Coping with Diagnosis, Treatment

Zellajaz

Diagnosed in April with primitive nueral epidermal tumor in uterus after complete hysterectomy (uterus, tubes and ovaries). In my 5th week of chemo and still struggling with the whole idea of having what may be a life-threatening cancer. Doing Chemo 3 weeks on and 1 week off. Doc calls it "aggressive" treatment. Wasn't prepared for chemo exhaustion and complete loss of appetite.... and the emotional depression I feel myself sliding into. Unable to work, drive, etc. NOTHING IS NORMAL! I've gone from an independent, on the go woman to a stuck at home, dependent, cancer patient. Guess I'm looking for coping ideas. Anyone else out there who's made it through to the other side of this?

daisy366

zella
It's been a horrible 2 months for you, friend. Going from a healthy vibrant woman to a very sick one in a flash. Considering death - no fun for sure. I can only share my experience. The C-word was a sure life-changer for me. My diagnosis - grade 3 uterine papillary serous carcinoma - aggressive and incurable per my doctor. I've been at this for almost 3 years, initial treatment like you, then remission for almost a year, recurrence, treatment, and now surveillence again.

At first I was very emotional- scared and IMPATIENT. I'm much better now since I see things from a much different perspective and have weathered highs and lows. I recommend that you make a CONSCIOUS INTENTION TO BE WELL and practice some alternative therapies along with your medical treatments.

All of us respond differently to medical intervention. Don't beat yourself up if you don't bounce back like someone else did. Many of us have serious painful side-effects to the treatments we are subjected to. I think we all do the best we can.

This board has much helpful information. Check out some earlier links - there's much talk of alternative healing strategies. Try to stay in the now and not project too far in future (gets the fear thing going).

I send you much love and caring. Mary Ann

jazzy1

Welcome~
Sorry you're having to deal with a cancer diagnosis, but know you can live a good life. When I was diagnosed with cancer over 2 years ago, I thought the worst and asked WHY ME? As I endured my 6 chemos, 33 rounds of pelvic radiation and lots of follow-up appts, I learned this will be my new "normal". Cancer is not a death-sentence by any means and if you can keep your mind is mode of "I will survive" the journey won't be so bad in your own eyes.

I've kept the focus on living and enjoying life to it's fullest. I've always been one to think outside of the box and be positive in every turn thru the journey. Today after being out of treatments for almost 2 years, I've gotten used to life with cancer on my mind.

Cancer shakes us up to realize LIFE IS SPECIAL AND WE CAN ENDURE. Keep the positive vibes and get thru treatments and believe life will be good.

I'm a living example that we can get thru this cancer journey and onto a new normal. God never gave us book of life, giving us steps to our journey. It's almost like a free-for-all, never know what will hit us next.

Keep smiling and it will all work out in the end...
Jan

hopeful girl 1

jazzy1 said:

Welcome~
Sorry you're having to deal with a cancer diagnosis, but know you can live a good life. When I was diagnosed with cancer over 2 years ago, I thought the worst and asked WHY ME? As I endured my 6 chemos, 33 rounds of pelvic radiation and lots of follow-up appts, I learned this will be my new "normal". Cancer is not a death-sentence by any means and if you can keep your mind is mode of "I will survive" the journey won't be so bad in your own eyes.

I've kept the focus on living and enjoying life to it's fullest. I've always been one to think outside of the box and be positive in every turn thru the journey. Today after being out of treatments for almost 2 years, I've gotten used to life with cancer on my mind.

Cancer shakes us up to realize LIFE IS SPECIAL AND WE CAN ENDURE. Keep the positive vibes and get thru treatments and believe life will be good.

I'm a living example that we can get thru this cancer journey and onto a new normal. God never gave us book of life, giving us steps to our journey. It's almost like a free-for-all, never know what will hit us next.

Keep smiling and it will all work out in the end...
Jan

Agreed
I was diagnosed in Feb 2010. Had radical hysterectomy removal of everything, ovaries, and some lymph nodes. I had a second surgery for bladder issue so I had a month of recovery before I started sandwich therapy-3 chemos, 25 radiations, and 3 chemos. Last chemo was Nov 2010. Then it took weeks for my counts to come up. My platelets were dangerously low after last chemo. And actually all of my blood counts were very low so I had to lay low.
I understand how you feel, about going from independent, out and about, and then home as a patient, very scared. I am now 6 months out since my last chemo and considered to me no evidence of disease. I am back at work etc.

Read, rent movies, relax and find laughter in things. Pray. Have faith.

You can get thru' this. You can do this. What helped me what to look at the long treatment process in pieces. Getting thru surgical recovery. Getting thru' each chemo. Getting to middle piece of treatment-the radiation. Getting thru each week of radiation. Then getting thru each chemo again. If you look way ahead it seems so daunting.

Reading these boards, and all of the people that had gone thru the same journey and treatment and had encouraging words, helped me alot!

We will be right there with you every step of the way!

Cindy