Depression and Anxiety after Cancer Diagnosis

aamdsi said:

Am still terrified

Only 12 weeks post partial, but I still am terrifed of the whole thing.  They say only 15% chance of coming back, yet that's still 15%. I actually wake upmat night telling myself that dreams are silly - I have cancer.   Every twing, ping or ache scares me that it's returning or I have done something wrong.

i know that I am just being stupid.  I am back into my training, planting my gardens, playing with 2 yr granddaughter, work and all - and feeling fine most of the time.  Yet, sitting quietly somewhere, late at night, watching a dumb ad on TV can bring the fears back in tidal waves.  I try to hide it from my family, my husband's father is on the last months/weeks of Alzhimeirs (Spelling) and he has been there for both his father and mother through it all.  So adding to his stress in not my plan.  My daughter has just gotten her feet under her and I don't wany to burden her.  so.....

I see my surgeon next week, just office visit - no scans.  Blood tests an all that, I am not really sure what else.

I feel so alone.

But I think I will try your little "5 minute" idea, Galrim.  Can't hurt, right?  Anyway, it is a beautiful Memorial day here.  Running shoes and gardens are calling.  And for a few moments I will push the C demon back into its cell. 

aamsdi,

It is still pretty early days from diagnosis and surgery, you are bound to be still in a state of shock, and finding it difficult to process all of this. Having a cancer diagnosis shakes your world to its foundations. Unfortunately we tend to dwell on the negative and ignore the positives. There may be a 15% chance of reoccurrence but there is also 85% chance of remaining clear, that is a very high percentage. Remember stress is our worst enemy and cancers best friend, try to concentrate on the good chance that you will have a cancer clear future to look forward to.

All the best:)

Djinnie x

Thank you, djinnie.  do try to find the bright side since feeling sorry for myself isn't my style.  Hopefully time will lessen the worry and stress. 

Apny, maybe if we "team up" we can beat the shadows away.  8-). 

Just am glad I founs this site. Helps to have others "around"

safado said:

So, for the lucky 85% - does

So, for the lucky 85% - does life become a series of 6-month waiting games??

 

Anxiety and depression - that sums it up nicely.

 

It's going to take some doing to get used to "time-bomb" living.  The new paranoia awaits...

It is a shock to be diagnosed with cancer. There are no do-overs. But here you are. You have a good prognosis. So with more time you will be able to go on living. You'll be ok.

safado, that is how you do this. Otherwise you are only wasting time on the negative thoughts. But believe me, you will never stop thinking about cancer. If you are going to live or die, move forward. You have to learn that you are living with cancer. Not dieing from cancer. It makes all the difference in the world. But takes practice.

I had my radical open nephrectomy last September and was stage IV right out of the gate because of a secondary tumor on my adrenal gland.  Even though my urologist was "cautiously optimistic" I was not too surprised when my first post op scan in January showed small lung mets.

But I have felt so much better after the nepnrectomy--my appetite returned, I gained weight, had more energy, etc.  So I don't regret for a minute having the kidney out since most of 2012 and 2013 I was pretty sick and we had no idea why.

I've got my fourth CT scan of the year next week--January 6 was initial diagnosis of lung mets, Feb 24 was admission for IL-2, April 21 was first post IL-2 scan which showed a halt in progression and if my scan next week is good I guess we will schedule another round of IL-2 this summer.