How do you cope?

[DMBwife]

Hi,
My husband just went through HDC a few months ago. It is definately tedious and those long days rehydrating are awful. Nathan will be soooo sick of the hospital! and water too! Just know that it is extremely effective and it will all be worth it when its over. My husband couldn't do anything most days except sleep or read a paper. I did tons of sodoku and internet surfing. Stay positive and tough, thats all I could do.
Thinking of you,
Erin

[shesnoangel]

Hey guys,

Thank you as always for the support. I don't know what I would do if I didn't have people to talk to who truly understand what we're going through.

Nathan was released from hospital on Thursday night. I took the day off work Friday to take care of him. He was pretty tired/weak/exhausted. I needed to make sure he drank lots of fluid and stayed on top of taking his dex.

Over the weekend, he REALLY bounced back. Seeing some positive things happening. His coughing has reduced considerably. As well his appetite is in FULL swing. Let me tell you, on Sunday he ate three hot dogs for lunch and for supper ate three slices of pizza. He's feeling well enough to be sarcastic and joke around, which makes me feel really great.

So 8 more days of recuperating and then back in hospital for another week of TIP.

As well, in the spirit of this thread "How do you cope?" I realized I find solace in movies and TV. I figured I'd list a few of mine and encourage anyone else to share theirs. Lord knows, as I'm sure we all know, during treatment you tend to have a lot of extra hours to spend. Anyways, here are my top 5 cancer distraction movies/TV shows (in no particular order).

Movies:
1. Two Weeks Notice
2. Reality Bites
3. Hot Rod
4. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
5. Borat

TV:
1. Kath & Kim (Australian version)
2. Curb Your Enthusiasm
3. Eastbound and Down
4. Sex and the City
5. Always Sunny in Philadelphia

[Aegean]

2. Reality Bites

Love the movie and has one of my all time fave quotes;

"All we need is a cup of coffee, a pack of smokes and some good conversation."

Of course the pack of smokes is no longer PC, and certainly out on this site... but hey, still a great quote from a great movie.

[buster]

Originally Posted by Aegean

"All we need is a cup of coffee, a pack of smokes and some good conversation."

Of course the pack of smokes is no longer PC, and certainly out on this site... but hey, still a great quote from a great movie.

I take it you were a smoker and dont miss it at all

[Pattytricia]

Hi Nicole,

I have been reading your posts and just want to say how I admire what a great job you are doing in being there and supporting and caring for Nathan. You have come to a great place to share and get support. Thinking of you and praying for the best.
Take care,
P

[shesnoangel]

An update!

Since Nathan came back from his inpatient week of TIP two weeks ago, he has progressively felt better and better. So much so, that last weekend we did NORMAL things. Seriously, I have never had a more normal weekend in months. It felt so good.

Today I dropped him off at the hospital to start his second cycle of TIP. They had him in early for a CT scan and blood work, and obviously a follow up with his onc. Of course, my normally calm and collective self has been battling nerves and anxiety all day today.

BUT, I just got a text message from Nathan! His HCG was 11,000 before TIP and now is down to 850!! As well the CT scan showed that his lung mets are shrinking even more!

Such good news!! Gotta celebrate the little victories along the way. Going to spend the evening watching a movie and hopefully some visitors.

[rosc]

Hi,

I have had to go through it twice. I had it in 1990 and then 18 years later. So I have lost both. So coping has been very hard for me. I found that learning to live in the present moment has helped me a lot. Kind of the past is all ready gone and you don't now what is going to happen tomorrow, so you can't worry about. Easy for me to say, my chemo was over a year ago.

Anyway, there are many books out there that deal with this. Cancer is medical trauma, no doubt about it. It is actually is a form of PTSD for those who have cancer and for the caregivers. My wife and I have gone through a tough time just like you guys. I have been lucky to find a therapist who specializes in PTSD. Maybe if you found someone to talk to it would help you cope. Talking to someone who actually cares and understands cancer has helped me a lot, but it has taken me a long time to find the right person.

Also, some books to consider:

Mindfulness and Acceptance Workbook for Anxiety. John Forsyth

The Power of Now . Eckhart Tolle

The Way of the Journal for Healing. Kathleen Adams.

I wish you guys all the best. I hope this helps.

Mark P.

[Smartie]

As little victories go, this is a pretty big one! Congratulations!