I went into some detail early in 2024 regarding Irene’s cancer diagnosis and how the treatment had progressed to that point. Back then we were still figuring out our ‘new normal’, and although the outcomes were positive it was still a very uncomfortable situation.
Not much has changed medically since January but I thought it was appropriate to give an update on how our life with cancer is progressing.
The ‘MABs are still working and we have a routine
The process of treating Irene’s cancer has become a regular routine for us. Each month we have two or three days with various appointments for blood tests and consults that culminate in a visit to the Trail oncology infusion ward. There Irene gets her ‘MABs’: Pertuzumab and Trastuzumab.
There is also a bone lesion recovery drug she gets: originally Pamidronate on every visit, but now Zoledronic acid every couple of treatments. The whole process takes as little as two hours now, a bit longer when the Zoledronic acid is given.
Every three months there is also a round of additional diagnostic tests: ultrasounds, CT scans and the like. These check to see if the various lesions are continuing to respond well. It is all pretty ‘easy’ with fewer big surprises, and the medical staff is extremely supportive and kind.
Irene’s symptoms are stable
Irene’s tumors and metasteses are stable in size and location. Some are diagnostically undetectable. She continues to tolerate the regular treatments well.
There have been a few sudden onset bouts of nausea and vomiting that don’t seem related to the timing of the treatments at all. And there are some issues with itching and numbness on her arms that likely won’t go away.
This is entirely good news given the circumstances. The cancer is incurable but currently controlled and all the treatments are working as intended. Irene continues to respond very well to the various medicines.
We continue to live a reasonably good life with all the ups and downs that normal people face. Now that I’m retired we are starting to make plans for how we want to enjoy the years we have left.
I am fully retired
I had mentioned in the original post about Irene’s cancer that I was going to retire in 2024. My career came to an end on May 31: I’ve had my retirement party and drank the lovely bottle of scotch I was given by my co-workers.
Irene and I have re-shuffled our investments and set up a regular monthly ‘income’ with the help of our friend and neighbour, Rob Trickey. We have been extremely lucky that our retirement home came with built-in friends, especially ones who can give good financial advice.
I’m not doing anything brilliant with my extra retirement time. But I have zero regrets: I have far less stress and can turn my attention to things that only really matter to Irene and I.
Thinking about the future
We are still in our ‘figuring retirement out’ year: our plans are not really settled. We might just stay close to home and enjoy our mountain resort lifestyle with our cats and dog. It is lovely here, and there are things we could improve upon on our property to make things more resort-like.
We are still giving some thought to possibly getting an RV, although the mechanics of making that worthwhile with our critters is an open question. I’m pretty seriously planning on replacing my motorcycle with a trike, and there is a (slim) chance that I might get Irene on three wheels for some adventures. And we’ve talked about maybe going on an Alaska cruise next year.
Nothing ‘big’ will be decided in 2024. Like everyone, our time on earth is limited and we want to make sure we don’t wait too long to enjoy the things we are still capable of doing. The good news is that we still have reason to expect that we have some time to smell the flowers.
I reach state pension age in a couple of months although I plan on carrying on for a little while longer. I’m down to two days a week now anyway. I also had cancer about five years ago so all of this sounds quite familiar.
Best wishes to Irene and yourself for her continued reasonable health and your well-deserved peaceful retirement.
Retirement has been, for me at least, a great thing. I’m not doing much of import with the extra time, but I love having switched off an entire source of stress. Everyone is different but I would happily recommend the change, Bhagpuss. If nothing else it gives you more time to work on your blog writing 🙂
I also reduced my working week (to three days in my case) for six months before ultimately finalizing my retirement. I found that reducing my hours first helped a lot in getting used to the differences versus going cold turkey. Not everyone has that luxury of slowing down first, but it was a helpful option to have.
A cancer diagnosis is one of those things that can completely change the path of a life. Irene and I have been extremely fortunate that her treatments have been effective: ‘incurable’ or not, we can anticipate years ahead to bother each other. But it is very shocking to the system to have the big ‘C’ word hanging over every decision.
It is good to hear that Irene’s condition has stabilized and you are both making longer term plans for your future together. This really is a sign that both of you have turned a corner and have started another chapter of your lives.
Your sense of humor and resourcefulness are your greatest strengths! I am sure you and Irene will enjoy your lives together.
Thanks, Ernie!
I miss our chats / rants from work, but other than that kind of thing I haven’t really felt any ‘regret’ for putting my career behind me. Retirement is still pretty new to both Irene and I, and we haven’t had any big things that we want to do like major trips or the like become priorities for us.
But setting aside an entire source of stress in the form of my work has been quite nice. It makes it easier to deal with the other stuff and still have time to just enjoy life.
I am glad that Irene’s treatment plan is proving effective and I hope the pair of you find enjoyable ways to spend your retirement together. A cruise does sound very nice. I tempted to do one of these myself.
I didn’t so much as retire but elect not to return to work after being a carer to my parents. Fortunately, UK legislation allows you to access any pension plan you have set up privately for yourself, once you’re 55. This coincided with my caring duties coming to an end, so I chose my path accordingly.
Myself and Mrs P do things together as well as pursue individual interests and it has proven a good arrangement. Both of us wonder how we managed to fit in work. However, as soon as you find you have time available, so do other people. We’re happy to do childcare for our grandchildren but sometimes you do have to be conspicuously busy.
I like your ‘falling into retirement’ process, Roger. And caring for your parents is probably a good ‘transitionary’ activity.
It seems that a good percentage of people ‘bounce’ off of retirement hard: they just can’t find contentment without their 9-5 job. But I think easing into retirement gives the mind an opportunity to adjust. And it probably helps that I have an anxiety-prone mind that enjoys being in a peaceful state- my wife calls it ‘being lazy’.
Irene and I don’t have children, thus no grandchildren, so the “grandparents baby sitting service” hasn’t reached us. But there does seem to be a desire amongst some elements to find things for retired folks to do. I may need to trigger the ‘conspicuously busy’ cloaking shield from time to time 😉