marking a milestone - anyone else?

jcruz
jcruz Member Posts: 379 Member

I'm going back to work today!  I'll be half-time for a while but it's so good to know that I can do this.  I'm excited and apprehensive.  I've been away from work for seven months and now it's over.

Thinking about my milestone - last day of treatment, hearing that my tumor is gone, getting my straggly short hair cut and looking good, getting my port out and now going back to work.

Would anyone else like to share milestones?  I think it would be helpful and fun to hear from you.

Comments

  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    Congratulations!

    It sounds like you are doing great!  I am so happy for you!  I hope the return to work goes smoothly.  Once you get that first day behind you, I'm sure you'll be right back in the swing of things.

    As for milestones, I guess I sort of have one coming up.  On March 9th., I will be 4 1/2 years post-treatment.  I must say that the year between 4 years and 5 years has been the longest so far, I guess because I just can't wait to be able to say that I'm a 5-year survivor.  You know, the old watched pot scenario!

    Best wishes to you and enjoy being back at work!

  • eihtak
    eihtak Member Posts: 1,473 Member
    Milestones....

    Congrats to you!!! I think setting goals, no matter how big are crucial to long term recovery. This spring I will be 1yr post treatment for breast cancer and 2yrs post treatment for anal cancer. Though some of my side effects will be with me forever, as time goes on they interfear with my daily life less and less, and even remind me of how strong I can be when need to.

    As far as current milestones....I have a big one! I recently went back to college after being out for 35yrs. I'm taking it slow, but plan to graduate with my degree in Human Services.

  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    eihtak said:

    Milestones....

    Congrats to you!!! I think setting goals, no matter how big are crucial to long term recovery. This spring I will be 1yr post treatment for breast cancer and 2yrs post treatment for anal cancer. Though some of my side effects will be with me forever, as time goes on they interfear with my daily life less and less, and even remind me of how strong I can be when need to.

    As far as current milestones....I have a big one! I recently went back to college after being out for 35yrs. I'm taking it slow, but plan to graduate with my degree in Human Services.

    eihtak

    You have some big things to celebrate in the near future!  I'm glad you are doing well and good for you for going back to college!

  • Marynb
    Marynb Member Posts: 1,118
    Congratulations!
    Jcruz, good luck getting back into work! Take it slow, but steady. Isn't it great that all the things we used to take for granted seem so new and wonderful! Good for you!
  • Marynb
    Marynb Member Posts: 1,118
    eihtak said:

    Milestones....

    Congrats to you!!! I think setting goals, no matter how big are crucial to long term recovery. This spring I will be 1yr post treatment for breast cancer and 2yrs post treatment for anal cancer. Though some of my side effects will be with me forever, as time goes on they interfear with my daily life less and less, and even remind me of how strong I can be when need to.

    As far as current milestones....I have a big one! I recently went back to college after being out for 35yrs. I'm taking it slow, but plan to graduate with my degree in Human Services.

    Eihtak

    That is great! It is NEVER too late to be who you want to become!
  • eihtak
    eihtak Member Posts: 1,473 Member
    Marynb said:

    Eihtak

    That is great! It is NEVER too late to be who you want to become!

    Marynb, Martha....

    Thankyou, I just feel like the time is right. I hope I don't become too overwhelmed so am starting out with just a couple classes right now. I'm not working at this time and feel pretty healthy so if those go well, will take a full load next semester. There is so much more flexability with schedules than there was years ago and that helps. Its amazing how many "older" or should I say "experienced" adults are back in school. I may never use the degree for anything other than my own personal satisfaction and knowledge, but like I said, feels right! 

  • Marynb
    Marynb Member Posts: 1,118
    eihtak said:

    Marynb, Martha....

    Thankyou, I just feel like the time is right. I hope I don't become too overwhelmed so am starting out with just a couple classes right now. I'm not working at this time and feel pretty healthy so if those go well, will take a full load next semester. There is so much more flexability with schedules than there was years ago and that helps. Its amazing how many "older" or should I say "experienced" adults are back in school. I may never use the degree for anything other than my own personal satisfaction and knowledge, but like I said, feels right! 

    Eihtak
    You are amazing! Moving forward with life is the way to live fully after cancer. I think older students bring so much to a classroom. Keep going!
  • Lorikat
    Lorikat Member Posts: 681 Member
    Milestone....

    After battling major fatigue for the last two years a breakthrough!  The last 4 or 5 days I have worked to get my Moms house ready for sale.  And I mean PAINTING ..  STRIPPING AND VARNISHING WINDOW SILLS ..  MOVING FURNITURE ... packing up the rest of my Moms stuff .... I put in a good five hours or so each day!  I am sore from "stem to stern", tired as can be, have no nails left, smashed my finger in the gate, and I feel wonderful!  

     My Mom passed away early October and I just got to the point I could do this, so I spent the first two days there by myself talking to Mama..   Apologizing for painting the walls a boring trio of beiges, packing up her memories, and changing everything around.  I swear she was there in spirit!  By the third day I let my husband in to help and everything feels right....

    I PUT IN PHYSICAL LABOR Y'ALL, AND AM NOT FALLING ON MY FACE!  Sure hope this lasts!

  • eihtak
    eihtak Member Posts: 1,473 Member
    Lorikat said:

    Milestone....

    After battling major fatigue for the last two years a breakthrough!  The last 4 or 5 days I have worked to get my Moms house ready for sale.  And I mean PAINTING ..  STRIPPING AND VARNISHING WINDOW SILLS ..  MOVING FURNITURE ... packing up the rest of my Moms stuff .... I put in a good five hours or so each day!  I am sore from "stem to stern", tired as can be, have no nails left, smashed my finger in the gate, and I feel wonderful!  

     My Mom passed away early October and I just got to the point I could do this, so I spent the first two days there by myself talking to Mama..   Apologizing for painting the walls a boring trio of beiges, packing up her memories, and changing everything around.  I swear she was there in spirit!  By the third day I let my husband in to help and everything feels right....

    I PUT IN PHYSICAL LABOR Y'ALL, AND AM NOT FALLING ON MY FACE!  Sure hope this lasts!

    Lorikat....

    Hard work!! Good for you....I did that with the help of my sister last fall for my dad and just accepted an offer last week! My dad is still alive but has moved into a senior apartment, my mom passed away 8yrs ago. My last time at their house I hid a small momento of my moms in the rafters of the basement....kind of silly but she loved the place and would make her smile.

  • Marynb
    Marynb Member Posts: 1,118
    Lorikat said:

    Milestone....

    After battling major fatigue for the last two years a breakthrough!  The last 4 or 5 days I have worked to get my Moms house ready for sale.  And I mean PAINTING ..  STRIPPING AND VARNISHING WINDOW SILLS ..  MOVING FURNITURE ... packing up the rest of my Moms stuff .... I put in a good five hours or so each day!  I am sore from "stem to stern", tired as can be, have no nails left, smashed my finger in the gate, and I feel wonderful!  

     My Mom passed away early October and I just got to the point I could do this, so I spent the first two days there by myself talking to Mama..   Apologizing for painting the walls a boring trio of beiges, packing up her memories, and changing everything around.  I swear she was there in spirit!  By the third day I let my husband in to help and everything feels right....

    I PUT IN PHYSICAL LABOR Y'ALL, AND AM NOT FALLING ON MY FACE!  Sure hope this lasts!

    Lorikat
    Wow. That is great! You are inspiring me. I am going to try to get my place on the market this Spring! Good luck with the sale!
  • jcruz
    jcruz Member Posts: 379 Member
    eihtak said:

    Marynb, Martha....

    Thankyou, I just feel like the time is right. I hope I don't become too overwhelmed so am starting out with just a couple classes right now. I'm not working at this time and feel pretty healthy so if those go well, will take a full load next semester. There is so much more flexability with schedules than there was years ago and that helps. Its amazing how many "older" or should I say "experienced" adults are back in school. I may never use the degree for anything other than my own personal satisfaction and knowledge, but like I said, feels right! 

    back to school

    Congratulations and best wishes on your endeavor.  I work in a university library and for many of us the re-entry students have been among our favorite students to work with.  They often seemed more focussed and self-directed and more willing to seek and appreciate any help we can provide.  Make friends with the librarians and enjoy the experience of school.

  • islandgirlculebra
    islandgirlculebra Member Posts: 155 Member
    Marynb said:

    Lorikat
    Wow. That is great! You are inspiring me. I am going to try to get my place on the market this Spring! Good luck with the sale!

    Milestones

    I have some milestones which may sound silly but I'm going to share them anyway..... Just over the past two days I've been on a shopping mission to find a dress to wear to my husband's daughter's wedding....... (I did finally find one yesterday) But I found out I can now be on my feet for hours without getting that sick, tired, weak feeling........... I can also walk for a round trip of about two hours with my dog, taking him to his favorite place on earth, the training pond near us.  I also started volunteering for Meals on Wheels a few months ago, and the first couple times I did it, I was exhausted afterwards....... Wednesday when I did it, I then went shopping for hours afterwards!!!! So, it seems the more we do, the stronger we get doesn't it!

  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member

    Milestones

    I have some milestones which may sound silly but I'm going to share them anyway..... Just over the past two days I've been on a shopping mission to find a dress to wear to my husband's daughter's wedding....... (I did finally find one yesterday) But I found out I can now be on my feet for hours without getting that sick, tired, weak feeling........... I can also walk for a round trip of about two hours with my dog, taking him to his favorite place on earth, the training pond near us.  I also started volunteering for Meals on Wheels a few months ago, and the first couple times I did it, I was exhausted afterwards....... Wednesday when I did it, I then went shopping for hours afterwards!!!! So, it seems the more we do, the stronger we get doesn't it!

    Congratulations!

    Congratulations to everyone on their milestones, no matter what they are!

  • jcruz
    jcruz Member Posts: 379 Member

    Milestones

    I have some milestones which may sound silly but I'm going to share them anyway..... Just over the past two days I've been on a shopping mission to find a dress to wear to my husband's daughter's wedding....... (I did finally find one yesterday) But I found out I can now be on my feet for hours without getting that sick, tired, weak feeling........... I can also walk for a round trip of about two hours with my dog, taking him to his favorite place on earth, the training pond near us.  I also started volunteering for Meals on Wheels a few months ago, and the first couple times I did it, I was exhausted afterwards....... Wednesday when I did it, I then went shopping for hours afterwards!!!! So, it seems the more we do, the stronger we get doesn't it!

    awesome milestones

    Wow, I'm so impressed.  That feeling of not being exhausted is so wonderful.  After my first half-day at work yesterday I was tired but not exhausted.  After I got home I went for my usual one hour walk along a beautiful coast-side path.

    Hooray for all of us!

  • Lorikat
    Lorikat Member Posts: 681 Member
    eihtak said:

    Lorikat....

    Hard work!! Good for you....I did that with the help of my sister last fall for my dad and just accepted an offer last week! My dad is still alive but has moved into a senior apartment, my mom passed away 8yrs ago. My last time at their house I hid a small momento of my moms in the rafters of the basement....kind of silly but she loved the place and would make her smile.

    Eihtak,

    I did the same thing!  My Mom loved driftwood and the "foxfire" books...  I put a small piece of driftwood and a "foxfire book" behind the new Sheetrock in her closet!  LOL!  Great minds and all that!  Take care....

  • MattButts
    MattButts Member Posts: 37
    My Milestone

    On March 15th it will be one year since I first received my diagnosis. That's also the day I graduate from radiation and chemotherapy.

  • geneviasue
    geneviasue Member Posts: 89
    My Milestone

    I got my CANCER FREE news yesterday!! Yea, I'm pretty stoked about it. Now, I think I'll follow someone else's lead and get that degree I've put off for years.

  • swordranch
    swordranch Member Posts: 35
    Chemo done!

    I just yesterday got the disconnect from the last chemo treatment in a series that took seven months!  Today is the one year anniversary of my diagnosis with rectal cancer.  Parts of me will never be the same but I set a goal early to be done with this in one year and I made it with one day to spare!

     

  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member

    Chemo done!

    I just yesterday got the disconnect from the last chemo treatment in a series that took seven months!  Today is the one year anniversary of my diagnosis with rectal cancer.  Parts of me will never be the same but I set a goal early to be done with this in one year and I made it with one day to spare!

     

    Congratulations!

    That's great, swordranch!  Now you can focus on getting back your strength and stamina!  I wish you a good recovery!