Hello @wkindel

It is nice to meet you here on Mayo Connect. I can certainly understand your anxieties and concerns. I also understand how those feelings can disturb your sleep and keep you from feeling your best. I have had three surgeries for a rare type of cancer of the digestive tract, neuroendocrine tumors (NET or sometimes referred to as carcinoid). I remember before the first surgery having nightmares and feelings of panic about what was coming up. As the recurrences occurred, the anxiety was still there, but not quite as forceful. I would certainly recommend, as Colleen has mentioned, beginning to talk about your feelings as you have here on Connect. We are always happy to listen - we are patients, like you, and we understand.

There are a lot of self help techniques as well,here is the website where you can sign up and join Dr. Sood's online course about living stress free: http://stressfree.org/happiness/

Many of us followed this plan last year and we all benefited from it.

Are you engaged in any yoga or Tai-Chi classes? They are an important way to deal with stress as well. You can practice the movements in the evening before going to bed and it will help you to calm down. You can also buy DVDs (or rent them from your library) and practice them at home. I have numerous exercise DVDs that help me to deal with the stress of chronic illness and all of the "what ifs" that can cycle through your mind day and night.

Please keep posting and let us know how you are doing. We are "all ears" here at Mayo Connect and we value all the posts we receive.

Teresa