New to Living with incurable cancer forum.

Deb1E

Hi and firstly thank you for responding.

Feel free to read my profile.

The Bob Marley quote found me when wasn't looking for it.  

It must of been meant to be and it never ever leaves me, age is just a number ... by the way.

Our Maggie's in Manchester will soon be five years old , a lovely modern building,and is set just over the road from the Christie hospital.

I wouldn't go in at first and thought that it may not be for me.

However, I was made most welcome when I did and offered a drink (it's free)

The concept is as follows-

Nice relaxed caring atmosphere.

No reception desk, but you do have to track and trace.

No posters

No clocks, just a nice well maintained space to be with yourself or others.

JUST GO THERE AND BE YOURSELF, NO TARGETS OR LONG FORMS TO FILL IN-

It so helps me to escape and think. 

On my my first visit  was asked if I would like to talk with someone, I  said that I would but only to confirm everything I was going through was normal, nothing heavy.

Wow after an hour and a half I was still there chatting to one of the team.

So relaxed and so part of something special.

I now visit on my days at the Hospital and also just jump in the car and go when I feel the mood takes me.

Its just nice not being in the house and everyone there is equal.

They have a small library and a garden/gardener,plant to buy.

No one bothers  me unless I want to be bothered, I take my iPad, books and have a refill drink whenever

When I am done go home, feeling relaxed and with a new found energy.

Maggie's is well worth a try and makes such a difference to me, my journey and my life as a whole.  

Please take care and stay safe.

Wishing you well with your treatment, Good Luck

Spud

"you don't know how Strong you are,

Until being Strong is your only choice"

Bob Marley 

Hi Spud

Thank you for this I will have a look at their website and see what is available at Southampton.  I am quite self conscious so not good at meeting new people socially (which is a bit mad as I speak to people I don't know all the time through work) so the big thing will be going in but I will try it and let you know how I get on.  

Have a good day and you stay safe too.

Deb1E

Please let me know, 

It's worth a try.

Keep in touch 

Stay safe 

Spud

Hi Spud

Wanted to say thanks for the info re Maggies I have been and had a coffee w them - it's a lovely place and not at all what I expected.  It's a bit to far to just pop in but will definitely go on hospital days but I have joined their online Qi Gong and relaxation groups which I am really enjoying.  Would recommend them to anybody.  Also went swimming for first time since my liver re-section and that went well so daytime me is doing ok but night time me is having trouble sleeping I keep waking up worrying about everything and then can't get back to sleep. 

Hope you are ok.  The sun is shining here today and the sky is blue hope that's the same where you are.  Have a good day. Debbie

Hi Deb1E 

I'm so glad you have given it a try.

I popped into  ours up in in Manchester opposite the Christie Hospital.

The unit was five years old and there's a short video in Maggie's Manchester.

I had a look in the large book they had to see the Southampton site.

Going through the seasons litterlly  even hail and a bit of snow.

Sun  is out now,but very windy.

Glad you got swimming.

It's a week today since my last Chemotherapy, so about six weeks before I see the oncologist and then on to Radiotherapy.

Having a rough week but it's doing what it says on the tin, I can cope with that.

Same as you in the night, it's not nice.

Macmillan do a free cd they will send out, I think it's called 

" Breath and relax"

Mine came within a couple of days.

So glad that you tried Maggie's, I would  be lost without them.

Take care and stay safe

Spud 

"You don't know how Strong you are,

Until being Strong is your only choice"

Bob Marley

Hi Spud

Sorry to hear you were having a rough week - hopefully it's passed.  I will look up the breath and relax CD. I tried a different online relaxation session with a guy called Gus last week and fell asleep - didn't even realise the session was over - thankfully I had muted my mike in case the dog started barking so was covered in case I started to snore - not that I do of course but you never know!!  I've also signed up for a feel good look well or it could be the other way round w Maggies Place and signed up to do a 5km walk to raise funds for Southampton in June so keep everything crossed I can do it.

Not sure what part of the world you live but hope it's nice there today - it's blue skies and sunny down here - looks lovely through the window but chilly if you venture out - I know it's "freedom day" but think I will give it a miss.  Doh just noticed you are Manchester way - hope you are staying safe w this Indian variant around and the weather is good -  me I am a soft southerner.

Look after yourself and keep in touch

Debbie

Hi Deb1E 

Wow you seem to have done alot.

I'm feeling a lot better now.

But the first two weeks of my final Chemotherapy gave me a rough ride.

So I'm waiting to see the oncologist in around six weeks with Radiotherapy to follow.

I feel a little lost now as I don't know what to expect before my Radiotherapy.

Will I have a scan ? I ask myself.

Last week I found my blood sugars were raised considerably.

The GP says this is due to my Prostap hormone injection and requires four readings per day for seven days with full set of bloods to be done.

GP also increased Metformin to twice daily.

As for being up North, I'm in Bolton so there's a lot going on re covid and vaccinations.

On a good point, at least my football team gave me a big lift gaining promotion.

Take care 

Spud 

" You don't know how Strong you are,

Until being Strong is your only choice"

Bob Marley

Hi I'm pleased you are feeling a bit better. It's great you have now finished your chemo, so onward and upward! Good luck with your RT. 
You say about living up 'North' in Bolton and I've just been watching it on the news where they are saying some people there are still refusing the vaccine, which seems so crazy! Well up here in the North, all our restaurants opened today and we are at last allowed to hug again. I really missed that personal contact, I just love cuddles!

It is good you can access a Maggie Centre. I have been only once or twice because it is in the grounds of a large General Hospital and the parking is horrendous. Maggie's is also quite a walk from the car park, which is not good for me. However my local Marie Curie Hospice has been terrific, they have all sorts of classes and the staff are terrific, it is just the opposite of what you imagine a hospice would be!

I hope you have a quiet six weeks before your RT so that you can build up your strength again after chemo. It sounds as if your GP is on the ball if he has increased your Metformin. I take it he is monitoring your diabetes which is good. Please keep in touch!

anndanv 

Firstly how brave you are, I think your strength is amazing.

Thank you so much for your kind words.

It would be nice to have an easy spell before Radiotherapy, your right in saying that I will be able to build my strength up.

I just keep thinking how Strong I have to be and not to give up.

There is always someone worse off than myself.

I guess you may be further North than me.

I love Maggie's and it's a place where I can escape, relax  & talk  (if I want to )

Take care of yourself 

Spud 

"You don't know how Strong you are,

until being Strong is your only choice"

Bob Marley

Hi Spud, Yes you are correct on two counts there! Yes I am further north than you as I live in Scotland! Secondly, yes there is always someone worse off than we are! Your other comment is debatable! I am not strong, just like everyone else here, I do what I have to in order to survive. Some days are good, some not so good and others are just terrible but we keep on going because what else is there!

If you want to say someone is, or has to be strong, just now, please read Ellie's recent post!