Cancer Survivors Network

When I am restless or need any help that I don't get from my immediate surroundings I come here. This site allows me to see and feel beyond my own funk or fears. I am continually reminded that I am not alone on this journey. I am blessed by the glimpses of how honest everyone is and how quickly help arrives with answers. So if I am praying for answers and I come here...they are usually within the boards somewhere. I think you are trying to figure out if you are thinking too much or if your funk is from not doing something different. The answers I usually find would say...you are entitled to be in a funk. This is no fun. Sometimes sitting and thinking is needed. You can get through this and everyone is here for you. My prayers will be that the funk lifts quickly. Remeber also that you need to keep your doctors involved in how you are feeling. This is an emotional journey as well as physical and there may be help from them as well.

becky

Just found this site this week. I know these boards are going to help me. Just starting my journey. I am still in the stage of, you've got to be kidding, I have cancer! I am going to try and stay busy and not let cancer control how I feel or who I am. Hope it works!!

When I feel the funk I put Red Alert game in the computer and kill all the bad guys, I pertend they are cancer cells and i just have a good time. Childish I know, but heck I have cancer and and I am allowed to be childish. Plus it really helps when I feel the need to throw a tantrum.
tj

p.s. In case you did not know they call me tj tantrum around here :)

I try to get on this site daily, though sometimes I'm too busy. I've been stronger than those around me, I think. I don't fear death, I geuss thats why. I have to wait for the next petscan to see whats going on, but so far, I think things are going pretty good. Not really worried and not dwelling on what ifs. People have been kinder to me at work. The hardest part to me is people looking at my wig, at least I think they are, makes me feel self conscious. The hairless thing is the hardest on me. Physically, I start feeling normal again about the 8th day after chemo.

Sometimes the cancer funk is just that...a cancer funk and we need to wear the crown of Queen of the Pity Party! If, however, the funk seems to be slipping into not ever wanting to do anything at all for days on end, and could be bona fide depression ( albeit "situational depression") hie thee to a Dr! I think you mentioned you are in counseling and that is wonderful!I don't recall if you are on meds or not~ many of us do take meds to take the edge off of the place cancer has taken us to.

In the meanwhile, there are other things you can do to help alleviate "funk". Things I am sure you know of! The big thing to do is raise your endorphin levels, and the best way to accomplish that is through exercise. No, not world class, Olympic status exercise, but getting outside and walking! If you have a friend to go with you, all the better, but a dog is good or by yourself. It is a multiple-fold blessing. One~ it literally gets us out of our hibernate-zone, Two~20 minutes of sunshine induced Vitamin D is vital to help keep those bones of your strong and calcium filled, Three~ the walking produces endorphins which are scientifically known to reduce stress, anxiety and mild depression, Four~ it gives you time to deeply inhale and exhale out of doors and clear our hearts, minds, and lungs of the negative thoughts which can pervade our very fibre.

You have mentioned being a Christian woman...your walk can also make you aware of the change of seasons and weather patterns, the holiday decorations, children, dogs, the smell of fi replaces wafting through the neighborhoods, waving at people you see; a whole host of thing you can find some pleasure in.

I regularly help feed the homeless; it humbles and enriches me at the same time, if that makes sense. Perhaps there is something like that available to you.

And, I have recommended this 3 minute video ( now on YouTube) for YEARS~ if you have not received the empowerment from this movie I highly recommend it. Go to YouTube, and then look for Cancer Crusade, and then click on The Survivor Movie. You will not regret watching it, I promise you.

We really care about all of our sisters here on the boards~ keep us in the loop!

Hugs,
Chen♥

When I feel bad I either watch a funny movie or put on a CD that reminds me of fun times or keep busy doing something. If you are busy you don't think about feeling bad.

I give myself permission to eat ice-cream straight from the container (with the big spoon!) and ignore how many servings are actually in a container! ♥Pammy

How about a Xanex? LOL Kidding... I got introduced to these things when I got my DX. They do help me sleep and they sometimes get me through procedures as I never feathered very well with anything medical. I'm similar to Laurissa I suppose, in that I don't 'fear' death. I truly believe that we all have a stamp and when our time is up, it's up. Can't say I don't have off days, as I definitely do. As most have said, on those days and during the worst times, I try to jump on here and there are usually quite a few posts that help me gather my thoughts and get back on track. And generally, I tell myself that tomorrow is a new day and it always is better!

When reading your question, the first thing that popped in my head was...my kids. I have 5, ranging in age from 21 to 12. They are funny! When we are all together (three are in college) we laugh and laugh. Laughter truly is the best medicine. I don't know how I would have gotten through all this so far without them. Oh, and my husband too, but he isn't as funny. haha He's my rock!

I have had those days where I just get in the funk and I think that's ok too. I don't allow myself too many in a row though. It would be too hard to get out of.

I was at the gym earlier this week and just started crying on the treadmill. I had to leave. It was just so strange...just one of those days, I guess. It happens and I've had to learn to be ok with that, but not to dwell on it.

I allow myself to feel bad when I become sad or frustrated with everything. I think sometimes that crying helps release some of the stress over all the things I'm dealing with and I feel better afterwards. I log onto this forum and I always find something (a funny story or a good joke) that makes me feel better. Often the act of typing out my feelings here helps put things in perspective (and the responses make me feel like I'm not alone.)

I have recently been diagnosed with liver mets, after five years of no worries! I am a mess half the time and lethargic all of the time. I loved all of your comments . . . I hope to get a lot of inspiration from all of you. I hope you don't mind!

Eliza, I hope you are feeling better. I also let myself feel the funk and the frustration. There's nothing wrong with it and trying to run from normal feelings will only intensify them. But then I try to engage myself in some activity so that I become completely immersed and feel a kind of flow. Sometimes I go to a movie, or out to eat, etc. What I love is planning -- planning vacations, nights out, my future, whatever -- it always makes me feel more optimistic. Also, I shop on ebay. LOL. I have also cried on a threadmill! During treatment I would sometimes get so scared and down that I would become paralyzed on the couch. My husband would drag me up and on my elliptical machine and I would exercise with tears running down my face. But it actually felt good!

Mimi

It is a jouney and something we have to deal with in our own sorta way. Is a hard road to go through but with the love and care here gets me through it cause I know Im not alone.

it doesn't always work out that way,but I try to take things one day at a time. Often times for me if I look too far ahead at something hard/scary or both,I am overwhelmed and very timid.
I like watching comedies or Disney movies when I need a boost-I saw Ratatouille at a theatre when I first starting finding out about my possible(that turned out to be) bc dx.It really helped to take my mind off things for a little while at least!