What's been happening.
primek
Member Posts: 5,392 ✭
in Day to day
Well not too much.
Hubby and I had a recent 3 day bike trip alone which of course is challenging to take a photo of both of you so sorry nobe of us on the bike.
Work has been very busy.
Lots of staff shortages (5) meaning of course less people to do the same work. Building work happening around us resulting in hours and hours of Jack hammering, grinding and dust. It's just been horrible.
I had the black dog hovering around. It's partly winter plus ongoing workloads. Last week my boss asked how I was going and I just burst into tears. My sleep is off. I'm struggling with my exercise as I'm so tired and my food has slipped back...again as it takes physical and emotional energy to keep those things in check. I took a couple of days off.
Aah then there still is the fear of recurrence that simmers just below the surface. I had my recent oncology appointment and now as I'm 2 years post chemo next month and 2.5 years since surgery, my next appointment is in 12 months. I'm also on 12 months with breast surgeon. So it means I see someone 6 monthly. Fabulous right? Yessss...but then we worry it's not enough.
Then this week I found what I initially thought was a collarbone enlarged node. Nothing like that to scare the bejeebas out of you. But no...I realised it is scar tissue from my port line. Sigh. Head games.
Exercise wise I'm progressing even if I'm currently in a bad week. I've started doing pump classes through the YMCA. I was watching through the door and realised its not a fast paced class and it's filled with women 50 plus. It's intended to help with bone strength. So in I go. I do on a Thursday....which means if buggered Friday it's only 1 day of work to drag myself through. The first week I found the only area not hurting was my face...lol. Who knew you had muscles in your armpits. I used very light weights initially as you use your body weight anyway and move up as fitter. I can't believe my body change. My thighs are so strong now. I can lunge now and get up. I can get on the floor and get up into a lunge and up with no need to use my arms. I still struggle with a push up.... thankyou reconstruction ...but I'm getting better.
I've started swimming again when the cold doesn't get to me. It's not the pool, just the changing into bathers and being so dark when I finish work. I do my own gum workout with my sis on Saturdays and aquafit Sunday. Eventually I hope to do one more structured exercise day but not yet.
So life does go on after treatment.
Fitness takes time and persistance.
Self care is important and my recent melt down has highlighted I need to do that again despite work pressures. Take time out to get in the sun. Have a walk at lunchtime. Meet a friend for coffee. Take a moment for yourself.
So my friends. Remember to look after you. You are all important.
Hubby and I had a recent 3 day bike trip alone which of course is challenging to take a photo of both of you so sorry nobe of us on the bike.
Work has been very busy.
Lots of staff shortages (5) meaning of course less people to do the same work. Building work happening around us resulting in hours and hours of Jack hammering, grinding and dust. It's just been horrible.
I had the black dog hovering around. It's partly winter plus ongoing workloads. Last week my boss asked how I was going and I just burst into tears. My sleep is off. I'm struggling with my exercise as I'm so tired and my food has slipped back...again as it takes physical and emotional energy to keep those things in check. I took a couple of days off.
Aah then there still is the fear of recurrence that simmers just below the surface. I had my recent oncology appointment and now as I'm 2 years post chemo next month and 2.5 years since surgery, my next appointment is in 12 months. I'm also on 12 months with breast surgeon. So it means I see someone 6 monthly. Fabulous right? Yessss...but then we worry it's not enough.
Then this week I found what I initially thought was a collarbone enlarged node. Nothing like that to scare the bejeebas out of you. But no...I realised it is scar tissue from my port line. Sigh. Head games.
Exercise wise I'm progressing even if I'm currently in a bad week. I've started doing pump classes through the YMCA. I was watching through the door and realised its not a fast paced class and it's filled with women 50 plus. It's intended to help with bone strength. So in I go. I do on a Thursday....which means if buggered Friday it's only 1 day of work to drag myself through. The first week I found the only area not hurting was my face...lol. Who knew you had muscles in your armpits. I used very light weights initially as you use your body weight anyway and move up as fitter. I can't believe my body change. My thighs are so strong now. I can lunge now and get up. I can get on the floor and get up into a lunge and up with no need to use my arms. I still struggle with a push up.... thankyou reconstruction ...but I'm getting better.
I've started swimming again when the cold doesn't get to me. It's not the pool, just the changing into bathers and being so dark when I finish work. I do my own gum workout with my sis on Saturdays and aquafit Sunday. Eventually I hope to do one more structured exercise day but not yet.
So life does go on after treatment.
Fitness takes time and persistance.
Self care is important and my recent melt down has highlighted I need to do that again despite work pressures. Take time out to get in the sun. Have a walk at lunchtime. Meet a friend for coffee. Take a moment for yourself.
So my friends. Remember to look after you. You are all important.
14
Comments
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Thanks Kath. This BC stuff is exhausting if you focus on it and it is very hard not to. The tyranny of distance...such a mixed blessing. I'm nowhere near as remote as you--only 300 km to the surgeon--so being told you don't need to go is great, but that isolation from the experts is still a concern. The up side is the strong links to your immediate community which are rarer in Metro areas. Good luck, go you good thing. Mxx0
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AWESOME @primek ..... well done on the bike ride - hubby had threatened that with me (NOT my idea of fun!!) Luckily, with his dementia, he's forgotten he ever suggested it! LOL
I am in awe that you are still working - one of my uke buddies asked how I was going - & I blubbed too! This bloody disease has a lot to answer for .... I hope the black dog has left the building!!
Yes, the mind really does play games on us - I had a scare recently & was relieved last week to get the 'all clear' .... so know how you felt!
Well done on your exercise regime - I just don't have the patience! LOL I go kayak fishing - so using legs for pedalling the kayak & heaps of arms & shoulders for the casting & retrieving .....
I used to love swimming ..... but I hate it now! I hate that it gives me ear aches. I hate the cold ..... I've not owned a swimsuit since the late 70s ... I wear shorts & a rashie!
YES!! So life does go on after treatment. Fitness takes time and persistence.
Find what you love doing best - and do the best you can at it! xxxx 1 -
Fascinating post about life two years down the track. Thank you. K xox0
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Ice to hear from you. I’m 7 years on and at times (not to often) have those unsure moments. Good for you with all the exercise. Lovely photo.
Hugs.
Paula xx0 -
@arpie I never swim without ear plugs. I paid for a pofessional molded pair. I was constantly getting ear trouble prior tbat. I also wear a cap as well which helps. However aquafit doesn't usually require earplugs and if you push yourself its great cardio and superfun. So maybe look at that. Kayak sounds fun but alas no sea or even a river close to me.1
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Wow! 800km . Incredible . Good for you and great to hear you’re two years down the line . It’s up hill and down dale with bc at times . Take care XX1
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Dear@primek, Take heart, you are doing really well - our expectations may be unrealistic, but not our efforts. I have said it before but to recap - after working through treatment for a year (because I could, easily, not because I am brave or a superwoman), I had some counselling to try and clarify my thinking about who I was at the end of all that stuff. I took some long standing facts finally on board - I was a lousy delegator, bad relaxer, over achiever and in total denial about my age and yes, my mortality. Not a bad boss, would never ask anyone to something I wouldn't do, in fact frequently did it for them! So - when offered a new job, and getting over the immediate reaction ( "how could I possibly leave, it's a really busy time " etc, etc) I said only 4 days a week. No working from home stuff, I get paid for four days and I stick to it, but I don't clock watch. I delegate better, leave stuff in the office and stress less. Amazingly everything still gets done, while I have reclaimed whole slabs of my life. I don't think we ever really can go back across that line - the one where cancer will never happen to us, but stress is cumulative. Stress about one thing builds stress about others.
Never underestimate your own worth. Yours is very high indeed. My very best wishes.6 -
@Afraser funnily enough I changed jobs just prior bc diagnosis for that reason. After returning to work after treatment I tried living on 4 days a week but with sons still home it wasn't sustainable financially. The short staff has made me feel that this job is a little like my old job but for much less money. However I'm planning on being more disciplined in my self care again. I have to continue to remind my self that the issues on the floor aren't mine to solve (but its frustrating when solutions are glaringly obvious). I have called the union about work issues and staffing levels are being rapidly looked at. It's annoying it has to have that pressure to solve it.2
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@primek u r an inspiration xoxo1
