Living alone with Cancer and Depression

[Jennifer66]

Hi @Cindi54 

wow your drawings are incredible so wonderful 

Maybe  counselling a better option than a psych, as they sound a little daunting and I think you have to wait months for on those Medicare sessions 

It’s a long time to wait for results from scan which is going to be tough on you, don’t put too much pressure on yourself, as you will be able to relax a lot more by not  worrying about outcomes 

I came home from hospital today after a 7.5 hour robotic surgery, three nights ICU and six nights ward 

Which felt more like sixty days , this time last week I was hoping to die 

I’ve surprised not only myself but my professor and nursing staff whose aim it was to get me home before Christmas with my recovery, although I’m told I still have a good six months of recovery, 

I’m in little pain spurts, more uncomfortable than anything, but I relief to sit in my recliner 

Stay strong 

Jennifer 😘😘

[Cindi54]

Hi @Jennifer66 ,

Oh no you poor thing, I'm so sorry it sounds really horrible.

You're so strong though to be back home, good on you, you'll slowly get better and better, so what's the next step? what did they exactly do to you?

I don't quite understand, or if you prefer you can private message me?

I'm so glad you're home for Xmas, your partner must be so pleased.

Thanks about my art, I have always loved drawing and painting,since I was very young, for the past about 8 years I've been into fine art drawing, which I love, it's the place I go to help stress, it's very therapeutic, but since my Cancer diagnosis's over the past 2 years I haven't had the urge as much 😞

I must get back into it more.

Yes I agree about the psyche, I'd rather go to a councilor, I'll talk to my GP next week about it but bummer about the wait with medicare. Not fair. When you need a councilor or psyche its NOW not ages away 🙁

Anyway Jennifer, I really hope you can enjoy Xmas, and so hope your pain and discomfort settles, you're one brave girl 😄

xxoo

[Jennifer66]

Hi @Cindi54 

thanks Cindi, but please don’t think of me as poor thing, I have gone through nothing as to what chemo does to you, the great advantage of bladder cancer I guess , as if you have chemo it is intravesical so no side affects but chemo not really used much in bladder cancer 

Yes days in ICU tough but I’m in minimal pain more discomfort than pain, we survived our first night home without any hiccups and got through our first morning. My husband is my rock we do it all together.

I had major robotic cystectomy, urethrectomy, ileal conduit and scar tissue

I have surprised my professor with my recovery and of course myself, he was expecting earliest discharge this coming Monday, but what can you do sitting in hospital all day, but get up and walk and I was told I did overdo the walking, although on my own I always had to use a walking frame 

we’ve successfully survived our first night home and first morning

I’ve never put any pressure on myself or anyone, I do the day to day no looking ahead, if it works great, if not, so be it 

my surgery has been a complete success with all cancer in ureters gone and I had zero in my lymph nodes 

My recovery to be able to lift and do everyday chores a good six months Ive been told, as I’m to do absolutely nothing now. We manage the illeal conduit no problems so far and night bag last night great success. I have a district nurse to come Monday Wednesday and Friday, I’ll see how that goes as I’m not sure I want this service. I’m on a low residue diet which restricts a few foods no salad, fruit with seeds and skin and only a few different veggies 

I’m really good and have surprised myself 

you take care of yourself and hopefully you can get back into your art 

😘😘

[Cindi54]

Wow @Jennifer66 , you are one strong cookie!! good on you, onward and upwards 😊

xxoo

[Jennifer66]

Hi @Cindi54 

I have totally surprised myself how well I’m going, 24 hours after a 7.5 hour surgery I’m out of bed to sit in a chair and walk a few steps, when all I wanted was to close my eyes never to open again 

I don’t look ahead, simply take each day as it comes 

stay strong 

Jennifer 

😘😘

[Cindi54]

Hi @Jennifer66   shows how strong you are, good on you & yes that's the way to look at it, one day at a time, I must follow your advise too.

xx

[Jennifer66]

Hi @Cindi54 

they are so tough in hospital after you come to, I don’t know that I was strong, I had no choice, 

my hospital was amazing the nursing care exceptional 

I do think you put a lot of pressure on yourself and your treatments, I’ve always been a day to day person and my cancer has proved that, never knowing what is was doing 

Everyone so different,  I do feel there is less let down day to day than looking ahead to how bad or good it may be 

take care 

Jennifer 

😘😘