Why having a positive attitude and keeping stress down is important! How do you do it?

RogerRN43
RogerRN43 Member Posts: 185
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
This might be a subject that has already been posted in the past. I thought I'd start a new one for new members or those that weren't aware of it so it's at the top of the board again.

These kinds of studies seem to be replicating the same results, depression and stress is bad for patients with (or who had) cancer. So if you are having classical symptoms of depression, it is important to address it with a professional(s), and perhaps start medication and counselling.
Accept support from loved ones and friends, or from whoever you can, whenever and wherever you can get it. It is not good to keep things bottled up, and everybody needs someone to share their feelings, thoughts, and express themselves in positive ways.
Learn to meditate, practice relaxation techniques, and anything to keep stress levels at bay.

http://drugs-today.info/2011/04/shorter-survival-in-head-and-neck-cancer-patients-who-suffer-from-stress-and-depression/

“Our analysis indicated that higher levels of perceived stress and depressive symptoms were associated with greater VEGF expression in the tumor tissue of these patients” says Fang. Greater VEGF expression was, in turn, associated with shorter disease-free survival among patients.

Don't sweat the little things that used to bother you, it's not worth it, and YOU will beat this and keep it away!

I would be interested to hear what some of you do and your advice on the subject. Thanks!

Best wishes to everyone,

Roger

Comments

  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    #2
    One if the things I do, for
    One if the things I do, for better or worse, is make stupid and often inappropiate jokes, at stressful times, when I probably shouldn't be making jokes. Like at the doctors office.

    Keeping a sense of humour and laughing helps a lot. I always say that they only took out my salivary gland, 23 lymph nodes and my tumor, but they left my sense of humor intact, because they knew I was going to need it.

    Love to watch my favorite movies, watch comedies (Monty Pythons Flying Circus) and listen to my favorite music. All good mood elevators.
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #3
    Hi Roger
    I think we all get a little depression now and then, as I know for me today was just not a good day at all, but I made it through the day. It started off bad but ending up good, so I try to reflect on the good part of the day no matter how little or how long it was. Other times I just need my Wife caregiver holding me, we sit there saying nothing until it passes and then I am OK. I am not at the point where I need to medicate for it, it is just part of my good and bad days. Like Sweet I do try to laugh at things as I find keeping happy is better then being sad

    Thanks Hondo
  • RogerRN43
    RogerRN43 Member Posts: 185
    #4
    Hondo said:

    Hi Roger
    I think we all get a little depression now and then, as I know for me today was just not a good day at all, but I made it through the day. It started off bad but ending up good, so I try to reflect on the good part of the day no matter how little or how long it was. Other times I just need my Wife caregiver holding me, we sit there saying nothing until it passes and then I am OK. I am not at the point where I need to medicate for it, it is just part of my good and bad days. Like Sweet I do try to laugh at things as I find keeping happy is better then being sad

    Thanks Hondo

    Shining stars here...
    Hondo, you are a bonafide warrior in what you have been through.
    And to provide encouraging light in your posts to so many members really makes you a star.
    You too Sweets, that superthread is an amazing resource.

    I think it's perfectly normal for us to have times when we are down. Clinical depression is different and needs to be treated.

    My good friend and neighbour asked me to wear clown shoes with different bows to each of my rad sessions.
    No matter what problems he brings up about himself, I reply "... but is it cancer?", I beat him every time, and we laugh.
    I was pretending to pour cranberry juice all over his new beige couch the other day and I said, "Whatya gonna do about it? I have cancer".
    The night before my tonsillectomy, he encouraged me to eat 5 BigMacs (I didn't of course).

    Yep, we just gotta laugh sometimes.
  • patricke
    patricke Member Posts: 570 Member
    #5
    SOME DAYS ARE BETTER THAN OTHERS
    Hey Roger, I so agree with Sweet and Hondo, in that, having a big sense of humor, laughing at myself, wathcing funny movies and TV commedies, as well as making sure that I max out on having fun have been very important in keeping me on the light side, for the most part. Add into that, staying active with running, hiking, backpacking, surfing, weight lifting, socializing,etc. all also help to keep the ugly cloud of depression out of sight. Most importantly, the support that I get from my family is huge in helping me to accept and cope with the cancer war, and maintain a positive attitude. No doubt, as Hondo indicated, some days are better than others, and when I find myself especially challenged, frustrated, and/or bumed out, I call forth my favorite mantra, which has gotten me through for the past 11 years, "I CAN DO THIS!!" (for the day, hour, second, nano second, whatever it takes). My unhappy time periods are fairly brief these days, but it was definitely more difficult to overcome depressed feelings initially, when I was being fried in rad sessions, and I was getting used to the loss of a significant part of my tongue and being on a PEG tube. I also always remind myself about two things, "I'm happy just to be here," and "it could always be worse."
  • soccerfreaks
    soccerfreaks Member Posts: 2,788 Member
    #6
    Hope and Humor!
    There may be more to it than what you suggest. I have had conversations with people in the medical field (including an online talk with a psychiatrist) who suggest that medical professionals prefer to deal with patients who exhibit a positive and even humorous attitude.

    This stands to reason, of course, at least on the surface, since most of us, no matter what we do, would prefer to work for and with people who are pleasant to be around. When you add the factor that our medical caregivers work with misery, unpleasant sense of entitlement and even death on a daily basis, it becomes easy, for me at least, to understand why they would like to treat a happy face once in awhile.

    The psychiatrist I dialogued with agreed and said that studies were confirming this as well.

    Intuitively, perhaps, or perhaps because of my nature, I made a point from the beginning to try to make my doctors, nurses, peripheral staff, family and friends LAUGH.

    It seems so obvious once it is out there: Hope and Humor!

    Take care,

    Joe
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #7
    RogerRN43 said:

    Shining stars here...
    Hondo, you are a bonafide warrior in what you have been through.
    And to provide encouraging light in your posts to so many members really makes you a star.
    You too Sweets, that superthread is an amazing resource.

    I think it's perfectly normal for us to have times when we are down. Clinical depression is different and needs to be treated.

    My good friend and neighbour asked me to wear clown shoes with different bows to each of my rad sessions.
    No matter what problems he brings up about himself, I reply "... but is it cancer?", I beat him every time, and we laugh.
    I was pretending to pour cranberry juice all over his new beige couch the other day and I said, "Whatya gonna do about it? I have cancer".
    The night before my tonsillectomy, he encouraged me to eat 5 BigMacs (I didn't of course).

    Yep, we just gotta laugh sometimes.

    Don’t over do laughter

    As good as laughter is I need to be careful that I don’t over do it. I got together with some of my buddy one day and it turned into a Cajun joke contest really fast. I laugh so hard at times I hurt my Jaw and all most fell to the ground dying with laughter till my stomach hurt.

    If you never heard Cajun jokes I suggest looking them up on Google or getting a Cajun book, but you will miss the Cajun flare in the way they talk.

    Take care
    Hondo
  • Greend
    Greend Member Posts: 678
    #8
    sweetblood22 said:

    One if the things I do, for
    One if the things I do, for better or worse, is make stupid and often inappropiate jokes, at stressful times, when I probably shouldn't be making jokes. Like at the doctors office.

    Keeping a sense of humour and laughing helps a lot. I always say that they only took out my salivary gland, 23 lymph nodes and my tumor, but they left my sense of humor intact, because they knew I was going to need it.

    Love to watch my favorite movies, watch comedies (Monty Pythons Flying Circus) and listen to my favorite music. All good mood elevators.

    wrong times
    I certainly can "name that tune" and am guilty of the same far too often.
  • ac
    ac Member Posts: 88 Member
    #9
    Great to see you back
    Hi Roger, great to see you posting again. Welcome back!
  • pattyanny
    pattyanny Member Posts: 544
    #10
    I am glad I am not alone in
    I am glad I am not alone in this depression also. I usually pray through the sadness, or read the Good Book. Lately it has enveloped me, and I cannot shake the sadness and loneliness. I plan on getting out this weekend with friends, so I have hope! Hope is very important! :)
    Going through treatment handling depression was easier because I would interact with the staff and enjoyed making them laugh with my sarcastic sense of humor. Lately it has been rough, with the colder weather moving in, and many friends have dropped by the wayside. I know this is just another phase, and praying I will be up & about soon. I am seeing the Oncologist tomorrow.
    Thanks Roger for the post - great idea!
    Healing Love & Prayers for all! Patty
  • pattyanny
    pattyanny Member Posts: 544
    #11
    I am glad I am not alone in
    I am glad I am not alone in this depression also. I usually pray through the sadness, or read the Good Book. Lately it has enveloped me, and I cannot shake the sadness and loneliness. I plan on getting out this weekend with friends, so I have hope! Hope is very important! :)
    Going through treatment handling depression was easier because I would interact with the staff and enjoyed making them laugh with my sarcastic sense of humor. Lately it has been rough, with the colder weather moving in, and many friends have dropped by the wayside. I know this is just another phase, and praying I will be up & about soon. I am seeing the Oncologist tomorrow.
    Thanks Roger for the post - great idea!
    Healing Love & Prayers for all! Patty
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #12
    pattyanny said:

    I am glad I am not alone in
    I am glad I am not alone in this depression also. I usually pray through the sadness, or read the Good Book. Lately it has enveloped me, and I cannot shake the sadness and loneliness. I plan on getting out this weekend with friends, so I have hope! Hope is very important! :)
    Going through treatment handling depression was easier because I would interact with the staff and enjoyed making them laugh with my sarcastic sense of humor. Lately it has been rough, with the colder weather moving in, and many friends have dropped by the wayside. I know this is just another phase, and praying I will be up & about soon. I am seeing the Oncologist tomorrow.
    Thanks Roger for the post - great idea!
    Healing Love & Prayers for all! Patty

    Hi Patty
    I know it is hard and I like you have many of those bad days. Sometime I get up in the morning and for some reason will be crying as I get dressed and get ready for work. I sit down on the bed chest and hold my head because I don’t know what else to do. Somehow by praying I just get the strength to get up and move forward and start the day, thank you Lord.

    Keeping you in prayer
    Hondo
  • pattyanny
    pattyanny Member Posts: 544
    #13
    Hondo said:

    Hi Patty
    I know it is hard and I like you have many of those bad days. Sometime I get up in the morning and for some reason will be crying as I get dressed and get ready for work. I sit down on the bed chest and hold my head because I don’t know what else to do. Somehow by praying I just get the strength to get up and move forward and start the day, thank you Lord.

    Keeping you in prayer
    Hondo

    Thank you Hondo for your
    Thank you Hondo for your candid post. You are amazing that, after all you have been through, you go to work each day! That is some accomplishment & you should be proud of yourself! You probably feel better once you do.
    I am trying to work through this with prayer, and hopefully find a support group in my area. As we have discussed before - Our God is amazing, and answers all prayers! I will be praying harder for you, as we struggle with yet another affliction, thanks to this terrible disease. I know I am blessed to still be here, and to have CSN friends like you in my life. That alone pushes me to keep putting one foot in front of the other. Lately, it has been the old swan dive, back into bed and under the covers! I vow that changes today, thanks to your post and His mercy and grace.
    God bless you!
    Keep believing! Love Patty
  • palmyrafan
    palmyrafan Member Posts: 396
    #14
    sweetblood22 said:

    One if the things I do, for
    One if the things I do, for better or worse, is make stupid and often inappropiate jokes, at stressful times, when I probably shouldn't be making jokes. Like at the doctors office.

    Keeping a sense of humour and laughing helps a lot. I always say that they only took out my salivary gland, 23 lymph nodes and my tumor, but they left my sense of humor intact, because they knew I was going to need it.

    Love to watch my favorite movies, watch comedies (Monty Pythons Flying Circus) and listen to my favorite music. All good mood elevators.

    I agree
    that a positive attitude and a sense of humor are necessary to navigate this horrific jungle we all find ourselves in.

    I try to find at least one positive thing every single day and at least one thing every day that I am joyful for or feel Blessed about.

    For instance, when the doctors tell me something I don't necessarily want to hear or agree with, I try to spin it with, "yes, but at least it's still manageable" or "it's not as bad as I thought it would be".

    I don't watch a lot of tv but I do have a few favorite shows on Sunday and Tuesday nights. I also listen to music through my headphones (I must be the only person on the planet who actually enjoys Yanni), I enjoy doing genealogy, etc. Anything that will help keep me occupied and focused on something other than the obvious.

    My husband is also great at lifting my spirits. He'll suggest we go for a walk, try cooking a new dish, etc. and it almost always works. Besides, he is one of the very few people I know who has a joke or smart-a** comment for everything so I'm almost always laughing.

    Thanks for re-starting this thread. I think we can learn a great deal from each other on how to cope and keep a positive attitude.
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #15
    pattyanny said:

    Thank you Hondo for your
    Thank you Hondo for your candid post. You are amazing that, after all you have been through, you go to work each day! That is some accomplishment & you should be proud of yourself! You probably feel better once you do.
    I am trying to work through this with prayer, and hopefully find a support group in my area. As we have discussed before - Our God is amazing, and answers all prayers! I will be praying harder for you, as we struggle with yet another affliction, thanks to this terrible disease. I know I am blessed to still be here, and to have CSN friends like you in my life. That alone pushes me to keep putting one foot in front of the other. Lately, it has been the old swan dive, back into bed and under the covers! I vow that changes today, thanks to your post and His mercy and grace.
    God bless you!
    Keep believing! Love Patty

    Hi Patty

    It will be hard at first but as with me I just start singing one-day at a time sweet Jesus that all I am asking from you, just give the strength I need one day at a time. I learned that from watching my Wife praying for me while while doing a doctor visit and I was very depressed that day, but she lifted me up by seeing her singing that.

    Thanks you Lord for all you do
    Hondo
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    #16
    pattyanny said:

    Thank you Hondo for your
    Thank you Hondo for your candid post. You are amazing that, after all you have been through, you go to work each day! That is some accomplishment & you should be proud of yourself! You probably feel better once you do.
    I am trying to work through this with prayer, and hopefully find a support group in my area. As we have discussed before - Our God is amazing, and answers all prayers! I will be praying harder for you, as we struggle with yet another affliction, thanks to this terrible disease. I know I am blessed to still be here, and to have CSN friends like you in my life. That alone pushes me to keep putting one foot in front of the other. Lately, it has been the old swan dive, back into bed and under the covers! I vow that changes today, thanks to your post and His mercy and grace.
    God bless you!
    Keep believing! Love Patty

    Old swan dive
    I hear ya sista from anotha mista.

    <3,

    Dawn *waving from her bed, under not covers at the moment, but under Nizzy*....as warm and cozy as covers- same diff.

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