The Retirement Thread

[Dave7]

Well that was hard work !!
Shaved, brushed me gob, cleaned the new gnashers.......not easy when I have to sit on my zimmer thingy.

 

[classic33]

Finally, after 7 weeks in hospital I have been let out for 2-3 weeks - exact duration will be determined by regular blood results.

Then back in for 28 days chemo'.

First round has gone extremely well according to consultant. Much better than expected due to my age and dodgy kidney there was a rusk with such aggressive treatment.

He said I have a strong constitution due to regular exercise, etc.

Sadly lost around 10lb over the 7 weeks which is normal and it has mainly stripped muscle as I am no a fat person.

That will take a while to recover as I have been told that following round 2 chemo' (possibly followed by r3 and r4) then I will be very tired for 1-2 years (!).and will need to build up excersize routines slowly.

Thoughts:

I don't feel like I am 'me'.

I don't want to be defined by my illness and have to keep talking about it to people.

I don't want to engage with people in the real world.

I just want to crack on with my life and live day by day on a ke sera sera basis.

Have a good day all.

@Dave7 I hope you are OK when the results are eventually available.

Roger & out.

That feeling will pass.

It'll only define you if you let it do so. Point out to those who feel they "need to know" that as far as you're concerned it's private. Let them know, once only, how you feel living with it and that'll be it. They carry on asking, you'll be telling them something else.
I don't include medical staff in this bit, because how you may be feeling might be relevant to/determine what they do next. Treatment wise.

You don't want to talk to people that's your choice. If it's increased pressure to engage with others, remind them it's you living with it(And that bit varies from person to person, even for the same treatment), not them. Remembering that the last thing you want is undue pressure been placed on you to do anything.

There's little stopping you, bar the obvious ones of some things possibly taking longer, or learning new ways to achieve the same result.
You'll be thinking things through before doing them more, where once you did the same things without really thinking about it. It gets annoying and starts playing on your mind, so might take longer still simply because you're aware of it. Getting annoyed at yourself in the process.
One we can all imagine the effect of is having your once dominant arm in a sling. Dressing is awkward. Simple tasks such as eating are suddenly not as easy, but how we cope with it will vary for each of us.

You are going to have to slow down whilst you're in recovery mode. And that will mean some things will have to be left to one side for a while. Others will just take longer.

Aside from getting a screenshot of "Thoughts", to show others if needs be, crack on. And leave Roger out of this.

 

[classic33]

Well that was hard work !!
Shaved, brushed me gob, cleaned the new gnashers.......not easy when I have to sit on my zimmer thingy.

Get you!
Yer zimmer thingy has a seat.

 

[PaulSB]

Sorry about the rain

my fault

I got the lawnmower out and left it on the lawn ready to use

then something cropped up and my the time I had done that it had clouded over and started spitting

Yep, that sounds like tempting the gods. Almost a come guys on let's spoil his plans.

Wet, cold and windy here.

 

[Dave7]

Get you!
Yer zimmer thingy has a seat.

Pppfppp

Get you!
Yer zimmer thingy has a seat.

I called it a zimmer but its actually called a rollator .
I has a seat, brakes and quickly folds up.
Nice piece of kit really

 

[classic33]

Pppfppp


I called it a zimmer but its actually called a rollator .
I has a seat, brakes and quickly folds up.
Nice piece of kit really
View attachment 774848

Are those brake levers on the right way round?

 

[Dave7]

Are those brake levers on the right way round?

Yep

 

[PaulSB]

Pppfppp


I called it a zimmer but its actually called a rollator .
I has a seat, brakes and quickly folds up.
Nice piece of kit really
View attachment 774848

Is that the control panel on the right? "Houston we are ready for lunch?" ...................or should that be launch??

 

[classic33]

Is that the control panel on the right? "Houston we are ready for lunch?" ...................or should that be launch??

That controls the bed, reclining position, height. But might also include a launch sequence for getting those who are less inclined to get out of bed.

I want to know if he's found out what the lights underneath on either side of the bed are for yet.

 

[classic33]

Yep

Help when you're turning at speed!

 

[SpokeyDokey]

That feeling will pass.

It'll only define you if you let it do so. Point out to those who feel they "need to know" that as far as you're concerned it's private. Let them know, once only, how you feel living with it and that'll be it. They carry on asking, you'll be telling them something else.
I don't include medical staff in this bit, because how you may be feeling might be relevant to/determine what they do next. Treatment wise.

You don't want to talk to people that's your choice. If it's increased pressure to engage with others, remind them it's you living with it(And that bit varies from person to person, even for the same treatment), not them. Remembering that the last thing you want is undue pressure been placed on you to do anything.

There's little stopping you, bar the obvious ones of some things possibly taking longer, or learning new ways to achieve the same result.
You'll be thinking things through before doing them more, where once you did the same things without really thinking about it. It gets annoying and starts playing on your mind, so might take longer still simply because you're aware of it. Getting annoyed at yourself in the process.
One we can all imagine the effect of is having your once dominant arm in a sling. Dressing is awkward. Simple tasks such as eating are suddenly not as easy, but how we cope with it will vary for each of us.

You are going to have to slow down whilst you're in recovery mode. And that will mean some things will have to be left to one side for a while. Others will just take longer.

Aside from getting a screenshot of "Thoughts", to show others if needs be, crack on. And leave Roger out of this.

Thank you for your considered post. 👍

Slowing down and taking my time will take some getting used to.

I hadn't realised how much chemo debilitates you. For sure, I have heard other people mention it when they have been affected. But, until you have it yourself, it is hard to comprehend.

I have managed some short and slow walks during my hospital stay - to the consultant's amazement: "few people manage that!"
What really shocks me is the energy consumption caused by chemo which appears to carry on after the IV infusions have stopped.

I have been advised to eat, eat, eat before my next chemo session. Partly to regain some weight loss - albeit it will be fat gained not muscle to replace that which I have lost. I am going to need fuel for chemo round 2! The consultant and hospital dietician have told me to get "anything down" and worry about decent diet later in the overall treatment process - hard to do when you normally don't eat crap!

The power outages I am experiencing are crazy. A huge breakfast at 7am leaves me feeling energised but by 1-2pm I am totally powered down again and in need of topping up!

Anyway, onwards & upwards, scoffing as I go.

 

[Drago]

Blimey Spokes. Hang in there.

Mrs D was recently diagnosed with lymphoma and is currently spending a day or two a week in hossy. I've told her to quit work, but she won't. Fortunately her boss is making her work from home most or the time now, so it's less onerous.

Ive got the usual bits ceasing to function and dropping off, but thankfully nothing really nasty so far. Need to stay tip top to look after Mrs D.

 

[gavroche]

Thinking of taking Mrs G on a 7 nights Mediterranean cruise. Any advice or recommendations from you well travelled people?

 

[mistyoptic]

Thinking of taking Mrs G on a 7 nights Mediterranean cruise. Any advice or recommendations from you well travelled people?

Have you thought of a river cruise? Smaller ships (150 px) and nearer scenery. We’ve done a couple now, Douro and Rhine/Mosel, and really enjoyed the slow pace and pampering. We went with Riviera Travel

 

[PaulSB]

Thinking of taking Mrs G on a 7 nights Mediterranean cruise. Any advice or recommendations from you well travelled people?

I would repeat the advice from @mistyoptic. This will sound strange as I've never done a true river cruise. We did though have three nights travelling up the Mekong and it was tremendous. Absolutely loved it.

I can't conceive being stuck on one of those enormous cruising hotels. Aside from the ethical and environmental issues I would simply feel trapped.

A slow, lazy cruise on a small river boat does sound very appealing. I've heard good reports of Riveria Travel.