Another lump... does it ever end?

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  • Anonymous7/6/2023
    Anonymous7/6/2023 Member Posts: 176
    edited February 5 #22
    Guzzle said:

    Holidays

    Estelle, take your time off and resist agency work or additional hours if you can. There is a real phenomena in the US where people don't take all of their leave. I think this is because most Americans have a great work ethic. I have heard people on this forum say that post illness they will take their allocation. I insist on staff taking their time off. I believe it makes people more functional and relaxed. After what you have been through work life balance is even more important. I know money is important but not as important as your health. I know everybodys circumstances are different and please don't think I am preaching to you. I am shortly returning to work after a week in a treatment centre. I will do a staged return. Have NHS done the same for you? Are you aware of the Disability Discrimination Act and the concept of reasonable adjustments? To demonstrate my point I have just booked a cycling weekend down your neck of the woods in Shropshire. Staying in camping pods so costs next to nowt. If you can book a break Estelle. Could be in a tent, YHA or in your own garden. But please take some time and chill out. Bimbling around the UK and Europe has certainly helped my mental and physical recovery. It may not be your thing - whatever your thing is treat yourself to a bit of it. I had a massage today and it was lush! Regards, Gary

    Are you on Facebook Gary? Add

    Are you on Facebook Gary? Add me? [Content removed by CSN]

  • Anonymous7/6/2023
    Anonymous7/6/2023 Member Posts: 176
    #23
    KTeacher said:

    Vent away

    Sometimes we just need to vent.  This is a safe place.  Skiff calls us Abi-normal, I sometimes feel I am all capital letters!  It's ok to be down, just don't stay there.  You posted about your grandaughter singing "Happy Birthday"  I wish you would have been able to tape it.  Hopefully the lump is not much, if it is something, you will be able to deal with it.  I've done the dance more than once.  We are all here to help.

    KTeacher - what's your name

    KTeacher - what's your name on facebook? Sorry fro not remembering - I have such a terrible memory xx x x

  • Anonymous7/6/2023
    Anonymous7/6/2023 Member Posts: 176
    #24
    Guzzle said:

    massage

    Im going for lymphodema massage. Will let you know how it gos.

    Do let me know how you go on

    Do let me know how you go on with the massage. I've put some videos about my 'progress' on FB, ups and downs. Putting in plenty of effort myself helps. You have to do it every single day, as many times as you can. Remember to tell the nurse if you had lymph nodes actually removed - because it means they massage in a different 'shape' of where they direct the excess lymph to, like the direction...

  • KTeacher
    KTeacher Member Posts: 1,103 Member
    #25
    Estelle_H said:

    KTeacher - what's your name

    KTeacher - what's your name on facebook? Sorry fro not remembering - I have such a terrible memory xx x x

    Name

    Beverly  Olaver

  • denistd
    denistd Member Posts: 597
    edited February 5 #26
    Estelle_H said:

    Are you on Facebook Gary? Add

    Are you on Facebook Gary? Add me? [Content Removed by CSN] x

    LORIg

    Lorig, the diagnosis of barrets in your esophogus means that at the junction of your stomach and esophogus the cells have changed, probably due to excess gas over a long period of time. It means that there is a slight increase in risk that cancer will form there at some time maybe. It is not cancer.

  • FRONT AND CENTER
    FRONT AND CENTER Member Posts: 29
    edited February 5 #27

    Do let me know how you go on

    Do let me know how you go on with the massage. I've put some videos about my 'progress' on FB, ups and downs. Putting in plenty of effort myself helps. You have to do it every single day, as many times as you can. Remember to tell the nurse if you had lymph nodes actually removed - because it means they massage in a different 'shape' of where they direct the excess lymph to, like the direction...

    Hang in there

    I totally understand how you feel.  In fact I had a similar vent recently and felt just as bad having a negative attitude.  But you know what?  This does suck. There's no two ways about it.  It's a journey that we have to go through but things do get better.

    I have ups and downs, good days and bad days and now that I'm a little over 6 months out of surgery/radiation/chemo, I am feeling more 'new normal' than ever but I'm still not there.  I don't consider myself a vain person but when I looked in the mirror and saw the swollen neck and jaw, it made me cry.  Literally. 

    I had 130 nodes removed on each side of my neck so I swelled up like a balloon.  It was amusing at first b/c I was told it would go down.  Months after treatment, it was still there.  So after reading these threads, I got active.  Here's what has helped me with the physical:

    1. Lymphatic drainage massage by a specialist works.  It's costly but your body will form new pathways to drain lymph build up.

    2. Drink a ton of water.  

    3. Herbal supplement called Lymphatonic.

    4. Compression garments

    5. Exercise (I think sweating helps)

    6. Sleep with head/neck elevated.

    It's a maintenance thing but the body will respond!  

    Emotionally, I go to a counselor.  I cannot find anyone to prescribe me anti-depressants so I find other ways to deal with depression/anxiety, like exercise, work, friends, reading, travel.  Exercise is two-fold.  It helps keep things moving but also helps clear my head. 

    I've stepped back as a public speaker for now and this journey has forced me to look deep inside me.  I'm six months post-treatment and am not sure where/what to do from here but the one thing I've learned is to be compassionate with myself.  It helps. 


    I sent you a friend request on Facebook!

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