I went camping! *Success*

tommycat
tommycat Member Posts: 790 Member
in Colorectal Cancer #1
Posted last week about my ambivalence toward going camping because of all of the fallout from the rad/chemo and ostomy reversal. Well, I went and everything went fine....wait, scratch that, everything went GREAT.
Had packed a bag with all the "new necessarys" and avoided the red wine and s'mores (chocolate can be quite the laxative).
Being in nature restored me, put everything back in perspective, and quelled my worrying monkey mind.
I need times like this one to tap into for strength for unhappy fearful times, like this coming Friday where I'll have a CT and blood work done, then the following Friday, the report from the onco.
Going camping renewed me from inside and out and strengthened my body AND mind, a place where cancer thoughts and 'what ifs' like to jumble around.
I'm glad I went and didn't let my fears hold me back. Gave me back myself, if that makes sense.
Peace to you all~

Comments

  • lisa42
    lisa42 Member Posts: 3,625 Member
    #2
    So glad!
    Hi,

    I'm so glad you enjoyed your time camping! It's in cancer's face when we live our lives without letting it rule us, even though it often does rule what we can do. Victory over it! Yes, I love being in nature too- it calms me.

    You take care!!
    Lisa
  • Sundanceh
    Sundanceh Member Posts: 4,392 Member
    #3
    Good 4 You!
    Nice story, TC

    Welcome to the world of empowerment - where you stood up in the face of adversity and overcame what you originally felt that you could not do.

    Congratulations!

    -Craig
  • PhillieG
    PhillieG Member Posts: 4,866 Member
    #4
    Glad it went well
    Having to deal with "nature calling" isn't a treat when the plumbing is working well. I can't imagine it under tougher circumstances. I've VERY happy to hear that it worked out well. I enjoy camping or just being out in nature. It's very soothing to say the least. I try to get out on my kayak as often as I can which is not as often as I'd like to.
    One needs to keep the spirit happy.
    -phil
  • westie66
    westie66 Member Posts: 642
    #5
    PhillieG said:

    Glad it went well
    Having to deal with "nature calling" isn't a treat when the plumbing is working well. I can't imagine it under tougher circumstances. I've VERY happy to hear that it worked out well. I enjoy camping or just being out in nature. It's very soothing to say the least. I try to get out on my kayak as often as I can which is not as often as I'd like to.
    One needs to keep the spirit happy.
    -phil

    Good for you!
    So glad you went and got recharged!
    Cheryl
  • tabur
    tabur Member Posts: 71 Member
    #6
    Camping
    I am so glad for you. When Pam was diagnosed and her prognosis was so poor, I asked her what she wanted to do and where she'd like to go. Hawaii? A cruise? Her response was, camping. At the time, we had a little popup without a bathroom and I worried about her having to "go" while traveling to our destination. So I traded our little popup in on a self-contained unit. During her two years of treatment we went as often as we could and she really enjoyed it. So did I. Since her passing in March, the camper just sits. I even thought about selling it as I have had no desire to go alone. Your post really got me to thinkng. I really miss camping but I'm afraid it will have the opposite effect on me. Will I have fond memories or simply get more depressed without her with me? Fall is upon us and it was our favorite time of year for heading to the mountains. It's strange to be scared of doing something I loved so much. I'm thinking of giving it a try.

    Al
  • SisterSledge
    SisterSledge Member Posts: 332 Member
    #7
    tabur said:

    Camping
    I am so glad for you. When Pam was diagnosed and her prognosis was so poor, I asked her what she wanted to do and where she'd like to go. Hawaii? A cruise? Her response was, camping. At the time, we had a little popup without a bathroom and I worried about her having to "go" while traveling to our destination. So I traded our little popup in on a self-contained unit. During her two years of treatment we went as often as we could and she really enjoyed it. So did I. Since her passing in March, the camper just sits. I even thought about selling it as I have had no desire to go alone. Your post really got me to thinkng. I really miss camping but I'm afraid it will have the opposite effect on me. Will I have fond memories or simply get more depressed without her with me? Fall is upon us and it was our favorite time of year for heading to the mountains. It's strange to be scared of doing something I loved so much. I'm thinking of giving it a try.

    Al

    I hope you go camping!
    Hi Al,

    I've never lost a loved one, so I don't have experience in your level of grief...but I would want you to go camping if you were my husband left behind in life. I would not want you to forgo the pleasures we once enjoyed together...in fact for me it would be just the opposite wish as perhaps I could reach out to you with the wind, the sun, the smells of nature...

    Mostly, we all need to find places we can get ourselves back when we've been knocked around...camping is good for the soul.

    Peace,
    Janine
  • tommycat
    tommycat Member Posts: 790 Member
    #8
    tabur said:

    Camping
    I am so glad for you. When Pam was diagnosed and her prognosis was so poor, I asked her what she wanted to do and where she'd like to go. Hawaii? A cruise? Her response was, camping. At the time, we had a little popup without a bathroom and I worried about her having to "go" while traveling to our destination. So I traded our little popup in on a self-contained unit. During her two years of treatment we went as often as we could and she really enjoyed it. So did I. Since her passing in March, the camper just sits. I even thought about selling it as I have had no desire to go alone. Your post really got me to thinkng. I really miss camping but I'm afraid it will have the opposite effect on me. Will I have fond memories or simply get more depressed without her with me? Fall is upon us and it was our favorite time of year for heading to the mountains. It's strange to be scared of doing something I loved so much. I'm thinking of giving it a try.

    Al

    Camping w/o Pam
    I read your post and my heart swelled---how you loved your wife!
    Sometimes when I can't decide whether to do something, or, to phrase it more clearly, if I know I want to do something but am afraid, I think "What's the worst that could happen?"
    In your scenario you might find that you do miss her too much when you're out there alone---so worst case scenario, you head back home.
    But I suspect you will find some healing in nature....probably shed some tears....but find your heart and mind calmed by what is everlasting and beautiful. Like the other reply said, you may even "find" Pam in the trees whispering, or by the way a shaft of light hits your eyes.
    Fall is a time of renewal. I hope you go :)
  • tabur
    tabur Member Posts: 71 Member
    #9
    tabur said:

    Camping
    I am so glad for you. When Pam was diagnosed and her prognosis was so poor, I asked her what she wanted to do and where she'd like to go. Hawaii? A cruise? Her response was, camping. At the time, we had a little popup without a bathroom and I worried about her having to "go" while traveling to our destination. So I traded our little popup in on a self-contained unit. During her two years of treatment we went as often as we could and she really enjoyed it. So did I. Since her passing in March, the camper just sits. I even thought about selling it as I have had no desire to go alone. Your post really got me to thinkng. I really miss camping but I'm afraid it will have the opposite effect on me. Will I have fond memories or simply get more depressed without her with me? Fall is upon us and it was our favorite time of year for heading to the mountains. It's strange to be scared of doing something I loved so much. I'm thinking of giving it a try.

    Al

    Thank you ladies...
    I have a week's vacation scheduled in October and I'm thinking about heading up to our favorite lake for a few days. I'll let you guys know.

    In the meantime tommycat, I'm glad you recharged your batteries. All the best for your upcoming tests and scans. Please keep us posted.

    Al
  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    #10
    Awesome
    So glad that you went and had a good time. We try to go camping several times a year, but I'm always in the comfort of my 5th wheel with many ammenities. You did you. Good for you.

    Kim
  • marqimark
    marqimark Member Posts: 242 Member
    #11
    positive
    Love your positive story...

    Prayers for great scans and tests for you.

    Mark
  • Kathleen808
    Kathleen808 Member Posts: 2,342 Member
    #12
    tommycat
    tommycat,
    Awesome that you have been renewed! Love it! Nature does that for us as well.

    Thinking of you this week and saying a prayer.

    Aloha,
    Kathleen
  • Brenda Bricco
    Brenda Bricco Member Posts: 579 Member
    #13
    Kathleen808 said:

    tommycat
    tommycat,
    Awesome that you have been renewed! Love it! Nature does that for us as well.

    Thinking of you this week and saying a prayer.

    Aloha,
    Kathleen

    Camping
    My husband and I love camping with our horses. I can not find the words to explain how I feel when I am in the saddle. I know that it is a therapy that keeps me strong. I have shed many tears on the trails but not even close to the amount of laughter and pure happiness I get from a top my little palomino mare. ;)

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