Visited by cancer - your experiences, good and bad?

Hi, @j0318.

One year post chemotherapy remission in May?
Start the countdown...🔔 and 💃🏼.

@stevecando - I was exercising this afternoon and found myself smiling remembering your comments here about ringing the bell and doing a little jiggle. So even though I wasn’t there to see you celebrate, your sharing that moment here still brought me joy.

And while I have not yet rang the bell, when I reach my one year post chemotherapy remission in May, I also will be wanting to ring it and share that joy too. And who knows, maybe I will also do a little dance LOL. Thanks for sharing your great moment with us and sending best wishes for your continued good results.

I had ten rounds of the chemo. I so looked forward to ringing that bell. I even searched on line if I could ring it when finished even knowing mine is not going away. You betcha I rang that bell. Even did a little jiggle. It brought me great joy even knowing my journey is still going on. I need to take joy in the little things even if just getting good test results each month. Has been almost 2 years and it has gotten easier to accept for me. I wish you the best on your journey. Best to all.

@denisestlouie I didn’t have a choice and missed out! I went to see my oncologist as usual before my infusion in the same medical centre. After I checked in and was waiting in the medical centre waiting room, a nurse came out and said my oncologist had phoned through and cancelled my session. I needed a full month to strengthen up and put on weight before my HIPEC. I would like to have rung the bell to celebrate the end of that stage in my journey, whatever lies ahead.

I did a happy dance with the nurse instead while the other patients in the waiting room smiled and laughed 😊❤️‍🩹 That’s part of what I love about being part of this cancer community - finding those who understand the different choices we make along our own journey. So grateful too to those who have the generosity of spirit to celebrate our wins - wherever they may be in their journeys.

Thank you for sharing. I hadn’t heard that perspective before and I’ve learnt something new.

@proftom2 You’re amazing 🙏❤️‍🩹 What a turn around in attitude. So awesome. Congratulations for working with a wellness coach to help build up a massive tool box and to get back on track. It sounds like you’re really motoring now 🙌 You have so much to share with others who are where you were. Thank you for sharing.

I’d love to know how you came to make your first appointment with your coach. That first step is always so hard and takes a lot of courage to reach out for help. How did you do it?

@j0318 What a wonderful post! From being overwhelmed by your diagnosis, the proposed treatment and all the other information, to going head on into the fight. So inspiring. Congratulations in reaching NED ❤️‍🩹

Wishing you continuing remission and good health. All the very best. Here’s to continuing to look for and acknowledge the beautiful moments in life 🌺

I understand that feeling. I would not ring the bell after my last treatment. Its not known if its over and I didn't feel like celebrating or giving anyone the satisfaction of hearing that bell.

Denise

My cancer forced into darkness and despair that first year. Bad news followed by worse news everyday. I wanted people to let go of me, leave me alone, and call it. I had an endless daydream of a bus taking me away. Each day I'd wait for that bus. Thankfully it came. It arrived in the form of a wellness coach with experience working with cancer survivors. Years 2, 3, 4, and now 5. So many wellness goals accomplished. That bus is hopeful, joyful, full of meaningful conversations, exercise with buddies, so many buddies. Try. Keep trying.

Amazing what just a little bit of Nutritional Awareness, Mild Exercise, Mindfulness, being Social everyday can do.

Thank you for starting a great discussion @isadora2021 and for sharing your experience in such a beautiful and inspiring way. I can relate to your experience as well. I was overwhelmed when the doctor explained the stage IV CNS lymphoma diagnosis in the hospital and the extensive chemotherapy needed. I remember thinking that I was not strong enough physically or mentally to survive the disease and the many chemotherapy treatments.

I am now in the ninth month of NED with a lot of help from a caring and compassionate group of medical professionals. I learned so much about myself in getting to know some of these amazing people during my many days in the hospital and in the transfusion clinic. So many were willing to take some of their valuable time to share their own experiences and offer encouragement. Thru these conversations and my successful progress thru each treatment, I came to realize how incredibly strong I am. And most importantly, that I am a survivor. And as mentioned already, the incredible healing potential of a healthy diet and exercise.

So glad to hear of your continued remission @isadora2021 and sending best wishes to all for the healthiest lives possible.

@denisestlouie You’re so right how important it is to have good nutrition (as well as to exercise). Congratulations for how you’ve achieved that. Often many of us only learn that valuable lesson after a cancer diagnosis, and are motivated to put in the effort.

I was raised by parents who were very health conscious so I grew up with really good habits. I was probably better even than my childhood health and fitness in my 30’s and early 40’s. Life was great and I felt invincible. Things went wrong when I was promoted to a senior position at work. I had trouble fitting my daily responsibilities into 24 hours. Many things went downhill including my eating habits, exercise and sleep. My stress was off the charts. Before my cancer diagnosis I was already wrestling back control and resetting boundaries and habits.

My cancer diagnosis was a huge wake up call. A real kick up the butt. I’ve returned to my childhood diet (Mediterranean but also including lean unprocessed meat) and I ensure I exercise and monitor my sleep and stress. Positives from my cancer journey but I wish I’d done that before.

Thank you for sharing 🌺