Cancer Survivor anxiety & depression support group

Hi @jiffer69 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. We're happy to be your online support group with the advantage that you can connect with someone any time from wherever you are. I have moved your message to the Cancer: Managing Symptoms group: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/cancer-managing-symptoms/

In this group, you will find members talking about anxiety, depression and PTSD. Check out these discussions:
- Facing Cancer Recurrence, PTSD & Acknowledging Mental Health https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/facing-cancer-recurrence-ptsd-acknowledging-mental-health/
- Anxiety due to Cancer https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/anxiety-due-to-cancer/
- Emotional health after cancer https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/emotional-health-after-cancer/

Fellow members like @merpreb @grandpabob @azkidney57 @cwm1 and others know the emotional toll of cancer. Like you @travelgirl is a two-time cancer survivor. AZKidney may have some Arizona support group tips for you.

In the meantime, Jiffer. Let's get to know a bit more about you. Are you currently in treatment? Did you have to manage anxiety, depression and PTSD before cancer and it became worse or did the emotional upheaval start with cancer? Share as you feel comfortable.

@jiffer69- Good morning and welcome to Connect and the Cancer Management group. I am a 22 years lung cancer survivor and have struggled with PTSD and all it encompasses for the past 12 years. I am a mentor for Connect and you can mostly find me in the lung cancer group and managing cancer group.
I would have answered this before but NE was hit by a terrible, unexpected storm and we lost power until yesterday, mid-afternoon.
I was looking for just what you are more than a year ago and found Connect. I find that writing and reading many posts from all over the world and many different experiences, and a lot of feed back to be more valuable than a support group in a certain socioeconomic area where you meet once a month. I would be glad to talk with you here anytime that you are ready to. Would you like to talk with me?

I’m responding even though I don’t have cancer. I had a sudden onset of an autoimmune disease that the doctors here knew nothing about. It has definitely changed my life! But this group has helped me so much. I can whine and complain and ask for help and no one minds. And, thru all my experiences “in the system” I can help others, too.

Good morning @jiffer69 - I haven't heard back from you and wondering if I can be of any further help?

Hi. Right now I have expanders and have to decide if I want to use my own tissue or silicone. Any ideas on which works better? I had a double mastectomy a month ago. Thanks

Silicone can cause problems. It is a much longer healing time for natural tissue, but so worth it in the long run. This from experience only with natural tissue.

How long does it take and how long will I need someone staying with me?

Natural tissue will initially take a few months and a more full recovery will be 6-12 months depending on your strength and personal healing abilities

Good Morning! I apologize for not getting back to you! I thought connecting with this would help me but actually I just got overwhelmed with all the different emails I was getting. Maybe it was because I joined several groups and not just one! So you live in New England?

@jiffer69- We are a welcoming bunch for sure. We are also trying not to do just this. Yes, NE. It's beautiful here now. Tell me how I can best help you with your anxiety and PTSD from having cancer. What worries you the most?