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Emotional health after cancer: How are you doing really?
Cancer: Managing Symptoms | Last Active: Oct 31 4:04pm | Replies (272)Comment receiving replies
The emotional roller coaster of cancer drastically effects your life.
I am 64 women with breast cancer living by myself. I have finished my scheduled treatments and in Dec will have scans done to verify no cancer remains. At first friends and family are very supported. Like dianamiracle, a nurse from Blue Cross even called to see talk about treatments.
Now that I am done with treatment, people think your cured and life goes back to normal. I might look better on the outside, but the mind and body is still recovering. You have the fear that the next test may show more cancer. I still have problems with fatigue and being nausea, and then there is side effect of drugs.
After isolating for over year due to fatigue and not wanting to be exposed to germs, I am slowing adding activities to my life. At this stage, I thing being around people and exercising benefits me the most.
I do not think life will ever be the same as before cancer, I just have to accept a new normal.
Laurie
Replies to "The emotional roller coaster of cancer drastically effects your life. I am 64 women with breast..."
I am working full time now after I had my kidney removed in May and I don’t have the energy level I once had. So I look OK on the outside but I tire more easily and I can be an emotional wreck on some days. I have scans this month so I have scanxiety. My friends don’t get it that things are different now after a cancer diagnosis. My life will never be the same. I am getting accustomed to my new normal as it unfolds. It’s like a “re birth” of sorts. Priorities have changed my goal is to simply my life. You need to do whatever works best for you! Cancer patients all need and deserve on going care not just medical but emotional as well. I feel insurance companies should include home health visits for all patients that have gone through treatment especially for people who live alone. One may not have cancer in their body right now but the emotional scars cancer leaves behind deserve attention. My PCP asked me , “ so you’re ok now?” as he was walking out the door. My oncologists never ask how I am dealing with a cancer diagnosis their focus is medical. I am glad this site is here. I find it very helpful. I hope your scans are clean in December Laurie. I love your pic looks like you have a best friend!
Hello Laurie no you’re right life will never be the same it will be better!! And you’ll go through the tests with anxiety but happiness when you get a clean bill of health. I was diagnosed in 1995 with breast cancer 1 month after my wedding. Appts are still a little unnerving but it does get a lot better as the tests come back clear. You’ll be ok I’m 25 years now and life isn’t the same because my cancer journey made me appreciate life so much more. My positive vibes are coming your way 👍🏻🌻
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I am in my late 70's and just had surgery for what was referred to as early lung cancer. My wife and daughter both have great cancer and my daughter is 48 and has completed a lt of treatment. They will have their annual exams this month and I will go back in 2 months for another scan. Yes we have a new normal but I have learned that life is full of change even on a daily basis. Our future was unknown even before cancer, and I try to guide myself by recognizing that there are new and very effective treatments for cancer especially immune therapy which has been working.My doctors mother is 84 and was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer. She was treated and now is on a form of immune therapy and is in remission, and playing tennis. Let's all hope and pray together. Good Thoughts.