1. < Cancer: Managing Symptoms

Facing Cancer Recurrence, PTSD & Acknowledging Mental Health

Posted by Merry, Alumni Mentor @merpreb, Dec 6, 2018

It's extremely difficult to face the fact of recurring cancers. After treatments we try and get away from it all and live our life. Then along comes another CT scan or PET scan and POW, you have to face another cancer. My reaction was developing PTSD.

You can read what I wrote in my blog: https://my20yearscancer.com/blog/
How do we cope? How do we react? What do we do?
How have you all reacted to another cancer? Or the possibility of another one? Has your "already compromised" mental health been able to deal with it? How? Or not?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Cancer: Managing Symptoms Support Group.

Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Sep 3, 2019
In reply to @auntieoakley "I always said we had post traumatic cancer disorder" + (show)
@auntieoakley

I always said we had post traumatic cancer disorder

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@auntieoakley - PTCD?

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1 reply
alamogal635 | @alamogal635 | Sep 2, 2019

Agree with Colleen above. It is scary, but until you've actually seen a doctor and gone through tests, I wouldn't jump to the conclusion of cancer. It isn't easy, but keep up a positive outlook of health until you know otherwise. EBV is not fun from what I hear, but like Colleen says very few people diagnosed with it develop cancer. I second her in saying go see a doctor.

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Sep 2, 2019
In reply to @kittykiernan "Hi everyone I have chronic Epstein barre , it causing cancer. I can not move my..." + (show)
@kittykiernan

Hi everyone I have chronic Epstein barre , it causing cancer. I can not move my neck and had white things in my mouth for a month, no one helps me. God forbid I can find a oncologists or beg someone to do a peta scan. I have had who
It’s patches down my esophagus for a moth

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Hi @kittykiernan, I can hear the fear and desperation in your messages. Living with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) isn't easy. Now you've got the added anxiety of suspecting cancer. It sounds like you have symptoms that need medical attention. Until you consult a doctor and get recommended tests done, I would not assume that you have cancer. I know that's easy for me to say. Keep in mind that EBV may increase your risk of cancer, but VERY FEW people who have been infected with EBV will ever develop cancer. I suggest that you make an appointment to see your doctor.

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Mentor
Chris, Volunteer Mentor | @auntieoakley | Sep 2, 2019
In reply to @merpreb "@jshdma- Now there's a thought! Maybe we could come up with a better acronym and start..." + (show)
@merpreb

@jshdma- Now there's a thought! Maybe we could come up with a better acronym and start a whole new "thing". What are your thoughts? Any ideas?

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I always said we had post traumatic cancer disorder

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1 reply
alamogal635 | @alamogal635 | Sep 2, 2019
In reply to @merpreb "Good morning @alamogal635 - Thank you for your kind words. As a Mentor it's been truly..." + (show)
@merpreb

Good morning @alamogal635 - Thank you for your kind words. As a Mentor it's been truly an honor to share my experience and knowledge so that I can hopefully make it easier for others. And you have not been a wall flower on here either! You have extended your self in a truly heroic measure so soon after your operation! I think that reaching out to people who truly understand your feelings is so important and healing! Thank you for all your help too! What will you be doing today? Are you in the path of the hurricane?

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Am taking it easy today. Being in San Antonio, TX am NOT in the way, mercifully, of the hurricane. Thank you for the kind words above. I like to help others if I can and if words here do, then that is great. I hope everyone here had the kindof Labor Day he/she desires today.
.

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richcolleen | @richcolleen | Sep 2, 2019

I’ve avoided mouth sores by rinsing my mouth out with 1/4 teaspoon baking soda and 1/8 teaspoon salt mixed with 1/2 cup warm water. Worked for me.

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richcolleen | @richcolleen | Sep 2, 2019

Build up strength and play cards, mahjong and work in my perineal garden and go to daily mass when I can.

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Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Sep 2, 2019

@janlanderz- I understand. I think that we all just wanted help, but given that your mom is an extreme worrier I think that you made the right choice. How are you feeling today? A bit better?

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janlanderz | @janlanderz | Sep 2, 2019
In reply to @merpreb "@becsbuddy- I agree with you about telling @janlanderz's mom. Having cancer is stress enough but not..." + (show)
@merpreb

@becsbuddy- I agree with you about telling @janlanderz's mom. Having cancer is stress enough but not telling your mom about your illness ads to that. I'm sure that you have felt that. Also I'm sure that your mom knows that something is up because you have cancelled your trips to see her. It sounds like she has brought you up to be a caring loving person, so giver her the benefit of the doubt that she will help you and that it will not hurt her. Will you give this some thought?

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@merpreb ... My mom worries when her sister gets a cold... and it stresses her out to the point that is all she can talk about. She lives alone and has already had a heart attack so I rather be safe than sorry.. If things ever get bad where my life is in jeopardy or coming to an end, then I will probably tell her... I plan on maybe moving back to the east coast and would maybe tell her if I was near her, where she could see me physically and see that I look the same and am doing fine with the chemo I am currently receiving. It is a choice me and my sisters made, and they are near her, so they know how she is a worry wart.. but thanks for your input

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