how to deal with the uncertainty of the cancer returning

m4ann

I am 37 and was Dx with Stage 1 ovarian cancer almost two years ago. All my test have been good thus far but my Ca125 goes up 1 point everytime I take it. It is still well within normal range but I can't help thinking about it coming back. It almost consumes my mind sometimes. Does anyone have any help for moving on and not letting this disease run your life even when all seem well??

Tethys41

Options
Having a recurrance is always a concern. From my experience, however, there are various ways you can reduce that fear, it really depends on what approach you'd like to take. A number of us here on the board practice changes in lifestyle that are aimed at preventing the cancer from coming back. These include dietary adjustments, stress management, and taking supplements which make the body's environment less appealing to cancer. You can find a lot of this information in the book "Anti-Cancer." I truly believe the practices are effective and it makes me feel less helpless and more in control.
I have found that focusing on things in life that I appreciate helps alleviate the worry. I figure that every day is a bonus day, and as long as I stay happy then I'm not wasting my life, however long it may be. I've decided, for me, that he who dies happy wins, and every minute of joy is a minute well spent. This outlook didn't happen overnight, but it really didn't take long. Just paying attention to my negative thoughts and letting them go was the major part of the work.
Also, you can see a counselor. They can be very helpful if your fears are overwhelming you and you can't resolve the problem on your own. Sometimes it takes time to find the "right" couselor for you, but when you do, you can accomplish great things.
I hope some of these suggestions help. I've been reading a lot lately about the negative engergy that surrounds a cancer diagnosis and the detrimental effects it can have. Shifting your fears towards hope and empowerment will help you avoid what you fear the most.

kikz

Tethys41 said:

Options
Having a recurrance is always a concern. From my experience, however, there are various ways you can reduce that fear, it really depends on what approach you'd like to take. A number of us here on the board practice changes in lifestyle that are aimed at preventing the cancer from coming back. These include dietary adjustments, stress management, and taking supplements which make the body's environment less appealing to cancer. You can find a lot of this information in the book "Anti-Cancer." I truly believe the practices are effective and it makes me feel less helpless and more in control.
I have found that focusing on things in life that I appreciate helps alleviate the worry. I figure that every day is a bonus day, and as long as I stay happy then I'm not wasting my life, however long it may be. I've decided, for me, that he who dies happy wins, and every minute of joy is a minute well spent. This outlook didn't happen overnight, but it really didn't take long. Just paying attention to my negative thoughts and letting them go was the major part of the work.
Also, you can see a counselor. They can be very helpful if your fears are overwhelming you and you can't resolve the problem on your own. Sometimes it takes time to find the "right" couselor for you, but when you do, you can accomplish great things.
I hope some of these suggestions help. I've been reading a lot lately about the negative engergy that surrounds a cancer diagnosis and the detrimental effects it can have. Shifting your fears towards hope and empowerment will help you avoid what you fear the most.

I agree with Tethys41
about choosing to stay in the positive. I worried at first that I would be overwhelmed by the disease and not be able to think of anything else. Honestly it is always on my mind but at this point when I am remission and my test results are good I don't have a lot of emotion attached to the thoughts. I saw a counselor even though I was pretty sure I didn't need to. I decided that if I am negative or around negative people, I am wasting whatever time I have. Those of us with ov/ca may feel we have less time than others but only God knows that. I am so happy to be feeling good. I have a lot of aches and pains but I can deal with that. When I was so sick all I kept wishing for was to feel good for a while. I got that wish and am going to enjoy the heck out of it.

Karen

LaundryQueen

kikz said:

I agree with Tethys41
about choosing to stay in the positive. I worried at first that I would be overwhelmed by the disease and not be able to think of anything else. Honestly it is always on my mind but at this point when I am remission and my test results are good I don't have a lot of emotion attached to the thoughts. I saw a counselor even though I was pretty sure I didn't need to. I decided that if I am negative or around negative people, I am wasting whatever time I have. Those of us with ov/ca may feel we have less time than others but only God knows that. I am so happy to be feeling good. I have a lot of aches and pains but I can deal with that. When I was so sick all I kept wishing for was to feel good for a while. I got that wish and am going to enjoy the heck out of it.

Karen

Survivor fear
M4ann: I agree with what has already been said. Many survivors find that prayer and a few good friends is what they need to help them deal with their fears.

I am an information junkie, I need to know what I can do to maximize my chances of long-term survival. I LOVE the Anticancer book by Servan-Schreiber because I feel empowered by the information in it.

However, if you were someone who was a "born worrier" before your diagnosis, you may want to take anti-anxiety medications to help you deal with your current state of anxiety.

There are some people who are gonna worry no matter what anyone tells them. These folks are "born to worry"--I am sure it is an inherited genetic trait that runs in families.

If you were born to worry or if you are living in constant fear since your diagnosis, then you probably need medication AND a good counselor to help you live with your fears (in addition to prayer and a few good friends).

You might want to be careful to protect yourself from some of the postings on this discussion board as it might throw fuel on your fire. Or at least wait until you are medicated before going much further.

Or, as somebody said, if you want to forget your troubles, wear shoes that are too tight.

Hissy_Fitz

LaundryQueen said:

Survivor fear
M4ann: I agree with what has already been said. Many survivors find that prayer and a few good friends is what they need to help them deal with their fears.

I am an information junkie, I need to know what I can do to maximize my chances of long-term survival. I LOVE the Anticancer book by Servan-Schreiber because I feel empowered by the information in it.

However, if you were someone who was a "born worrier" before your diagnosis, you may want to take anti-anxiety medications to help you deal with your current state of anxiety.

There are some people who are gonna worry no matter what anyone tells them. These folks are "born to worry"--I am sure it is an inherited genetic trait that runs in families.

If you were born to worry or if you are living in constant fear since your diagnosis, then you probably need medication AND a good counselor to help you live with your fears (in addition to prayer and a few good friends).

You might want to be careful to protect yourself from some of the postings on this discussion board as it might throw fuel on your fire. Or at least wait until you are medicated before going much further.

Or, as somebody said, if you want to forget your troubles, wear shoes that are too tight.

I like the advice about
I like the advice about tight shoes! I am a natural born worrier. It's hard-wired into my brain, I think. I should probably have accepted the anti-depressant meds, but I hate the way they make me feel.

Your cancer was stage 1, so you are in a much better spot than most of us. Your long-term stats are GREAT! Something like 95% diagnosed at stage 1 never recur. Try and remember that. The odds are on your side.

A single point change in your CA125 is nothing. If you see it go up 100 points, then you have my permission to start worrying.

But welcome to the board all the same.

Carlene

m4ann

Tethys41 said:

Options
Having a recurrance is always a concern. From my experience, however, there are various ways you can reduce that fear, it really depends on what approach you'd like to take. A number of us here on the board practice changes in lifestyle that are aimed at preventing the cancer from coming back. These include dietary adjustments, stress management, and taking supplements which make the body's environment less appealing to cancer. You can find a lot of this information in the book "Anti-Cancer." I truly believe the practices are effective and it makes me feel less helpless and more in control.
I have found that focusing on things in life that I appreciate helps alleviate the worry. I figure that every day is a bonus day, and as long as I stay happy then I'm not wasting my life, however long it may be. I've decided, for me, that he who dies happy wins, and every minute of joy is a minute well spent. This outlook didn't happen overnight, but it really didn't take long. Just paying attention to my negative thoughts and letting them go was the major part of the work.
Also, you can see a counselor. They can be very helpful if your fears are overwhelming you and you can't resolve the problem on your own. Sometimes it takes time to find the "right" couselor for you, but when you do, you can accomplish great things.
I hope some of these suggestions help. I've been reading a lot lately about the negative engergy that surrounds a cancer diagnosis and the detrimental effects it can have. Shifting your fears towards hope and empowerment will help you avoid what you fear the most.

Thank you all for your
Thank you all for your helpful information. I know that there is alot of people here that are going through alot more difficult things then I have been through. It seems to me that unless you have had this kind of Dx then you can not understand all the emotions that go through one persons mind thats why I have come here. The "Anti-Cancer" book is something I will be getting. Thanks again for all the support and I wish each and everyone of you the best.