Navigating the festive season

Hi Coddfish, Yes I can certainly understand how you feel. The first Christmas after diagnosis, I assumed would be my last. Just because I wanted it to be a perfect Christmas everyone would remember, everything that could go wrong, did go wrong. The following couple of years, I thought “if only I could sleep and waken up in the New Year, that would be perfect!”

I am now on my tenth year after dx and although Christmas is not the same as it once was, I love spending the time with my family. That 2nd & 3rd Christmas I wanted to break with the tradition of everyone coming here. Now our son and daughter have their meal in their own homes, then everyone comes here and we play Board Games etc, everyone brings nibbles. So I don’t need to fight my way through the shops to food buy. I start to get gifts in September so there is no rush or worry about not getting what I want.
We are so lucky, a lot of us here, out lasting our sell by dates. Yes I still have lots problems with side effects I’ve been left with from treatment but I have been here to see all our grandchildren start school, something I never imagined I’d see. I enjoy every minute because I do not know how long this is going to last as we all have to die sometime. Please enjoy your Christmas and don’t let cancer win. You have beaten the odds so far, who knows how long this will last, another 7,9, 11 years or more!
Merry Christmas and a Healthy Happy New Year to you and everyone here!!!

Thanks Annette. You are quite right about this. I just wish my (adult) children lived close enough that it didn’t make a family Christmas such a big event. As it is we are having the main meet up on the 28th to accommodate everyone’s commitments. 

Hi Coddfish

For 2 christmasses running, I was unwell....the first one after my diagnosis was ruined by an IRAE, like you. Last year was ruined by the results of being over-prescribed a medication, so I spent Christmas day drinking large amounts of Laxido! so this year, I've dreaded Christmas too, expecting everything to go wrong. BUT I feel really well at the moment, so it is looking hopeful that Christmas day will be OK. I haven't allowed myself to feel 'festive' either; I know exactly how you feel.

Just hang in there! You don't have to be the life and soul of the party, I'm sure no-one expects you to be. Let it flow over you, and do as much or as little  as you want to. 

This isn't an 'easy' time of year for many people...all the enforced Christmas cheer can be quite depressing. Just say 'bah humbug!' and have a lie-in if you want! I hope you can enjoy some of it, at least.

Best wishes to you

xxx Kate

Thanks Kate. I am sure it will be fine. Hope you have a good one. 

Hi I have posted before that this is my first Christmas with the ticking clock syndrome . I didn’t think I’d be here but I am . I have never been a Christmas fan and like you am struggling to feel excited or happy as this Christmas approaches. I will like you make the effort to enter in to appreciate my time with family .and be grateful that they want to make good memories this Christmas 
I want to say something helpful and profound to support you but I’m afraid I can’t . We can all say to ourselves the usual but true statements … glad to be still here .. one day at a time etc. but I’m sending hugs and best wishes from me to you as you have summed up my feelings . I will think of your post over the next few days and as I do  please know that I am thinking of you . I wish you and your family a good Christmas x Chris 

Thanks Chris, I recognise all those statements, I think we all use them all the time. Have a good Christmas yourself.