Living alone with cancer

Hello Wayne, I had not realised that 5 or 6 months had raced by since I posted. I'm still much the same, just 6 months older. Stamina has gone AWOL, not helped by the long hot spell. I wish there was a way to restore some fitness to the bits of my body that are still working. Our local sports centre does not cater for doddery old blokes who struggle to walk. I can understand the potential liabilities e.g. slipping on wet floors or falling over in cramped changing cubicles, but I could visit with my able bodied son to reduce the risks. It would be nice to have a gentle swim now and then. I think I could manage without a bag for 15 minutes or so by fitting a valve to my urethral catheter. Has anyone else with a catheter tried swimming?   Ray  

Hi. I too live alone as my wonderful husband of 46 years, sadly passed away in March this year. I am completely heartbroken but I know he would want me to keep fighting my (incurable) cancer and that's what I hope to do for as long as I can. I do sometimes get scared about what the future holds for me with regards the cancerI but I am lucky because I have a beautiful dog who is my shadow and always gives me unconditional love which does help me when I'm low. I have recently decided to try and go back to Hydrotherapy, as I have some other medical problems as well as the cancer, and I thought warm water therapy might help my whole body and also relax me a bit. I've become a bit reclusive recently so it might also help with that too .

Hello Nikk 

I agree with the bit about the dog and "unconditional love". We have retired racing greyhounds in the family and although they are 3/4 years old when they retire - all they want is love and a soft bed (or your sofa!!), plus 2 x short walks every day.

We do have 2 other groups on the Community you may wish to join for additional support and here's the links you need:

 Living with incurable cancer forum - patients only and

 Animals are family too forum 

Just click on the links I have provided and they will take you there.

Best wishes - Brian.

Hello Ray

I had an indwelling catheter for 10 months. When I went swimming I just closed my valve and removed my bag and put it in the locker - I was fine for 3/4 of an hour and some big baggy shorts hid the catheter very well.

Best wishes - Brian.

Hi, it's nice to meet you  Thank you so much for the links you've given me. I really appreciate it. I love all animals and greyhounds are gorgeous. I know what you mean about dogs on the sofa...and in my case, on my bed. I have a Newfoundland so there's  not that much room for me! Take care of yourself and those lovely dogs 

I just want a big baggy swimsuit to cover all of me, especially when in public!

Hello Nikk (Nikk )

This is my boy Ryder at the front and my daughter’s grey Mercury at the back.

Best wishes - Brian.

They are gorgeous Brian. Thank you for showing them to me. This is my Bowie and it's his birthday today. He wasn't very impressed as he had to go to the vets today!

Bowie's a cracker - I know what you mean about the vets but as ex racers ours are used to meeting a vet before every race - so they just stand still and let the vet get on with it!!

Has the dog's name anything to do with your musical tastes?

Best wishes - Brian.

Hi Ray,My stamina has disappeared too.I thought once I had recovered from the bladder removal it would return but it hasn’t yet and it’s been almost 7 years.Been vacuuming today and had to do half the room,rest before the other half but managed to finish it slowly.I do paperwork or less taxing chores on days with zero energy.It is a pain having to work around health but that it how it is these days.I hope you can go swimming.I haven’t been since the urostomy but would like to get back to it.It’s good exercise for arthritis.Love Jane xx