The Untold Truth About Mental Health and Cancer

wbcgaruss

Welcome to our latest video where we delve into the complex and often overlooked relationship between mental health and cancer. Many individuals facing a cancer diagnosis also experience emotional and psychological challenges, which can affect their overall well-being and treatment outcomes. In this video, we explore the various ways in which mental health can impact cancer patients and survivors, as well as strategies for addressing these issues to improve quality of life. Join us as we uncover the important link between mental health and cancer, and shed light on the importance of holistic care for those fighting this disease.

The Untold Truth About Mental Health and Cancer…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SxKGEsH9mE

Take Care, God Bless

Russ

GarlandCan

Whew! I feel this! I suffered from depression and anxiety before my diagnosis, but my diagnosis and treatments made me spiral. I lost hope couldn’t get out of bed, just normal chores felt overwhelming. This group (Russ) has helped so much! Just having someone who knows what you’re going through!!

Update:

I’m 4 1/2 months post radiation. Boy was that HELL 😵‍💫 I cried so much from sheer pain and lost all hope. I did get a feeding tube, best thing I did, and still have to rely on it for nutrition as the radiation hit my neck hard and I can not yet swallow. I’m in speech/swallow therapy and therapy for lymphedema and scar tissue. I have very very little taste and my saliva is not back yet. I just wonder will I ever eat again? Time will tell. I am scheduled for an esophagus dilation, but my speech therapist is more worried about my epiglottis opening, or more correctly not opening. I try and stay positive but some days are hard. Wishing everyone much love ❤️

Garland

wbcgaruss

Oh my Dear Garland, thank you for checking in I feel for ya, I'm right there with ya, I have been there. I have been thinking about you and wondering how you are doing and am reminded each night as I go through my prayer list that your name is there with others with needs and have been praying for your delivery through this treatment and disease.

That was my first cancer and I agree with you this treatment puts you through the mill and stresses you at all points. I remember barely being able to get up and when I did I was so tired and beat up that it was usually to put some food and meds in the feeding tube including pain meds and then go back and lay down again. You are feeling the effects as you say just simple chores done everyday take on a completely different aspect making them seem so big.

I tell new H&N people who show up here to be aware this treatment can be BRUTAL and you dear Garland have certainly felt the full force of it emotionally, physically, and every other way possible.

Sorry, you had so much pain but I hope it was controlled pretty well with enough pain meds.

Glad you got the feeding tube, it makes things so much easier and so much less a struggle than without one. And I could not have made it without one and it seems you are in the same boat, but thanks to the feeding tube you can get through a treatment like this.

Just remember you are only four and a half months past radiation and I would imagine you are just starting to feel good enough in a reasonable sense, yet still beat up by the treatment and what you went through fresh in your mind, and you can't swallow yet, with little taste, and saliva not there. Trust me it is early out of treatment for you now and this will all come back. But keep in mind that I also tell people going through this treatment and coming out the other side you will not get off scot-free, I don't think anybody does. Your saliva may be less or taste not back 100% but still, you made it through the hell of H&N treatment and you are on the other side and Praise God even though you may not taste as well or have some other small issue to deal with he brought you through.

I was like you, I am finally starting to feel better but will I ever get my taste back, or my saliva, or will I ever be able to swallow again and eat again? I went through the same questioning period as I am sure many others did and now you are too and Garland I am here to tell you that you will get through this and get these functions back, maybe not at the same level but just the same thing will keep getting better.

It seemed like a long time but then one day while I decided to try testing eating again lo and behold I could swallow a small bit of food and even get some taste out of it.

I too had some food-sticking issues with my throat and in total underwent 4 dilations in total. They have to do a small amount at a time so they don't tear the esophagus. But it worked and made a big difference for me. You will find your throat to be slightly sore and I don't know how to explain it. It's a sort of an odd feeling when you try to swallow but will be gone in about 3 days, not a big issue or soreness just noticeable.

Again, keep in mind you are still early out of treatment and it will probably be about 8 months post-treatment till you will be feeling much better. And that's going to involve things like taste and saliva and other things affected by the treatment but be patient they will come back. That's the average time for this treatment recovery and for many, it is up to a year or more till we feel back to a reasonable normal. There are those that recover quicker and dear lady I hope you are one of them. My radiation oncologist nurse, whom I will never forget, sat me down and tried to drill into the seriousness of the treatment and how brutal it is and to prepare me for what was coming and she said "You might as well figure a year of your life to get this treatment and get through this and back to somewhat normal again", and you know what she knew her stuff because she was about right on in her prediction in my case. One year, but thank God he got me through and provided treatment and doctors and nurses and others who were so skilled and caring.

So now dear Garland it is a time of patience and waiting for your body to heal up and get your strength and stamina back, and though largely a waiting period but don't sit around, do all you can do, work around the house, take walks to do whatever you can do and stretch the limits doing it. The more active you can be I believe helps your body recover and using your muscles in walking, exercising, vacuuming the house or any other physical activity will bring strength and recovery and even faster with activity. Keep the nutrition going and the hydration because your body needs it to repair and rebuild and get you back in shape again. And you will be off the feeding tube before you know it and you can eat, eat, eat again.

So young lady I am celebrating with you and for you that you made it through this Brutal treatment and are out the other side now recovering.

Wishing You The Best

NEGU (Never Ever Give Up)

Take Care, God Bless

Russ

GarlandCan

Hi Russ,

Thank you for the prayers! They worked!! I am finally coming out of the fog a little. Getting out and doing a few things socially. It’s not easy, I know you know. I’m very self aware and have low self confidence by the marks left on my face and neck. I also have new teeth and gums and top of my mouth! This piece is quite something to get used to. I talk funny, I have yet to get my full voice back, the top of my mouth is a hard plastic and I just feel extremely socially awkward. It’s very hard to feel normal without drinking coffee or anything and eating nothing. I feel like an outcast. This is another whole ball of wax I wasn’t prepared for.
Speaking of being prepared, your oncologist nurse that sat you down and explained just how brutal and told you the truth about how long it would take (a year) deserves a medal. Sadly all my “preparers” sugar coated the entire process and I had NO clue just how bad it would be until I found you and this forum. What a Godsend you are! Isn’t he amazing? He put you in my path because he knew I needed you. Amazing 🙏🏻

I’m so glad you said 4 1/2 months was still early for big changes. I’ve been beating myself up over not doing enough. Yes, chores are overwhelming plus I have a 20 year old son with autism who requires daily help with meals, hygiene, etc, and a 12 year old who is entering Middle School this year plus my Mom lives with us and is completely disabled so her everyday every thing is up to my husband and I. I’ve been so down on myself for not being the Mom and daughter I strive to be. I wrestle with guilt over not being present enough. I just had no idea radiation would nearly knock the life out of me. God pulled me through even when I wanted to give up. 🙏🏻

I will remember to be more patient and continue trying to tackle eating. I’m also glad you told me about your 4 dilation procedures I was sort of expecting a miracle cure, but see now it could take a bit. Nobody explained that either.

I’m not purating any foods for my feedings. I’m just existing on Ensure. I’ve no desire to purée or cook or even shop for food right now. I’ve no taste and the Ensure is just easiest. This too shall pass I pray and I can be back to the world of eating. Boy isn’t that something we take for granted prior to entering treatment? I’m fully aware of the entire amazing swallowing process that I never gave s second thought to before.

I will persevere and try to remain in the moment and get out of my head as much as I can. I will be patient and try and remember it’s early days still I’ve a lot to get through still.

How are you? I pray for your continued good health and want to thank you for all you do in this forum to help lost souls like myself.

I’ll continue to update you on my progress and thank you for everything. We need you here!

May God continue to Bless you.

NEGU!!!

Garland

wbcgaruss

Hello, Garland, first off,  I would like to thank you for the nice letter, it is such a Blessing to hear from someone that my efforts have helped them through a difficult time or procedure.

This makes my efforts worth all the time and research and cancer events I went through.

I went through a lot with my 3 cancer situations and learned a lot as I went and decided I wanted to make the path easier for others traveling that route.

As difficult as my cancer events were they also gave me more knowledge to help others such as yourself.

So I just want to say thank you, thank you for such a nice letter.

Now I would like to address your letter a bit but not make it too long.

You have just gone through some of the most Brutal treatment for cancer, H&N cancer is the worst.

You say fog, I remember being foggy, mentally foggy and it’s hard to explain, not quite dizzy but truly as you say foggy, this is another normal leftover for a while but will slowly clear up. There is a situation called chemo brain and after going through treatment I believe it. You mentioned the fog so you know what it is.

Forget about how you look, how you talk, marks left for now from radiation, and other things like weight loss your body has just gone through a war, don’t be self-aware or have low confidence, stand strong, you have just accomplished one of the most difficult tasks imaginable. I still remember after I was pretty well recovered from treatment I looked back and said that it was the most difficult thing I have ever done in my life. I have said since I went through this that this treatment protocol shakes you to your core. I know it is unusual to go to a friend's house or a gathering and not eating or drinking it can sure make you feel odd but don’t, they know what you went through and they understand as best they can.

I must say I am surprised your medical people sugar-coated the process for you when they should have been doing the opposite. I would say all the people connected to my treatment made me aware I was in for a rough time and to prepare for the worst and hope for a little better. Feel free to educate your team, it may help others in the future.

Thank you for your love and appreciation but I think you are right God has me doing things and has me where he wants me and led you to this forum. God is at work. He has used me as his helper in other ways recently this year also outside of this forum."

Very well, Garland, I could go on here but I know you understand what to do. Above all this is a slow process, this recovery you are going through should be thought of in weeks and months and is not like getting the cold or flu and in a week you are recovered again. I think that is part of what messes us up with this recovery we are used to the normal stuff with a fairly quick recovery, not something that takes months.

Look I know you are tired, give yourself time and rest if you need it don’t push too hard just do the necessary stuff for now.

I can’t give you a time frame but I remember a period where all I wanted to do was sleep. This radiation beats you up. If I wanted to get something done I had to stay active on my feet and do it and get it done because I knew if I sat down in a chair I would fall asleep, I couldn’t stay awake.

So don’t be hard on yourself, don’t push too much, don’t be disappointed in yourself, you are recovering, your body has had a major assault on it relax and recover in the best way you can.

It is amazing what we take for granted, the simple act of swallowing is huge after this.

Were you given swallowing exercises to do the whole time? Because if you are on a feeding tube and even though you can’t swallow and get anything through you need to go through the motions with swallowing exercises because they say you can forget how to swallow and will have to relearn it.

I hope this helps, just be patient, and take your time, everything involved with or affected by this will come back but it is a slow process but it does happen.

Before you know it this will all be in your rearview mirror and you will be able to laugh about it.

Give it another 4 months and you will feel more like yourself.

If I can help with anything else or you just want to chat feel free to ask.

Wishing you and your family the best

Take Care, God Bless

Russ

As usual, I made the response longer than I had planned, sorry.

wbcgaruss

Also, Garland you say you are living on Ensure right now.

You may want to give Boost Very High Calorie a try.

It has 530 calories per 8-ounce container.

I think Ensure is 220 calories.

I have never seen the Boost VHC in stores, only regular Boost.

I have always purchased it online.

Here is a link to a place to purchase it and the last cheapest place I could get it. HeyMed Supply.

https://heymedsupply.com/oral-supplement-boost-very-high-calorie-very-vanilla-flavor-ready-to-use-8-oz-carton-00043900894348-case-24/

Wishing You The Very Best

Take Care, God Bless,

Russ

wbcgaruss

Looking back on your treatment and situation had me thinking especially when you said…

"Boy was that HELL 😵‍💫 I cried so much from sheer pain and lost all hope."

It reminds me that sometimes, somehow, and we don't know how we did it, even with prayer and trusting in God we still think "Will I make it can I make it through this" and we don't know how we made it but we look back and know somehow "I Held On" through no amazing powers of our own.

Take Care, God Bless

Russ

GarlandCan

Hi Russ,

So good to hear from you today! I’ve had one of those rough days where I just really wondered why do I keep trying to eat? It’s just not working and I had resigned myself to having a feeding tube forever! I went to speech therapy and she said no, you’re not giving up we will get you through this. So I’m still going! I’m holding on!! Like your song explained SO well. I was scared through all of it, scared every treatment but what kept me focused and kept me from spiraling every single time was saying “God is with me” over and over and over until the procedure or treatment or scan was over. And he was! So I held on to him and he got me through the storm. Well, I’m still in the storm, and he’s still there 🙏🏻

Thank you for the High Boost information! I’ve never seen that in stores either but will go online. It’s hard getting enough calories without feeling so bloated. So I really appreciate that. Did you blend foods or just do the protein drinks. I can’t understand going through the process of preparing and cooking foods just to blend them into what seems like a yucky shake. I know I won’t taste it but that’s a lot of time and energy I can spend elsewhere. What are your thoughts on that.

I told my husband I have a dear friend, you, online in a forum and he wanted me to say “Thank You” from him for taking your time and helping me so much. He’s with me through all procedures but he doesn’t get exactly what I go through. So you taking time out of your day to help a stranger is just so very kind. Like I said and I think you realize it’s just your calling. This is where God wants you and you do make such a difference.

I went and registered my 6th grader for school and it was hard. I’m not going to lie. I saw so many other parents that you see every year and I know some were thinking what in the world happened to her?? But I just held my head high and focused on William, since it was all about his big move to Middle School, not me. And I did it! I spoke with teachers even though I know I sound a bit funny, but most people are kind and I believe they could see I had just been through some big things and they treated my with respect.

So, thank you AGAIN, for being there and all you do!!

That song was profoundly relatable. Thank you for sharing it.

May God continue to bless you 🙏🏻

I hope you are well. Do you still get scans?

Take care friend,

NEGU!!!

Garland