Cancer Support and Caregivers Who Are Trail Blazers!

[deb_U_taunt]

I am bored with being laid up already and I still have 6 treatments to go. I don't ring the fucking bell until Sept 16th and I am already buggy. I still have radiation and surgery after that!!!!!!! I am pissy and bored. I really need a new hobby, one I can do inside. ARGGGGG

[deb_U_taunt]

It's a new day. Yesterday, I got mad at what was feeling like my life was put on hold by cancer. Today, woke up with a better attitude.

[Andrew, Jr.]

Hi Debby,

Good Morning! I am restricted by my mobility, and misaligned hips. It is a struggle being active. I can understand how you feel. One thing I took up is birdwatching, plus I have my 2 squirrels, Hank and Honey, who I feed. You may want to look into these for hobbies. At one time I participated in a ferel cat community behind my home until a nasty neighbor called Animal Control to have the cats removed. Grrrrrrrr

There are some days when my body just hurts so very badly, and most people just don't get it when they are working, have kids, and a busy lifestyle. Plus, in my case my age is a factor being close to 50 yo. I think it makes a huge difference in perspective.

I wish you much peace and love,
Andrew

[deb_U_taunt]

I truly understand. I feel like my life is in limbo. I am 51 and not ready to be old. Elevation is too high here for squirrels, but we feed the ferel cats and so does another neighbor. We have trapped and fixed quite a few of them.
Hope you are able to put your feet up and heal. Sounds like you are as blessed as I am with a wonderful, caring partner.

Originally Posted by Andrew, Jr.

Hi Debby,

Good Morning! I am restricted by my mobility, and misaligned hips. It is a struggle being active. I can understand how you feel. One thing I took up is birdwatching, plus I have my 2 squirrels, Hank and Honey, who I feed. You may want to look into these for hobbies. At one time I participated in a ferel cat community behind my home until a nasty neighbor called Animal Control to have the cats removed. Grrrrrrrr

There are some days when my body just hurts so very badly, and most people just don't get it when they are working, have kids, and a busy lifestyle. Plus, in my case my age is a factor being close to 50 yo. I think it makes a huge difference in perspective.

I wish you much peace and love,
Andrew

[Novelafemme]

A question for those who have had steroids in their chemo protocol. Has anyone dealt with the manic high/low side effect and if so, is there anything you can do to counter-balance it? no problem here with the high part but the low part is brutal!

[Tommi]

Originally Posted by Novelafemme

A question for those who have had steroids in their chemo protocol. Has anyone dealt with the manic high/low side effect and if so, is there anything you can do to counter-balance it? no problem here with the high part but the low part is brutal!

Hopefully someone experiencing that can respond, in relation the manic side effects due to chemo. I am hypermanic with no chemo, but that's another brutal world.

No experience, but I found this when I Googled. "chemotherapy are given Dexamethasone to counteract certain side-effects of .... irritability, euphoria, mania; "

[deb_U_taunt]

Originally Posted by Novelafemme

A question for those who have had steroids in their chemo protocol. Has anyone dealt with the manic high/low side effect and if so, is there anything you can do to counter-balance it? no problem here with the high part but the low part is brutal!

I didn't put that together at first. I thought it was depression from cancer, etc. The Dr suggested antidepressants, but I am too nervous about coming off of them later.

I am blessed and have a partner that reminds me to breathe and take a break. We have both joined support groups and its made all the difference. There is also a Cancer Wellness Center with FREE massage and yoga!!!!!

BTW, if it gets to me to much, I just scream. Scares the dogs, but sometimes it feels like the thing to do. Seems to motivate me to get out of myself.

[Novelafemme]

Originally Posted by Debby

I didn't put that together at first. I thought it was depression from cancer, etc. The Dr suggested antidepressants, but I am too nervous about coming off of them later.

I am blessed and have a partner that reminds me to breathe and take a break. We have both joined support groups and its made all the difference. There is also a Cancer Wellness Center with FREE massage and yoga!!!!!

BTW, if it gets to me to much, I just scream. Scares the dogs, but sometimes it feels like the thing to do. Seems to motivate me to get out of myself.

Screaming works GREAT YAY for the ability to use our voices as a release, huh!!

A few things about anti-depressants and meds. When I first started having panic attacks before my divorce, I had NEVER taken anything other than the occasional aspirin when a headache got too bad. I was all about alternative medicine and holistic therapy. So, the long and short of it was that I suffered tremendously for nearly two months. I lost 20lbs, couldn't eat, couldn't sleep, had two small children and a full time job to attend to. Finally, after seeing a wonderful doctor, I eased into taking a med that helped me wake up without that overwhelming sense of dread and soul crushing anxiety. And let me tell you, it made all the difference in the world! I also began talk therapy and sort of over-hauled my life and started dusting out the creepy-crawlies that were lurking in dark corners, but that med is what enabled me to do so...it helped me cope during one of the darkest periods of my life. The most important thing for me to keep in mind was that no matter what, I did not want to be like my mother, who would take to her bed for months at a time when us kiddos were little. I wanted to be there for my girls and be there for me!! I keep taking my little pill...every morning with my coffee...I call it my happy pill. I feel so blessed that we have drugs that can help us along through the difficult times and as long as I need it, I will continue to live better through chemistry, one day at a time.

[Tommi]

Originally Posted by Debby

I am bored with being laid up already and I still have 6 treatments to go. I don't ring the fucking bell until Sept 16th and I am already buggy. I still have radiation and surgery after that!!!!!!! I am pissy and bored. I really need a new hobby, one I can do inside. ARGGGGG

I just ordered this clay, and it is in the mail. LWF said she absolutely loves it. I am going to make small shields with raised family crests, and some small masks.
http://www.pearlpaint.com/shop-Air-D...2999_2963.html

Air Dry Clay

Like all moist clays, Boneware is easily kept soft and pliable as long as desired if moist with water and covered with a damp cloth while not in use. Finished pieces become bone hard when allowed to dry. No firing, no baking necessary. May be decorated with tempera, oil paints, and enamels. Packed moist and ready to use.

[deb_U_taunt]

Originally Posted by Tommi

I just ordered this clay, and it is in the mail. LWF said she absolutely loves it. I am going to make small shields with raised family crests, and some small masks.
http://www.pearlpaint.com/shop-Air-D...2999_2963.html

Air Dry Clay

Like all moist clays, Boneware is easily kept soft and pliable as long as desired if moist with water and covered with a damp cloth while not in use. Finished pieces become bone hard when allowed to dry. No firing, no baking necessary. May be decorated with tempera, oil paints, and enamels. Packed moist and ready to use.

That is a great idea!! I am taking a trip to some craft stores this afternoon and will loof for it..THANK YOU Tommi! This looks like what I will need to keep my mind busy wonder if it can handle the outdoors....mind is running with it already..lol

[Tommi]

Originally Posted by Debby

That is a great idea!! I am taking a trip to some craft stores this afternoon and will look for it..THANK YOU Tommi! This looks like what I will need to keep my mind busy wonder if it can handle the outdoors....mind is running with it already..lol

I think it can. This product looks and feels awesome. I have a small face LeftWriteFemme made and sent me as an example before I ordered 50 pounds online. It feels solid , just like stoneware. I sculpt in other clays that have to be fired and this one does not, so I can't wait till it gets her on the 13th.

[deb_U_taunt]

Originally Posted by Tommi

I think it can. This product looks and feels awesome. I have a small face LeftWriteFemme made and sent me as an example before I ordered 50 pounds online. It feels solid , just like stoneware. I sculpt in other clays that have to be fired and this one does not, so I can't wait till it gets her on the 13th.

I bookmarked in case I didn't find it my craft store search. Price is good. I just keep picturing my new queer friendly garden gnomes. lol

[Tommi]

Originally Posted by Debby

I bookmarked in case I didn't find it my craft store search. Price is good. I just keep picturing my new queer friendly garden gnomes. lol

AHhhhh. GREAT IDEA>>>

[deb_U_taunt]

Originally Posted by Tommi

AHhhhh. GREAT IDEA>>>

Good thing for no HOA. lol

[DapperButch]

Originally Posted by Debby

That is a great idea!! I am taking a trip to some craft stores this afternoon and will loof for it..THANK YOU Tommi! This looks like what I will need to keep my mind busy wonder if it can handle the outdoors....mind is running with it already..lol

Don't forget to exercise even when you are tired. It will help with the fatigue. Even just a slow walk around the block.

[deb_U_taunt]

Originally Posted by DapperButch

Don't forget to exercise even when you are tired. It will help with the fatigue. Even just a slow walk around the block.

Our dogs make sure that happens.

[Tommi]

Just received the latest issue of CURE magazine. Always something new, always something to remind me about taking care of me, and ART stuff too. It's also available as an eMagazine at -->

Link for a Free subscription* I would like a FREE subscription of CURE. (Free to cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers in the U.S.)

[DapperButch]

Originally Posted by Tommi

Just received the latest issue of CURE magazine. Always something new, always something to remind me about taking care of me, and ART stuff too. It's also available as an eMagazine at -->

Link for a Free subscription* I would like a FREE subscription of CURE. (Free to cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers in the U.S.)

Thanks, Tommi! I went and signed up.

[Tommi]

A happy face on a prescription blank, inside an envelope from my Oncologist with my annual follow-up to uterine cancer.

I am still anxious when I open it. A little check mark on a little box beside:

"All test results are negative" and a hand drawn happy face.

Seven years, cancer free. .

[deb_U_taunt]

Originally Posted by Tommi

A happy face on a prescription blank, inside an envelope from my Oncologist with my annual follow-up to uterine cancer.

I am still anxious when I open it. A little check mark on a little box beside:

"All test results are negative" and a hand drawn happy face.

Seven years, cancer free. .

That is the shit. Great to have a Dr with a sense of humor.