What do y'all do in a day?

Also, Ted Lasso (TV series) is playing on Apple TV, if anyone's interested. It's filmed in Richmond, in London. Ooh, just remembered I need to watch British Baking Show based on your recommendations (and everyone's).

Hi Patricia, 

I am sorry that things look so stark for you, you seem to be managing your time really productively.

I didn't expect to reach this Christmas feeling so well, I'm sorry I can't really answer your questions. I do get breathless going uphill and don't have the stamina for longer walks these days, I'm weaker too and can't lift heavy pots and pans confidently,  other than that I'm fine and can do housework so long as I'm not moving heavy furniture, I probably sit down more between jobs. I try to get out with the dogs at least once a day and I was going to choir and pilates until Omicron scared me off!  My pain is minimal.

I read your comment on Stuart's thread about his frankness about the progression of his disease and what he was doing to prepare himself and his family. I found that really helpful. I am sure that your comments will help other's too.

Unless we have another lockdown we should have our three children, two of their partners, my parents and one of my sisters here for Christmas. So different to last year! Happy Holidays to you and all your family. 

Hello PatriciaV.

You have got plenty to think about. You do know that from reading posts on here that the oncos are giving a guess based on their experience and knowledge of the disease.

If your President had cancer, the best onco in the world treating him would have no better idea than yours as to what will  happen to you.

The person who knows lives high up and has big wings but he won't tell you either.

You are dealing with your troubles very bravely and are living with cancer not letting it browbeat you everyday.. I am astounded what you are doing daily, I wanted to go to sleep just reading your post!

I go for a walk carrying a folded up walking stick. As soon as I encounter a rise in the road, out comes the stck and I puff and pant my way home.

You are doing considerably more than that. Properly impressive.

I didn't expect to see this Chistmas either so let's both celebrate with all our chums on here.

Toodlepip xxx

Hi Patricia,

I think you are doing amazingly well. It's hard to compare all our very different situations. I'm a bit like Salis. My left lung is badly compromised following surgery and the massive infection that followed, so like many on here I get breathless on exertion. I'm best in the morning when my energy levels are better - that is, as long as I've managed some decent sleep. After a bad night I feel like a limp dishrag all day long.

Accomplishments are smaller nowadays but I do like to think that I can manage to do some things each day - however small. I have come to accept this and know my limitations. I am determined to get the very best I can from this Christmas - my first in three years where I'm not in a hospital bed full of tubes and morphine - so I feel thankful every day that I remain at home and with those I love. I've started painting again. I'm utterly exhausted come lunchtime but I don't care. I never thought I'd ever be back in my studio, but I am. I can rest in the afternoons. It makes me happy. Do whatever you can manage that makes you happy and content.

So like Norberry said, your oncologist can only give you his best guess and when all is said and done, however it goes down for each of us, we owe it to ourselves to make every day the best we can. So let us all raise a glass this Christmas to all the lovely friends on here. However we are able to do it, 'Cheers' to all of you.  Rainie x

Hi Patricia, I think you are doing great managing all the things you do every day. As Norberry said it's a bit of a guessing game regarding how long we have. I told a friend that I don't have an expiry date stamped on my buttocks, no one has. I've been using some of my time sorting out legal things and changing online billing things so that when I do pop my clogs it's going to be easier for my wife and son to deal with the various companies for energy and broadband etc. I found out 5 years ago when I was diagnosed that a dark sense of humour helped me get through some of the down days. I joked with friends that the consultant gave me 6 months so I punched him a few times. The judge gave me 2 years. If I have slept well like I have over the last two days I do feel more energetic and that the end is maybe a bit further away than I thought it was a few days ago. I enjoy cooking and also had enough energy to fill a couple of bags of logs  for my stove today. If it's dry I do try to have a short walk every day for about 20 minutes. Other days I get out of puff going up the stairs. I see the oncologist on Wednesday and will be asking for a rough guide to my life expectancy although the specialist nurse sent the DS1500 form for Pip fast track to my local Macmillan advice shop advisor just over a week ago. That's if they think it reasonable that I may only last 6 months, I intend to keep going. Some days I think I won't be eating any Easter eggs next year, other days I think I might celebrate my 63rd birthday in June. Anyway stay positive and like me hopefully we can join the stable Mable club. Kind regards Frank.

You are an entertaining presence on here Mr Zappaman, thanks.

Norberry thank you, I've been learning more by reading your and others posts. Certainly for me the humour helps me and by reading the posts it let me know that there are like minded people here. Reading that there's a few stable Mable's here is also uplifting. Cheers, Frank

Thanks everyone for all the uplifting replies. I too love the humor! And hearing your experiences helps me put mine in some perspective.

I had a very nice response back from my physician's assistant after I emailed her about this. Sounds like 6 more months would be pushing it. I used to scoff at stories of doctors who said someone had a precise amount of time left, but I think I get it now. I realize I really want to know how long I have, and constantly ask about it, I am sure some docs are pushed to make estimates that are more precise than they really believe. Mine aren't being precise, and it's frustrating but I realize it is more truthful, I think.

So, my take home is I'm one step further along on the path towards death, but not at its door. Eventually it will start to speed up. Even palliative things will stop working (per my PA). But for now, I haven't really even started the palliative things, so that gives me some insight. No guarantee this palliative radiation/radioisotope will help, but maybe, and it has few to no side effects so I'm for it.

I asked my PA if I'm at the edge of a cliff, about to fall over into rapid decline, and she said she didn't think so. Good.

Absolutely, I will raise many glasses this season to all of us on here!

Patricia

Here's  to a gentle landscape ahead of you Patricia xxxx