Sharing

[Jules2]

It would be great if we could all share some strategies that we used to get through all of this. All of this encompasses everything from initial diagnosis to getting through treatment and beyond. For instance at one stage i was struggling to find a way to cope with eating. I had lost my appetite and had little to no taste buds, so eating was a real chore. That then sparked off in my little head "i know". I will treat this as a job!! It is the responsibility of the receptionist to book my radio appointments, the radiographer to give me the radio and blah blah blah. My job in all of this was to ensure i ate 3 meals a day and gave my body adequate nutrition. Another thing i did was to make the decision to shave off my hair when it started to fall out. I wanted to take control of what was happening to my body and if i was going to go bald then it would be me who said when it was going to happen. We lost so much personal control through the process and just little things seemed to make such a difference if i was able to take control back even in some small way. What strategies have others used to get through all of this?? Care to share?

[#2]

Hi Jules, A wonderful idea about sharing strategies. We are all at different stages in our cancer journeys and it would be great to help others thru the stages e.g. cancer diagnosis, start of treatment, during treatment, end of treatment. I did similar to you, in that I took control of what I could. After I was diagnosed I rang the Cancer Council, they were great in helping me to gather info I needed. I researched wigs before chemo started, bought my wig and when my hair started to come out by the handfuls, I had it shaved and wore wig home. My job entails working with accounts, lots of sitting using the old grey-matter, so I was able to work thru treatment. I chose to tell only a select few at work about the cancer, in this way I felt that my work environment could remain my place of normality. Important to me when other aspects of my life were out of my control. Had chemo on a Friday, had the weekend to recover and went to work on Monday…had the option to have Tuesday off if not feeling well… took breaks away from my desk when I felt my concentration flagging. I was determined to give my body the best chance I could at coping with chemo. I ate when the taste of food was unappealing, I thought…if my body was nourished it had the necessary fuel it needed to heal. I requested early morning radiation treatments, parking was easier, plus less likelihood of appointments running late. I found the hospitals very obliging (when possible) in tailoring treatment to a person’s circumstances. “You don’t know if you don’t ask” has become a motto of mine :) Everyone reacts differently to treatment but it can be possible to take control of some aspects of your life at this time and slow that rollercoaster. Reindeer

[Jules2]

Hey Reindeer Thanks for your input. yes it is great to take control where possible, i found it very empowering at a time when i had not much. That is great that you managed to keep working during treatment. Because of all the travel i have done with mine i have had to give up work for now and we do similar jobs believe it or not. THat does leave me in limbo a bit as i dont get tested till next year and i am one of the ones that obviously have had treatment (lack of hair..lol) and cant wear hats or anything because my scalp got so itchy (still is), due to treatment. So applying for a new job i would obviously have to address things that someone with hair doesnt have to address. Perhaps i need to adopt your motto "i wont know if i dont ask". Thanks!!