Has anyone used the company ‘Woman Zone’ for post surgery bras/bathing wear/prosthetics? I’ve been looking through their catalogue which I got in my fitting appointment.
How are you doing at present, Mumofthree ? You’re well into the radiotherapy now, a week to go, or is it longer? How’s your skin holding up? Been thinking of you trying to work as well…..
Night night Fruit Loops, sleep well and stay safe, plenty of sleepy fairy dust for all who wish (I slept long last night but still had a nap this afternoon and feel tired now too, think it’s the post holiday tiredness even though it was just a long weekend)
Hi moomy I’m doing ok so far. 8 sessions done 12 to go and had a bit of itching but using the aveeno cream as you and others suggested. I imagine it might get a bit worse from next week but I’m trying not to think of that. Thanks for thinking of me. I have been having trouble sleeping again and I think it might be doing too much with work, home and treatment and then struggling to switch off at night and relax. Also I do tend to wake early at around 4-5 and then start worrying about cancer coming back or has it gone etc etc. It’s almost like having more treatment is making me think about it again. I don’t know I feel I’m sending myself batty with it all. Or more batty. I am also suffering with really achy joints, knees and hips it’s very painful. Paracetamol not really touching the pain now and that’s with the herceptin i assume. im hoping its not causing long term damage.
your campfire made me smile. We also have a campervan, this is the first years we haven’t camped in years but i just haven’t felt up to it this year but i do love camping. We will be back on the road next year.
Mumofthree you sound exhausted with it all and no wonder. Probably we all worry about it coming back and try and do too much to make the most of each day.
My radiotherapy was a long time ago but I remember it as an emotional time. I won't ever forget those days. Sending you a hug and those camping days will soon be back xxx
Thanks Helen. I will be back camping and I am really grateful for all the treatment and how well everything is going but it’s a long road isn’t it? I was thinking yesterday that the mammogram I had which spotted the cancer was 1 year ago next week. A year! Wow I had no idea how long this journey would be. So no wonder I’m tired, no exhausted, not just with the treatment but with thinking about flipping cancer. I think also now I’m back at work people don’t want to think about it or talk about it, which is fine I don’t want to talk about it at work either but perhaps the understanding that treatment isn’t over is hard so when I mentioned that I am starting radiotherapy and wouldn’t be available every afternoon for a month I know people were shocked. I’m like a constant reminder of peoples worst fear. A bit dramatic but true and 1 year ago I wouldn’t have understood either. And then on the other hand at least they know I’m still having treatment but once radiotherapy is over I’m still having those herceptin injections it’s less noticeable (apart from my very radical hair style, which I’m trying hard to embrace now) and people expect things to go back to normal. There is a new normal for me and I think I need to work on what the new Michelle wants todo next. Not sure it’s this.
did any of you change your job, direction and life after cancer?
feeling like I’m struggling to think of anything else recently.
Hey, Mumofthree , you sound as if you’re getting to a crossroad in life! Yes, the new normal is hard to embrace, and treatment DOES seem to go on for ever. I guess they could do it much quicker but our bodies wouldn’t cope!
Bless you, you’ve been through such a lot already, please, please, give yourself a bit of a break mentally! Perhaps some counselling? Maybe your work can access some for you, or if you don’t want that, think about some from the hospital or if yours has a Macmillan service, ask for that? I’ve got a contact who is a Macmillan trained nurse-counsellor who I see when needed (my body image has taken a big hit)
Please rest, too, when you can, radiotherapy seems easy compared to the rest of treatment but it does accumulate.
And those early worry times suggest you’re getting overtired. Be kind to yourself. You’ll get back into the campervan soon (I’ve just been away at last this year, long weekend, but will be away on my own in 3 weeks for 5 days)
Mumofthree I didn't change anything outwardly but I changed inside. The carefree days were over, and I know now how unpredictable life is and how vulnerable we are.
Be gentle on yourself, you have gone through so much, it might take years to process. The new Michelle will evolve, maybe with new priorities and new ideas how you want life to be.
Lots of people have had cancer, or live with cancer or live with other life changing illnesses or conditions. We only see the shop front.
Lots of birds with broken wings out there hopping about. But I think the new Michelle will soon have beautiful new plumage and fly again xxx
