Your approach to your new life

[Mary]

Up for grabs today is a new topic...how are you dealing right now with your own limitations?

We are all in different stages of treatment and recovery. Some of us only have mild effects left in our lives, while some have major ones. But we all have been affected, and we all employ our own strategies to help us continue living. What works for you may not work for me, but it may give me some ideas to try! It may also remind us that we are all facing similar challenges everyday, and we're not alone.

What limitations are you living with now, and how are you handling them?

[Elizabeth]

It has been a long time since my chondrosarcoma surgeries. The first was in 1967, the seventh in 1980. Since it was in my pelvis, there was a partial amputation, called an internal hemipelvectomy. I didn't realize the seriousness of all this and in the beginning I tried to live my life as I had before. However, the high pain continued to interfere, until I finally figured it out that I needed to monitor my condition and pay attention to the messages my body was giving me. These days, I can do most what I want, within reason. But, I need to recognise when I need to rest. If I overdue it, like get too enthusiastic with gardening or spending the whole day out shopping or walking around, I pay for it, by my body forcing me to lie down for the next three days. I have learned it is not worth one day traded in for three days of suffering, so recognizing my limits and noting them so that I do not wait until my body is screaming at me, is the best way to go for me. Be glad to answer questions on specifics. [/font][/size]

[Charlene]

One thing that has helped me is being proactive in my follow-up care.  At times is has been overwhelming but once my follow-up protocal was established I felt much more confident in remaining healthy and getting help with issues I was or do have.  Learning limitations is still a daily battle for me.  I've not goten to the point where one day of living isn't worth another couple to recover.  Sometimes I just need to let loose. But I am continually working at this.  I'm coming more to accept that I will continue to have limitations so I'm getting better at asking for help and allowing others to help me.  Not an easy thing to do.  I'm also, learning to do more nice things for myself whichhelps bring me to a better place both physically and emotionally.  Journalling has been key along my journey.  To be able at low points look back and actually read where I was at even 1 yr ago helps get me out of the ditch (so to speak).  I'm struggling to start a routine but think this will help me alot.   

Basically, I realize that there is more than this life.  That each day I wake is a gift. 

charlene