Mending Ups and downs

Good news that all the cancer is out. What did you have done in the end? 
You have a lot of healing to do most of all  by your mind which has been taken to the brink. The body heals more quickly but you have to work on the mind. Don’t be too hard on yourself. Set yourself goals but make them realistic. Rest. Recuperate and look forward to summer. 
All the best 

16 months on I still find myself staring onto space, even though I have many plans. I think it's just healing time, so I don't beat myself up too much

Sorry to hear about the infection.  As to tiredness it is par for the course.  A good clinical friend of mine said to me when I started treatment (like you I only had surgery (multiple times)) that for every hour you are under expect at least a month of recovery.  I guess that will be compounded because of the infection.  Slowly you should see improvements.

Aside from the surgery the cancer takes it out of us in so many other ways.  Listen to your body and rest when you need to.  It will get better.  I suddenly realised around 18 months after my diagnosis and last dissection that I had almost returned to normal, but it was so gradual that I really did not clock it happening.

Hi Posi 

Good to read  that your consultant thinks all cancer is out now and you are not needing radiotherapy or chemo.   After our ops it can make us feel extremely tired, plus you have had an infection to deal with. This can also make the body tired as it needs its strength to fight infection and this takes priority and does cause low energy to slow us down. I know there also is so much to process after our treatments it can be quite overwhelming. This also takes time.

Short gentle walks are good and if you feel up to it you can space these out and to build up.  It is important to listen to your body. I am sure you will take up your painting and writing as you intend. Don't feel too disappointed if you feel you are not achieving all what you plan at the moment, it all takes time.

 Keep looking forward to your glass of champagne.

Best wishes with your on going recovery.

Nicky

Thanks, I had upper right teeth remover part of upper palate and part of lymph nodes removed in 14 hour op using part of hip to replace palate. All to remove cancer after long term lichen planus. Neck looks like a deformed turkey, but hey wasn't perfect before. Swelling partly infection has been awful and numbness. Finding each day quite a chore just dealing with medical stuff, constipation and trying to put on weight (using build up drinks too. 3 out of last 5 days visiting hospital. Still, just had a potter in the garden looking at spring bulbs,which was great. Trying to learn patience. 

Dear Posi Dont set the bar to high for yourself. My feat for the day was getting up and taking a load of pills I could not swallow and getting to the sofa for the day or until bed time , Man I was ill , My daughter said to my ex what happens if he is dead so I obviously didnt look my handsome self and defo dont after my salvage neck dissection lol. Take  One day at a time and you will get there . All the Best Regards Minmax

Awwww just hang in it will pass, we are going to have lots of ups and downs emotionally.

i only had my operation 3 weeks ago, left hospital 11 days ago and I have been in the same place, just in a fog not doing much, trying to eat soups and milkshakes, and trying hard to avoid the food supplements shakes yuk I’m still in lots of meds which I think don’t help with your mind.

just take a day at a time like I’m trying to do

Hi Posi. Take it one day at a time and definitely listen to your body. I had two operations and same as yourself didn’t need chemotherapy or radiotherapy. I pushed myself far too early, I run marathons and do triathlons. So only a few months after my operations I started running swimming and cycling again. My consultant told me off he said my body couldn’t heal and train it took far too much energy, and I would flow the healing process down and I would hit a brick wall, he was spot on, one day I just couldn’t get going. I had to learn patience to do little walks and exercises, and it has paid off. You will get there, as everyone else has said set achievable goals, and don’t be hard on yourself. I am back to competing, you will have your glass of champagne x

Thanks Debbie nice to hear and brought a tear to my eye.  Battling with constipation today but then again had a real nice walk yesterday in the sun. I suppose I will get there, and listen to your good advice.

Just behind me then, yes the shakes are horribly sweet aren't they? I find vanilla or coffee with added whole milk to dilute are best. if you have fruit juice type adding orange juice 50 /50 improves no end. I have fibre sachets too which I add in for a "delicious?" cocktail.