What Keeps You Sane?

Rotorhead · Regular Joined: 04 Jun 2008 Posts: 26 Location: Hawaii

With all the decisions and trepidation involved on the medical side, and all the emotional issues of dealing with family and friends, I'm interested in what keeps us "sane" during the cancer ordeal. For me:
1. Hobbies. I do what I can, when I feel well enough - surfing, windsurfing and swimming in the ocean. When I'm too fatigued, I bust out the DVD's and watch the action.
2. Work. Getting back to work after surgery made me feel valid and normal. This was difficult as everyone seemed to want me to stay away and "just rest and get better". Sitting around at home, not working was actually driving me crazy.
3. Long-term goals. I set a bunch of them, some which I've had to revise due to post-surgery chemo, but I'm still committed. Sailing in the Molokai channel crossing (Maui to Molokai); running the Honolulu marathon (probably '09), finishing my boat project; charging real 8' surf - all are things I see myself doing in the next year or two as validation of beating cancer down.

So...what makes all of you keep on keepin' on?

Aloha,
RH
_________________
Diagnosed Stage 3 rectal cancer Nov 07
6 weeks chemo/rad Dec 07/Jan 08
Surgery (TME) 11 Feb 08
6 months FOLFOX started March 08
My blog: http://rotorheadsblog.blogspot.com/

brainman · Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 4:58 pm Post subject: Re: What Keeps You Sane?

Very good question that I often ask myself. This is not original, I read it somewhere, but it does make sense: Life is a journey and all the positive AND negative thing that happen to us during this journey. Love vs Ambivalence, Hope vs Despair, Joy vs Bitterness, Relationships vs Disconnectedness, Trust vs Distrust, Confidence vs Fear, Meaningful activities vs Mindless activities. I think that trying to maintain the balance between all of these (and other) is what helps me to keep going. I am not sure this reply is entirely what you are asking about but I was just thinking about these dualities earlier today Very Happy

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Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
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SFGiants13 · Senior User Joined: 21 Feb 2005 Posts: 119 Location: CA SF

I used to draw a lot but after years of treatments my skills somehow drifted away, plus with my bad eyes from the tumor it's been hard for me to focus carefully. Also I used to enjoy going to the beach and surf with my surfboard or my bodyboard since I live in the bay area, there's a lot of waters to travel out to. But due to my hip replacement and low vision, I'm still recovering and can't go out into the open waves like I used to. I sure miss it sometimes but I have a whole new life to live by, and my chances of going back, only time will tell. But what keeps me going is my family, friends, that I always remind myself to keep a positive attitude, hope for a brighter future, to stay strong, and never give up. I am more concerned on getting all well which is most important to me. Smile

In · Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 6:49 pm Post subject: Re: What Keeps You Sane?

For me I'd have to say My friends and Family- they give me strength. Keeping busy and doing things I love to do when i can.
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Thinking of you Inica

*Administrator*

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Sternum~
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http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=6731

Smile

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dano · Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2008 7:33 am Post subject: Re: What Keeps You Sane?

Aloha Rotorhead;

To the bratha from a different Matha.

Hey let me know when you are ready to go sailing in the channel I'll go with. You like rough water huh? lol

I love going to the beach, makes me feel good soaking in the water over at Yokes on over by Makaha.

You are pretty impressive with wanting to hit the 8's, I don't surf and wont go in the water when they get over 3'. I've been given some pretty nasty head plants on the beach. But I will come and take pics!
God Bless
Dan
_________________
53 year old male in Hawaii
Diagnosed Nov. 8,2007 with NSCLC IV
with Mets to the lymphs and brain
Had full brain radiation treatment in Jan 08
Currently on chemo treatments every 4 weeks with Alimta
and taking Lovenox for blood clots
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=9993

ChemoMan · Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 5:03 pm Post subject: Re: What Keeps You Sane?

Hi there

My partner and I jump on the motorbike and we go for a ride Smile

Sometimes it takes a whole tank of gas before you think straight Smile

The good thing is she loves it as much as I do Smile

Life is good Wink

_________________
Age 51
Diffuse Large B cell Lymphoma
Stage 2a
Finished six cycles of R chop 21 26th May 2008
Officially in remission 9th July 2008

dano · Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 9:24 pm Post subject: Re: What Keeps You Sane?

Sounds real enjoyable Chemoman

I've been thinking about getting a bike. They are real nice targets here on Oahu. Most accidents though are solos, just going too fast.\
Dan
_________________
53 year old male in Hawaii
Diagnosed Nov. 8,2007 with NSCLC IV
with Mets to the lymphs and brain
Had full brain radiation treatment in Jan 08
Currently on chemo treatments every 4 weeks with Alimta
and taking Lovenox for blood clots
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=9993

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