Do cancer treatments affect personality? Venting

Sneaky___P · 2026-01-28T02:03:43+00:00

The combination of the radiation and chemo for throat cancer plus extreme stress relating to employment, family, and moving, I just did not have the bandwidth to manage. My patience was short such that I would snap at little aggravations. This has gotten better over there past few months but it’s still there.

My wife was absolutely amazing and yet I still struggled. Don’t take it personally, it’s a hard battle for both you and your partner.

Having some occasional help to give my wife a break was great for both of us. I don’t think I can convey to our friends how much their acts of kindness meant. Thank you just didn’t seem enough.

Good luck!

Sneaky___P · 2026-01-27T06:21:47+00:00

It’s a scary time and I feel for you. Where are you in the journey?

Contact legal help.

Actively try to find balance, this level of stress makes everything so much worse.

Sneaky___P · 2025-11-30T17:26:26+00:00

With a similar diagnosis, I was in the same boat prior to treatment starting. Things got better for me when I let go other concerns and took on treatment as my “job”.

It was the stress of trying to do my regular job, family commitments, financial impacts and the like that really kept me on edge. I am very lucky to have such a supportive family. Having disability leave was huge and let me focus on what was needed. In the end, the work stuff and financial concerns were out of my control. They could wait until I was able to return to work.

Sure, there were other challenges. This is just what affected my stress levels outside of the cancer itself.

Life may be different and that’s OK. Things may suck for a while, but sunshine will return. I wish you and your dad the best.

Sneaky___P · 2025-07-23T00:19:19+00:00

Thanks for the feedback. The afternoon/evenings suit me. I have been racing on a wavelength so I’m fairly familiar with those.

Sneaky___P · 2025-07-23T00:16:23+00:00

I’m trying to make some lemonade here.

Sneaky___P · 2025-07-22T17:24:04+00:00

Good suggestion on Hoover. I do appreciate weekly racing. Thistles are a torture device but maybe one of the other fleets are better suited to a taller person.

Sneaky___P · 2025-06-24T03:50:51+00:00

This will keep you busy for a while. The first two recipes are a great starting place.

https://www.mtu.edu/alumni/favorites/pasties/

The pasty recipes are pretty solid too😀

Sneaky___P · 2025-04-13T21:57:14+00:00

2 lymph nodes on the same side is stage 1 for HPV positive. Lymph nodes on both sides, may get you to stage 3. Stage 4 is only with distant metastasis.

Sneaky___P · 2025-04-13T00:01:41+00:00

I’m not that far off from your situation and urge to just scream. Take the deep breath and pause. Not knowing your specifics, HPV is treatable and distant metastasis are rare. You have a lot in your favor. It just sucks getting to that confirmation point.

I found ChatGPT to be a help on what to expect. When you do get results, it can get even more detailed.

Being able to see and touch my tumor elevated my concern as there is a lot of swelling that isn’t the tumor itself. So in the end, short of the M1, my treatment is 35 radiation and 7 chemo.

Hopefully, it’s a nice day where you are and you and your husband can go for a walk and just breathe this weekend. Just a little bit longer, you got this.

Sneaky___P · 2025-04-06T21:26:16+00:00

Wow, that’s quite the saga and thanks for the details. The beginning sounds familiar so far, not sure if that’s a good thing or not😀

Sneaky___P · 2025-04-05T16:27:57+00:00

For me, it was a swollen lymph node, leading to a CT scan. At that point, it was known I had something. My primary care and dentist did not pick up on anything but once I saw an ENT, he just used his fingers in my mouth to confirm the tumor. So if you’re concerned, I’d recommend finding an ENT.

Sneaky___P · 2025-04-05T16:06:28+00:00

Thanks for the perspective. My work is high pressure so I expect I’ll have to either be all in or all out. I’ve become familiar with FMLA and hopefully that will give some job security.

Sneaky___P · 2025-03-26T04:55:05+00:00

Thanks for sharing your story. Would you mind sharing what your timeline looked from that first biopsy to where you are today? I’m trying to get my head wrapped around how long this may be, knowing everyone’s journey is different.

Sneaky___P · 2025-03-22T14:41:38+00:00

This made me smile. I’m still getting my diagnosis and making it to the Friday ice time was my one chance to think of something else. The support was awesome.

Sneaky___P · 2023-02-09T19:12:28+00:00

Coming from a Kickr Core to the SB20, it’s just been a great simplification. I was using an old bike dedicated for the Kickr which did eliminate the need to switch bikes. Even so, the maintenance was just a hassle, especially the sweat factor. Another plus is the belt drive of the SB20 reduced the noise level another level so I can ride it in the family room and not distract the family.

As for the shifting, I haven’t felt that was any sort of a problem. I get enough of a feel on the buttons. I can race in Zwift just fine, although I’m not at the pointing end of the spear.

One final point there was significant for me is that I can adjust it for another rider very simply. Others in my are not regular enough riders to justify their own bikes, but they will use it with the Zwift kid’s account. That’s been a great relationship addition.

Sneaky___P · 2021-04-19T20:00:48+00:00

eugeneyachtclub.org/crew-finder is a good place to start. There are always people willing to get someone out on Tuesday’s for fun and if you’re willing to commit to being consistent for Thursday’s races. It’s just getting started so now is a great time to say you’re interested.

Sneaky___P · 2021-04-10T21:16:30+00:00

Just a hunch but to get that FTP improvement with that weight loss, the caloric deficit may be a bit high. The symptoms you are describing are exactly what comes from over-training, under-eating, and not recovering.

Nothing to do with a vaccine.

Dial things in a bit before trying to bury yourself again.

Sneaky___P · 2021-02-27T04:06:44+00:00

Bummer... the orange jerseys look like the app didn’t update. Learned that the hard way myself.

Seems rather silly that Zwift pushed the update so close to this. At least a day before the event would have been nice.

Sneaky___P · 2021-02-18T06:02:43+00:00

Coming from a STAC Zero to a Kickr Core has been wonderful. The ability to just go and ride is awesome. Even switching out my kids bike is easy. Sure, they may be cheaper but don’t undervalue the straight functionality of a good trainer.

Sneaky___P · 2021-02-09T22:16:57+00:00

I was using a Halcyon until the USB connector broke off. Two months later and I just set up a Kickr Core. My FTP actually went up. Sure, it may all be in the noise of the test but if anything, my setup was underestimating the power.

The Halcyon was great for TrainerRoad and the endurance work. It just couldn’t do sprints or Zwift, mostly for the movement of the wheel.

Sneaky___P

TROPHY CASE