need a pep talk

Hang in there!
Sorry to hear you're having such a hard time. There was a time when I thought that I would never get better, but guess what...not only am I getting better, I'm encouraging others who have to go through what I did. Some people had a worse time of it than I did and, believe me, I had a rough time! Only focus on today and only today. When we think too far ahead, recovery seems to be out of our hand's reach and we begin to lose hope, but when you only have to worry about what is going on today, before you know it, the day has gone by and you made it! As far as your husband goes, yes, I'm sure it's hard on him. Cancer is a life-changing thing. You and everyone else around you is affected by this disease. But, don't feel that you are being a bother! You can only do what you can do. My suggestion is to post on the Caregiver's board to ask some of the caregivers what he may be going through and what to expect in coming weeks. I was in the chatroom with a caregiver this morning and she was awesome! I only wish I could have talked to her during my treatments; she would have been a great help to my husband and mom who were taking care of me. She was very knowledgeable about cancer even though she never had it. She has spent years working with family members who had cancer and other patients in hospice. I'm sure you will get much support from that board. Hope all goes well for you. I wish you all the best during your treatments. Please keep in touch with the board so others will help to support and encourage you and your family.


Hugz
Judy

Hi Melodie!
I'm sorry you are having such a rough time. I hope that you can get back on track with your radiation treatments and get to the end of them without further complications. You are wise to have gotten the walker. You certainly don't need a bad fall to make matters worse. Please don't give up on getting through your treatment--you can do this! I'll be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

melbas2 said:

progress
Thanks for listening,and for your support and kindness. We did actualy have a sit down, and I thinks he's got the prisoner thing establshed in his head, he sees where I'm having such a hard time adjusting to all this. Before the cancer,I traveled the states, opening new store, settinmg them up for success, and then moving on to the next one. A good year was one that I was home about 90 days...thou not at the same time. Then I would spend my days home cleaning, cooking, tryng to find time to be wth my husband and family. My husband s checking into a house this week, so at least I'll be ground level and be able ot get bacj into gardening. And the loss of my income has made a huge lifestyle change. WWe are coming up on 17 years together and thought we were getting to the comfortable financial part of our lives finanlly. I know we've always gotten back, it just seems like we take 2 steps forward and then 15. Anywas, I resume radiation in the am, see if can get thru without anymore setbacks. I actuall had whole food tonight.So far, so good, Gotta go to bed now so I'll be able to see doc in the am. I hope someone out ther is getting wome good news, Good nght all, Melodie

Thinking of you!
Hi Melodie--

I will be thinking of you today as you resume your radiation. I hope all goes well. Please keep us posted. You're in my prayers.

Martha

The chemo
Hi Melodie,

I also had trouble with the chemo, although I didn't end up in the hospital until the 2nd dose. After spending almost 2 weeks in bed, I came home extremely weak. It's hard to expain to someone unless they've been through it, but going up a flight of stairs required stopping at least twice and sitting down. My legs felt like jello and I couldn't believe how weak and deconditioned I got so fast. Take it easy for now. Just know that you will get through the treatment and then you'll have time to get back into shape. You're using a walker now but you won't stay that way. It's temporary so don't get down on yourself.

I'm a little over 3 months out of treatment and I feel just as in shape as I ever felt. I try to take walks whenever I can and, honestly, I feel back to normal. The treatment for anal cancer is hard but it's short relative to other cancers. It sounds like you're almost 1/3 of the the way through, so keep making short goals. You can do it - you WILL feel better.

susan1069 said:

The chemo
Hi Melodie,

I also had trouble with the chemo, although I didn't end up in the hospital until the 2nd dose. After spending almost 2 weeks in bed, I came home extremely weak. It's hard to expain to someone unless they've been through it, but going up a flight of stairs required stopping at least twice and sitting down. My legs felt like jello and I couldn't believe how weak and deconditioned I got so fast. Take it easy for now. Just know that you will get through the treatment and then you'll have time to get back into shape. You're using a walker now but you won't stay that way. It's temporary so don't get down on yourself.

I'm a little over 3 months out of treatment and I feel just as in shape as I ever felt. I try to take walks whenever I can and, honestly, I feel back to normal. The treatment for anal cancer is hard but it's short relative to other cancers. It sounds like you're almost 1/3 of the the way through, so keep making short goals. You can do it - you WILL feel better.

I'm glad you mentioned your
I'm glad you mentioned your legs feeling like jello. I'm not quite out of treatment yet, three more rads left but even taking a shower causes me to shake all over and feel so weak. I was beginning to think I was being too wimpy about everything and not trying hard enough. Reading what others go through helps to realize that this is a hard treatment program and we have to be patient with ourselves and our partners and friends and family need to also be patient with us.