Long time lurker

Hi Helen

I have joined the incurable gang last year. I find talking to others here really helpful and definitely had a very positive impact on my mental wellbeing.

I noticed from your profile you have experienced a lot problems with your balance and weakness. I had similar due to extensive pelvic operation and neuropathy due to chemotherapy. I found going to a good physiotherapist extremely helpful. Mine had given me some very simple achievable exercises to do. Literally takes 2 minutes to do. I can do it sitting down or lying in bed. But it really helped and also gives me a sense of control. It empowers the patient. 

I wonder if you could ask your GP for a referral? Also your local hospice may run living well programs and that could be very beneficial too. If you ask your CNS , they can refer you easily.

Take care x Stella 

A very warm welcome to the forum Helen, though I'm sorry you find yourself here, I'm sure you will find the wonderful people on here a very friendly and supportive bunch, happy to share experiences and offer support to everyone 

I read your profile. You are an amazing and resilient person who has shown great strength through everything that's been thrown at you, inspirational as you say, as you probably already know, there are many Scots on the forum, I'm originally from Oban, but live in Yorkshire now, and we all come here with many different cancers to find the help and support, only people in our situation can understand offer.  I think a primary school teacher is just what some on here need lol.

Eddie xx 

Hi Helen,

Welcome! I look forward to 'meeting' you around the forum. =) I'm also in Scotland - Aberdeen. I've found this forum to be hugely supportive. So sorry to read that you're anxious going out, but I think anyone would be if they went through the events you have, you've shown strength and resilience in the face of huge challenges.  

So glad you posted.

Lex - xx

A very warm welcome to the group Helen 53 and well done in finding the courage to post. I have just read your profile, and you have really been through a tough old time. My cancer is a sarcoma, but like you it also started in my womb before going to my lungs. 

I agree with Stella2020  it is worth asking your GP about a referral to the physio. I have had attended my local hospice for this myself, and it really helped me. Like you I was too scared to go out, and really had hit rock bottom, but the physio really helped me. I have written about this experience in my profile. 

I look forward to chatting to you more in the group x 

Hi Stella,

Thank you for replying to my post.

I finally took the courage to go to a physio recently.

I've only had one appointment so far. My second one was cancelled because she was ill.

I have another one next week.

She told me that she couldn't help with the neuropathy but gave me exercises for the arthritis.

To be honest, it's the neuropathy that bothers me most.

I feel as if I am walking on Lego bricks all of the time.

I'll ask her about it again next week.

Helen 

Hi Eddie,

Thank you for replying to my post.

I would agree that there are some naughty children on here at times.

They are lucky that I have retired.

Yes, I'm proud to be one of the Scottish contingent.

I saw that you have three new grandchildren, bringing your total up to ten.

I have two grandchildren, a granddaughter just turned 13 and a grandson who will be 8 in July.

 They are a handful at times.

 I don't know how I would manage with any more.

 You however seem to take it all in your stride and seem to love it.

 Did I see somewhere that you also have neuropathy?

Helen 

Hi Chelle,

Thank you for replying to my post.

I have recently attended a physio and have another appointment next week.

I will look at your profile to see how you got on.

I had been going out a few times a week on short walks with my husband and had been doing really well.

However the fall just scared me. I have no recollection of it. I just remember feeling unwell and saying to my husband that I needed to sit down.

According to him, I sat down, leaned forward and toppled on to the ground.

I woke up to him fussing over me and me telling him to leave me alone. I still thought I was on the bench. A passing woman phoned an ambulance.

Luckily, nothing was broken but the right side of my face and my knees were badly bruised.

So now I am just so apprehensive about going walking and only go out for appointments.

I really need to pull myself together.

Helen 

Hi Lex,

Thank you for replying to my post.

I'm a long way from Aberdeen.

I live about twelve miles from Glasgow.

I have only been to Aberdeen twice in my life when I was younger.

I always meant to return but haven't so far.

One of my husband's nieces moved there about a year and a half ago to take up a position as a child psychologist. She seems to be enjoying it there.

I do try to be positive regarding the cancer but there are other days when it gets me down.

Yes, I can see how the forum helps people.

Even when people have had bad news, they still seem to rally themselves to think positively.

Maybe some of it will rub off on me.

Helen 

A warm welcome Helen. There’s a good group of people here, all with different circumstances but linked with the one common thing. Mine is metastatic breast cancer where my main long term issues result from a serious immunotherapy adverse reaction. Unfortunately most of us seem to gather these extra complications as we progress as I see you have too, I try to look at it as being the price for being alive. Looking forward to you being part of the conversations. 

Hi Helen.

You are welcome  

I've been lucky to have met a few of wonderful Scottish people on the forum, and hope to again soon, when I next visit my family in Fort William and Elgin.

I have 12 grandkids, 6 girls and 6 boys, aged 5 weeks to 16yo, and they can be a bit boisterous,  but I worry when they are quiet lol, but they are the best medicine,  I'm sure you would love and manage more grandkids.

Family means everything to me, and I am blessed to have the family I do, and being with them, I can switch off from all the difficult things in life we all have, including me, my eldest daughter has just finished treatment successfully for cancer, they told us it was terminal early on, mine has recently spread to my bones and my kids mum has surgery for ovarian cancer in the morning, she's T4, but we, as a family, make the most of every day.

You did Helen, I  have neuropathy, a little in my hands, but mostly in my feet, a tingling numbness, like walking on bean bags, uncomfortable and occasionally sore, but improving as my doctor told me to keep active, I can only walk now, but I also a few leg and feet exercises usually when sat down and reflexology.

Eddie xx