Emotional health after cancer: How are you doing really?

I was very interested in your thoughtful post. Today we go to the cancer center for the very first time for my husbands pancreatic cancer. I will pay very close attention.

I am happy to hear your lab work is normal. That is a win in anyone’s books. I too have found scans to cause anxiety. I concur that friends are great but not always what we need in the moment. It is comforting to know that your dog provides a great amount of comfort, pets do indeed have a calming effect. Never feel bad that your mood is not exactly the same as the next person. Treatments and that knowledge of having cancer effects us all in different manners. Have you tried a “meditation” app when your anxiety builds?

I have the same feelings as you have. I'am trying to get up each day and go to my office for at least a while, go for a short walk and I have found reading books on my IPAD to to very helpful in reliving some stress. I am doing whatever I can to return to what normal used to be. This is not where I want to be but we are all here. Have a good day.

I appreciate your thoughts Bob. I have never tried meditation before. It’s worth a try. That just might help.

I am happy to hear your lab work is normal. That is a win in anyone’s books. I too have found scans to cause anxiety. I concur that friends are great but not always what we need in the moment. It is comforting to know that your dog provides a great amount of comfort, pets do indeed have a calming effect. Never feel bad that your mood is not exactly the same as the next person. Treatments and that knowledge of having cancer effects us all in different manners. Have you tried a “meditation” app when your anxiety builds?

Time is moving forward but sometimes I feel like I am standing still and life is moving forward and it’s a blur. I take one day at a time one moment at a time as well. I believe it is a protective defense mechanism. Some days are better than others. I also notice at my cancer center some patients seem happy while I dread being there. There is laughter while I feel like crying. It is all a matter of prospective. I don’t want to be a cancer patient but I am. I think because it is still new to me. It’s been 4 months since my surgery. I have scans this month so that is making me nervous. Scanxiety is a word someone coined and it is appropriate. I have it and I need to practice to be positive because I need to be scanned. My lab work is normal I just found out yesterday. That made me glad. Living with a cancer diagnosis is rough. It takes a toll. You must do what feels best! Some days I want to be around friends other days I prefer to be alone. My dog is a great comfort. He is always there for me. He makes me laugh. He can be such a silly boy. I relish in the simple things and that helps me. I also take lots of walks it clears my mind. Keep strong and push forward. No one has a promise of tomorrow.

First you are a very excellent writer and I share your thoughts. After going through VAT surgery a few weeks ago I am slowly feeling better. I had a follow up with the surgeon and I don't need chemo now and that was very helpful. Throughout the entire process I have not heard an encouraging word. I first began my journey at Mayo and then had surgery in Chicago to be near my family. I no longer read the information on the internet as it is too depressing. The health care providers are so accustomed to dealing with cancer they seem to ignore our emotional side. I am trying to get back to what used to be normal but it is a struggle. When I went back to the oncology department for my post op visit there were many patients with various types of cancer and all ages, but mostly older look me. I was amazed that they seemed to be in good spirits and I said to one of them that this is not where I want to be. She replied that we were in good hands. So knowing we are in good hands with our medical team and the Lord will guide us through our journey. For me I am trying to take one day at a time and on occasion one hour a time.

This may sound a bit out of the norm, but Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Florida called me "out of the blue" to see how i was doing. They have a free program where certain people are flagged in the system if it appears they are going thru extreme medical situations. This is a RN, and she was very good about asking the right questions. I had pancreatic and metastatic breast cancers simultaneously. Depression was the worst. i would sit and just cry a few times every day just because. She recommended me seeing a psychologist and gave me a list of doctors in my area from which i could choose. I am not on any medication for this, but she is a licensed professional who has helped me so much thru my ordeal. Although I still feel sad/depressed at times, it is much better. As i am emerging from the chemicals (chemo, radiation and pills), procedures and surgeries, I can't recall the past two years. But it does get better if you find someone to talk it out with. I was never a believer in this, but it works. Support groups can depress you as well, so please be careful with them. Good luck in your search - once you find the right person to talk with you will see that it will make you better.