Emotions and anxiety with a cancer diagnosis: How do you cope?

Hey blackcat,
That is correct, 35 heavy radiation and 3 rounds of high dose Cisplatin.
So far I’ve been good but I have allot of after effects and not able to work but I’m 61 so I’m not expecting to return to work.

MOJO

You have had no treatment in seven years?

That's great that tv shows help. I really like the competition cooking shows, I used to be a cook. I hope the counseling will help too. Sorry to hear about your official diagnosis. Last month was bad for me but I'm feeling better now. I started a new chemo regimen and I'm hopeful it'll work quickly and relieve some of my pain.

Hello,
The emotions that come with a breast cancer diagnosis can be unexpected and difficult to navigate through. Know that each emotion is valid, it is ok to feel what you feel in any given moment. To help cope with them, you might find mindfulness, meditation, and light physical activity (that your medical doctor has approved) helpful. Some people like to journal, read, and of course a good movie or two are nice. Keep going to counseling, reach out to those who you trust and those who have gone through a similar experience such as this group as well.

Yes and no. I’ve had other problems to deal with and I just go at it, one thing one day one crying spell at a time. I escape every evening watching Prime videos. I don’t know what I’d do without my television!!! It allows me to think about something else. I challenge myself remembering where I left off when it has several episodes. I’ve been going to counseling and now I’ve been officially diagnosed with severe ADHD and ADD.
Thanks for asking. How are you? I have 5 spots on my lungs too. I see a lung doctor the 24th of Jan. They don’t think it’s cancer but we don’t know yet. The largest is 9 mm. There was no activity during pet scan in Sept.

Hi @glendafl How are you doing with your emotions and anxiety? I hope you found something that helps.

CBD Gummies! My god-send.

I RUN!! I spend time with family and friends!

We all have different ways to cope - I have two ways I use to deal with anxiety. Of course, waiting on BC treatment or pathology rates up there with some of the highest anxiety!
I tend to read, and like to look at research. I spent the first couple of months reading reading reading. Probably not the best healthy practice, but it did leave less time for anxiety. I made lists of questions for each doctor and added to that list when I found some good outcomes or problems I might want to avoid. My screen time was up to 7 hours a day (that also includes listening to music while walking). I felt like I was working toward getting the best outcome for my BC, and that felt good.
My other way to cope is to stuff the bad thoughts into “Pandora’s Box” in a corner of my mind. I don’t ignore the issues, but by putting the concerns in Pandora’s Box I can set aside some time later to pull out some of the junk and try to deal with it. I allow myself a time to mourn over the worst, then stuff it back into the box because I know I’m not going to ever be very happy about the issue, but I am happier for the most of the day when I have set it aside. Unfortunately “Pandora’s Box” pops open occasionally and floods me with emotion at the most inopportune time - but I like the visualization of stuffing it back in the box to be dealt with when I have a quiet moment to myself.

What you are going through, it is a lot to deal with. I went through three different treatments plus keytruda the last nine months and am finally in a trial where results look good and I have minimal side effects. Be kind to yourself now, get your rest. That’s my best advice, to rest and enjoy the sunrise and sunset of each day. Bless you.