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 | Jan 12, 2019

In reply to @karendb "Hi. Thank you for replying. Yes I would welcome any type of exercise tips. I've started..." + (show)

@karendb- Are you doing this inside of the house? Have you ever done weights before?

karendb | @karendb | Jan 12, 2019

In reply to @merpreb "@karendb- Fatigue takes quite a while to dissipate. After my chemo of 16 weeks for my..." + (show)

Hi. Thank you for replying. Yes I would welcome any type of exercise tips. I've started walking 200 steps 3 times a day.

Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Jan 12, 2019

In reply to @karendb "I think now it's the fatigue that's getting to me. I still have literally no energy..." + (show)

@karendb- Fatigue takes quite a while to dissipate. After my chemo of 16 weeks for my lung cancer it took me a year to feel "normal"- or my new normal. It takes a long time for the damage that the chemicals, whose goal was killing your cells to finish their job and leave your body. The effects of chemo continues because the chemicals don't just stop working on your last day. They continue to work until your body has broken them down so that they can then get flushed away. Remember to continue to drink lots of water to help this. While you are resting on your chair do you think that you'd be able to do some simple chair exercises?

karendb | @karendb | Jan 12, 2019

I think now it's the fatigue that's getting to me. I still have literally no energy and it's been almost 4 weeks since my last and final chemo.

Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Jan 12, 2019

@bjh369- This can often happen with certain chemos. You taste will return to normal in the future. Chemos can also make you feel very tired. Here is my blog post about that
https://my20yearscancer.com/chemotherapy-cocktail/

karendb | @karendb | Jan 12, 2019

That's how it is for me too. My taste buds are starting to come back but still don't have an appetite and it's been almost 4 weeks since my chemo has ended. Also I have neuropathy in my hands and feet so it's almost impossible to do anything like writing or knitting. So my day is spent watching tv or going on my iPad. Such a sad existence. I wish you all the best and I guess good words of advice hang in there. It will get better with time.

bjh369 | @bjh369 | Jan 12, 2019

In reply to @jeanadair123 "That is very interesting what you said. I have had 3 cancers and although one try’s..." + (show)

I've noticed since my surgery, radiation & first round of chemo...like you said, the things that I use to like to do just don't do it for me anymore. And especially the foods I use to like just don't taste the same:(

bjh369 | @bjh369 | Jan 8, 2019

You never know what cards your going to be delt so you just have to do the best you can:)

Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Jan 8, 2019

In reply to @bjh369 "No, next I'll have to shave my hair to start wearing the new Optune device in..." + (show)

@bjh369- I hear you. I am truly sorry that you have this.

bjh369 | @bjh369 | Jan 8, 2019

No, next I'll have to shave my hair to start wearing the new Optune device in order to stay alive a couple more years. I will be on chemo and wear the Optune device for the rest of my existence. Glioblastoma never just goes away. It is like a bad weed...you can dig it out and spray it with chemicals but it is always there waiting to grow back.
.