1. < Cancer: Managing Symptoms

Facing Cancer Recurrence, PTSD & Acknowledging Mental Health

Posted by Merry, Alumni Mentor @merpreb, Dec 6, 2018

It's extremely difficult to face the fact of recurring cancers. After treatments we try and get away from it all and live our life. Then along comes another CT scan or PET scan and POW, you have to face another cancer. My reaction was developing PTSD.

You can read what I wrote in my blog: https://my20yearscancer.com/blog/
How do we cope? How do we react? What do we do?
How have you all reacted to another cancer? Or the possibility of another one? Has your "already compromised" mental health been able to deal with it? How? Or not?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Cancer: Managing Symptoms Support Group.

bjh369 | @bjh369 | Mar 24, 2019
In reply to @merpreb "@lady1lake- Oh no! I'm so sorry that things are getting more complicated. Did you say that..." + (show)
@merpreb

@lady1lake- Oh no! I'm so sorry that things are getting more complicated. Did you say that you had a brain MRI? Did it show anything?

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I thought I had mine figured out but the MRI showed a new glioblastoma is trying to form in the same area that the old one was cut out of:( Now I have to decide if I want to pursue a trial or go back on high does maintenance of temozolomide to maybe get a few more months of life.
That's hard because a trial is just a trial and you don't know what you'll get or what side effects it will produce........I have to let my doctor know by next Thursday....oh my:(

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1 reply
alamogal635 | @alamogal635 | Mar 24, 2019
In reply to @bjh369 "I thought I had mine figured out but the MRI showed a new glioblastoma is trying..." + (show)
@bjh369

I thought I had mine figured out but the MRI showed a new glioblastoma is trying to form in the same area that the old one was cut out of:( Now I have to decide if I want to pursue a trial or go back on high does maintenance of temozolomide to maybe get a few more months of life.
That's hard because a trial is just a trial and you don't know what you'll get or what side effects it will produce........I have to let my doctor know by next Thursday....oh my:(

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That is a tough choice. Whatever you decide, it must be what is comfortable fro you. What does this new trial offer? Yes you could be one who gets the new medicine, or one who does not.Does the new medicine offer to completely remove the glioblastoma If you didn't get the medicine, can you easily go back on the high dose of temozolomide? Whatever you decide, keep on posting here and know you are in my thoughts and prayers.

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1 reply
alamogal635 | @alamogal635 | Mar 24, 2019
In reply to @lady1lake "Thank you alamogal635. I did not get in touch with the neurologist about the MRI results..." + (show)
@lady1lake

Thank you alamogal635. I did not get in touch with the neurologist about the MRI results yet. Will try again on Monday. Am now having daily right eye pain & head aches in the right temple. Once one has an aggressive form of cancer It causes concern about the spread of it where the pain is located. Will see our optometrist on Monday. This journey gets more complicated.

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Gosh, I hope you can get in touch with your neurologist. Hope it is soon. Hate for you to be in pain. Please keep me posted and wishing you a respite from the pain. Take care.

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bjh369 | @bjh369 | Mar 24, 2019
In reply to @alamogal635 "That is a tough choice. Whatever you decide, it must be what is comfortable fro you...." + (show)
@alamogal635

That is a tough choice. Whatever you decide, it must be what is comfortable fro you. What does this new trial offer? Yes you could be one who gets the new medicine, or one who does not.Does the new medicine offer to completely remove the glioblastoma If you didn't get the medicine, can you easily go back on the high dose of temozolomide? Whatever you decide, keep on posting here and know you are in my thoughts and prayers.

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Thanks for ur feedback. I appreciate it.

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lady1lake | @lady1lake | Mar 24, 2019
In reply to @alamogal635 "Gosh, I hope you can get in touch with your neurologist. Hope it is soon. Hate..." + (show)
@alamogal635

Gosh, I hope you can get in touch with your neurologist. Hope it is soon. Hate for you to be in pain. Please keep me posted and wishing you a respite from the pain. Take care.

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@alamogal635, thank you for your kind comments. Am finding that Tylenol capsules dull the pain, but not totally do away with pain.

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alamogal635 | @alamogal635 | Mar 24, 2019

Am glad something is dulling the pain that works fro you. FYI, Tylenol makes and extra strength 8 hour relief form that I find helps for arthritis and ha helped with my after surgery pain. It is hard to find here, but I can find it on good old Amazon.

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1 reply
1943 | @1943 | Mar 25, 2019

I find Tylenol extra strength helps a little bit not like ibuprofen

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Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Mar 29, 2019
In reply to @alamogal635 "Am glad something is dulling the pain that works fro you. FYI, Tylenol makes and extra..." + (show)
@alamogal635

Am glad something is dulling the pain that works fro you. FYI, Tylenol makes and extra strength 8 hour relief form that I find helps for arthritis and ha helped with my after surgery pain. It is hard to find here, but I can find it on good old Amazon.

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@alamogal635- How are you feeling? has you pain subsided? How is your breathing?

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alamogal635 | @alamogal635 | Mar 29, 2019

@merrpreb I am doing well for 3 weeks post surgery. Have seen several doctors, had my stitches removed yesterday, met a pulmonologist and had him check me out--all seems all right. Week after next will meet with my oncologist so he can follow me via CT scans and whatever. Pain is very slight--hurts more where my bra goes than anywhere else. Breathing is good and I"m no longer using oxygen. Thank you for asking. I haven't posted here for a while--been focusing on doctors, but I do read the posts. Just got home and saw your kind e mail. Hope you have a wonderful weekend.

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Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Mar 29, 2019

@alamogal635- Sounds like you have everything under control. I'm so glad that are feeling better. Here's a few suggestions
https://www.gentlebra.com/ Also try a sports bra Have a wonderful weekend too.

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