Festive celebrations, or not?

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Not wishing to overpower the secondaries ladies who have their own special thread about Christmas, so thought a separate thread might be more sensitive for primaries ladies - both those who have lived with the diagnosis since before Dec 2010 and those who are just facing their first BC Christmas.

What are you doing over the happy-clappy-we-love-the-world-and-everything’s-perfect-for-everybody festive period?

I’m the most shocked that I’m even thinking of Christmas, seeing as I completely ignored Christmas in December 2010 and totally refused to say “Happy New Year” on 31/12/10. Justified, I think, particularly considering all the BC and non-BC crap I’ve been through. And I know I’m not alone, we’ve all had a helluva lot to deal with. I have to say, I haven’t changed my mind about 2011. I have met some completely wonderful people during this year (you know who you are and I love you dearly and I’m still feeling really horrible about how I treated you) but I would much rather I hadn’t had any reason to meet any of you. And more to the point, I wish that you had no reason to meet anyone else going through the BC crap. IT’S NOT FAIR!!!

So what will you be doing over Christmas and New Year?

Christmas last year was at my OH’s house, which involved lots of delicious scoff and copious quantities of alcohol. I was not in the mood for celebrating and decided to just enjoy the lovely cooking (helps to have an offspring who would knock Jamie into a cocked hat - delish!) and just went with the flow. Because I’d distanced myself from the stress, it was a pretty good day.

I then had New Year’s Eve with my dad (89), his fiancee (88) and my sister, none of whom knew about my diagnosis. Kids were rightly out celebrating with their own friends and had a great time. I almost vomitted with the “happy new year” declarations and couldn’t bring myself to say anything more than a very insincere “cheers”.

This year?

My two big sprogs (both moved out) and my little sprogs (both live at home) and me will be tucking into a small turkey and assorted “stuff”. OH will be at his own house with his mum (both invited to mine but may well refuse, but that’s fine).

I am really looking forward to a good dinner with my lovely kids, who have been completely brilliant this year. Crimbo for me will be a celebration and thanksgiving for those who have been most important to me.

New Year’s Eve, on the other hand, will involve a MASSIVE middle finger to 2011. 2005 was a pretty crap year, but 2011 has completely taken the biscuit. All I can say is, there’s NO WAY I can think 2012 can be any worse unless I start to imagine the unimaginable. Sod it, when Big Ben chimes I’ll have my fingers crossed.

Please add your posts to wave a spirited middle finger to 2011 and to celebrate what you will enjoy over the festive season looking forward to 2012.

For everyone, primaries, secondaries or worried, I wish you the best 2012 you can possibly hope for for yourself.

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I was looking forward to this being my first really enjoyable Christmas since 2005 when my dad died. Just got over that then I started chemo for this in Nov 2006. This was because I thought I was going to be discharged at the end of my 5 years last week, but now I’m waiting to go for this ultrasound to check the area around the scar out. I’ve been told Dec 21st, but the clinic are getting back to me today with hopefully and earlier date. I had my 25th anniversary in March, 50th birthday in May and have not celebrated either as I am waiting for this. If everything is OK it would be the best Christmas ever, like winning the lottery.

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Thanks for this thread choccie.

I absolutely love christmas and am determined to enjoy it no matter what…crappy cancer is not taking that away from me as well!

Last year we went to oh family in worcestershire and i loved every minute, hubby has quite a large lovely caring family (unlike most of my own) so am hoping to get up there but obviously we playing it by ear. Havent committed to anything and not told oh parents we will be up but hoping to surprise them on christmas eve…would be fab to see their faces as we rock up.

Ive got first TAX friday 16th (dreading it!!!) but am hoping even if its bad may come out of the worst by christmas eve (day 9) so we can make the journey. Will prob still be a little worried in case i need medical attention while im up there, i know they have a hospital there but you get used to your own unit and familiar faces dont you? Nooo positive positive positive… i wont need medical attention!

Cherub - everything crossed for you and your scan being clear so you can truly celebrate at chiff choff x

I wish everyone a happy hospital-free christmas with tiny SE’s x

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I haven’t NOT enjoyed any of the Christmases I’ve had, but they haven’t been as bombastic as I would have liked, which is why I’d love a really good 'un this year. The year my dad died we were in the livingroom on New Year’s Eve all the cards fell down for no reason, like a big invisible gust had taken them all. Weird as I live in my dad’s house and I still wonder if he was around and trying to tell me something.

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I’m holding out on whether we do much to celebrate christmas or not until I’ve had the results of my mammogram. Last year I started chemo on 23rd Dec and spent all day on the 24th having blood transfusions. I just about managed to get through christmas lunch before the SEs kicked in!

Christmas in our house has always been a very low key affair any way because we live so far from all our family.

If I get a good result from the mammo I will definitely feel more like celebrating! :slight_smile:

Nymeria x

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I’m celebrating - even if that means watching more Christmas TV than ever before! Mid-chemo, not just a slob!

Sue

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Thats spooky cherub x

Fingers crossed for a good result from mammo nymeria x

Good for you sue x

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Oh yes! This is the christmas we never thought i’d see. Flying back home to the UK on Thursday for 1 month. I am sooooo excited…it’s going to be fabulous to be with the whole family…I hope all of you have a relaxing ,peaceful christmas & all your side effects are little. hugs to you all…x

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was reluctant to post but thought sod it…had my second chemo on 19th December 2007 so had all the usual crap side effects and xmas just passed me by.2008 was supposed to be the best family xmas ever,treatment out the way and moving on everything was just great, then wham our whole world fell to pieces on the 20th December 2008 when we lost our daughter to meningitis. Xmas went from being my best time of year to being the worst time ever.moving on to Xmas 2011 and my eldest daughter is due her first baby in a couple of weeks, and my first grandchild. I am looking forward to being a granny but am overwhelmed with the pain of losing my daughter.very mixed up emotions.and as far as I’m concerned Xmas can take a hike.

love melxx

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Christmas has always been bitter-sweet for me.

My Grandma died on Christmas Morning 1975 when I was 7 (that year the cooker broke down too - it’s funny what sticks in your mind!!)

My Dad’s last Christmas was 1992, he passed away in Feb 93. (He got drunk as we were all giving him shots of sherry, whiskey & Bailey’s not knowing the others were too!)

But having only got married in June this year, I am determined to have a good but quiet Christmas this year. FEC3 should be on 19th Dec, so if all goes to plan as per previous cycles I should feel ok if just tired.

I would hate it if this was my last Christmas (God forbid) my OH gets to say his only Christmas married to me was b****y miserable!!!

We are being totally selfish and pleasing only us but hey I’m playing the BC card for once!! Christmas lunch will by courtesy of Mr M&S (just in case OH has to cook it!)

Whether you choose to celebrate or not, I wish you all well & thank everyone for their warmth and support over the past few months.

Axx

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I’m going to really 'live it up’this year. After a few years of trauma and upset we’re now ‘on an even keel’.

Have a good Xmas everyone

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This time last year I was sore from my mx and anxious about chemo starting. Christmas just carried on around me. This year I am enjoying putting up decs/christmas lights and planning a great day with my wonderful family. 2011 can take a hike. I will be welcoming in 2012 whatever it may bring.

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last year i was in for my wle on 22nd Dec so the week booked in Scarborough had to be cancelled and Xmas was at best a damp squib. This year i have rebooked Scarborough and am taking my mum as planned. My OH will zap over to be with her mother who has just had a bowel cancer op but we should get a day or so together. My daughter should be in fine fettle now that her treatment for cervical cancer has finished.

2011 - the year of crappy cancer
2012 well its got to be better hasn’t it :slight_smile:

hugs

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The hospital got a cancellation for ultrasound tomorrow so they’ve given it to me. The Consultant says she’ll give me the result there and then. OH has gone out this evening, but said he would enjoy himself as he is worried about tomorrow. Funny thing is, I’m quite calm and just glad to be getting out of the way whatever the outcome.

Hopefully we will have that good Christmas.

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Oh Cherub so pleased you have got your appointment and can get it over with thats brill.
I love christmas all my decs are up ,been to see santa with my nieces and been to feed reindeer with my nieces and my son. finish radiotherapy on dec 20th so far so good ,went to our late night switch on last week and shed a tear listening to the children singing and thinking how lucky i was to be here.Im going to my sisters on xmas dinner with my oh and my son then we are going to enjoy xmas tea at home for once .Feet up watching all the xmas soaps.Mum and dads for boxing day dinner then home again for tea.
New years eve going to my sisters with mixed feelings ,think I’m gonna hate new year. last year i said on new years eve that it had to be better than the year before as we had an absolutely crap year our worst ever but little did we know this year would be far worse !!!My sister really wants a party though to see this crap year out and kick its butt so I’m going to go and try to chill.
I hope everyone has a lovely christmas and if you are on treatment i hope you have as few se as possible and Cherub i really have got my fingers crossed for good news for you xxx

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This year has got to be better than last!
My mum was in hospital having had a stroke, just allowed out for the day, and I got dx on Dec 22nd. The goose was stuck in the snow, so we had roadkill Christmas (don’t ask!)

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Brilliant news about the appointment Cherub, I hope it all goes okay!

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i am going to enjoy christmas this year i was having chemo last year and landed up in hospital for four days, with nutropenia, then i had rads but got a infection back in hospital again plus had a blood transfusion, but this year i am going to celebrate it in a big way plus my son and daughterinlaw i coming home from texas for christmas and i am so excited, and also i was told that i am cancer free, so much to celebrate this year!!!

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I’m having all the family over to mine… Sis, BIL, nephew, mum and dad, my son, daughter and bf… I have the biggest kitchen but they are all gonna pitch in… My kids are big now so alll the Santa stuff has kinda gone so it’s not the same in that respect but im looking forward to all the family stuffing our faces, drinking pink fizz and playing silly games and just enjoying each others company.

Chemo no 3 this thurs 8th and no 4 due on 29th so taste buds should be back in working order and fatigue should be as it’s least for Christmas day.

My tree is up and my candles are lit and very much looking forward to a big family Christmas.

Hope you all have fabby Christmases too.

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I’m celebrating! And I’m so excited!

My kids are tiny so just getting to the age where they understand - they are 18 mths and 3 now - so we are all looking forwards to Father Christmas.

A little bit more emphasis on what we want to do rather than doing things due to family obligations. And no new years eve - just me and DH - and 2 babies asleep in their beds.

BC robbed me of the comfort of looking forward to times ahead - so I will definately be enjoying what is right here on my doorstep instead!!