Walking my dog.

[Troutwerks]

It's been 2 years since my diagnosis and I have recently completed my 3rd of ten chemo cycles. Because of leg pain I am unable to walk the distances I used to. The inability to walk with my dog as I used to is frustrating. Although there are many other inconveniences the inability to take my walks is my #1 disappointment.

[JamesAtlanta]

What a beautiful dog! I can understand the frustration.

The chemo side effects will subside in no time and you will have more energy ... and hopefully the leg pain will subside, too! 😊 Lots of walks ahead with your beautiful dog! 🐕 Keep the faith!

[Troutwerks in reply to JamesAtlanta]

Thanks you, James. I look forward to the dog walks ahead.

[Hidden]

To me, the hardest part about this disease is not being able to do the things you like to do. Sorry to hear that you can't take walks with your dog. Hoping you get better soon so you can.

[Troutwerks in reply to Hidden]

Exactly. While frustrating there are still things I can do and I do my best to take pleasure in doing those.

[Hidden in reply to Troutwerks]

You can also find other ways to do the things that you can't do now. The cancer is taking things away from us, but don't let it wherever you can. Fight back!

It's important for me mentally to fight back and not let the cancer take things away from me whenever possible. For example, you could rent or buy one of those mobility scooters and walk your dog that way. It's not quite the same, but it's temporary solution until you are back on feet.

doglore.net/walking-dogs-wi...

158 dogs liked this message

[Dr_WHO]

It is hard not to be sad on what we no longer can do. However, we must focus on what we can still do. It may sound a bit Polyanne'ish, but the more things there are that I can no longer do, the more grateful I am for the things I can still do. Perhaps instead of walking with your dog there are other ways you can play with him. For me, I sit out on the back porch and watch my wife play with our dogs.

There are so many things that I can no longer do, or not do without a lot of pain or fatigue, backpacking, long (>60 mi) bike rides, going up and down the stairs, and yes, walking our Airedales.

I hope that the effects of chemo are temporary. I wish you the best.

[herb1 in reply to Dr_WHO]

Dr_WHO, I vigorously disagree. I was willing for prostate cancer, or heart disease, to be PART of my life, but I have no desire for prostate cancer or, as it is right now, heart disease, BECOMING the whole essence of my life. I do not want to live from chemo to chemo, or from cardio rehab session to session. My DNR failed me when I most needed it.

herb s.

[Dr_WHO in reply to herb1]

You misread my note. I am fighting to do the things I used to do. I can no longer ride 60 miles on my bike, but I do 20 miles with the occasional 40 miles thrown in. I go SCUBA diving twice a year. I no longer backpack but I try to camp where you have to at least walk into the campground. I no longer can play vigorously with my dogs, but I sill walk them about six miles a day (very slowly). As I am written this I am icing my knee from a 23 mile bike ride. I plan on doing 30 miles tomorrow. (Went into the doctors earlier today and got permission.)

Make no mistake. I hate cancer! I hate what it has done not only to me but my wife. I am not going to go quietly into the dark. All of that said, I am not going to waste a second being sad on what cancer has taken from me. I will not give cancer that pleasure. I am going to focus on what I can do and push myself to do more. So I can not play with my dogs like before. Instead I take great joy watching my wife play with the dogs. I will not waste a second bemoaning the fact that I can no longer do so. I will not deminish that memory.

[herb1 in reply to Dr_WHO]

DR_WHO, no, I don't think I misread you. There is normal aging and there is the constant battle of fighting disease. To the oncologist, only cancer matters, to the cardiologist, only heart diseases matter. AND EACH WANTS ALL OF MY TIME, ALL OF MY ENERGY. I will compromise and walk slower, but I will not quit because I have a doctor's appt.

herb

[Dr_WHO in reply to herb1]

You still are misreading me. That is fine. I am not in your shoes. I do not know your battles. I do not know about all of your conditions. I am probably still misreading you. For that I am sorry.

We both must find our own way. I know that my cancer will eventually win. I know it has nothing to do with aging as I am not that old. I know I can only do a fraction of what I used to be able to do JUST A YEAR AND A HALF AGO when I was diagnosed. I know about my discussions with doctors over quality vs quantity of life. I am constantly fighting my cancer as well as my medical team as hard as I can the only way I can.

I wish you the best with all the different things you are dealing with.

[herb1 in reply to Dr_WHO]

And the same to you, Dr. Who, we each do take our own, unique path. Herb

[Hidden in reply to Dr_WHO]

Dr_WHO,

I agree with your philosophy. I hate cancer as much as everyone else, but I am not willing to go down without a fight. That means more than just fighting the disease, it also means fighting to maintain a good quality of life. What good is it to stay alive and not enjoy whatever life you have? But with a progressing disease, that means constant adjustment. We have to adapt to the constantly changing "new normal" We have to find new things, new ways to enjoy the life we have today, not be sad over the life we had yesterday.

Yes, it's a challenge as are many things in life. But there is also such a big reward when you don't allow the cancer to take the most important thing away: your quality of life.

[BrianF505 in reply to Dr_WHO]

Dr_Who, I like what you said as it's how I'm trying to look at my life. 3 1/2 yrs on Xtandi and fatigue has left me unable to do many of the things that brought me joy in life. But, I adapt. I love to camp and mushroom hunt during the season. I can no longer cover the amount of ground as previously done in my mushroom searches. What I do now is more thoughtful and purposeful. I stop, look and now take pictures of the many mushrooms I see, enjoying my journey. I find I collect as many, if not more mushrooms because I'm not hurried and I love my time in the woods.

[Pennysue1 in reply to BrianF505]

Is xtandi expensive? Praying it keeps I'm working for you

[BrianF505 in reply to Pennysue1]

Thank you, me too! 😁. And yes, very expensive at about 8500 a month. Insurance has been good to me so it's been mostly covered. Also received some help from Astellas, the maker of Xtandi.

[Pennysue1 in reply to BrianF505]

Thanks

[Troutwerks]

Thanks. I, too, take great pleasure in the things I can still do! Driving my dog to the beach and watching him run always puts a smile on my face.

[BigRich]

Your picture looks like my second rescue greyhound. They are great dogs, greyhounds. I am stage 4, and have lymph node mets. We make adjustments because of the PCa treatments. However, life is still good. He promised you a safe port, but he didn't promise you a smooth sail. Keep the faith.

Rich

[Troutwerks in reply to BigRich]

Hi Rich. I got this guy as a pup. He's 9 now and my best buddy. I, too, am stage 4....bone and lymph node mets. Life is good. I like the sailing metaphor. Hang in there!

[Hidden in reply to Troutwerks]

A dog doesn't judge if you are disabled or ill All they need is love and companionship .They heal us in spirit. They sense our pain. Unconditional.

[erjlg3]

Beautiful furry friend. The comfort they give is remarkable. I'm hopeful you will be walking with this beauty soon

Jackie

[Troutwerks]

This guy is my constant, loyal and loving companion. Cancer doesn't change that.

[Hidden in reply to Troutwerks]

A loving dog is therapeutic.

[Troutwerks in reply to Hidden]

For sure!

[Sisira]

As you progress try to identify "The New Normal" and be happy to live accordingly.All of us have to fight this battle to the last ditch. Hope your current treatments will put you back to your heels to take those enjoyable walks with your charming DOG.

Get well soon!

Sisira

[leswell]

We have four dogs to the north and one to the south; none can compete with your buddy! And how about this supportive community. My husband made it through six cycles. Ten is a lot! You’ll be in our prayers. Mrs. S

[leswell]

Correction: We have 5 dogs to the north of our property.

[j-o-h-n]

A Dog Owner's thoughts: The more I know my dog, the less I like people.

j-o-h-n Monday 08/14/2017 1:25 PM EST