I'm so glad we're here for each other

I'm very sorry you had one of those days when you felt emotionally overwhelmed.  I think we've all had them and that's why this site is so important.  As we all learn, the emotional side of dealing with cancer and trying to get back to a normal life after treatment isn't as easy as just doing it.  I remember making my first trip to the grocery store by myself after treatment and how nervous, anxious and overwhelmed I was.  To this day, I have lots of days when I just don't want to be around anyone.  Other days, I can't wait to be out and about and spend time with my friends.  It's definitely a rollercoaster ride!  I'm glad you find comfort here--someone will always be here for you!

jcruz said:

thank you

Thank you all for you kind comments.  I've got a 3 day weekend and am planning a few things with friends and a few just for myself.  So I hope I'll start next week at work feeling better.  

I thought I was prepared for returning to work, expecially since I was only going in half-time but I have been surprised by how hard some days are.  It's a good thing I've got my own office because sometimes the door just has to be closed if I need a little quiet or if I am feeling weepy.  Next month I'm going to try working 75% time and if that doesn't work I'll just go back to 50% for a while.  I am fortunate to have the full support of our dept. head who is a very close friend.  She was the captain of my support team when I was in treatment, organizing rides, laundry, food, everything I needed.

But returning to work is just one thing I'm dealing with.  Food issues have been a challenge but I think things are gradually improving as I am more conscious of what I can eat.  I also have begun taking imodium every day after I had a very close call at work 2 weeks ago.  I went back through old posts here to see how other people have dealt with this.  So helpful.  I also talked with my brother who has lived with Crohn's disease for over 30 years and when he told me he couldn't have gone to work with taking imodium daily then I thought well, okay I think I can do this and maybe not be afraid of having an accident at work or on the bus.

Getting regular exercise was easy when I wasn't working.  I live a block away from an oceanside path and could walk every day and measure my improvement by how close I could get to walking the entire length of the path.  I have to figure out how to get that walk in now that I come home after work just wanting to crawl into bed for a nap.  I will do this.  I have to.

I know it's a long haul back to something like normal.  I'm 5 months post-treatment.  It's been 11 months since I began to think something was wrong and my primary care doctor took me seriously and sent me off to the gastro doc who wasted no time in diagnosing the cancer, sending me off on what felt like a runaway train.  I got off that train in January when I my biopsy showed no evidence of cancer.  But now what?  I know this is never going to be completely over but I hope that I'll find some way to be something like normal soon.

Hugs to  you all 

My own experience has been that the first 2 years post-treatment are the most difficult in trying to resume a normal life.  I know 2 years sounds like a long time, but it goes fast!  Just celebrate each little step you take, no matter how insignificant it might seem.  You are going to do fine.  I'm glad you have an understanding boss who will let you adjust your work hours as needed.  As for taking Imodium daily, that was a recommendation by my rad onc also and I did it for awhile until my bowels finally settled down.  He told me it would not be harmful and have no lasting side effects, so I say go for it!  Good luck on the walking program--you can do it!

jcruz said:

thank you

Thank you all for you kind comments.  I've got a 3 day weekend and am planning a few things with friends and a few just for myself.  So I hope I'll start next week at work feeling better.  

I thought I was prepared for returning to work, expecially since I was only going in half-time but I have been surprised by how hard some days are.  It's a good thing I've got my own office because sometimes the door just has to be closed if I need a little quiet or if I am feeling weepy.  Next month I'm going to try working 75% time and if that doesn't work I'll just go back to 50% for a while.  I am fortunate to have the full support of our dept. head who is a very close friend.  She was the captain of my support team when I was in treatment, organizing rides, laundry, food, everything I needed.

But returning to work is just one thing I'm dealing with.  Food issues have been a challenge but I think things are gradually improving as I am more conscious of what I can eat.  I also have begun taking imodium every day after I had a very close call at work 2 weeks ago.  I went back through old posts here to see how other people have dealt with this.  So helpful.  I also talked with my brother who has lived with Crohn's disease for over 30 years and when he told me he couldn't have gone to work with taking imodium daily then I thought well, okay I think I can do this and maybe not be afraid of having an accident at work or on the bus.

Getting regular exercise was easy when I wasn't working.  I live a block away from an oceanside path and could walk every day and measure my improvement by how close I could get to walking the entire length of the path.  I have to figure out how to get that walk in now that I come home after work just wanting to crawl into bed for a nap.  I will do this.  I have to.

I know it's a long haul back to something like normal.  I'm 5 months post-treatment.  It's been 11 months since I began to think something was wrong and my primary care doctor took me seriously and sent me off to the gastro doc who wasted no time in diagnosing the cancer, sending me off on what felt like a runaway train.  I got off that train in January when I my biopsy showed no evidence of cancer.  But now what?  I know this is never going to be completely over but I hope that I'll find some way to be something like normal soon.

Hugs to  you all 

I'm at 15 months and it's finally getting better....hang in there

Marynb said:

Lisa
I hope you can ease back into work. Rest when you can!

Thank you so much!! 

LisaMMiles said:

jcruz

Thank you

 

I wish you all the best today and hope your transition back into the workplace goes well.  It may be just the thing to get you one step closer back to normal.

Please try to take one day at a time.  We have had to endure a very difficult treatmenit that has drained us physically and mentally.  It took me a long time to get back on my feet.  Have faith because it does happen.  I don't know if I will ever be pain free again, but I am no longer exhausted and look for the sunshine in everyday.  I wish you well my friend- as you know we have all been in your shoes.