Coping with a cancer diagnosis at Christmas, some helpful tips...
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I followed in the footsteps & the same hospital as @Sister. i was diagnosed on 6th Dec., went into hospital for surgery on 21st Dec & came out 22nd Dec. I remember tossing up whether to make the drive to celebrate Christmas with my family who live over 2 hrs away as I was still very sick & sore but we decided to make the trip & it was the best decision I made. Being surrounded by the ones you love at this time is the best medicine. i was looked after so well & I remember cuddling my pink pillow all day & being waited on & the pain killers also helped!! Yes, it was a big day & I was glad to get home to my bed that night but the love & support that my family gave me & continues to give me, was the best present I could have received. Good luck to those going through treatment at this time. It's not easy & never is, but you have plenty of support here no matter what time of the year it is. Hugs & prayers to you all xx7
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Oncology gave me a vip purple pass card to give to emergency if I needed to go there stating I needed to be seen first and put in isolation due to low resistance if this card is presented.4
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At this stage due for surgery on 19th December, so will be taking things easy this Christmas, Taking all the information on board relating to who will be available to talk to over the break.
As we all know cancer doesn’t take a break. Have a ton of questions for my surgeon on Monday , just had CT scan and full body bone scan, so feeling anxious at the moment.
Had a good night sleep last night after visiting GP yesterday, she has given me something to assist with sleep and anxiety.
Booked into do a Meditation and Mindfulness course which commences tomorrow, and runs for four weeks, and I have a good friend sharing this with me.
Hoping to gain skills to help me over the journey ahead.
Keep the positive thoughts coming through ladies, as we all need to hear them.
Looking at putting up tree early December as we need to keep things as normal as possible as this is something we do have control over.
Sending love and hugs to everyone ❤️8 -
@Shellshocked2018 The mindfulness group helped me a lot with anxiety attacks. We are putting up our tree this weekend as my operation is 27th November and I don't want to miss out on the fun. I have even been playing Christmas carols. I love Christmas! My job this year is supervisor. I'm pretty bossy and my hubby and adult kids are all stubborn so it should be interesting.
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I have just had my Radiation oncology appointment. I was told I would usually be starting radiation 4-6 weeks after surgery. 6 weeks would have been the 17th of December. I have been told this is not an ideal time to start due to all of the public holidays the following 2 weeks and so have been given a start date of the 2nd of January-8 weeks 3 days from my surgery date This may be delayed further if I choose to have genetic testing done. Christmas is already affecting my treatment plan....
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Since my diagnosis in Sept 2012 I have scaled back on Christmas we now do a lovely picnic lunch at one of our local dams and enjoy a relaxed day with beautiful views and beautiful water breezes. My Teens at the time took up the watch and did the Christmas Lunch and it was awesome.
Don't forget that our loved ones learn also through this time, and allowing them to serve us teaches them we are NOT the super mum they thought we were.
For those going through CHEMO over Christmas Make sure you have all your medical supplies before the chemists close up for the break.
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I feel your anguish, @Mjheke - I had my surgery in mid Jan this year & I already had a holiday booked in April - I was given the choice of having my radiation after the holiday if I preferred - as my Rad Onc said that the time frame really wasn't 'that strict'. I decided to have it done BEFORE the holiday, just because I wanted it 'over & done with'. This way, I had it all finished by Easter, then had 2 weeks to recover before leaving on my holiday to Norfolk Island!
If I'd gone with it after the holiday - it would have been around the 12 week mark ....... I hope this helps quell your fears xxx
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Ok now I'm worried
I have my first appointment with my oncologist on Monday does this mean my christmas is going to be crap?????
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hi Sweetpetal,
NO it could be after Christmas before you start chemo.... When did you have surgery? if you have already had it ?
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@SoldierCrab I haven't had surgery, going to have chemo first
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Then you might begin before Christmas.0
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@SoldierCrab I really hope so been waiting for my Oncologist to get back from leave for the last 2 weeks
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@Sweetpetal If you have a choice in timing Christmas, see if you can get it to fall in the third week of a chemo cycle. That's when you'll feel best. Hang in there. K xox2
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I had surgery on the 23rd December,came home on 24 th ,my family were all staying at my house for Xmas and coming up to it I was dreading it,it ended up being a good thing as it was distracting didn’t give me time to dwell,and I got them to do everything,and I would duck of for a nap when I wanted,it was nice for my teenage kids to have people around too ,took pressure off me be cheerful all the time,so I would say family friends support is great if you can get it over Xmas period.3
