Red, you're amazing. Keep right on. :)
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Red, you're amazing. Keep right on. :)
you got close! :)Quote:
Originally Posted by redrhodie
And I agree - you are a complete rock star!
red, you go girl !
marni (another survivor)
Another week down! I'm more than halfway done with radiation. I am feeling pretty tired, but I'm still riding. I'm so glad the lbs canceled today's ride, because it would have been too much for me. I rode an easy paced 18 miles alone instead. Felt great, but now I'm wiped out. My skin still looks good, and I have a little tenderness, which might be unrelated to the rads.
I met with a new OBGYN to discuss contraception, and that was an eye opener. I thought I'd get a diaphragm or cervical cap, but instead was told those weren't good options for me, since I need something more failsafe. I'm scheduled to get an IUD in a couple of weeks. My other choice was tubal ligation. I can almost hear the creaky steel door of my fertility slamming shut (which is okay, since I never wanted kids). I'm almost looking forward to menopause. I'll be reading your hot flash stories with envy. ;)
My OB/GYN recommended Essure for those who are certain they do not want kids. Apparently it's a very simple procedure and much easier than tubal ligation. I think there is another similar procedure available now (can't remember the name) that might be worth exploring if you're looking for a permanent solution to birth control. But I also know a number of women who have been happy with the Mirena IUD - although since that does have some hormones it may not be appropriate for everyone.
Is a vasectomy for your partner an option? : )
Good luck with your decision, and I hope you continue to do well with your treatment. I have followed this thread and am amazed at your positive outlook and strength. You are inspiring!
Glad you are still getting out there, especially in this no winter winter we are having.
How many more weeks of treatments do you have?
I'll be done around Valentine's Day.
Essure was one of the methods discussed. I chose the Paragard IUD over the other options for a few reasons. It's non hormonal, a short in office procedure, and will last for 12 years, long enough to get me through. It works right away, too. Essure is surgery, it takes 3 months to form scar tissue, so you need a backup during that period, then there's another procedure where dye is injected to make sure it's working. I could see doing that if the IUD doesn't work, but at this point, the Paragard seems like my best option.
Vasectomy is not a great option for us.
Quote:
Originally Posted by redrhodie
What a great Valentines gift!
Actually, I got it (Paragard) yesterday! My cycle has a mind of its own these days; let me tell you, 10 days early was a fine how do you do. I knew that mattered for insertion, so I called to reschedule and they fit me right in. It was pretty much a surprise party. Very fun. :rolleyes: Actually, it didn't hurt (aside from a little fainting later). I rode today. I might be tougher than Jens Voight. :D
Fainting and riding today? Yeah - I think you are tougher. Seriously - you are a rockstar!Quote:
Originally Posted by redrhodie
Last zap tomorrow! I can't believe how fast this has gone by. I'm pretty red but it doesn't hurt. Rode 30 miles today, and I'm not that fatigued, so that's getting better.
Fri I meet with my oncologist. My next phase is to start Tamoxifen, which is an estrogen blocker, which I'll take for 5 years. I feel lucky to have it as an option, so I'm hoping for minimal side effects.
I just want to thank you all for being here for me, and for all the hugs and well wishes. It's really helped.
That'll be a relief to have that done with I'm sure.
You've been amazing. I'm so glad your side effects have been tolerable.
Good luck with the tamoxifen.
Congratulations, Red. I'm so glad you're nearing the end if this phase. It's really been an honor to share this experience with you. You've shown a tremendous amount of grace, strength and good humor. I admire you greatly.
I am really amazed at your attitude, Red. Especially the fact that you rode to treatment!
The way the weather is going, we may be going on that ride soon.
Nothing on earth like the Last Zap!
As for my Last Zap...I got someone at the Rads Hotel to paint my face - we had had a make-up workshop the day before and got free things not that I knew what to do with them - and I told her to make me a "fierce and strong jungle fairy" and she did a great job with swirls and leaves. I wore it all day incl to the hospital . It was a great celebration!
You have beaten it Red, join the club!
Very, very, VERY awesome!
Tamoxifen is basically a breeze although there are some side effects. I've been on it going on two years, so let me know if I can help.
I really wanted confetti to fall from the ceiling.
I want a new word for "survivor". I'm open to suggestions. Conqueror? Where's Zen when we need her?
Champion, victor, vanquisher, winner?
Thanks Indy! Maybe defeater. I like how "I defeated cancer" sounds.
Great news! No more rads for Red!
Red - thank you for sharing your very personal experience with diagnosis and treatment. It is both inspirational and educational.
+1!Quote:
Originally Posted by goride
I'm so glad that someone has found this helpful. If I hadn't known someone who went through it, it would have been way more scary, especially based on fictional portrayals of cancer which were mostly all I knew. I think my experience is pretty typical of early stage cancer, so, if you find a lump, don't freak out, but get it checked out sooner rather than later.
And yes, Crankin. We'll be able to ride soon.
I did the lbs ride this morning, and for the first time, I really felt the effects of the treatment. I was dropped for the entire ride. A sweet guy who also had cancer stayed with me, so I wasn't alone, but it was really clear I have been through something major. I'm a little freaked out by it, because what if this is permanent? I know it's probably not, and to be doing 30 mile rides at this point should be proof that I'll be fine, but it was a hard wake up call.
Now I'm exhausted and crying, which is not like me, but I bet this is normal. Some kind of PTSD, maybe?
((((((((redrhodie)))))))))
I am not a doc - but I just found a couple of journal abstracts that say fatigue is the worst in the last week, and usually resolves within 3 weeks to 3 months. Hang in there, and be gentle to yourself! You are amazing, no matter how far or fast you can ride right now.
What Blueberry said. Your body needs time to recover, but you'll get back to your old form in time.
For as strong and positive as you've been, I have to wonder whether you have processed through perfectly legitimate feelings of fear and sadness, too. Remember that it's okay to feel all that you're going to feel. It's not a sign of weakness or defeat. So have some good cries. My guess is that they'll be cathartic.
I knew you two would be here for me. Thank you.
I think maybe I never felt sad through any of this because it would interfere with treatment, and now that I'm done, the floodgates have opened. I will let myself go through this, too, don't you worry.
One is so focused getting through treatments that the emotional impact often hits once you're through that. The transition from treatment to getting on with your new 'normal' takes some time. The fatigue will pass but I found it took awhile. Hang in there, you've made it this far and stayed really active during, that is a real plus to the overall scheme of things.
(((((red)))))
What Indy said. I'm glad you plan to let yourself process this all emotionally.
And I think PTSD is certainly a possibility. If you think you're having that type of symptoms, some guidance might be helpful for you. I had flashbacks for more than a year, and what I went through wasn't even close to what you've just done.
Maybe talking about cancer for so much of the ride (with my well intentioned friend) brought feelings up. I'm just having a well deserved surprise pity party, which I didn't see it coming.
I obviously need new shoes. ;) Doesn't that always make you feel better? Or cake.
How 'bout wearing some new shoes while you eat cake? :D
Or eating cake while shopping for shoes. ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by indysteel
I once read about a guy who went through multiple surgeries for cancer and several rounds of chemo, and a few years later he won a few big bike races. But that first time back on a bike, he damn near fell over he was so tired.
Just take it one day at a time...
This is the time to be doing nice, easy, slow rides. Enjoy the view. I found when I couldn't keep up because of medical issues, I had to let myself "let it go," and focus on different kinds of riding. Eventually "it" came back, when I wasn't really thinking about it. Riding at any speed and walking are two of the best things you can do for yourself during your recovery, because both of them will regulate your emotions.
Wishing you a gentle rain of confetti while you rest up!
Got the shoes. Feel better. Works like a charm. Didn't even need cake.
And yes, I should be and will be riding for pleasure now. I really didn't know I lost so much fitness. I obviously need more time to get back to where I was, and I'm going to let it happen without pressure.
What kind of shoes, pray tell! I want to live vicariously through your shopping.
I got these, in mustard. They were actually waiting for me when I got home (perfect timing). My friend had ordered them for me a few days ago from Amazon, so I new they were coming. She's also my boss, so they're kind of a bonus.
They look really good on, and feel great. They're El Naturalista. She and I are both addicted to the brand, and it's dangerous because we encourage each other in this folly.
Definitely give yourself a break! You will get back to your previous level of fitness. I promise you. But pushing limits this early may result in delays. Revel in your accomplishments, including conquering! (I hate the survivor word, too).Quote:
Originally Posted by redrhodie
And yes, it is normal to feel down after treatment ends. All of a sudden you're sort of thrust back into life away from cancer and after all the time when life revolved around treatment it can be a bit disorienting. It will normalize.
Yeah, I was told that physically it takes as long to recover as you were in rads - in my case 6 weeks. I would agree. Mostly tiredness.
Emotionally - obviously mightily individual.
And not necessarily the same as how you (one) has dealt with and recovered from other crises. I think the rads do something to yr brain function and the tension (trauma?) has an effect too.
Make it up as you go along...I've just been reading Tao so I'm full of going with the flow.
I always talk like the last book I've read :rolleyes: so for what its worth - probly < 2 cents
Thank you ladies, that really helps. I had no idea that it would take that long to recover. It's good to know that it will come back (I am worried about that) and that it's not that I'm not trying hard enough.
I'll try to go with the flow. In my new shoes. :)