Sorry to hear you’re still struggling, Richard, to reinvent your life after cancer and its treatment.  They both take a lot out of us.   I wish I had a magic bullet for you. Adjusting is tough.     I’m also not who I was but somehow I’ve come to terms with that and also find taking pressure off myself has actually been a positive in my new normal.  Minimising stress is so freeing. Walking has in particular become one of my favourite new hobbies. In days gone by I’d only run and walking was a failure! Now I love walking. Yes I do sometimes miss running but I’m so happy I can still walk and can do so strongly.    I hope you can find new hobbies you’ll love to do.  Well done for being open to change!  ... View more

PS So sorry for the typos and predictive text!!  ... View more

I’m so glad, Richard, to hear you’ve seen your GP and know what you can do that’s within your control to help your body recover.  It’s good to have some concrete things to work on.   Also good news that your other medical tests/investigations (especially the colonoscopy) are looking so good!  Please donate us.    Cancer leaves a huge mark on our minds. It’s what brought me to this forum. I found this period more difficult mentally than diagnosis and treatment. In a way we now know what awaits if things cooperated again. Last time it was an exploration and new experience and we just “turned our feet over” (an expression left over from my running days when I hit the wall) to get to our goal.   This stage is so different. Please do watch your mental health carefully. I think I’ve said it before, but  I take 20 mg of citalopram for my anxiety and it really does help me deal so much better with the bad days.  Spending as much time doing things that put me in my happy place is hugely soothing too when things feel uphill. I have my next 6 month only PET-CT scans and array of blood tests on Tuesday.  We’re stronger together and there’s a much needed freedom here to express our fears and struggles to others who are wall king the same walk    Keep your feet turning over!  ... View more

Well done for looking for and finding the good things to appreciate, Richard! It sounds so trite but it really does help to count your blessings!    The tiredness is going to be part of your life for a while. Even now my body tells me when it needs me to pull back and take things easy. A good excuse to adjust my walk with my pups. They love sniffing so it’s easy to dial back  and still give them a good walk.  ( i haven’t been for a run for years now and am about ready to start gently again) I also love gardening and reading so I indulge with gusto what used to be guilty pleasures. I hope you can carve out more time doing peaceful but soul/zone stuff. I spend as much time now as I can with my dad and I know you have your mother. I used to be too busy 😞   Our bodies have fought a very hard fight - against cancer but also to survive treatment.  They need a lot of TLC.  I have learnt to listen to my body better with the help of a smartwatch. Never had one before I went into remission.  Good idea seeing your GP about anxiety/depression medication. Having my anxiety treated was key. It doesn’t get rid of it but helps manage it with behavioural tools. Have a magnificent Christmas, Richard. Enjoy every moment! How far you’ve come. Sending best wishes and friendship xx    ... View more

Oh no, Richard. I’m sorry you’re feeling so low, frustrated and let down.  Unfortunately what you’re now going through is totally normal when we’ve been through what we have.  To leave ill health and treatment behind and carry on life as if we never had cancer would be wonderful. But it’s not like that and again we are all unique in how this next stage plays out..   My cancer isn’t curable but I’ll be 4 years NED in May 2026. In some ways this stage of my journey is the hardest - because of the lingering side effects (I too have tinnitus from treatment but I’m now used to it) and the mind. I recall you don’t like therapy but it may be helpful to get a referral to a specialised cancer psychologist. I have had a referral on hand since I was in your position. So far I haven’t had to use it but it’s there.  Which is comforting. For me I’ve returned to keeping my focus on the “now” as we did during treatment. Not looking ahead nor behind. Taking a day at a time. It does get easier to climb the hills and make the most of good days then navigate out of the pits.   Be kind to yourself. Your body is still recovering.  It can take a year before your body heals. The mind is the harder thing to handle   Please keep venting here as much as you need. We’re here for you through the ups and downs  ... View more

Such wonderful news, Richard, to hear that you’re bouncing back so well!  ❤️‍🩹💪🏋🏻‍♀️🤼‍♀️  Thanks for sharing. It’s inspirational for so many people who are going through treatment now.   Also so good to see you appreciating the valuable lessons cancer teaches us.  A tough way to learn to appreciate each day and to be grateful!   Keep  up pushing forward as you are. Great work!  But also be gentle with yourself if you have tough days. We have both been through so much, both mentally and physically.  It’s now that smartwatch data is so valuable to know when to tone it down or it’s safe to ramp it up!!  Enjoy Christmas and another new year 🙌🏆❤️‍🩹 Looking  forward to an update including your colonoscopy in January.  ... View more

I’m so glad I could be here for you, Richard. No one else can understand quite the same way that a fellow traveller does. I salute you for opening up to us  and being vulnerable.    Cancer is a dreadful illness, and you have been a true warrior.  (I know some cancer patients don’t like using that word, but personally I embrace it). Cancer is an uninvited and unwelcome squatter in our bodies but also teaches us so much about ourselves. Like just how strong we can be.   Surveillance testing is now your next stage, and it will send up its own  different  mental challenges. We’re here for you whenever you need us!   My oncologist has from the start of my clear testing encouraged me to eat healthily and exercise well - 2 things you enjoyed before cancer and will enjoy building back up. Enjoy embracing those again to help your body and mind recover ❤️‍🩹 ... View more

Oh my goodness, Richard! That’s such fantastic news 💃🏻🏋🏻‍♀️🤼‍♀️🤺🙌❤️‍🩹  Congratulations. How wonderful that you can now focus on recovery and reclaiming your life outside work and treatment.  Please do keep us updated!  ... View more

Oh my goodness, Richard!  So relatable. I remenbwr well those days during treatment when I too pretty much worked and rested to get through the day and do it again the next day.  Rest is so important for recovery.  I managed to get a form of peace working within my limitations. Im a hugely competitive person so slowing down was a treat.  Sounds weird I know but I think we may be similar in many ways.   I’m really good at compartmentalising so it’s been relatively easy for me to not to stress what I can’t do any more and to focus gently on what I CAN. Acceptance of limitations is so important. Doesn’t mean it’s an easy excuse not to press forward. To do some Pilates or Yoga or formal body weight exercises indoors when it’s too wet or too hot to go for a walk.  I’m so glad to hear you have such a great relationship with you mum.  We all need people who we can totally be ourselves with but who we also can do stuff for in return. A whole own.   I’m lucky I have a close small group of friends. I may not see them as often as I’d like but it is what it is. Some we **bleep** message everyday. Others less frequently but more during AFL season!!  I’ve now also made good friends with 5 people who either live next door or close by.  It’s such a comfort to be part of that support network and thinking what I can contribute. It’s taken a while to build up neighbourhood friendships from just stopping in the street on passing to have a chat.  We now don hesitate to ask each other for favours as needed (eg to bring bins in, pick up things from the shops, a lift to the train station etc) and catch up for coffee or a wine (alcohol removed these days for me!!) or walk together.  Ground hog days can also become soul food days with some tinkering!! ❤️‍🩹 I’m so glad you’re going to revisit your approach to suit where you’re at. Please do let me know what your list making throws up!  ... View more

That’s the way, Richard! If you’re not up for outside therapy then you’re your therapist!! Up and at it! I have a Fitbit Versa 3 which helps me keep on track to move enough and destress with body calming activities.  Tracking doesn’t work for everyone. Some people stress more!! I like to work with information so I like it.   So glad your dog is hanging close at night and providing  comfort. My 2 young dogs (14 months old now) provide a huge motivation  to keep pushing on and such love and comfort.   One of the things i’ve done is sit down and make a list of what brings me joy. Some things I wrote I know are not possible now and maybe may never be again  (eg running and travelling overseas). I haven’t crossed them off because never say never!     In the meanwhile I’ve developed compromises. Like walking and going on routes with my dogs that suit how we all are individually doing then and there.  I try to choose at least part of the routes to take us through nature. We all love watching the swans and pelicans on the river while school teams practice rowing as the sun rises. Lovely too getting to recognise early dog walkers and their dogs. We all come home better than when we left.    I love gardening even though I don’t have a green thumb!  It’s fun researching what’s within my skills and capacity.  So I potter in the back terraced yard while the dogs run and play around me.  I also love reading and don’t feel at all lazy if I wish to escape with my kindle while my dogs rest at my feet after a good walk or play.  Taking my father out for breakfast and a drive 3 times a week (in particular Saturday) is so good for him and me). If I outlive my dad I’ll volunteer instead.   What do you like to do in your spare time, body permitting?! ... View more