Feeling Overwhelmed

Jazz88
Jazz88 Member Posts: 13 Member
in Breast Cancer #1

This is my first day on this site I am a Breast Cancer survivor of 3 and a half years.  Just needed to see if I could  talk  to anyone about  how I start to feel overwhelmed when I start to have to much stress and I just want to shut down.  I just don't seem to be able to handle stress the way I used to and can't seem to get anyone that has not went through this to understand how I am feeling.  Just wondering if there are other people that may be feeling the same type of things after going through this?

 

Comments

  • ballerina06
    ballerina06 Member Posts: 57
    #2
    I can truly relate to feeling

    I can truly relate to feeling overwhelmed and stress. BC and the changes it takes us through sucks. I'm a 3x breast cancer fighter but have not always felt that way. I was first diagnosed in 2009 then reoccurrence in 2010. I was strong and fine until treatment ended and I tried to get my life back. Unfortunately, I wasn't the same person but everyone wanted me to be. No one understood how I felt and I hated when they would say dumb stuff. I fell into deep depression with anxiety paranoia and outburst of anger and uncontrollable crying. I started going to the cancer support center. There I learned deep breathing techniques for relaxing, imaging to visualize places or things that I love and I talk to Cancer survivors. I also, see a counselor for one on one chats. I'm now the new me that have eliminated the dumb stuff and negative people out of my life. This site is awesome and the ladies are encouraging and outstanding. But my growth came from personal contact. I still struggle some days but I now have the tools and technique to get through the bad days. Most important, I found the new better me. Hang in there, do things you love, pamper yourself and get rid of the dumb stuff.

     

     

     

  • gracegotmehere
    gracegotmehere Member Posts: 19
    #3
    sending prayers and encouragement

    I am so sorry you are struggling.  I am too, though I've only known about my cancer for a few months-- 2015, my big year!

    I feel like I need to grieve what I have lost.  For me, writing those things down-- letting my thoughts and emotions center on each one on the list-- helps me to let some of my sadness out. I have found having cancer to be alienating too.  Even my kindest friends who have been there for me I find myself not telling everything to.  I don't want to keep complaining or keep processing it with them for fear of wearing them out.  But realistically, this is the hardest thing I have ever gone through and no wonder it seems like it's taking me forever to process and come to terms with things. 

    I find hope from reading posts from people who do find a good normal place again-- different, yes, but Good!

    I think I need to join a support group in my area to see if that helps.  Also need to make sure it is a positive thing for me and walk away if it is not, find one that is.  Do you have options to find better support in your area?  

    Even though I'm new to this, I have endured a lot that is behind me and a lot that is right now, side effects of nasty meds which brought me to tears today.  So much more is involved in fighting for your health than you think it is going to entail at the outset--you don't have a clue at the beginning.  

    But YOU are a survivor of 3 and a half years.  That is something to celebrate!  What have you endured?  I am praying for you-- for strength and courage and for good people to surround you and lift you up. 

    Wishing you God's richest blessings tonight...

     

  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #4
    Jass
     
    Ill start with a

    Jass

     

    Ill start with a hug....sorry you are feeling this way. YOU have found a great place to vent, come for support!

     

    I used a diary/ journal-since I rec'd it as a gift. I felt silly writing in it-now 7 yrs later I see it was a big help-though at the time it did not seem so.

     

    Denise

  • RozHopkins
    RozHopkins Member Posts: 578 Member
    #5
    Though prone to depression my

    Though prone to depression my whole life I do find some of us seem to get more tired than we used to, to the point of wanting a nap every day.   I cannot do as much as I could before.  Nothing to do with, there's more important things in life or anything, just not as bothered as once was.  Then chemo brought on menopause.  So body and mind changes there too, medication side effect and just normal aging.  I think if you feel flat too much, depressed, or not getting any joy from things that you used to, you may a little help to get through this phase.  Yes, after my mum had cancer several times she almost 'shut off' any bad news coming her way.  Guess she had had enough to cope with.  Same for us too perhaps, cope better with stress because of our experiences or can't cope well with any more stress after cancer.  We are all different and I think you are quite normal to be sure.  

  • Jazz88
    Jazz88 Member Posts: 13 Member
    #6
    ballerina06 said:

    I can truly relate to feeling

    I can truly relate to feeling overwhelmed and stress. BC and the changes it takes us through sucks. I'm a 3x breast cancer fighter but have not always felt that way. I was first diagnosed in 2009 then reoccurrence in 2010. I was strong and fine until treatment ended and I tried to get my life back. Unfortunately, I wasn't the same person but everyone wanted me to be. No one understood how I felt and I hated when they would say dumb stuff. I fell into deep depression with anxiety paranoia and outburst of anger and uncontrollable crying. I started going to the cancer support center. There I learned deep breathing techniques for relaxing, imaging to visualize places or things that I love and I talk to Cancer survivors. I also, see a counselor for one on one chats. I'm now the new me that have eliminated the dumb stuff and negative people out of my life. This site is awesome and the ladies are encouraging and outstanding. But my growth came from personal contact. I still struggle some days but I now have the tools and technique to get through the bad days. Most important, I found the new better me. Hang in there, do things you love, pamper yourself and get rid of the dumb stuff.

     

     

     

    feeling Overwhelmed

    Thank you for responding to my post. I cried this morning when I read your post because I sort of felt relieved to know that there was someone else out there that seems to have found a way to fight through it and found the new better you. I am going to try and find a Cancer Survivors support group in my area as well, I think that would help me too. Thank you for sharing with me.  It's nice to be able to hear from someone that can relate to the feelings that I am having.

  • Jazz88
    Jazz88 Member Posts: 13 Member
    #7
    gracegotmehere said:

    sending prayers and encouragement

    I am so sorry you are struggling.  I am too, though I've only known about my cancer for a few months-- 2015, my big year!

    I feel like I need to grieve what I have lost.  For me, writing those things down-- letting my thoughts and emotions center on each one on the list-- helps me to let some of my sadness out. I have found having cancer to be alienating too.  Even my kindest friends who have been there for me I find myself not telling everything to.  I don't want to keep complaining or keep processing it with them for fear of wearing them out.  But realistically, this is the hardest thing I have ever gone through and no wonder it seems like it's taking me forever to process and come to terms with things. 

    I find hope from reading posts from people who do find a good normal place again-- different, yes, but Good!

    I think I need to join a support group in my area to see if that helps.  Also need to make sure it is a positive thing for me and walk away if it is not, find one that is.  Do you have options to find better support in your area?  

    Even though I'm new to this, I have endured a lot that is behind me and a lot that is right now, side effects of nasty meds which brought me to tears today.  So much more is involved in fighting for your health than you think it is going to entail at the outset--you don't have a clue at the beginning.  

    But YOU are a survivor of 3 and a half years.  That is something to celebrate!  What have you endured?  I am praying for you-- for strength and courage and for good people to surround you and lift you up. 

    Wishing you God's richest blessings tonight...

     

    Thank you for responding to

    Thank you for responding to my post, I am sorry that you are struggling as well an I can really relate to all that you are going through.  I have also struggled with many of those side effects of the medicine, not having as much energy as I used to have prior to going through the mastectomy, chemo and radiation. In the beginning its about just having them get rid of the cancer but you are right there is so much more to fighting for you health than you think. I agree that it is alienating as well, and maybe we do this to ourselves because we don't want to burden everyone else with what we are really going through. Its not an easy thing to go through and it hard to explain to people that have not experienced it. I would not wish this one anyone but it sure is nice to know that there are other people out here for support.  Sounds like you have found some tools to help you work through some of this and I am going to see if I can find myself a Support group in my area too.  Hope it helps for you to know that there are other people out there that know exactly what you are going through.  I know that you have helped my just by sharingSmile Thank you!!

  • button2
    button2 Member Posts: 421
    #8
    Jazz It's very normal

    I think all of us who have survived several years can relate to this. Maybe it's PTSD or something similar where you end up depressed much later, as you were just struggling to make it thru treatment after diagnosis. We have all had so much to deal with. Personally, I find it useful to get out in nature every day and also keep busy with my hobbies. I love gardening and cooking. It's hard to stay stressed after doing yardwork, as funny as that sounds! Also there are other things (even just getting older) that aren't cancer related and can make you feel overwhelmed. I hope you feel better soon, keep coming to this site..Hugs,Anna

  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
    #9
    button2 said:

    Jazz It's very normal

    I think all of us who have survived several years can relate to this. Maybe it's PTSD or something similar where you end up depressed much later, as you were just struggling to make it thru treatment after diagnosis. We have all had so much to deal with. Personally, I find it useful to get out in nature every day and also keep busy with my hobbies. I love gardening and cooking. It's hard to stay stressed after doing yardwork, as funny as that sounds! Also there are other things (even just getting older) that aren't cancer related and can make you feel overwhelmed. I hope you feel better soon, keep coming to this site..Hugs,Anna

    Jazz - thinking about

    you and sending cyber hugs, as well as positive thoughts!

    PleAshe check in with us when time permit.

     

    strength courage and Hope for a cure.

    Vicki Sam

  • lintx
    lintx Member Posts: 697
    #10
    VickiSam said:

    Jazz - thinking about

    you and sending cyber hugs, as well as positive thoughts!

    PleAshe check in with us when time permit.

     

    strength courage and Hope for a cure.

    Vicki Sam

    Hi Jazz

    I say you're normal but may need something different in your routine.  Do you jog or walk daily?  I find it really peaceful in the early mornings.  That's when I see a beautiful sky or someone's pretty landscaped yard.  I also love yoga.  Since I like to cook and bake, I make sure to get to those classes!!  It's a stress reliever for me.  We are all so different, but these things work for me.  Hugs, Linda

  • GlowMore
    GlowMore Member Posts: 789 Member
    #11
    Jazz88 said:

    Thank you for responding to

    Thank you for responding to my post, I am sorry that you are struggling as well an I can really relate to all that you are going through.  I have also struggled with many of those side effects of the medicine, not having as much energy as I used to have prior to going through the mastectomy, chemo and radiation. In the beginning its about just having them get rid of the cancer but you are right there is so much more to fighting for you health than you think. I agree that it is alienating as well, and maybe we do this to ourselves because we don't want to burden everyone else with what we are really going through. Its not an easy thing to go through and it hard to explain to people that have not experienced it. I would not wish this one anyone but it sure is nice to know that there are other people out here for support.  Sounds like you have found some tools to help you work through some of this and I am going to see if I can find myself a Support group in my area too.  Hope it helps for you to know that there are other people out there that know exactly what you are going through.  I know that you have helped my just by sharingSmile Thank you!!

    Hi Jazz88

    I clicked on your name to go see if you were young or old and your home page is empty.  Don't be like me...I didn't even fill mine in for about 8 years........  LOL   ** I was so depressed, angry, lonely and scared that I had no time for anything but the Battle.  Once I did start to share with others however, the fight became easier.... we are here for each other....we all understand where you are....believe it.     Sending you encouragement for each day and prayers for answers.... hang in there.   Hugs,  Glo

     

  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
    #12
    lintx said:

    Hi Jazz

    I say you're normal but may need something different in your routine.  Do you jog or walk daily?  I find it really peaceful in the early mornings.  That's when I see a beautiful sky or someone's pretty landscaped yard.  I also love yoga.  Since I like to cook and bake, I make sure to get to those classes!!  It's a stress reliever for me.  We are all so different, but these things work for me.  Hugs, Linda

    Jazz .. as you can see, we are thinking and

    anxious to hear from you ...  

     

    Vicki Sam

  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
    #13
    VickiSam said:

    Jazz .. as you can see, we are thinking and

    anxious to hear from you ...  

     

    Vicki Sam

    bumping up ... Jazz how you feeling ??

    Please update us when time allows.

    We are thinking about you .... cyber hugs and well wishes going your way.

     

    Vicki Sam

  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #14
    GlowMore said:

    Hi Jazz88

    I clicked on your name to go see if you were young or old and your home page is empty.  Don't be like me...I didn't even fill mine in for about 8 years........  LOL   ** I was so depressed, angry, lonely and scared that I had no time for anything but the Battle.  Once I did start to share with others however, the fight became easier.... we are here for each other....we all understand where you are....believe it.     Sending you encouragement for each day and prayers for answers.... hang in there.   Hugs,  Glo

     

    (No subject)

    Cool

  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #15
    came back to see how things

    came back to see how things are going!

     

    Denise

  • elisadavis67
    elisadavis67 Member Posts: 1
    #16
    Being a survivor is tough.

    Being a survivor is tough. I’ve been cancer free for 2 years now and I still feel like that – some days I just can’t handle it. Eventually I found Reimagine and I watch their videos whenever I feel overwhelmed. Maybe it will help you. Hoping you feel better soon!

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