Joining for the 1st Time

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Comments

  • cujuja4evr
    cujuja4evr Member Posts: 106
    #42
    Chris3 said:

    I returned to work 6 weeks after my last rad tx, but I only returned 1/2 days. Tomorrow (8 weeks mark), I switch to full time. Besides having my butt hurt from sitting, I also really noticed how my lower back ached after sitting for several hours. I've been going to physical therapy 2 days a week, and I know that I am getting stronger, slowly but surely.

    Being in too much of a hurry to slow down
    The longer that I stayed at home, the more depressed I got. I'm normally an energetic person and people view me as somewhat hyper. Once I started my treatments, I slowed down...I mean REALLY slowed down. I thought that once the treatments were over and I was in recovery, I would bounce back quickly. HAH! I found out the hard way that I needed to give my body a chance to heal. I didn't even opt for the 1/2 days - I went back full-time. What I never considered was that even though I felt better mentally, I never thought about physically. I had radiation in the pelvic area and I have a sit-down job. I spent most of my time out from work (about 3 months) laying down. It never dawned on me that sitting on my butt for 8 hours would affect me the way that it did. One day, close to lunch hour, I had to go to the restroom. I was hoping I wouldn't have a BM until I got home from work that evening, but this BM I had no control over...it was coming whether I wanted it to or not!!! Well, this was pre-lidocaine and luckily there was no one else in the restroom with me! That was one of the most painful BMs that I had and I was hanging on to the walls of the stall like there was no tomorrow while I dealt with some excruciating pain! It felt like I was passing jagged rocks and razor blades!!! I felt like passing out and I imagined that there was a doctor in there saying, "Congratulations...twins!!! Needless to say that the walk back down the hallway to my desk was not a pretty sight. I signed a leave slip and had my husband pick me up right away! I'm now out of work again until the 17th to give myself more time to heal. I was in too much of a hurry to slow down. My husband reminded me of the famous saying, "Don't leave 5 minutes before the miracle happens", but yesterday, he told me the second part of that saying, "A miracle does not happen in 5 minutes".

    Judy
  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #43
    cujuja4evr said:

    Being in too much of a hurry to slow down
    The longer that I stayed at home, the more depressed I got. I'm normally an energetic person and people view me as somewhat hyper. Once I started my treatments, I slowed down...I mean REALLY slowed down. I thought that once the treatments were over and I was in recovery, I would bounce back quickly. HAH! I found out the hard way that I needed to give my body a chance to heal. I didn't even opt for the 1/2 days - I went back full-time. What I never considered was that even though I felt better mentally, I never thought about physically. I had radiation in the pelvic area and I have a sit-down job. I spent most of my time out from work (about 3 months) laying down. It never dawned on me that sitting on my butt for 8 hours would affect me the way that it did. One day, close to lunch hour, I had to go to the restroom. I was hoping I wouldn't have a BM until I got home from work that evening, but this BM I had no control over...it was coming whether I wanted it to or not!!! Well, this was pre-lidocaine and luckily there was no one else in the restroom with me! That was one of the most painful BMs that I had and I was hanging on to the walls of the stall like there was no tomorrow while I dealt with some excruciating pain! It felt like I was passing jagged rocks and razor blades!!! I felt like passing out and I imagined that there was a doctor in there saying, "Congratulations...twins!!! Needless to say that the walk back down the hallway to my desk was not a pretty sight. I signed a leave slip and had my husband pick me up right away! I'm now out of work again until the 17th to give myself more time to heal. I was in too much of a hurry to slow down. My husband reminded me of the famous saying, "Don't leave 5 minutes before the miracle happens", but yesterday, he told me the second part of that saying, "A miracle does not happen in 5 minutes".

    Judy

    Hi Judy--
    I think anyone who
    Hi Judy--

    I think anyone who has been through this understands what you are saying. I think we all just want our lives back and in that rush to get there, we are reminded that it's going to take awhile. It was awhile before I could sit comfortably for very long at a time. I got used to doing lots of things standing up, like eating, watching TV or being on the computer. My feet got tired, but atleast my butt didn't hurt so much! I hope you will continue moving forward and feel better real soon!
  • cujuja4evr
    cujuja4evr Member Posts: 106
    #44
    mp327 said:

    Hi Judy--
    I think anyone who
    Hi Judy--

    I think anyone who has been through this understands what you are saying. I think we all just want our lives back and in that rush to get there, we are reminded that it's going to take awhile. It was awhile before I could sit comfortably for very long at a time. I got used to doing lots of things standing up, like eating, watching TV or being on the computer. My feet got tired, but atleast my butt didn't hurt so much! I hope you will continue moving forward and feel better real soon!

    Stand Up to Cancer!
    You're right! I am feeling much better, BMs are better, no more burning, no more itching, skin has grown back, no pubic hair (hee! hee!), vagina under construction (:-( but most importantly, I'M ALIVE!

    Have a great night!

    Judy
  • Chris3
    Chris3 Member Posts: 58
    #45
    cujuja4evr said:

    Being in too much of a hurry to slow down
    The longer that I stayed at home, the more depressed I got. I'm normally an energetic person and people view me as somewhat hyper. Once I started my treatments, I slowed down...I mean REALLY slowed down. I thought that once the treatments were over and I was in recovery, I would bounce back quickly. HAH! I found out the hard way that I needed to give my body a chance to heal. I didn't even opt for the 1/2 days - I went back full-time. What I never considered was that even though I felt better mentally, I never thought about physically. I had radiation in the pelvic area and I have a sit-down job. I spent most of my time out from work (about 3 months) laying down. It never dawned on me that sitting on my butt for 8 hours would affect me the way that it did. One day, close to lunch hour, I had to go to the restroom. I was hoping I wouldn't have a BM until I got home from work that evening, but this BM I had no control over...it was coming whether I wanted it to or not!!! Well, this was pre-lidocaine and luckily there was no one else in the restroom with me! That was one of the most painful BMs that I had and I was hanging on to the walls of the stall like there was no tomorrow while I dealt with some excruciating pain! It felt like I was passing jagged rocks and razor blades!!! I felt like passing out and I imagined that there was a doctor in there saying, "Congratulations...twins!!! Needless to say that the walk back down the hallway to my desk was not a pretty sight. I signed a leave slip and had my husband pick me up right away! I'm now out of work again until the 17th to give myself more time to heal. I was in too much of a hurry to slow down. My husband reminded me of the famous saying, "Don't leave 5 minutes before the miracle happens", but yesterday, he told me the second part of that saying, "A miracle does not happen in 5 minutes".

    Judy

    Wish it was possible to "schedule" BMs
    Don't you just wish you could schedule when and where you have your BMs? Every day at work I worry about having an horrible experience like you had. So far, I have been lucky and my bowels have waited until evening, but sometimes those have been so painful that I had to take a pain pill and lie down in bed.

    But in general things are getting better - maybe not as fast as we would like - but slowly and surely.

    Chris
  • z
    z Member Posts: 1,414 Member
    #46
    Chris3 said:

    Wish it was possible to "schedule" BMs
    Don't you just wish you could schedule when and where you have your BMs? Every day at work I worry about having an horrible experience like you had. So far, I have been lucky and my bowels have waited until evening, but sometimes those have been so painful that I had to take a pain pill and lie down in bed.

    But in general things are getting better - maybe not as fast as we would like - but slowly and surely.

    Chris

    Chris
    Hi Chris,

    When I went back to work 2 weeks after I completed tx, I decided that whenever I had to go, I was going. I didn't want to strain my system anymore than what it was. I was fortunate to have privacy, in that there are many bathrooms where I work. Yes it is a slow process, but it does get better one day at a time. I wish you well Lori.
  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #47
    z said:

    Chris
    Hi Chris,

    When I went back to work 2 weeks after I completed tx, I decided that whenever I had to go, I was going. I didn't want to strain my system anymore than what it was. I was fortunate to have privacy, in that there are many bathrooms where I work. Yes it is a slow process, but it does get better one day at a time. I wish you well Lori.

    Scheduled BM's
    I totally agree that it would be nice if this was possible. I'm coming up on 2 years post-treatment in about a month and I still have sudden urges, especially in the mornings. I'm really stressed about this, as I received a jury summons in the mail yesterday, and I'm thinking about what happens if I get the urge to go while I'm in the courtroom! Do I raise my hand? :) It's going to be interesting, to say the least. Not to mention the fact that I have to be there at 8:15 a.m. and the drive is about 30 miles for me. Guess I better get up REAL early to get in my toilet time and try to avoid any problems. Also, diet will be a concern during that time. I got out of this early last year because of my ongoing side effects, but I don't think I can get out of it this time. Just like chemo/rad, I don't have a choice, just do it and get it over with! :(
  • z
    z Member Posts: 1,414 Member
    #48
    mp327 said:

    Scheduled BM's
    I totally agree that it would be nice if this was possible. I'm coming up on 2 years post-treatment in about a month and I still have sudden urges, especially in the mornings. I'm really stressed about this, as I received a jury summons in the mail yesterday, and I'm thinking about what happens if I get the urge to go while I'm in the courtroom! Do I raise my hand? :) It's going to be interesting, to say the least. Not to mention the fact that I have to be there at 8:15 a.m. and the drive is about 30 miles for me. Guess I better get up REAL early to get in my toilet time and try to avoid any problems. Also, diet will be a concern during that time. I got out of this early last year because of my ongoing side effects, but I don't think I can get out of it this time. Just like chemo/rad, I don't have a choice, just do it and get it over with! :(

    Martha
    Hi Martha,

    I hope this will be an interesting case, and the time will go by quickly. Maybe you could discuss this with the court, to forewarn them of your need to leave at will. They will have to take a recess. They really don't have a choice, as I'm sure other juries have had health issues also. Like you said the diet will play a big role. Maybe you could tell us about the case when its complete. Lori
  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #49
    z said:

    Martha
    Hi Martha,

    I hope this will be an interesting case, and the time will go by quickly. Maybe you could discuss this with the court, to forewarn them of your need to leave at will. They will have to take a recess. They really don't have a choice, as I'm sure other juries have had health issues also. Like you said the diet will play a big role. Maybe you could tell us about the case when its complete. Lori

    Hi Lori!
    I had to fill out a short questionaire and mail it back. One of the questions was "Do you have any physical or mental conditions which may impair your ability to serve." I answered yes, but there was no place to explain. If they question me, I will tell them exactly like it is! I'm already giving thought to my diet during that time. Yes, I'll be glad to spill about the case when it's over. My understanding of U.S. Federal District Court is that they hear cases of things like bankruptcies, embezzlement, tax fraud, etc.--no murders or violent crimes. None of that sounds very interesting to me, but at least there should be no gory pictures to look at! :) Thanks for the suggestions!

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