Emotional health after cancer: How are you doing really?

I know exactly how you are feeling & your anxiety. It's been 30yrs since I faced the biggest hurdle I have had to deal with. Unless you have had cancer no one fully understands the inner trauma that comes with it. I still have PTSD. Every twinge or pain I immediately think...has it come back? I have ongoing quite serious side affects from the radiation I received. Day to day is a real bloody struggle, but life does goes on & we as survivors must look at it. We are still here on Earth even though we may still go through hell & back sometimes. Stay positive & don't let the no hugs or comments from people put you in a sad place. They just simply DONT understand. Not their fault. I think it frightens them to talk about that word! On a lighter note, all the very best for your future & when you think you can't get through it, maybe give this conversation a thought....we are STILL here. Regards Donna from Queensland Australia

@bpknitter53 It’s so true. Self-care comes in so many ways and there are days that one thing works and another day that doesn’t work as well. I agree that getting suggestions from others is helpful and increases the possibility that we will find something for ourselves.

We’ve adopted a new strategy I read about recently in The NY Times. At least I have. When I intuit that my partner needs support (no surprise that I might be better at this than he is!) I can say “Do you want to be helped, heard or hugged?”. I told him about this and he liked the idea. Let’s see if we can use it in actual practice.

I am still waiting for a complete picture of my cancer. More tests scheduled. The anxiety is overwhelming and I so appreciated your words. Just started meditation with an online 5 minute deep breathing session. It's something else to try and occupy your mind even for those few minutes. We work so hard keeping our minds in a positive place during these times. Wish you all the best in your recovery.💕💕

I too know the anxiety of the future after cancer.
Rare tumor of the brain, craniotomy on Feb 28,
Just finished 6 weeks of daily radiation.
MRI next week to see if small piece of tumor is gone.
Every ache and pain scares me. Walking and Yoga are my go to supports.
I believe God is in control.

I know exactly how you are feeling & your anxiety. It's been 30yrs since I faced the biggest hurdle I have had to deal with. Unless you have had cancer no one fully understands the inner trauma that comes with it. I still have PTSD. Every twinge or pain I immediately think...has it come back? I have ongoing quite serious side affects from the radiation I received. Day to day is a real bloody struggle, but life does goes on & we as survivors must look at it. We are still here on Earth even though we may still go through hell & back sometimes. Stay positive & don't let the no hugs or comments from people put you in a sad place. They just simply DONT understand. Not their fault. I think it frightens them to talk about that word! On a lighter note, all the very best for your future & when you think you can't get through it, maybe give this conversation a thought....we are STILL here. Regards Donna from Queensland Australia

Hi!
Today I went for my yearly mammogram. The scar from my lumpectomy 8yrs ago kept me in limbo, or on the hot seat, for an hour and a half. Talk about major increased anxiety, sweating, feeling as if I would throw up, trying to control my emotions, and praying continuously!! I wanted to just run out of there! When I was told it was fine, and I could leave, I was in such a fog, and had a 20 minute drive in rush hour traffic. I don't know how I made it through that, except to say I believe in God, and know he has different plans for me! Tonight I feel as if I have run a marathon. I am mentally and physically exhausted. I arrived optimistic and outgoing, without any anxiety, and left there glazed over. Humans are very resilient, minds and body. I pray that at my next mammogram I will arrive in the same state of mind! Hugs and prayers for all here!

I understand totally 💯 %
I am a 6 year survivor of endometrial cancer (full hysterectomy, 6mo chemo, 6weeks daily radiation Treatments and generally am my same optimistic self until about a mo before my every 6 mo Pap and bloodwork; then have to wait about 2 weeks for results. It’s always harder for me to sleep and feel pretty anxious as I await results.
I also still have Chemo port in my chest I think because my main oncologist doesn’t believe I will not have cancer again at some point. Have to get a port flush every 3 mo.
So though I have my energy back I don’t have my lovely blonde hair any more; it grew back but is darker and so thin. Eye lashes haven’t grown in much either.
I think my hubby, family and even female friends all think I should be lucky to be alive. Well I am but everything I went through was difficult and though they tell me I “look great” I know I don’t look like I used too…also have after affects from so much radiation with dental problems and lots of bone pain.
I am sad to say but I think if you have major surgery, chemo, and radiation you probably live with some psychological damage for the rest of your life.
I believe in telling the truth and not sugar coating any of this
Wishing you the best < 3