Living alone with Cancer and Depression

[Cindi54]

Hi Richard, I'm SO HAPPY for you, such a great result, and also for Jennifer, and me, we are truly lucky,

I'm so relieved as you must be.

Hope tomorrow goes well, please let us know , good luck.

I'm still suffering from not much energy but I was at the gym today for nearly and hour and a half, but lighter weights and not as long on treadmill, just get too tired, can't wait till I get more into it all again with more of that allusive energy 🙂

Talk soon,

Cindi xxo

[Jennifer66]

Thanks so much @Richard56 

it certainly has been a great week for both of us 

I’m looking forward to going back to the pool

and we are going away to Lakes Entrance tomorrow so  a swim may happen.

I am so different to many but it certainly doesn’t mean I don’t have empathy for others and the way they handle there diagnosis. 
My cancer has never been a ‘weight on my shoulders’

If I can’t control or fix things then I simply ignore it. 
it perhaps was a burden in the first year when I was simply  waiting to get sick and be in pain and this never happened, that’s when I realised I can’t control it, so it was never going to control me and I worked with doctors as to only what I wanted and two years was long enough and as I had changed doctors in this time, the time finally  came when I went with what my Professor wanted done.

Yes I  am pleased that I went with the major surgery but in all honesty I have never been in pain or sick and I knew if I didn’t go with surgery I was going to be in pain and sick and I didn’t want that or my family to go through that. 
I would never tell anyone how to deal with there treatments or diagnosis, other than be kind to yourself and don’t put pressure on yourself. 
jennifer 

😘😘😘😘

[Cindi54]

Hi @Jennifer66 ,

I know you don't realise it, but you're an amazingly strong and brave woman, you've been through so much but just take it all in your stride. I'm so happy for you with your good results and hope now you can eat normal food. Your husband sounds wonderful.

I like your attitude about how to deal with such stress and will try to follow your lead and not stress over what "could" happen. I'm feeling pretty confident and have complete trust in my Oncologist and his plans.

I also wish you good thoughts and a wonderful 2025.

Sending a big hug,

Cindi xxoo ❤️

[Jennifer66]

Thank you so very much @Cindi54 

You are so kind, simply the person I am, I really try not to worry about things, especially things I cannot control or fix. I still will get upset and have shed many tears , but will always get myself in the right mind frame. Peter has been wonderful and the last nine weeks has been such an incredible loving rock doing absolutely everything. The last two years have taken more a toll on him as he has been the one making sure everybody is alright. hopefully eating a lot more variety food settles well with me, I will take it easy for a while.
I’m so pleased things are a lot better for you and your results also good. Hopefully your tiredness will soon ease as you are back at the place you love taking it slowly 

my good thoughts with you and you are also one amazing strong woman 

take care 

Jennifer 

😘💖😘💖

[Isadora2021]

Please keep us updated. The thing I’ve learnt as a stage 4 cancer patient is that no one understands us as well as other cancer patients. You’ve made a whole community of new friends and supporters by joining this community 😊❤️‍🩹

[Isadora2021]

@Cindi54  I loved your post! I was diagnosed with stage 4 appendix cancer in 2021. I started consulting Dr Google and quickly stopped as I would statistically be done and dusted by 2023!! Each person is different and it doesn’t help!  I had initial debulking surgery followed by 6 months of fortnightly Folfiri and Avastin before qualifying for HIPEC (and cytoreductive surgery and a peritonectomy) in early 2022.

I’ve been NED since and moved from quarterly surveillance scans to 6 monthly scans (with blood tests left at 3 monthly).

I have 2 dogs and they are fantastic ♥️🐾  They help jeep me up and getting about. I didn’t include the benefit of meeting other dogs and dog owners in the local parks when weighing the pros and cons of dog ownership’s. A wonderful  additional benefit. 

[Richard56]

Hi Cindi, Jennifer 

I'm doing ok, its been 6 days since my nose surgery,  the surgeon removed 25% of my nose with skin grafts to repair and fill the huge gap left by the cancer removed, its certainly been painful and challenging, however I've been taking moderate pain relief to get me through,  2 anesthetics in one week was also a challenge,  I've been very washed out but today has been good and i feel quite normal, had a 4 km walk this morning and had a workout with light weights. The dressing is driving me nuts, there is tape all over my face and with the humidity here it hasn't been pleasant,  i can't wait to have the dressing changed on Thursday.

Tomorrow i see another specialist skin surgeon for the removal of the SCC's near my eyes and hairline, just local anesthetic for these then Friday back to the Oncologist to work out a start date for my next treatment immunotherapy,  not as intense this time though.

I hope you and Jennifer are well,  I've been thinking about you both.

Wishing this year will be great for us.

Take good care,

Talk soon.

Richard 😘😘xxoo

[Jennifer66]

Hi @Richard56 

that is great news your skin cancer treatment went so well and you have your dates for next lot. 
You’re certainly in a good place with your treatment coming up which is really good. And you certainly have a great lot of fitness going on.

I’m doing great  no problems at all, cancer all gone and total remission 

my good wishes for a great outcome for you. 
jennifer 

😘😘

[RobN]

Hi Richard,

I have also been struggling with my recent diagnosis of Grade 4 brain cancer and depression, I saw my GP who prescribed an anti-depressant which has lifted my mood. I am fairly isolated as well as I am too scared to go out in public as I am susceptible to seizures which are very embarrasing in public.

Hang in there....................

[Cindi54]

Hi @Isadora2021 ,

I've only just got back online as my Internet's been down for the last 5 days, I couldn't access my emails or anything. Now all good.

Wow you've been through a lot, amazing how strong you can be when you need to be.

Good on you.

And I know what you mean about the dogs helping you.

I often go up to my local dog park just to make myself feel better, I have 3 cats but would love a dog, they are so in tune to their human and seem to know how to cheer you up!

At the dog park, just to watch the dogs all happily running about with pure joy is comforting, interacting with them even better.😁

Good luck to you and take care

Cindi xxoo