This is a new discussion board.

zahalene said:

Allow me....
to kick off this board...a great idea by the way.
My issue with being a senior survivor is....
I was in active treatment for cancer for 15 years, from age 38 to about age 53. I am soooo grateful to say I have been NED for 8 years now.
However, since regaining some equilibrium from the cancer and other related issues (aka divorce), I find that I have some resentment about the fact that now I am in a place where I would normally be enjoying my retirement years, but due to all the above, I am seriously limited physically, mentally (don't go there), and emotionally. I feel as though I have missed out on the 'middle' of my life and it is now too late to reclaim it.
That's it in a nut shell. Anyone else?

Ohhhhhhhhhhh Zah, ditto here
You know my story Zah, 22 year survivor of non hodgkins lymphoma - just reiterating that for anyone else reading this who doesn't know me.

As you know Zah I have many late effects from my cancer treatment and went through a divorce too, no doubt brought on in large part by my illness from it all for so long. My ex remarried already - of course - and no surprise to a younger healthy vibrant woman.

I was diagnosed not too long before my 40th birthday and I remember when I turned 40 while others were mourning the big 4 - 0 I was just happy to be ANY AGE. I went into menopause too, prematures due to the treatments, and that threw my 'normal' aging in a tailspin as did cancer of course, period (or should I say non-period, lol - couldn't resist that). lol.

This is an issue that is very difficult for many long term or 'senior' survivors - we have given up alot for a cure or at least a diagnosis of cancer as more of a 'chronic disease' instead of the 'the end' as the diagnosis used to be in days gone by - for many more than now.

I think the key for me to handle it all for so long has been to have a good psychologist who is trained especially in anxiety/trauma/loss who deals with the ebbs and flows of my memories and issues as I survive through the years after diagnosis. I don't see him on regular basis all the time but when I feel stresses or new issues rising up, not only due to cancer but just life issues too, I check back in with him and get a 'tune up'. lol.

We have missed alot while in treatments or just getting over the diagnosis(es) with other life issues having to have been put on the back burner for survival matters. Sometimes the survival issues go on and on and the other life issues are never really dealt with as it all can be so overwhelming from time to time. It all piles up sometimes as the years go by. Again, checking in with a good counsellor can really help.

Glad to see this topic area opened up. Many specialists are recognizing us long term senior survivors now and our specific issues. Better late than never. lol. Blessings, Bluerose

zahalene said:

Allow me....
to kick off this board...a great idea by the way.
My issue with being a senior survivor is....
I was in active treatment for cancer for 15 years, from age 38 to about age 53. I am soooo grateful to say I have been NED for 8 years now.
However, since regaining some equilibrium from the cancer and other related issues (aka divorce), I find that I have some resentment about the fact that now I am in a place where I would normally be enjoying my retirement years, but due to all the above, I am seriously limited physically, mentally (don't go there), and emotionally. I feel as though I have missed out on the 'middle' of my life and it is now too late to reclaim it.
That's it in a nut shell. Anyone else?

I agree
Hello I agree with you. Instead of being a strong couple who made it though, I am the deserted one. And remember it is good to stay positive. How after this.

im 9yrs.colonrectal cancer suvivor at age 30
im going to say its been a very hard road to go down when your young and lose half of what life is left i had stage t3c colonrectal sataget3c with 2tumors, took 25treatments of radiation,9months of fu-5 chemo, 5operations, 2different colostomies,lost my teeth at age 34 the dentist called it deadjaw, bones are thinning out. im now age 41yrs.old and suffer from bone loss in spine i have osteoporsis,arthritis,scoliosis,sciatica, and now my feet have degeneration , my wrist ,ankles,elbows..the radiation burnt me up havent had my period since 2001. they dont tell you about the side effects for long term, but i just have to deal with another pain in my body

serrana said:

senior survivors
Wonderful to have our "own group" on the board. Thanks CSN

In a way I am grateful not to be responsible for raising kids or making a living during this survivorship journey;it is nice to have Medicare and Blue Shield paying the whole tab; on the other hand being a single senior survivor, the cancer issue may limit or eliminate my possibility of finding (another ) life partner. Seems that we have so much "baggage" at this age (70( that romance may just be out of the question. And so, our journey is supported by faith, friends....those who have perservered and not freaked out, and our family. Just when we are considering our third act or final curtain we have cancer issues on top of it all.
It sometimes is easy to think that we have less potential to survive w/ aging issues too; What say ye to these thoughts?
Serrana

survivors
I would just like to say that I am awe struck by the strength of you single seniors, (especially those who have had to go through divorce while battling cancer). I went through a divorce years ago, without battling cancer, and I almost lost my mind. I am a caretaker of my husband who is stage 4 primary liver cancer. So it is not I who has the cancer, but thank God we are going through this hand in hand. I could not imagine Lee going through this alone. To abandon him now would be worse than cruel, it would be evil. You are amazing in your strength. That is what got you through. Bravo! Kudoes! Take a bow!

9 years last week
It was 9 years ago I first found out I had NPC Cancer what was bad it came back less than a year after treatment. Then it came back again less than a year after the second treatment. Now 6 years later I do a PET every 6 months and still don’t get a NED scan, but I do get a No Change. Sometimes a No Change is just as good as a NED.

Hondo

serrana said:

senior survivors
Wonderful to have our "own group" on the board. Thanks CSN

In a way I am grateful not to be responsible for raising kids or making a living during this survivorship journey;it is nice to have Medicare and Blue Shield paying the whole tab; on the other hand being a single senior survivor, the cancer issue may limit or eliminate my possibility of finding (another ) life partner. Seems that we have so much "baggage" at this age (70( that romance may just be out of the question. And so, our journey is supported by faith, friends....those who have perservered and not freaked out, and our family. Just when we are considering our third act or final curtain we have cancer issues on top of it all.
It sometimes is easy to think that we have less potential to survive w/ aging issues too; What say ye to these thoughts?
Serrana

surviving

I was 77 when diagnosed with colon cancer.  Currently 83 and NED for last 5 years. Our newspaper said if we make it to 80, we will probably make it to 90!!!  So I still have 7 years to go.  LOL