Cancer Survivors Network - Feeling overwhelmed - Comments

Feeling overwhelmed does not

TxLady — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 03:14:24 -0500

Feeling overwhelmed does not equal crazy :) I have no words of wisdom but I did want to send you a virtual hug. As another cancer battler (ovarian) mentioned to me, we get through this one day at a time. We rely on friends, family, community boards and whatever means we can for support when we are feeling "less than strong".

Yes

scout5000 — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:20:37 -0500

I am experiencing the same feelings as you. I finished treatments at the end of July and I feel like I'm melting down. I am seeing a psychologist who is helping me. She says that in our society we expect to get over obstacles in life withing a few months. We expect it of ourselves and other people. We need to cut ourselves some slack and let our bodies and minds heal. I am working on respecting myself and not expecting too much too soon. Best wishes for a smooth transition.

I do hope that you feel

Angie2U — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:02:42 -0500

I do hope that you feel better about all of this and realize that you are not alone. We are all just like you in so many ways.

Angie

Double Post Gremlins Working Overtime

chenheart — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:04:02 -0500

Grrrr.....I really don't have anything worth reading twice~ darned double post!

The "Sisterhood of the

chenheart — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:01:15 -0500

The "Sisterhood of the Traveling Mammograms" has given you such wonderful advice and encouragement! This is without a doubt the most supportive group anywhere! I have nothing really to add to the wise and loving responses you have already received from your Kindred Spirits.

I simply wanted to weigh in and let you know that if you are crazy ( which you are NOT!) that you are in good company with the likes of us! And,Marcia was so right saying that soul mates look past the physical and see deeper than the obvious. Our souls are not on the surface, why should our relationships be....?

Be well, take care of you, and the rest will fall into place.

Hugs,
C♥

Absolutely! I melted down

lynn1950 — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 09:54:17 -0500

Absolutely! I melted down once radiation was finished, although the signs were there during the the last weeks. We have to be so strong to get through all the treatment and once our life returns to a semblance of normal, the sh*t hits the fan!

I am fine now (a year later). It took counseling, yoga, meditation, acupuncture, anti-depressants, Xanax, friends, this board, family...to get me through. Use all the support available. I believe the emotional stuff can be harder and more scary than the physical!

xoxoxo Lynn

hope you are doing better!

carkris — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 09:48:33 -0500

hope you are doing better!

Most of us are just like you

jnl — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 03:08:38 -0500

Most of us are just like you Elizarose, so, you are NOT crazy. It is just what we unfortunately go thru in fighting bc. All of the fear, the tests, the waiting, the pain, the sickness, it is all pretty horrible. But, we will and do get thru it because we want to fight the beast and to live a full and happy life free of bc. And, you will too. We are here to help you thru it. So, come here and vent or just type away anytime you want. Someone is always around.

Leeza

What everyone says is true.

carkris — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 18:46:59 -0500

What everyone says is true. I had my first BC diagnosis 15 years ago, my surgeon at the time says its "tincture of time" . you have been through alot and your feelings are normal. Its all a process. everyday is different but i did get to a point where i did not think about it the same way all the time, but certainly not in the beginning! Every pain was not cancer after a while. I had a n easier chemo then and was younger. I have not felt great this time and am having the same rear end issues. dealing with the chemo and the other is hard, doesnt give you much time to process. Time will tell but it will be a little different for me this time but only a little, different primary diagnosis. So it will hopefully be a process of trusting life again. But as the news shows every day is a gift, some perfectly healthy people lose their life to random events. life will get better and you are doing all the right things.
God Bless

What everyone says is true.

carkris — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 18:46:43 -0500

Elizarose

KeriLee — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 12:11:40 -0500

You have alot going on in your life right now you should be anxious. Just because we finish treatment doesn't mean we're ok there is a lot of emotional baggage that comes with bc. Do you belong to a support group? I am over a year out of treatment (except the tamoxifen) and just joined a support group because I was having problems coping. Unfortunatly life doesn't stop giving us hurdles while we are going through bc and sometimes it just catches up. I went to my first support group meeting this past Thursday and couldn't believe how comfortable and relieved I felt. I talked about things with the group that no one else could possible understand if they haven't been through this. If you need someone to talk to personally my e-mail and phone# are in my profile feel free to contact me. Hang in there you're not alone what your feeling is exactly why I first posted here and why I joined a support group. Keep us posted.
Hugs and prayers
Keri

Elizarose

KeriLee — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 12:10:57 -0500

You are not alone

ritazimm — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 20:52:01 -0500

You are not alone in your experiences or in going through them. As you have seen, thie women on this site are very special!

I was diagnosed in October of 2007, had a mastectomy November 15, 2007 followed by chemo (TAC) and radiation. I was able to work throughout it all, just taking off day as I needed. I had brain/mental issues while going through it all but when I completed my final radation in July 2008, I expected my life and brain function to return to normal. When it didn't happen I began to have even more anxiety. The doctor's kept telling me that "it will get better with time" but I couldn't see that happening and thus the anxiety increased. Eventually my general practitioner was willing to try different medications and Adderall seems to work the best. The anxiety has improved quite a bit but I still have my moments/days where I don't handle the thoughts of recurrence, how my life has changed and what lies ahead really get to me. I also feel guilty on these days because I feel like I am not trusting God since I do know that He will see me through. BUT.......most importantly, just knoow that things will improve. The times of anxiousness will become less frequent and you will better learn how to work through it. I also find it helpful to know that MANY others going through this, have similar thoughts so I am not totally crazy - or if I am crazy, at least I am not alone:)

I pray that you will have peace of mind!

Rita

Since everyone else gave

Marcia527 — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 14:10:35 -0500

Since everyone else gave such good advice I'll only say that when your soul mate comes along he isn't going to be looking at appearances or health issues. So just be yourself and try to enjoy life. Soul mates have a deeper attraction.

Elizarose, so sorry for all

Eil4186 — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 13:30:49 -0500

Elizarose, so sorry for all you have been through. Often people are so intent on fighting the cancer during treatment that the emotional impact doesn't hit full force until after all that is over. I have read many posts to that effect and I can relate to it myself. I was very emotional and cried a lot during treatment, but it wasn't until after, that intense fears of recurrence and death set in. In fact I was obssessed with cancer for a while. Time does gradually help. I am 3 yrs out but am still struggling with my fears and depression. But, we must remind ourselves that life is precious and short and we need to enjoy every day. I try to find joy in simple things and am taking an anti-depressant which does help some.

There is no shame in getting help if even on a temporary basis until some time passes and you begin to feel better. Cancer is very scary and you have been through more than most ever will. Be patient with yourself and I highly recommend support groups. I get a lot of comfort from mine. We have a breast cancer coalition in my city that runs the group. Everyone in the group knows how I am feeling and has been there. We discuss survival issues, fears, tests, anything that is on our minds. After a year or so, I noticed that even my closest friends and family seemed to grow tired of hearing about breast cancer. And they are very supportive believe me--I couldn't have gotten through everything without them. But after a while they want the old you back! During my group sessions, I can always say how I truly feel and what I am thinking and they want to hear and share thier thoughts.

Check it out, you will be glad you did. Stay strong, e-mail me anytime you need an ear. Eil

Feeling overwhelmed

elizarose — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 10:02:57 -0500

Hey everyone. I was diagnosed with BC Dec. 19, 2009. It was very aggressive and had become IBC. The whole ordeal has been a roller coaster ride. I had 5 months of chemo which was interrupted for a hemorrhoidectomy because the AC caused such severe bowel problems. Mastectomy was July 22, removed 23 lymph nodes and 12 were positive. I just finished 6 weeks of radiation wednesday. Radiation was tough for me because I am fair skinned and the type of radiation for the IBC. I had to go on medical loa because my job doesn't allow part time work and they have a very strict attendance policy. I had only been there 5 months when I got my diagnosis and didn't qualify for fmla. In the midst of this I lost my home and moved in with my sister. I'm single, have 4 grown children and 3 grandchildren.