Hello all, I'm feeling really flat and sick and wonder what the rest of you do to treat yourselves during treatment? I read that so many of you stress the importance of exercise but I find I just don't have the energy to do anything at all. I've got yet another nasty stomach bug but no hospital this time and frankly I'm fed up!!! I know I've only got 2 rounds of chemo to go so I should be thankful for that and bellieve me, I am. It's just that it would be nice to have a little sparkle or something in my life at this time. Any suggestions? Oh yes, by the way, I'm single so suggestions re husbands or partners spoiling me are sort of useless!!! love Tink xx

You do not have to feel grateful that you only have 2 rounds of chemo to go. I know how that can feel as though it is still a lot of weeks of feeling terrible ahead of you. I used to say (when people who did not understand tried to be positive for me) that the light i coud see was not the end of the tunnel but a great big Mac truck coming to run me down again and again! But I think you do need something to spoil yourself with, that can help to make you feel just a bit better and help get you through those last 2 chemos. Things that I did were to go out for a meal, do you have a friend or family member that you could do this with? Buy yourself some colorful flowers, that used to cheer me up every time I looked at them. I also bought a new outfit that made me feel good when I was feeling down and so over the whole chemo 'look'. Watching a few good DVD's was also something that gave me some escape time. I used to also spend time reading other people's stories on here and knowing that they got through and were ok again did help me to keep going too.It is hard to contemplate exercising or even going for a walk when you feel terrible and have 0 energy but you will get through this and then you can start to help yourself recover. Hope that you can find something to help you through this rough patch. I used to find that I would have a bad day or two but then something would help me to feel better. It really is a roller coaster but the up time might be just around that next bend. Sending you a very big cyber hug! Take care. Deanne xxx

Hi, when I was feeling bleh I used to do a few different things - my faves were: 1. Going to my local shopping centre (which had the Medicare office in it, felt like I lived there sometimes!! But that's a whole different story) and they had 2 massage recliners there, you put in $2 for 5 minutes massage and it was absolutely HEAVEN. I would have had a real massage but I was not working during treatment, so $2 was about all I could afford. I got really bad bone pain and this helped a lot. 2. Call someone who lives far away and talk about something totally UN-Cancer. For me, that was either my best friend (Darwin) or my nanna (northern NSW) and I'm in Melbourne. I'd say something like "I just needed to hear from you, and I'm sick of thinking about my stupid boobs! " and we would usually have a laugh and just talk about random crap - the sound of the voice was enough. 3. Float in a hot bath, if you have one...lights off, a candle or two...glass of wine if you drink...music on, or silence if needed! This helps with the aches too. 4. I can't have a pet as I'm renting, but I tried to be around animals as much as possible! Kitties and puppies make me happy :-) Hope these suggestions help, it does get better!!! Only 2 to go!!

I remember that time......you are more than half way but it seems that the light at the end of the tunnel is far, far away! But believe me it is closer than you think! It is all of the above. I would ring friends for a coffee out in a nice cafe and have lots of non-cancer chats! I have pets and they were great. Sitting out in the garden and 'smelling the roses' so to speak was also a great comfort. The weather is lovely and warm at the moment so thats a blessing. You will be there before you know it! Good luck! xx

These bc treatments are very hard on you- both physically and emotionally.You have to go with the flow and if you don't feel like exercising then don't.Eat whatever you can and worry about a healthy lifestyle when you are through treatments.On the really bad days,I could hardly get out of bed so I would just cry and have myself a little pity party.I found comedy DVDs helped,Nice long bath helps and then,when you are up to it, retail therapy.Have coffee with girlfriends and then buy yourself a present.I also like being near nature ie wondering around a nursery or bush/ beach walk. Tonya xx

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18 Replies

Juli
Member
11 years ago
Hi Tink, maybe in the near future I will understand more what you (and the other lovely ladies ) are going through or have been through. I wish you all the best, and I really don't know what to say, but keep positive. You will get through this. I have my 1st appointment with oncology dr. On monday 1st Dec. PS I like the sound of those massage chairs. Cheers Juli. Xxxx
TonyaM
Member
11 years ago
I lost my mum in May too.It's hard isn't it and little things set me off crying too.I guess in time we'll adjust. Tonya xx
rowdy
Member
11 years ago
Hi tink everyone has given you good advice I have nothing to add but try and have a laugh. I was very lucky when I was having chemo my firends always made me laugh, I recieved some amazing funny gifts that I thought were hilarious but some people might have been affended. Laughter friends and.family have pulled me through alot of the bad days. I'm waiting for 2015 to come in as it has to be better than this one. Be kind to yourself and hoping you feel better sending you hugs xxx
Tink
Member
11 years ago
Oh I"ve had a few pity parties and after a good cry I usually feel better. I lost Mum this May and the other day it just hit me so hard how much I missed her and that started me off. I would love to hit the shops but I stacked on at least 9 kilos from the steriods (would have been nice to have been told about that prior to starting treatment!!) so need to lose quite a bit before I go shopping. Great suggestions and advice!

Tink xx
Tink
Member
11 years ago
Thank you for your suggestions! My local shopping centre does have those massage chairs so I might just try them. I have two gorgeous little doggies but sometimes I find myself getting irritated at them for nothing they've done, it's just me and my state of mind. Then one of them will come over and put her head on my leg - so loving! I love having a bubble bath and only recently had my first since surgery, but as I have a picc line in I can't completely submerge! I can still do the bubbles and wine though!

Thanks again

Tink xx
Tink
Member
11 years ago
Thanks for your suggestions! I do love sitting out the back on my patio looking at the garden. I have new neighbours who look at me a bit funny when they see me with no scarves and wearing undies and a t shirt - good old hot flushes!!! I am going to suggest lunch to a couple of friends and ban cancer talk completely!!!

Tink xx
Tink
Member
11 years ago
Thanks Donna. It's reassuring to hear from others that no, it's not possible to be positive 100% of the time. We all try to be, but sometimes we just have to let ourselves realise that we're not made of steel!

Thanks again

Tinkxx
Tink
Member
11 years ago
Thank you so much for your reply. Sick and tired of being sick and tired is EXACTLY how I feel!!! I think I'll do the massage thing. I was afraid to in the beginning, especially as I had a mastectomy and everything was so wierd feeling, but I think I'm good now, at least for my favourite neck and shoulder one! I do have decent support but I am conscious of depending so heavily on them all the time, especially my sister who has been wonderful, but I can see it's taken a toll on her.
Tink
Member
11 years ago
Another great replly and advice Deanne! Thank you very much. I hadn't thought of flowers and will do that on my way home tonight. Reading the blogs on this website certainly does help. although sometimes I get sad that we are all going through this. I find my emotions go up and down all the time. Today I'm feeling better but who knows for how long lol!!

Take care

Tink
shat
Member
11 years ago
Hi Tink,

I have 2 rounds left too. everyone likes to point out that I am over the hump but I think this is the time when things get hard. You feel so sick and tired of feeling sick and tired.

I have a partner but, it doesnt always make things easier. I still have to deal with all the shit from before but while feeling already depressed. I bet being single would have it's own challenges tho (though I am still currently fantasising about it!). I hope you have some decent support?

Cliche I know but Massage, especially with nice aromatherapy, sometimes helps to take me away from my crappy world for a while and has some residual relaxing effects. Make sure you know you deserve it.

..and dont feel crappy about feeling crappy. you are totally allowed.

shat