About to enter survivorship
Well peeps. In three days I will finish radiation and enter survivorship. The bold strong young lady you all met in February has changed significantly. Still strong but wow what a hard 6 months it's...
Forum Discussion
@youngdogmum Wow! has it really been 6 months since we first met you? You're still strong but maybe it's coming from a different angle now... Some cry at their last appointment - I probably scared the treating team as I whooped with joy! Make sure you keep moisturising and protect your skin. I got myself a long sleeve rashie to protect against sensitivity from the rads and from sunburn to the whole arm (but I only wear it when it's really bad burn days or out in it for too long I have to admit).
As for work, if you can, give yourself a decent break after treatment. I really wanted to get back to work as soon as I could. I wanted to go back to being "normal" and have something else to think about. I also needed the money. Besides which, I didn't consider that I was legitimately on sick leave anymore since treatment was done. So I finished rads in September and went back in October for Term 4. I knew it would be hard but I wanted to be back in the thick of it. In hindsight, that was a big mistake, although the money bit wasn't. I should have waited for the new school year. My memory was shot and I was absolutely exhausted. All I did was struggle through each work day and had nothing left outside of work. What I should have done was spent that time after treatment looking after me, regaining my strength and fitness, improving my mental state and resilience, and using any extra energy for my family. Twelve months later, I'm still paying for that decision although it is getting a bit better. So, be as kind to yourself as you can be.
As for work, if you can, give yourself a decent break after treatment. I really wanted to get back to work as soon as I could. I wanted to go back to being "normal" and have something else to think about. I also needed the money. Besides which, I didn't consider that I was legitimately on sick leave anymore since treatment was done. So I finished rads in September and went back in October for Term 4. I knew it would be hard but I wanted to be back in the thick of it. In hindsight, that was a big mistake, although the money bit wasn't. I should have waited for the new school year. My memory was shot and I was absolutely exhausted. All I did was struggle through each work day and had nothing left outside of work. What I should have done was spent that time after treatment looking after me, regaining my strength and fitness, improving my mental state and resilience, and using any extra energy for my family. Twelve months later, I'm still paying for that decision although it is getting a bit better. So, be as kind to yourself as you can be.