Im new at this...
This discussion was created from comments split from: Just saying hi.
Forum Discussion
Totally normal to have the ups and downs. Some days you'll feel like you've got this, others not. The thing to remember is that no feeling is final.
My advice to you is to stop looking at the whole picture. I was massively guilty of this. My day to day life is complex (click on my @ to get a summary) and my diagnosis seemed disastrous. The good folk here instantly told me to just focus on the day, even the hour, to get through it. It takes a bit of mental discipline to master, but it's truly beneficial. You have to be kind to yourself at this time, and remaining present is the best way to do it.
So, today @TerriSteve, what do you need to do to get through to bedtime? Get some exercise, do the shopping, watch an episode of your favourite show, call your mum, get a present for a friend... whatever it is, just focus on doing that, and tomorrow will take care of itself.
When it comes to going in for chemo, a little bit of planning as to what and who you want to take (or not) is all you need to worry about. On the day just know how you're getting there and how you're getting home, and let the rest take care of itself. You don't know how you'll react any more than the rest of us, including your doctors. Some people sail through! Most of us manage without the extreme side effects. So just sit back and ride the waves as they come.
My therapist has hammered into me 'no predictive grief'. So no anticipating troubles that may never arise. Just some preparation like a good Scout is all you need.
It is important to ask for help if you need it. This was a hard lesson to learn for me, but a necessary one. Be it from the oncology nurses (if you are absolutely petrified on the day, tell them), your doctors, a therapist, your friends, your family or anyone at all. I remember once during chemo I had a full load of supermarket shopping in the trolley but halfway down to the car park the travelator broke. I was standing trying to work out where the lift was when two people stopped and then carried my trolley down the travelator. People love to help. They've studied it and the happiest human beings are volunteers! If it was your friend going through cancer, you'd want to help them, so please, when people offer to help, accept it. And if they don't offer (which is a thing because some people aren't sure what to do), ask them.
The end result of all this is that I have never felt more loved than when I was going through chemo. Bizarre but true!
There are some fun and nice things to do along the way. You can attend a Look Good Feel Better workshop, and book in for a free holiday with The Otis Foundation.
https://lgfb.org.au/
http://www.otisfoundation.org.au/
@Caz1 is bang on when she says to go for a walk everyday during chemo. It reduces the side effects, and makes you feel as if you are doing something at a time when a lot of stuff is being done to you.
So, yank those big girl undies up to your chin! You've got this. We'll help you through. Keep your eyes on the prize: a cancer free life. Big hug, K xox
My advice to you is to stop looking at the whole picture. I was massively guilty of this. My day to day life is complex (click on my @ to get a summary) and my diagnosis seemed disastrous. The good folk here instantly told me to just focus on the day, even the hour, to get through it. It takes a bit of mental discipline to master, but it's truly beneficial. You have to be kind to yourself at this time, and remaining present is the best way to do it.
So, today @TerriSteve, what do you need to do to get through to bedtime? Get some exercise, do the shopping, watch an episode of your favourite show, call your mum, get a present for a friend... whatever it is, just focus on doing that, and tomorrow will take care of itself.
When it comes to going in for chemo, a little bit of planning as to what and who you want to take (or not) is all you need to worry about. On the day just know how you're getting there and how you're getting home, and let the rest take care of itself. You don't know how you'll react any more than the rest of us, including your doctors. Some people sail through! Most of us manage without the extreme side effects. So just sit back and ride the waves as they come.
My therapist has hammered into me 'no predictive grief'. So no anticipating troubles that may never arise. Just some preparation like a good Scout is all you need.
It is important to ask for help if you need it. This was a hard lesson to learn for me, but a necessary one. Be it from the oncology nurses (if you are absolutely petrified on the day, tell them), your doctors, a therapist, your friends, your family or anyone at all. I remember once during chemo I had a full load of supermarket shopping in the trolley but halfway down to the car park the travelator broke. I was standing trying to work out where the lift was when two people stopped and then carried my trolley down the travelator. People love to help. They've studied it and the happiest human beings are volunteers! If it was your friend going through cancer, you'd want to help them, so please, when people offer to help, accept it. And if they don't offer (which is a thing because some people aren't sure what to do), ask them.
The end result of all this is that I have never felt more loved than when I was going through chemo. Bizarre but true!
There are some fun and nice things to do along the way. You can attend a Look Good Feel Better workshop, and book in for a free holiday with The Otis Foundation.
https://lgfb.org.au/
http://www.otisfoundation.org.au/
@Caz1 is bang on when she says to go for a walk everyday during chemo. It reduces the side effects, and makes you feel as if you are doing something at a time when a lot of stuff is being done to you.
So, yank those big girl undies up to your chin! You've got this. We'll help you through. Keep your eyes on the prize: a cancer free life. Big hug, K xox