2 interesting programmes

[PhillipandBettykid]

Did anybody catch the 2 programmes about cancer on radio 4 yesterday? The first was on language and cancer. I heard most of it before being interrupted by a phone call. The second was the food programme, talking about how cancer changes your relationship with food. I am going to listen to them again on BBC sounds. What I heard seemed pretty good.

[Lyndy]

Yes... some really interesting stuff, I heard most of the food programme where they emphasised holistic treatment including tempting food.

[caf132]

Do you have a link or the name of show? Thx for sharing

[bluepeterella]

Yes - really good to hear cancer being discussed in this way by the media. Helpful, practical advice not sob stories!

[PhillipandBettykid]

This will test my IT skills.

Here is the link for the food programme

bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000gt5k

And this is the Fighting Talk Programme

bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0001g8w

Let me know if they don’t work

[Mumsie13]

Thanks for telling us about these programmes, I found them quite illuminating especially the food one. Food did taste different during chemo and my relationship with food changed quite dramatically. I just wasn't interested. Such a different scenario from when I was being "fattened up" after losing so much weight and muscle mass post surgeries. For a little while there my diet was "naughty but nice". During chemo my poor husband had a daily battle with trying to get me to eat sufficient amounts. I used to enjoy my food, enjoyed cooking and loved eating out. My husband is a really good cook but 2 years after chemo I still can't work up much enthusiasm for food. I eat it because I know I must and, well, because it's there. Even after all this time I still experience nausea when I smell certain foods cooking. The "Fighting Talk" programme made me think. I suppose I am just happy that people talk to me and acknowledge that I had/have cancer. Yes I have had trite comments - people really don't know what to say half the time but its better than having friends who virtually run away from you when you tell them you have cancer - yes that really happened. Then, again, sometimes the most unlikely people surprise you with thoughtful questions and insightful comments. With my carcinosarcoma and poor prognosis my favourite battle cry is "I am determined to beat the odds".

Goodness. I didn't mean to write an essay but I'm interested if any of you folks here has experienced a changed relationship with food or had annoying or odd reactions when talking about your cancer.

[PhillipandBettykid in reply to Mumsie13]

I feel just the way you do about food now and I used to love it and eating out.

Re the fighting talk the phrase that used to wind me up was “well, we are all terminal”. I kind of knew what they meant but it isn’t the same. My answer used to be “we are all mortal and it is not the same “. I think you are right people don’t know what to say. On the programme I was interested that the man found the battle analogy helpful. I also agreed with the lady who said it isn’t a fair fight.

[Mumsie13 in reply to PhillipandBettykid]

Goodness it certainly isn't a fair fight. For some cancers the odds are well and truly stacked against us and now with COVID-19 I find myself asking "will I ever see or hear from my oncology team again". "Well we are all terminal" is a new one on me. "I guess some of us are more terminal than others" would probably be my response.. Thanks for replying and take care of yourselves and trust we'll all get through this.