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Emotional health after cancer: How are you doing really?
Cancer: Managing Symptoms | Last Active: Mar 30 8:05pm | Replies (257)Comment receiving replies
These are very powerful, valid and true feelings.
Thank you for sharing your feelings. I hope it was a healthy, productive mental release for you. I'm sorry for your diagnosis
I do not have cancer but diagnosed with a disease to which there is no cure or concrete treatment, yet.
I spend every Monday in the apherisis/Infusion unit of the hospital for over 5 hours. I am surrounded by patients of various needs. We all get wrist bands. People of all ages and walks of life. There is no discrimination when it comes to illness. My heart struggles when I hear babies crying and small children screaming. I sit there hooked up knowing there is nothing i can do to comfort them. Some days I'm not sure if i worry more for others or myself. I have been known to unhook for a rest room break and make my path past them to simply say hello, with a smile, and show them my wrist band too.
I hear what you say about the very common "how are you" question. It indeed is a loaded question. One that can have so many layers of an answer but in all honesty is just easier to reply "ok" to. My new reply has been, "hanging in" because generally I'm not "OK".
There have been many times during my infusion, as I sit alone, I have cried. At times peacefully to myself and other times behind the curtain uncontrollably.
It would be comforting to have someone on hand for mental support. That hug, the touch of a dog, etc...
I wish you the best in your journey and again thank you for being real with such sincerity. May good health find it's way to you both physically and mentally.
Rachel
Replies to "These are very powerful, valid and true feelings. Thank you for sharing your feelings. I hope..."
I am truly struggling so very badly and I have no clue as to why I can’t pull myself together emotionally. I have been so very depressed. Not going anywhere not clean, sometimes my hygiene is questionable I don’t understand. I made it through the chemo, a year of Herceptin infusions, implant infections, losing my right nipple, had oxygen chamber therapy 30 times I ended up having to do the diep flap had three fat grafting sessions and now my insurance refuses to pay for more even though it’s horrible looking. Anyway, I am on an antidepressant but I have no desire to do anything or see anyone I think I feel as if I don’t know who I am anymore. I was an RN for years now I can’t work because of fatigue and chemo fog. I am sorry guys I don’t mean to dump but I need help somehow something has got to change or help. I have never had these emotions of no self worth or whatever this is. Thanks for listening.
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You shouldn’t be alone during your infusions! That’s what mean that the emotional needs of anyone with a chronic disease process is often ignored. I use to work at a dialysis center and they had a lady that would visit patients and sit next to them. I thought what a great idea! I later found out the woman was there on her own and not a paid employee. Thank you for sharing. Rachel. I was touched by your story. We are not alone! Stay strong!