What Life Changes You Made and Would Recommend

Hi, I wonder if you can help...

I'm finding it difficult to know what changes to make given my recent diagnosis and thought I could learn from your experience: what did you do that you would recommend or perhaps discourage?

I have been cured of cancer twice before and now have adrenal cancer (previously kidney and adrenal). The future is uncertain and I would like to make the most of it but don't know what approach  to take; carry on as normal or stop working and spend what I have on fun things with family and friends, or some other approach.

  • Hi  I haven't done it as finances don't allow, but if they did I would definitely stop work or at least go part time. X

  • Thank you. Whilst I have time and capacity,  I would like to make the most of both. I'm tyring to limit the things I may later wish I had done, but didn't think of, whilst it was possible.

  • idk about work because i'm a student, but ik that i 100% prefer normalcy. if i did have to work, i'd go part time for sure. definitely try to eat healthier and live life to the fullest- spend time with people you love, do things you used to be hesitant to do. enjoy yourself, because you deserve it. after being diagnosed, you really begin to appreciate the simpler things in life. obviously, after diagnosis, changes to your lifestyle is mandatory, but it doesn't have to be negative. keep it balanced. don't change your routine so much in a way you don't recognise yourself anymore, but do the needful, like incorporating more veggies in your meals. that's just me and my perspective x

  • Good advice Bungled and Evaaa, thank you

  • Hi Paul

    As you’ve got previous experience of living with cancer it may be easier to make your decision. When you are working and you have a weekend away or a holiday it is really enjoyable  because you are getting a break. If you are not working and everyday is a holiday then those breaks can become just another day. Going to work also gives structure to the day / week and keeps some normality to life plus contact with your colleagues is good for you. The money is also helpful to buy whatever you need to keep comfortable, medicines not available on NHS, dentistry, private physiotherapy or alternative treatments, those weekends and holidays. If you can, maybe working 3 days a week is a good compromise, with 4 off to spend on the inevitable hospital visits and with family and friends while your health still allows. I work 3 to 4 hours a day, physical work when I'm able to and paperwork when I'm not so able and nothing at all on those days when fatigue from treatment overwhelms. I find this balance is beneficial for both my mental and physical wellbeing. evaaa makes a really good point on nutrition and the extra time off can allow you to cook decent healthy meals.

    Ed