Facing Cancer Recurrence, PTSD & Acknowledging Mental Health

Margaret, I am so sorry you are going through this. If there are some groups where you are that you can reach out to, can you try that. Where I live, there are several support groups. If that is possible, you will meet many people with similar situations and can share your thoughts and concerns. I've found that as long as I focus in one day at a time that that helps. All the best to you.

Hi Margaret, am so sorry to learn of your recurrence. I too had a breast cancer to return as a chest wall recurrence within a year after a total mastectomy. Then had a small surgery followed by 50 sessions of twice a day radiation. That was 8 years ago when I was 71. What you are going through is scary, but doable. Try to focus on one day at a time & be glad that modern medicine can help you to survive & lead a productive life.

Oh the reply I have. In 1988 I was 12 years old and diagnosed with Hodgekins Lymphoma. The best of the worst they said. I had mantle radiation. I guess things were so different then because that mantle radiation not only brought on cancer. Twice. Even more. First I had cardio myopathy, congestive heart failure. Pancreatitis . Then Breast cancer. I had a double mastectomy. We caught it in it's earliest stage but it was only going to become a problem (went through a long re construction that failed) Last year I asked my dr for a CT because of some symptoms I was having. It didn't happen . I asked my oncologist. They found a very large tumor(Meningioma) In January I had it removed. I'm 42. Pretty sure more is coming. The odds just say there is. So yeah there is some PTSD...some impending doom. I'm a positive person. All the medical issues were the best of the worst and caught early. I am just so thankful and grateful the tumor is out of my head! There will be side effects from brain surgery. Bring it. Seeing the picture they showed me of it...knowing it was there...waiting for surgery. The relief knowing it's gone. For me,catching it early. I'll be putting my foot down with my dr. Full body scan. Often. lol
I started painting a few years ago. Following tutorials on line for free.I'm good at it and I love it. I have done a few originals but I love learning and challenging myself and escaping thinking about what's next. I have a 23 year old son I raised on my own and I am so thankful for all the blessings and early detection.
I would love to find a way to find people who also had mantle radiation in 1988 or around that time....what should I also be checking and keeping an eye on. I don't want to obsess but to be wise. @merperb

Good morning.
My breast cancer came back 4 months after completing my first chemo. I felt hurt like I was punched in the gut! My recurrent breast cancer was in the sentinal lymph node site. I had surgery to remove the lymph nodes on my left arm. I am back on chemo with 5 months of chemo followed by radiation.
My doctor says it is stage 3. It is crazy how I cling to that! Back to work full time and have had a really hard time. I feel sick all the time. I am 65 and thought I was healthy 14 months ago.
I don't have family close by and most of the people I thought were friends don't call. I thank God for the couple who do call.

That is very interesting what you said. I have had 3 cancers and although one try’s to live one life there is always a fear each time you have an mri or Ct. I recently went to a new doctor the other day as I have always been so positive and happy lately I don’t seem to be my normal self it’s hard to explain, my doctor who also has had cancer asked if I feel that the things that used to do to make me happy do not anymore. Boy did he hit the nail on the head. He said it is normal to feel anxiety and a little depressed after all I have been through. Finally someone who understands. Just to let you know you are it alone.

Doc said MRI looked good. Now I'm to go back on double temozolomide but I may wait until the end of February to start after I come back from vacation. I feel great right now and would really like to enjoy that vacation. So God and i are discussing this decision.

@bjh. I'll be curious to see how you are doing.