I’m a cancer survivor. Now what?

wbcgaruss

This is from Merck, I had a video downloaded and was searching where it came from and found it.

Just want to share it with you guys for whatever you get out of it.

https://www.merck.com/stories/im-a-cancer-survivor-now-what/

There is a short moving video on this page, at least to me about being a survivor. One of the ladies commented how friends and family that know you are done with treatment figure you are ok, it's done now you can go on now, everything is fine now but many of us are still dealing with issues and emotions. And not only that it has a short snippet of our own Mike Metzler in it (AKA Mikemetz)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocWFgf9Ff-A&t=11s

And the bottom of the page is a link that sends you here and you can use the drop-down in the middle of the page and down a bit to choose different types of cancer.

Learn more by visiting YourCancerStory.com and find support to help you feel your best, inside and out.

Hope this helps someone, or you just get some inspiration from it.

Take Care-God Bless-Russ

Stephie75

I was told, when I was going through radiation to "stop thinking about it" eventually, I would get over it and it gets better. I also didn't have the luxury to be close to a great cancer hospital, and my Oncologists were lacking in the compassion department. (I will add the Doctors did not tell me that, it was a "friend of mine") That was 2 -3 years out.

I have a lot of hard things I had to deal with going through treatment, both mental and physical. I have not started going to grief counseling. I was told early on due to what was going on with my home life that I was clearly overwhelmed and needed someone to talk to attempt to navigate through these issues. I never listened, and I ended up someone getting even more wrapped up in things that shouldn't have been.

I want anyone reading this to please not be scared to ask for a therapist. I was. I have been frightened about my mind and honestly didn't have time to deal with other people's trivial issues. My family, friends, people I didn't know well, etc.

Now I am attempting to build back my self-esteem as a person, and my self-worth. I have been left to feel that I am a bad person. Or that I am not strong enough to do this alone. I recognized I was not strong enough, but I didn't take the advice I was given.

If any of you have severe depression and panic/anxiety after diagnosis. Please talk to someone, it will help you. The way I handled it was not the best at all. I am working on being a stronger and better person.

Thanks for sharing, Russ.

P.S.

Usually, there is a list of numbers they give you when you are the first diagnosed. There are helpful numbers on there. Russ always mentioned a "nurse navigator" I never had one. But if you have one, or a paper with all of the numbers for resources it will guide you to what you may need. If you cannot locate that, ask your PCP. What happened to me made me much worth mentally and physically. Both need to be taken care of 😊

wbcgaruss

Dear Steph, thanks for sharing your personal experience of the many emotional and physical struggles we go through in this difficult H&N cancer treatment and recovery. I am sure you sharing your experience and telling people not to wait if they think they need some sort of therapy or counseling, or any kind of support assistance for that matter no matter what it might be. The cancer doctors tell you to stay ahead of pain and keep it managed and I think this applies to many other aspects of this treatment and recovery. Steph I hope you are getting the care you need and are moving forward and getting steadily better each day. Trust me you are strong and can finish this and will be a strong vibrant survivor. You are in my prayers.

Wishing you the best

Take care-God Bless-Russ

SuzJ

No matter your cancer, everyone always thinks, you get it, you get better, or you don't.

I only told a few people, as in, my son, my boss, my 3 brothers and father, and you guys here. I didn't want to hear "I'm sorry" this is a really sore point with me. Sorry for what? Did you cause it? Don't be sorry, say "what can I do?" or "how can I help?" My goal in life is to make people understand that one small difference.

I did it, with my sons help, I made it to the other side. I thought I was superwoman, but I found out I am just human, I also found out I HATE the smell of Ensure! That honey on ice cream is nectar from the gods, and that I am wierd, because wendys chilli was amazzziinngg

I fought, and fought, never gave up, until I was sitting with my puppy, and she was biting as usual.. and I burst into tears. I cried because my puppy hated me (bear in mind that up to then as well as cancer, I had losses of family.) So I took myself to the Dr, and she said "I wondered when you were going to crash" So I crashed, and now I'm medicated.. I still cant talk to anyone - I had another loss in 19, I cant talk. I'll cry, and I won't be able to stop

We have after effects, thyroid, arm weakness, swallowing, chewing, blood pressure.. an endless list - BUT we beat it right? This would be when my boss's supervisor, said she thought I was milking having cancer.. DO WHAT?!?

Its not just the physical stuff - its the mental, as in, I have a sore throat, is it, no, but is it? is it back, does it feel like it? So much so you feel like a total basket case.

People are not stupid (?) but they do not know any better. They need educating.

I have a confession - I haven't been for any checkups since last year, none, zero, nada. I am all hospitaled out. I should go, but man, I do not want to.

wbcgaruss

Well Suz I see your point.

Yes people seem to think we either get better or we don’t.

But we do, right?

I think you informed enough people, all the important people in your life, other than if you had a trusted close friend.

I would say it is very common for people to say “I’m Sorry” first off after you tell them you have cancer or any other negative thing in your life, the first thing they say is I’m sorry. I don’t know if you will change that easily. I think maybe they should say I’m sorry and then what can I do to help.

The main thing is you made it through with your son's help and got some valuable insights into yourself.

Ensure was not real popular with me either I liked the stuff the docs had sent to me and I can’t remember the name of it and later used some Boost VHC that is OK in flavor.

I will have to try the honey on ice cream, never did it like that.

As far as people helping you I saw a video recently and she said just tell people what you want or need such as hey cook a meal for us a couple of times a week, or would you be able to mow my grass. She said most people just don’t know what to do in a cancer situation and are glad when they are told what is needed, takes a load off of them and they are glad to help especially if they know exactly what is needed the most.

In fact here is the video I still have it and it is short and informative.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5d56EniyAzs&t=37s

I understand crashing believe me Suz and it is not fun. My last cancer episode had me in the hospital for an extended time with many complications and I broke down a couple of times I was washed out and beat up.

Sorry about your losses and this cancer wearing on you, but at least it seems you have a very insightful doctor that was watching you and now you have some meds to help.

Agreed with the after-effects Suz many of us have them and they are not fun but it was the trade-off to survive. And yes people do say some dumb things but that takes the cake that you were milking cancer, I assume he was inferring to having time off.

Suz I hope you reach a point where you get better, but maybe you are where you are going to be as far as how you feel and after effects, we never know. Some people have had improvements on here from as much as 2-5 years out. I know for me the after-effects I have are not going to change and I just have to address whatever is buggin me that day.

I know and remember you mentioned before you had enough medical exposure and did not want to do the scan follow-ups, etc but I urge you again to do the follow-up scans and tests. Even if your original cancer doesn’t recur it is good to do the yearly scans to detect any new cancer, and they do show other things on the scans also, and you know the smaller it is the easier it is to deal with.

Like many of us you have been through the gauntlet and some rough times but you came out the other side and made it with your strong will and the help of your son.

Take care Suz good to hear from you.

Take Care-God Bless-Russ

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