How to handle anxiety, stress and depression now that I was diagnosed?

Hi! Thanks for reaching out. Right now I have Lorazepam and it seems to help.
I think the worst part for me is the cancer spreading so quickly. In October 2024 all scans were clear. Had plaque put in and biopsy done; biopsy came back inconclusive which was a little disappointing, then I started hearing folks say “don’t do the biopsy.” I still wonder if that is what caused the cancer to spread? My next scans were February 2025 and that is when Mets showed up in liver. Now I’m Stage 4 liver cancer. We have talked to Dr Wong, my oncologist about immunotherapy like ivermectin and fenden, she is telling us no, not
yet. I am having other Y90 June 2, then begin Kimmtrex a couple weeks after that.
Thanks for letting me vent!
Kay

@mandi123 Oh, I'm saddened to hear this. I'm not a medical provider so I can't give you information on the outcomes of a biopsy. Did you ask your doctor the question that folks kept saying to you about "don't do the biopsy"?

I'd like to suggest that you read the very helpful information that our Connect Director @colleenyoung posted about ivermectin.

-- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/1310561/

What immunotherapy options has Dr. Wong suggested to you? June 2 is coming up fast so I am hoping that your next treatments are helpful to you.

You are very welcome--this is the place to vent and share one's fears, and one's hopes.

Cymbalta has helped with the hopelessness I was feeling when I woke up. It also seems to help with fatigue a bit. I am taking 30 mg in the morning. That is the lowest dose.

Hello @mandi123,

It might put your mind at ease if you were to get a second opinion about the course of your treatment. Here is a link to an article from Mayo Clinic on that topic.

--- Tips for Seeking a Second Opinion,
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/cancer-education-center/newsfeed-post/tips-for-seeking-a-second-opinion/
I would certainly suggest that this second opinion be obtained from a cancer center of excellence such as the Mayo Clinic (here is a link to appointment information for all of Mayo's three locations), http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63).

If an appointment at a Mayo facility is not possible, you might reach out to the American Cancer Society (ACS) to see if they know of an oncologist in your area who specializes in treating this type of cancer. Here is a link to the ACS website where you can find resources that might help in your search for a second opinion. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/making-treatment-decisions.html

I hope that you can feel more confident about the treatment plan that is being suggested for you. Will you post again with an update?

Hi. I believe that it’s called Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. I had to go through that for my depression and anxiety. I’m not sure if you have that Cancer Wellness Center. They offer 10 sessions for free and they have other activities and support groups that you can choose from to get all the support, information, and skills you need. I still come in for those assistance. And all are free!
I hope you find what you need. It’s not an easy journey. I understand. I’m going through my own. Take care.

When I was newly diagnosed with mental illness(es), I felt like my world was crumbling. The worse thing in my family was to turn out like my grandma, my dad’s mom, and there I was.
I have bipolar II disorder. I describe to people who don’t know the difference as bipolar light. What really helped me in the early years was attending meetings of NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness. They’re peer to peer meetings, facilitated by an experienced member. You’re able to ask questions, see how other people deal with their illnesses, get ideas that you might not receive from doctors or therapists. It gave me permission to be messed up some days and helped me to learn how to deal with bad days (and good days).
Here is the link to their meetings. I hope there’s one in your area.
https://www.nami.org/findsupport/

I was diagnosed with a lung disease which was quite aggressive and required a lung transplant I had many times when I died and was revived. I would feel a tingling in my head due to lack of oxygen and then wake up in Intensive care. In my mind I experienced pleasant thoughts, for five weeks the doctors hounded my wife to turn of the life support, while I was living in another dimension. When I came to, I was floating in and out and that world blended with the real world, it essentially became my reality. It was far from unpleasant, it was weird but not unpleasant. Treat your physical symptoms and get our affairs in order. You should not suffer regardless, when you see a child less than 5 years old getting chemo think of everything you have done and achieved that that child never got to do. I hope with all my heart you manage to pull through, my chances were 5%. But if you don't, please make sure you take whatever you need to not suffer. My mother decided to be a pariah and was anti-medication due to stigmas. Eventually I talked her into taking what was necessary, her journey was peaceful and most importantly painless. She was suffering the same disease as me (very similar) and slowly losing the ability to breathe, I can tell you I would rather just get hit by a car than go through that, but I did and was lucky enough to get a lung transplant. I am not sure if this will make sense to you, but I wish they pulled the plug because surviving in my case leaves me suffering every day with limitations and medications that are cytotoxic (cause cancer). My thoughts are with you, and I hope you get the best outcome for you.

I was told when I was in outpatient treatment that I have a cognitive learning disorder. I don’t learn by seeing or reading (instructions), I learn by doing. I thought that was “normal”, that everyone was that way. But it does explain a lot. I give myself a break now and try to explain to people, especially if training for a job, that I learn by repetition.

How great that you discovered something new about your learning style, @hraka13. That helps you to understand yourself better, and I like what you said about giving yourself a break now. Self-understanding certainly can lessen anxiety!

I appreciate you sharing!

Hi. I have cognitive impairment disorder and it affects my speech. There are several ways of learning besides reading and hearing. I agree. I’m glad that you’re able to cope and adjust. I’m still learning skills from my speech therapist.
I’m also glad that you’re still able to work. I would love to be able to do that one day. Take care.