World cancer day 2024

So, it’s my first WCD as a lifer: someone who has stage 4/ metastatic/ secondary cancer. It is terminal, but hopefully the chemo and other treatments that I am on will keep me in fairly good health for a while yet.

Knowing that barring a miracle, I will die of cancer is… interesting. In some ways, it feels very far away and almost unreal. In others, like it’s all too real; overwhelming and at times, all-consuming.

I have met a couple of people from the hospice team that are ready to look after me for any respite, post-surgery recovery and finally, my death. It is reassuring to know that I have their support, but a little worrying how quickly they got that support in place for me and arranged home visits!

To me, world cancer day highlights how important it is to get cancer care and treatment to all communities and countries, no matter how poor. Education can save lives through early diagnosis and treatments. It’s vital that we keep talking about symptoms and encourage people to get medical advice if they notice any changes in their bodies.

I am so glad that I went to my doctor soon after finding a breast lump, in 2015. Even though I had no family history, was a young non-smoker and breastfeeding, I didn’t stop that or being busy from putting me off. It meant that I got treatments quickly, and for 8 years or so they gave me a pretty good quality of life. In fact, I believe that my awareness of camcer symptoms and early diagnosis and treatment saved my life.

Sometimes the grim reality of metastatic cancer hits hard. I recently saw some photos of someone with a similar diagnosis to me: stage 4 breast cancer with spinal mets. The photos of her post-surgery back were scary. The thought that I might have to go through something like that one day is terrifying. And the fact that it would probably be done as an emergency operation, makes it even worse. At the moment, my oncologist says that any surgery on my spine is too high risk (for permanent paralysis); but I am at a risk of metastatic spinal cord compression, the treatment for which may be spinal surgery. Feel free to look that up: it’s not pleasant.

I still hope for a miraculous healing for myself, but need to be prepared that it might not happen.

At the moment, I don’t look sick, I can work part-time and care for my (disabled) husband and look after our children as well as myself. I can walk the dog and sometimes the cancer feels distant, despite the many hospital appointments.

But, I am so fatigued and get bad back and neck pain almost every day. Recently, I have had aches in my arms and legs, which feel right in the bones. I have started having bad dreams when in pain at night: it’s often not bad enough to wake me up, but still manages to sneak into my subconscious in what feels like a malicious way.

I am worried about the future. It’s hard.

The chemo is keeping me alive, but causes fatigue, mouth problems and makes me incredibly susceptible to infections. Over the Christmas holidays, I had first flu then a chest infection. My neutrophils (white blood cells) were dangerously low.

My sister in law, Mary, recently set up a page to raise some money to spend on making happy memories for my kids, Connor and Bethany. Thank you so much if you have donated; we really appreciate it. People are surprisingly generous, and we are grateful for you all. And if you can’t afford to donate, please don’t worry. I know how tough life is for many.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-create-holiday-memories-for-alex-family

Thanks for reading. X

Photos from my primary breast cancer in 2015.

Summer 2023, soon after my stage 4 diagnosis.

My 8th cancerversary

A little drawing that I did about my experience of cancer. Everyone’s is different, and often not so hopeful.

Cancer is not a beautiful butterfly by any means. More like an angry wasp that keeps attacking you.

My 5th cancerversary

The 5th cancerversary is a big milestone for survivors. And 5 is a big number, definitely. Sadly it doesn’t mean that it will never come back. Cancer can hide in your cells, even spread to many parts of your body, even decades after treatment for the primary cancer has finished. But, of course I am grateful to be well now, and happy to have been around for those extra years with my family.

This year, the whole world decided to join in with the chemo feelings of social isolation; loneliness; possible loss of income or job; fear of being really sick and dying; lack of control; and general inconvenience. Doesn’t feel great does it?

Strangely, this isolation caused by covid 19 has helped me to feel less isolated. Because we are all in this situation together, my family has not been singled out for a change. That feels much more manageable. We’ve got it a lot easier in fact, than many people do. We are not NHS or key workers. All we have to do is stay home. Thankfully, so far none of my friends or family has caught the virus.

When I received the unexpected shielding letter from my hospital last week, I was not as relaxed about it. I have had a few random health problems over the last few years, including an awful cough and breathing problems caused by a chest infection that didn’t heal for 6 months. But I suppose that it’s the chemo that got me on the list.

So, once again, the shadow of cancer hangs over me, meaning that I am again seen as a vulnerable person. I have been put into the ‘poorly person’ box  again, and I don’t like it at all. I think that the biggest problem is one of identity. I am Alex. I am not a cancer victim. I am not my illness. I needed to remind myself that the letter doesn’t change this. They are, in fact, looking out for me. That’s a good thing, that the NHS cares about little old me.

The other issue is one of control. I have been in uncontrollable  situations many times, so have learned this lesson before. But I guess it’s a lesson that needs to be learned again. Strangely, there is so much strength from admitting weakness, by realising that there are very few situations where you are actually fully in control. Nobody is always strong.

That’s the advantage of having faith in a God so much stronger and wiser than me. I don’t need to pretend to myself and others that I am god of my own life. Because I’m not. I didn’t choose when or how I was born, and I won’t choose when or how I die. I have found a peace in that.

For now, I am enjoying my lovely house; garden full of new life; and family who I get to spend more time with.

I will never be grateful that I had cancer, but I am here, I got through it. And if that isn’t a good reason to eat chocolate cake, I don’t know what is.

 

 

 

 

Fatigue after cancer

I have wanted to blog about fatigue for a while now, but have been too tired to. Oh the irony!

The reality is that many people suffer from fatigue even many years after cancer treatments have stopped.

Fatigue is more than feeling tired after a busy day at work, or looking after children. It can last weeks, months, even many years. You can sleep well, exercise, eat healthily and still feel fatigued.

I looked up fatigue on thesaurus.com and found these synonyms:

Lethargy
Weakness
Weariness
Debility
Burnout
Overtiredness

I do love, admire, enjoy a thesaurus.

I don’t think that it’s possible to completely avoid fatigue during and after treatment, but I have found some thimgs that can help.

 

1. Go to bed

It sounds obvious, but if you are tired, and you can, then go to bed early. It’s no use trying to power through until 11pm if you are knackered by 9. I learned this the hard way; you won’t do yourself any favours by trying to stay up late. It’s likely to lead to being overtired and struggling to fall asleep.

And if you need a nap in the day, then have one if possible. I have half-hour cat-naps sometimes, and they work brilliantly. Any longer and I would sleep worse at night. Or if you can’t nap, just lying on the sofa and reading a book can help.

 

2. Read before bed

The stress of cancer treatments and ongoing side-effects can cause insomnia. I always read for a while before going to sleep. If you don’t like reading, there are lots of great quality older child or young adult novels out there. They are accessable and well-written. Anything by these authors is good:

Eion Colfer, C S Lewis, Suzanne Collins, Tom Gates, Liz Pichon, JK Rowling, Malorie Blackman, Enid Blyton and Lauren St John.

And don’t go on social media if you can’t sleep! It will be like drinking an espresso for your brain.

 

3. Know your limits

If you can work, great. I was desperate to get back to work after active treatment finished, but I also knew that I would not cope with working full-time. Not everyone will have the option to work part-time, but pushing yourself to work all hours to prove how well you are doing, is likely to lead to burn-out.

Your body and mind have been through a shockingly intense time, and will take longer than you think to recover. Remember that chemo kills cells, and radiotherapy alters DNA. A couple of aspirin these are not.

When I first returned to work, I needed a short nap most afternoons before dinner, just to get me through to bed-time. And on my days off, I would make plans to do numerous chores or be super-sociable. I just couldn’t keep this up. I expected to be back to normal after my treatments, but my body wasn’t ready. I started giving myself an actual day off in the week, not out of selfishness but necessity. I felt so much better because of this.

 

4. Don’t worry about what other people think

You have probably had someone say to you,

“Your cancer treatment has finished. That’s great, so you are all better now.”

Or, “Cool, everything is back to normal now. And you look so well.”

Although well-intentioned, remember that anyone who hasn’t had cancer doesn’t know what they are talking about. They want to encourage you, and don’t know what else to say. But cancer is not a bad cold. The affects of chemo, radiotherapy, surgery and hormone treatments can cause numerous side-effects that may last for many years. And then there’s the psychological damage that cancer can cause.

You may be back to work, your hair may be growing back beautifully, and you might look very well. But that doesn’t mean that your body will spring back to perfect health within minutes of waving goodbye to your oncologist.

Fatigue is your body’s way of saying “Hang on, what just happened? I need to figure this out: just give me some time.”

You can’t force your fatigue to go, no matter how much you want to forget about ever having had cancer. So ignore those who tell you that you should be back working full-time, out partying every weekend and to stop moaning about being tired.

 

5. Do some light exercise

I’m not going to recommend joining a gym, because for me, that would be a huge waste of money. But try to do a little exercise. Sometimes I feel really tired, so go for a short (20-30 minute) walk. I always feel better afterwards. The tiredness won’t disappear, but I will probably sleep better that night. And I can then enjoy some chocolate while lazing on the sofa as a reward. ☺

Stretches are great too. If you had any surgery, daily streteches will improve your strength and reduce any chance of lymphodaema. Gentle exercise like stretching your arms abive your head a few times, and ‘walking’ your hands up the wall will be helpful.

Or if you used to do pilates or yoga, or think it might be for you, you could have a look on Youtube for beginners’ exercises.

Remember that weightlifting is not advised if you have had a mastectomy.

Breast Cancer Care have some useful info about exercise after treatment.

 

6. Be kind to yourself

Think if what you would say to a close friend who has gone through cancer. Now say it to yourself, and listen to your advice.

I have struggled a lot with this one. Possibly because I am a mum with young kids. Mums just have to get on with it, don’t they?

But you won’t do yourself or your family any favours if you wear yourself into the ground. It’s impossible to spring right back to your pre-cancer self, so give yourself a break.

Learn how to say “No.”

If your boss,  friends or family ask too much or expect you to perform at maximum efficiency, explain that you have post-cancer fatigue. Talk about how common it is after treatment, and that you may look great but your body has been through a terrible time. They have probably never heard of it, and will hopefully be much more understanding when you explain it to them.

This doesn’t mean that you can never go for a family day out again. But maybe start with a half-day and see how you get on. Maybe ask your parents or friends to have the kids one afternoon so that you can have a mega nap. Don’t take on overtime at work if you are struggling to get through a normal day.

 

7.  If you are worried or there are any changes, see a doctor

Your fatigue might be improved by something as simple as iron tablets, for example, if you have anaemia.

You know now more than ever, to keep an eye on any changes in your body. Don’t put off making a doctor’s appointment if you notice anything or if fatigue is stopping you from carrying out normal daily activities.