Hello 👋

Hello @Blossom1961, @Stone90, @Steff777, I saw your names in an earlier discussion so thought I'd tag you in case you'd like to be in touch.  No worries if you're not really using the forum anymore though.

Hi @HelenlovesSnoopy thanks for reaching out! I have just finished my main treatment recently.. chemo, then op, then radiation. Chemo is tough. Especially when they tell you the chemo they are giving you is known as ‘the red devil’! 🤣 God really showed me He was with me from the moment I was diagnosed too, it was quite amazing! I also enrolled in my first subject at Bible college the week after I started chemo so I could do something interesting and keep my brain active and focused on something other than chemo… the lectures and readings are online so even when I was really sick I could listen to them in bed. It has been great to do something other than just mastering in watching netflicks during that time. Things that were helpful for preparing for chemo for me were taking movicol from 2 days before each dose, avoiding spicy food, extra peppermint chewing gum (was only thing that got rid of the horrible chemo taste) … and discovering Jas Chemo Headware which is an online store with great selection of hats and very good prices and service. Also if I drank from a plastic glass it was undrinkable, but same water from a glass glass tasted fine. Thinking of you! 

Hi @Steff777! 💕

@HelenlovesSnoopy and @Steff777 I am away at the moment and not in good reception. Hopefully this will send.

Going from my first diagnosis at 56yrs in 2018, through chemo, mastectomy and then Mets in 2022, followed by more chemo, I have had Gods assurance it was going to be okay. Yes, sometimes it has been and is tough, but the opportunities I have had along the way to minister to others with cancer has been amazing and makes this whole thing worthwhile. My cancer is controlled and currently inactive. 

Hi @Blossom1961

@HelenlovesSnoopy and @Blossom1961 I was 56 when I was diagnosed too… a year ago next week! My treatment path was chemo then op then radiation. 

@HelenlovesSnoopy I highly recommend starting the study if its on your bucket list… you can give it a go and withdraw if too much. I was able to get into online Summer School starting in November when my chemo started. You will be able to apply for their disability support provisions whilst you are undergoing treatment which can mean automatic extensions for assignments and the ability to withdraw at any time without penalty not just before census date. Thankfully I haven’t needed to use these but good to have access just in case. 

Wow, thanks @Steff777 I was wondering if there were special considerations for students with cancer so that is great and very motivating. 

Hi Lovely ladies

I am back from teenager sitting and dog sitting. My clothes are all covered in dog slobber and snot but we actually had a nice time away. It was a break from the norm.

Doing a course is a great idea if you can. I tried it but the course I chose was too heavy for me at that time. Make sure it is something you can get your teeth into without too much brain exertion. I now work one or two days a week and have a french bulldog to amuse me whilst at home. In between appointments, tests and treatments, that is about my limit. 

Having at least one supportive non family member Christian is fantastic for your mental health. I had one who helped me get through angst moments and helped me feel normal. She was a friend from a different church. I was in a non supportive church which I have since moved on from. My current church is more supportive even though they are unaware of my cancer status. For Cancer specific support, this forum is brilliant. I hope that makes sense. I am a bit loopy after the dog filled weekend.

Take care and post any questions you like. 

Love Melody

Hi Melody 🎵 @Blossom1961 - what a lovely name you have, like Melody Green!

im glad you enjoyed your holiday, albeit getting slobbered on, and then there were the doggies to contend with too 😜

I do have a lovely Christian friend who understands very well. My church is generally supportive too - but it’s complicated. In the past I haven’t really fit in there (and I’ve since found out it may be to do with me, being only slightly/invisibly autistic).