 17 7:04pm
In reply to @northoftheborder "I have no advice on how to fix an awful situation, but when things are at..." + (show)
@northoftheborder

I have no advice on how to fix an awful situation, but when things are at their worst for me, I strip life down and focus on the basics: take a long time to smell your toast and tea; feel the breeze on your face, or the texture of your spouse's skin when they hold your hand; think about the opening notes of notes of your favourite song, one by one; close your eyes and try to identify every sound you can hear, near or far.

These kinds of mindful actions won't fix anything, but they will ground you and give you new strength to face the things you can't change. ❤️

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Do you have family to turn to? I have no family left.

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2 replies
northoftheborder | @northoftheborder | Apr 18 5:51am
In reply to @penn "Do you have family to turn to? I have no family left." + (show)
@penn

Do you have family to turn to? I have no family left.

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I am sorry to hear that. Do you have others you could turn to: friends, a church community, a support group, organised activities? Social isolation is a tough thing to endure, especially when you're living with a serious illness.

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1 reply
vircet | @vircet | Apr 18 7:36am
In reply to @penn "Do you have family to turn to? I have no family left." + (show)
@penn

Do you have family to turn to? I have no family left.

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@penn I am sad to hear that you have no family left. I understand this to mean no immediate relatives by blood or marriage. I am suggest group cam help you a bit. We are here for each other; we are here for you. (There is another thing that helps me personally, ít helps me the most, but because "somebody who I care a lot for" doesn't like to hear about it, I will not mention here. May not be received well.)

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1 reply
vircet | @vircet | Apr 18 7:38am
In reply to @vircet "@penn I am sad to hear that you have no family left. I understand this to..." + (show)
@vircet

@penn I am sad to hear that you have no family left. I understand this to mean no immediate relatives by blood or marriage. I am suggest group cam help you a bit. We are here for each other; we are here for you. (There is another thing that helps me personally, ít helps me the most, but because "somebody who I care a lot for" doesn't like to hear about it, I will not mention here. May not be received well.)

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@penn "I suggest this support group can help a bit," I meant to say.

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1 reply
penn | @penn | Apr 18 10:51am
In reply to @vircet "@penn "I suggest this support group can help a bit," I meant to say." + (show)
@vircet

@penn "I suggest this support group can help a bit," I meant to say.

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What suppot group?

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Mentor
Helen, Volunteer Mentor | @naturegirl5 | Apr 18 1:50pm

@penn I think he may mean this support group, Cancer, here on Mayo Clinic Connect.

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penn | @penn | Apr 24 9:12pm
In reply to @northoftheborder "I am sorry to hear that. Do you have others you could turn to: friends, a..." + (show)
@northoftheborder

I am sorry to hear that. Do you have others you could turn to: friends, a church community, a support group, organised activities? Social isolation is a tough thing to endure, especially when you're living with a serious illness.

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Hello,
I have a wonderful Husband, HE IS SO GOOD TO ME I'M BLESSED.
Holidays are hard for us, we are very family oriented. Many have passed away.

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gprior | @gprior | May 7 4:56pm
In reply to @dougr19 "It is 2:23AM. I am laying awake in hospital bed after my radical nephrectomy Friday afternoon...." + (show)
@dougr19

It is 2:23AM. I am laying awake in hospital bed after my radical nephrectomy Friday afternoon. My thoughts and prayers are with each of you as you/we navigate our journeys. May somehow someway you find peace along your way

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What a wonderful human you are, to be lying in your hospital bed and thinking of others. On behalf of we " others" I thank you.

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