Emotions after a bad scan report

Emotions are difficult to control. They can be a force that takes over our lives for a time. What helps me is accepting the emotions as they arise (fighting often strengthens them). Then after a while, often a cleaning cry, I remember that they will subside. Gradually I focus my attention on something as simple as looking at a picture I love, remembering a joyful event, reading a good book or watching a movie, anything to help refocus my brain. I also am Catholic. My faith reminds me that everyone is or will suffer. It is through suffering that new life is offered. Know this, the suffering is real. Know this, it will not last. You will rejoice in a new understanding of your life. Be patient…

it is a heavy load for me to carry knowing i have cancer.
i've learned to accept the changes in healthcare and treatment options. i am grateful that the Lord created brilliant people that have developed so many treatment protocols. it truly is a blessing that we are living with cancer at this period of time. my grandmother died from stomach cancer and there were zero options for her.

try to find peace with the changes, have faith in the doctors when they determine the current treatment isn't enough and decide to try other drugs. these things will happen, cancer has the ability to evolve and mutant which leads to drug resistance.

Sending you a heartfelt hug. 💕 I’ve found that accepting my emotions — fully and without judgment — was one of the most healing steps I could take. For years, especially during my husband’s battle with colon cancer, I learned to “suck it up” and stay strong. But when it was my turn to face illness, I realized I needed to let myself cry, grieve the anticipated changes in my body and life, and release any expectations around “accepting” my new self on someone else’s timeline.
While I’m deeply grateful for where I am in my cancer journey, I’m also navigating a couple of other health challenges, plus one more that’s being monitored. I sometimes think of it as the fallout from years of caregiving. And like you, I lean into my faith. I trust that God will patiently walk with me while I find peace with all of this — I often think of how Paul asked three times for the thorn to be removed, and how that story reminds me that grace doesn’t always mean ease.
Be gentle with yourself. Your emotions are valid, and you are absolutely not alone. You have support, prayer, and a virtual hug waiting for you whenever you need it. 💜

@margitdill This is so difficult. Just when you think that progress is moving forward you find out progress has stopped and there is now another path to take. I’ve been through many medical and emotional challenges in my life. I agree with what others have written. I’ve learned that gritting my teeth, staying strong, whatever terms you prefer makes me feel more stressed, more down, and even more out of control. It’s been a process for me but once I have learned what is and what is not in my control I can become aware of acceptance. Acceptance is not about giving up. One can accept a reality and still have hope for a good outcome. For instance, you are still in treatment but the path for your treatment has changed. You are still working with your cancer care team and you still can decide whether or not you would like to take that new path of treatment with ENHERTU that has been recommended for you. This is an example of optimism plus working with your cancer care team.

What do you do to take care of yourself? Do you go for walks? Take a soothing bath? Allow yourself to cry? Pray?

Thank you for understanding … I’ve just been so up and down with the drugs … keytruda didn’t work … TIVDAK stopped working … I get a little hope then it is snatched away. My strategy has been acceptance and surrender to God …take everything a day at a time … intense Bible study and prayer. I have a huge support group of friends and family and I’m grateful for them every day.

Thank you! Very encouraging advice …. Yes faith is everything!!!!

Hello, I am currently on Enhertu, have been since November. The results have been VERY positive, my CA-125 dropped over 500 points. Biggest side effect for me is fatigue. The last scan showed I am at a plateau so will be adding Avastin. Anyone have info on Avastin???
Hang in there, we are lucky to have all the new medicines. I just keep trying a new one.
Sometimes I get really down but I try to think of positive things, like I just started being able to get a shower by myself again (with just a little help).
It is hard to move forward but yet I try!!!!! 😕🐱🚿

I hate cancer! Life was going along fabulously! I was “in shape” had lots of energy and a great life! I looked so forward to my future!
Then Stage 3 ovarian and endometrial cancer! I have a form of lynch syndrome genetically, and am also very prone to colon cancer! Who knew! I was so very healthy!
Now no ovaries or estrogen, and weakened from the results of chemotherapy.
So we have some excellent reasons to be pouty and depressed. Some times I have felt devastated in the past. I will feel that way again if I get a reoccurrence. I use prayer, solitude and a support system of friends, family, prayer and spiritual meetings at our Kingdom Hall. We are Jehovah’s Witnesses. Through our Bible studies we do keep our faith strong and stay very busy. That helps, but when looking into the face of death or reoccurring treatments and illness, it’s normal to become discouraged and emotional. I try to remind myself of all I have to be grateful for. One is I have access to great health care! Not every sick person on earth has that. It’s a shock when we realize how very vulnerable we all are. Life is truly a gift to be appreciated. So far it has all been about giving myself time for acceptance. Then coming into a place of joy finally, because happiness is a better way to spend my life, and it’s not over until it’s over. If I can’t change what’s happening, I want to have the peace and joy to love the rest of the life I have.

Thank you so much! You sound so much like me … in dealing with this. Tourism story could be my story… it is comforting to know I am not alone. I appreciate you and I appreciate that you shared this with me. Sending love ❤️

Typo … your not tourism!!!!