Keeping busy

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PT63
PT63 Member Posts: 329
edited June 2014 in Life After Breast Cancer

Hi Ladies

I was looking through the posts on this forum and I did not see any thread that talked about what people are doing/have done to keep busy and keep their minds off the "c" word.  I was wondering if anyone wants to share stories.

I was diagnosed in November of 2006, one day after I was accepted into a doctoral program. I called them back immediately and deferred my acceptance through the original bilat. mastectomy and implant exchange.  During that time I spent a lot of time worrying over my future and the future of my children.  I was worried about just about everything - my mother suggested anti-anxiety meds.  Then one day one of my kids told me that I was "technically cancer free" and that I really needed to do something to get my mind off of it.  So I enrolled in the doctoral program and I have to say that it kept me way too busy to focus on the "c" word - although of course the worry never really goes completely away.  Truthfully the program even kept me away from the discussion boards and this support network.

I am now finished with the program and am looking for another "hobby" to keep my mind busy in the evening. I work part time and do some volunteer work as well as take care of two teenage daughters. I am thinking of taking some foreign language classes next.

Does anyone want to share their post-cancer accomplishments or stories of how they have kept busy?

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Comments

  • iodine
    iodine Member Posts: 4,289
    edited February 2009

    Personally, I walked dogs at the shelter, and played with the cats.

    I volunteered at the Playhouse and took dance lessons.  I swim. I play cards and I began taking college freshman classes just for fun---mostly history and law.  I have been up to my eyebrows in science, so that seemed a good route to go.  I volunteered to assist a first grade teacher and listen to wee ones read out loud.  (had to give that up when first diagnosed due to all the germs!)

    You may consider taking up an instrument and I like the idea of language classes.  I would love to find a bible course--from historical perspective rather than religious.

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  • Sierra
    Sierra Member Posts: 1,638
    edited February 2009

    Hi,

    gosh, there is not enought time in the day for me

    for one thing, I had to focus on moving

    this year, then I'm on line a fair amount

    still go to Wellspring meetings and help out

    anyone I can, by leaving a card with them

    they can call me anytime (I am 9 yrs out)

    Grade 3.. so like to assist

    attend the community centre

    walk to the island .. birding

    and other walks

    see friends, network

    listen to CBC

    is this enough so far,

    visit neighbours,. I have not TV

    family in Nursing Home

    always reading

    I want to do a labyrinth walk in the spring

    went on a retreat  silent, that was great!

    Hugs, Sierra :))

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  • Isabella4
    Isabella4 Member Posts: 2,166
    edited February 2009

    Don't know where you ladies get the focus from !!

    I just cannot hold information for long, or so I think. Someone will tell me something, I think 'WHAT did she just tell me? ' Then a couple of weeks later out of my mouth will come a most interesting piece of information., the very piece I thought I wasn't taking in ! Don't know where it goes, in the intervening few days, but I really daren't embarrass myself trying to learn something new in a class.

    I have started to work again, after saying 'never again', but in a very reduced way. I used to have a boarding kennels, shut up shop on dx., but the phone has just not stopped in 5 years, they all want lil 'ole me to look after their special pets ! Keep on asking for me to help them out, say they can't find anyone to look after their treasures as I used to !!EmbarassedEmbarassed so I have set someone on to start and paint some of my empty kennels,  and I take in my first official boarder on March 2nd. It remains to be seen as to how I can cope when the season gets going, if I can remember who I have booked in ...or haven't , as the case may be,  as DH is against me starting work again, and I think he will be watching to see if I make any boo boo's so he can say 'told you so !!!!!!!! '

    I think it just might take my mind to an easier place, as I have tended to start and stop projects one after the other trying to move beyond, from silly little knitting projects, to full blown TRYING to make sense of Latin (something I'd always wanted to do since leaving college, with the subject half cooked in my brain! ) my record is stuck I think, and the immediacy of an animal needing its tea, or whipping it to the vets will hopefully focus me.

    That, or I will end up badly broken down nervously !!!!!! If this happens I will just crawl into one of my own kennels, and feed myself valium.

    Isabella. 

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  • iodine
    iodine Member Posts: 4,289
    edited February 2009

    Doggie valium and prozac ---I hear ya!  I bet you have a ball and love every minute of it.  Nothing like animals to move oneself to another plane altogether.

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  • PT63
    PT63 Member Posts: 329
    edited February 2009

    Isn't amazing the power of animals to make one feel better?  I hadn't thought about walking dogs at the shelter.  My sister is a shelter volunteer, maybe I will check into it.

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