Wellbeing

Walking certainly helped me through the darkest days, there is no doubt about that. Just being outside lifts the spirits no end. Lovely pics. Good to see you out and about. 

Ronnie that is a beautiful and uplifting post. Not only do we have to cope with the physical onslaught and deterioration and our inner demons we have to contend with our friends’ and relatives’ perceptions that we are cured and back to normal. 
Although physically I was functional pretty quickly it took me a year to rediscover my mojo. 
I keep bees and they are a delight a frustration and a challenge at the best of times but they and the friends I met through the craft have been a life saver. We have an extensive vegetable plot with a poly tunnel and we have hens clucking round the garden so that keeps me busy. 

I still have needles for my saliva and my therapist usually gives me others for whatever else she picks up. I have cranial osteopathy for old age spine problems too. 
My daughter teaches Tai Chi and I do that weekly with her on Skype as she lives in Berlin. 
I like you have beautiful countryside on my doorstep and a dog to walk with me. I used to run but that mojo has permanently deserted me. 
Stan and I have a motor home and we get away in if for a few days as often as we can. 

Hi Ronnie,

Great pics and as Mark mentioned, walking helped me a lot also. However as Beesuit put Not only do we have to cope with the physical onslaught and deterioration and our inner demons we have to contend with our friends’ and relatives’ perceptions that we are cured and back to normal. This is where I'm at now (10 months post treatment) and what I'm finding tough. I got through treatment and the difficulties of immediate post treatment and now the problems I'm facing are more mentally and emotional, rather than physical, which I suppose makes sense as when we're in pain or poorly we are mainly concentrating on getting physically better. Hoping to speak to someone soon and get advice. This forum is a great help though and we gain a lot from sharing and welcoming other people's experiences.

Take care.

Hi Ronnie - like you I adore walking the dog.  I was up and out 3 days after each post-op discharge from hospital.  Luckily I live in the countryside and just being out and getting some exercise does wonders for both body and soul.  I also sail, but that's a little more stressful!

Loftyboy 

have a look at this excellent essay by psychologist Dr Peter Harvey. It helped me tremendously and I sent the link to a few if my nearest and dearest 

www.workingwithcancer.co.uk/.../After-the-treatment-finishes-then-what.pdf

Hi Loftyboy,

The emotional side is a nightmare, especially as you say when you look fine on the outside. If you haven't already give Macmillan a call, I've got an assessment later for counselling, they can arrange 6 phone sessions from Bupa. Worth a try. 

Hope you can find any extra support you need. We're all here in the meantime!! We're all at our different stages on that journey to hell and back. 

Keep in there!! Ronnie 

Thanks Dani, that's extremely helpful and something I can certainly relate to, much appreciated.

Thanks Ronnie, I have an MRI scan coming up which has added to the anxiety. It is good to be back on here, as there is so much help available and we've all been through similar experiences. Although I appreciate it can affect us all in different ways and that we are all at different stages. Thanks everyone for your support.

Dani,

Thanks for posting this link. It is such a good insight. I'm even thinking of forwarding to some family, friends and colleagues to show them where I'm at and what I still need to get through.

Invaluable support as always! 

Ronnie 

Ronnie you are welcome. I post it often because I think it encapsulates so much of what our recovery is about and us so succinctly and eloquently put. 
Hazel ( RadioactiveRaz) and I joke about playing the cancer card with our husbands in particular. Mine ran out ages ago by the way