Interests

[ZenaJ]

Hi ladies,

I hope you are all feeling wonderful today in this beautiful sunny day.

What I'm asking is have any of you done anything or taken up a hobby that you probably would never have thought you would before getting oc?

Best wishes, Zena

[Yoshbosh]

5k fun runs... I mostly walk them, but particularly love obstacles and mud 🙄🙄 OC has broken me 😂😂😂

[ZenaJ in reply to Yoshbosh]

That's fantastic. I couldn't run to my next door neighbours. Well done. x

[Cropcrop]

Nothing new but I now knit like there's no tomorrow (it helps with the neuropathy in my hands wish I could knit with my feet too 🤔), I didn't bring it on holiday with me and really miss it, I've been looking longingly in knitting shops but daren't buy anything because I already have so much stashed back home, I also now walk over 10,000 steps every day, this is fairly new in that I've always loved walking but now I have targets. On our first day here we said we'd have an easy day after all the flight and airport shenanigans and we managed over 30,000 steps around Central Park in 90 degree temperatures😬 😂 ❤️Xx Jane.

[ZenaJ in reply to Cropcrop]

Wow, you must be exhausted. I also knit. I have so many jumpers etc. I couldn't possible wear them all.

Glad you're enjoying your holiday. Sounds fabulous. Zena x

[Lily-Anne]

I've gone back to writing. I used to write magazine articles and prior to that a freelance journalist. I didn't realise how much I missed it

LA xx

[ZenaJ in reply to Lily-Anne]

I'd love to be able to write. I've no imagination unfortunately but love reading. It's good to be able to do exactly what you want to. I'm trying to write my life history just in case my grandchildren or their children want to search back through their family. I can't even do that in any sort of order but at least I'm trying.

Best wishes Zena x

[Maxjor]

I'm working less with no guilt! And traveling a bit more. Mostly, spending more time with the family and truly "being there" (rather than thinking about what else is on my plate for later). I am also starting a mindful meditation class offered through my cancer institution which has received great reviews from those who already went through it. The stress between tests and stress in general is something I would love to get a better handle on! Oh and just got back from a 10 day land and sea excursion to Alaska--a bucket list item checked off!

[ZenaJ in reply to Maxjor]

I'd love to go to Alaska. Maybe one day. Do you live in the States? I'm coming over later in the year and can't wait. (I didn't even say if I make it). I will be going to the USA. I've always enjoyed my visits.

Cancer gives you a certain amount of freedom.

Best wishes, Zena x

[Cropcrop in reply to ZenaJ]

It makes you live your life in a whole new way ❤️Xx Jane 🇺🇸🗽

[Cropcrop in reply to Maxjor]

Awesome trip big tick off the bucket list, we re-focus on life don't you think? Hope you had a good time ❤️Xx Jane 🇺🇸🗽

[ZenaJ in reply to Cropcrop]

Thanks Jane, I'm sure I will. I've always enjoyed it before. Getting a house boat on the Keys this time as well and starting in Boston. Can't wait. Zena xx

[Boot1947]

1000-piece jigsaws! I thought I needed at least one hobby I had to do standing up, instead of sitting on my ever-expanding bum. Am now completely hooked, but nobody seems to want the ones I've done and I have 20 or so looking for a good home. Deb xx

[ZenaJ in reply to Boot1947]

Hi Deb, I love doing puzzles my favourites are the Wasgij ones. If you haven't seen them you get a picture which isn't what the puzzle will look like. You have to imagine what will happen next. It's not completely different to the picture and there are some clues if you need them. I'd highly recommend them as they are assuming. Zena x

[Boot1947 in reply to ZenaJ]

Hi Zena, they sound amazing! Thanks for that. I used to buy wooden jigsaws with no picture at all and weird-shaped pieces, but I can't afford them any more! Deb x

[ZenaJ in reply to Boot1947]

Sometimes they come in cheaper on Amazon and if you've got a Hobby Craft near you they have them cheap sometimes. Zena x

[Cropcrop in reply to ZenaJ]

I do wasgij too, not overly interested in 'normal' jigsaws but love the challenge of wasgij puzzles, I particularly like the ones where you get a view from the opposite angle 🙃❤️Xx Jane

[ZenaJ in reply to Cropcrop]

Me too xx

[Cropcrop in reply to Boot1947]

Charity shops love jigsaws so long as all pieces are there. I give mine to our local hospice shop. ❤️Xx jane

[ZenaJ in reply to Cropcrop]

I've thought about buying puzzles from a charity shop but I'm always concerned that I'd get to the end and a piece will be missing so I never buy them. Everyone's not as honest as you Cropcrop. xxZena

[Boot1947 in reply to Cropcrop]

All my puzzles have all their pieces but my local charity shops, sadly, don't love them at all - obviously they were my first thought. The boxes take up too much space, apparently. Deb xx

[ZenaJ in reply to Boot1947]

I agree Deb, they do take up a lot of space. I've put mine under the bed. It hasn't got draws so I lifted (with help) the mattress, moved the slats and put them there. I may like to do them again sometime or my grandchildren might when they get big enough. x

[Jillwendy]

Hi, i think my days of running distances are over although it's not so long ago I ran the great south four times. I now quilt my neighbour got me into it and my husband set me up with a sewing room and even when am not feeling too great ( I have had four reoccurrences so loads of chemo in last four years) I can sew. If I can work out how to load a picture I will. Oh and I babysit, since my diagnosis I have become a three times grandma with my two sons wives having two gorgeous boys and a beautiful girl. My husband and I both retired early and honestly I don't know how I worked full time we are so busy. I am a firm believer in keeping busy and not dwelling on my condition too much, am not a saint I do have gloomy days, but trying to work out a new quilt design keeps me awake at night more than anything else.

[ZenaJ in reply to Jillwendy]

Oh that's great. I've talked about trying quilting but never got round to it. I'm a bobbin lace maker and making anything takes forever. I retired early as well and say the same as you. I can't understand how people say they're bored there's so much to do in life. I've just got the one grandson, six months old, and he's gorgeous and I baby sit as well. Helps with the finances when they don't have to pay minders.

Good luck with the treatment and please do try to put a picture on of your quilt, I'd love to see it. Zena x

[thesilent1]

Public speaking, including at the All Party Parliamentary Group on Ovarian Cancer at Westminster. I have also learned how to crochet from you tube tutorials and I have taken iup painting! Ann xx

[ZenaJ in reply to thesilent1]

I do admire the speaking Ann, there's no way I could do that. Even at school I couldn't stand up in front of anyone to speak. It's amazing what we can do when we put our minds to it.

Good luck with the crochet and don't forget to put some pictures of your paintings on here so we can see them. Zena x

[Hidden]

I have started painting in shabby chic xxx love how you can turn something old and worn into something new!!! Praps thats what I am hoping for haha...Also I'm loving travelling and working so much less, enjoying totally quality time with the family and appreciating each day xxxxx

[ZenaJ in reply to Hidden]

I muddled that one up didn't I? ha ha xx

[tutti]

I learnt to drive at 50 after being scared or hard up.Best thing I ever did as after four recurrences and major surgery my mobility is rubbish and it gives me some independence.After surgery and chemo I was much more confident that I could pass my test.It still took three goes as the first test I failed for being too cautious,failed the second for speeding trying to appear more confident and then had a lovely woman examiner who said I had the potential to be a very good driver as I was very observant of what was going on around me so being nosy finally paid off.I am now 66 and my husband was ill for the first time ever so my being able to drive came in very useful.

[ZenaJ in reply to tutti]

That's great tutti. It's never too late, is it? I'm 65 and been driving for nearly 50 years. I wouldn't be without my little car.

Hope all goes well with your husband. x

[CancerCarerChats]

Hi Zenaj, I started my blog cancercarerchats.blogspot.c... to raise awareness of ovariancancer which I never, ever would have done until my mum was diagnosed. I'm in IT and website design but have never thought about putting my life on the internet before but feel passionately about this topic.

[ZenaJ in reply to CancerCarerChats]

I wouldn't know where to start. My computer skills are hap hazard but I do my best. I'll take a look at the blog. I've never really wanted to get involved with anything like this site before as I thought it might be too depressing but now I'm on here I can't stop.

It's good to see how others are coping and seeing all the great things they are doing. As I keep saying, 'there is definitely life with cancer'.

Best wishes, Zena x