Effect of surgery and treatment: Physical Limitations

[Mary]

"Overall, we found that about 20 percent of the [cancer] survivors had physical limitations and trouble performing activities of daily living, such as running, climbing stairs, bending, lifting, stooping, walking, eating or dressing," Ness says. "But, almost 40 percent of survivors of bone tumors and 30 percent of survivors of brain tumors reported having these difficulties." According to Ness, survivors of brain and bone cancers were most likely to report physical limitations and difficulty doing routine activities to the point of limiting their ability to attend work or school. Brain cancer survivors also were most likely to report difficulty with performing personal care.

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[David]

Hi Mary,

Suprised this thread has died as reading topics being discussed physical impact is huge and so are limitations.

I had surgery on 2 november 1990 if I remember correctly. My life changed forever that day. And yet I can consider myself as being lucky, limb salvage surgery was successful. I can do most things normal people can, except for running. I can have slight pain for no apparent reason, I can walk quite a while but sooner or later have continuous pain.

Sport being an integral part of my life, part of me died that day, and I struggle to live with it ever since. I dream less often of running or playing football (soccer), but it really kills me psychologically not being able to play tennis properly or badminton, or squash or whatever. I can compensate with scuba-diving or table-tennis but still the psychological impact is there (loss? sadness? emptiness?).

I don't have a miracle solution, unfortunately, I think different people cope in different ways, some better than others. Physical therapy helps after surgery. Does psychotherapy help afterwards? Who knows 

I don't feel whole, either physically or psychologically. Body image impact can be significant, with the knock-on effect on self-esteem, social and loving relationships, etc.

Guess I'm lucky to be alive, but there again that depends on quality of life. In a society bent on material wealth at the expense of everything else, attaining real quality is far from easy.

What do others think?

David

[Garret]

David,

Very interesting post.

I can relate to a lot of what you are saying.  Physical limitations after surgery pop up on a daily basis for all of us I'm sure.

I think for me personally, that one of the worst aspects of my run in with cancer is the bad physical self image that I now have due to the various procedures that I had.  I have never really spoken to anyone about this (family or counsellor, etc.) and sometimes I think that may be part of the problem.

I too miss playing sport and I can no longer run.  Most days I don't think about it but on other days, it really can get me down.  Mostly, I suffer bad days when thinking of my own physical self image.  I don't think it is too evident to those around me but inside I dont feel right.

I know that I'm lucky to be able to walk and that does help me stay grounded to some extent.  I guess its just human nature to sometimes focus on the things you've lost and/or the negatives of the after effects of surgery.  To sum it up, I resent the effect this has had on my self esteem above all else.  If I could have anything back, it would be that.


Garret

[Cari]

Good Job David and Garrett bringing this back up to the top!  It is a topic that so many of us have difficulty with and learning how to deal with it is just another thing that we are trying to learn in these lives of ours!
I agree with what you both said in that a part of me died when the physical aspects of my life were taken away--its sounds stupid to say that but playing sports was my "relaxation time" my social time my "party time, my competetive drive  I worked then I played  it was a good balance!  Now the play part is gone and I HATE it!  I have lost touch with friends that I played on teams with--no longer have the consistant exercise that helped keep me in some kind of a shape--so now self esteem is definately affected by that--because not only do I walk funny and can't participate in "normal" activities I have gained weight since I am not able to really do any cardio---UGH if it is not one thing it is another!!
how do we deal with it??  I don't know!  I try to take each day as it comes and do the things I can do like swimming--but the part that has been taken from me really hurts!
HUGS to you guys!
Cari

[Beth]

My daughters limitations is becoming a major problem for her. She had her original sugery when she was 6. She is now almost 12 and having a really hard time because she is not able to run like everyone else. Her limp has become more pronounced over the years. She still would like to do so much more when it comes to sports. We finally got her on a swim team hopefully this will work out well for her. We never really know because its one day at a time. She will be going back to the surgeon soon and may have to have another surgery whuich will set her back once again.My heart aches for her daily. But she is one strong girl. Growing up is not easy. This only adds to the madness. With prayers and her strength I know she can handle it. I just wish I could make it easier for her.

[Penny]

I know what you mean about limitations.  I walk almost every day, but there are days that I am either to tired or to sore to walk.  On those days I will say something about not being able to do my walk on that day and I get "It's alright your disabled".  Boy oh Boy don't that get to ya.

Penny