Hi Tinfoil, 

A warm welcome to Cancer Chat. This feeling of being stuck in a rut after a cancer diagnosis is something many of our members will be able to relate to, the feeling that time is standing still as if you are frozen in time as you say. Sometimes while going through cancer treatment, the only thing you can do really is sit or lay in bed watching film after film or using any other distraction to pass the time. There is nothing wrong at all in doing that and I hope that you got to watch some really good films that will stay with you forever. 

I am so sorry to hear that you have had all these issues since having treatment and living with sciatica and severe back pain for over 30 years can't have been easy. I also wanted to wish you a very happy birthday - turning 50 is an important milestone and it can be a time when we re-evaluate what we have done with our lives but the truth is there is still plenty of life ahead of you and lots of fun to be had. I can imagine though that having a cancer diagnosis is indeed a big shock which will have life-changing consequences and it can indeed feel, just as you mentioned, like a bomb going off.

It can be difficult to move on after everything you've been through in the last few years and it's important that you take the time you need. We have an interesting section on our website on Life Beyond Cancer which highlights the impact cancer can have on mental health and includes diet and nutrition tips or counselling that may be beneficial. 

We are all here for you anytime you need to talk or offload and speak to others who feel exactly the same or who understand why you are feeling this way at the moment having themselves been through something similar. 

Best wishes, 

Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator