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 27, 2019

Oh dear @sakota. I guess that you will need to really have a sit down with your doctor. Has he come close to even guessing at what this might be?

sakota9 (Joan) | @sakota | Sep 27, 2019

In reply to @merpreb "@sakota- Joan, have you called your doctor's office?" + (show)

Merry. I got the results today and everything was ok so what and where do i go from here. I did post a message in anxiety and depression.

Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Sep 27, 2019

In reply to @sakota "this is a question that doesn't pertain to lung cancer , just in case someone has..." + (show)

JOan-I just checked and it's 48 hours

Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Sep 27, 2019

@sakota- I don't know if you would be comfortable with calling everyday but that's what I would do. Did you find out how long it takes for the results?

sakota9 (Joan) | @sakota | Sep 26, 2019

In reply to @merpreb "@sakota- Joan, have you called your doctor's office?" + (show)

Yes I did they didn’t give me anything definite. Still haven’t heard a thing. Merry

Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Sep 24, 2019

In reply to @sakota "this is a question that doesn't pertain to lung cancer , just in case someone has..." + (show)

@sakota- Joan, have you called your doctor's office?

sandieboyer | @sandielegal | Sep 23, 2019

In reply to @azkidney57 "Nothing must be taken for granted. My life after a cancer diagnosis is teaching me this...." + (show)

If I can just stay in today! You nailed how I hear trivial complaints. I am instantly transported to my diagnosis day. I know that my mind was thing about funeral homes and my Mouth was only able to speak of hair loss. A new UnNormal filter between what I think and what I can say. Today is a Cancer Free Day full of Beautiful possibilities! Thank you for reminding me of that! ❤️

sakota9 (Joan) | @sakota | Sep 23, 2019

this is a question that doesn't pertain to lung cancer , just in case someone has an answer...…. does anyone know how long it takes to get results back after a 72 hour eeg? Mine should be pretty easy to read, nothing in my brain anymore,,,,,,,,, lol?

sakota9 (Joan) | @sakota | Sep 23, 2019

In reply to @padovani "I could use some help here. I can not sleep more than four hours any more...." + (show)

I don't know if this works for others..... but before I would wake up at every little sound and then lay there wondering if someone was in the house or what the heck was going on so would end up losing hours of sleep. Since I have an echo I decided to put on some meditation music at nite when I go to bed and now I sleep thru, don't hear those noises, don't lay away thinking but sleep very soundly. It helps me to relax. Not saying its a cure but it helps me...…..Best wishes to you Padovani

azkidney57 | @azkidney57 | Sep 21, 2019

In reply to @auntieoakley "This is not selfish! Everyone has to live with this in their own way. I talk..." + (show)

Nothing must be taken for granted. My life after a cancer diagnosis is teaching me this. I don’t intend to waste any time. I am not care free anymore. I have less patience and I tend to resent people I find “petty”. At work two co workers were talking one was complaining about her life she had a wedding to go to and was having wardrobe issues. I wanted to say, “You think you have problems, well I have scans coming up and I don’t know whether or not I will need to deal with cancer!” But they don’t know I have a cancer diagnosis and I was once care free. I need to deal with my own negativity. It isn’t anyone’s fault I got a cancer. I need to deal with it but I am not alone. Some days I feel less positive but I am working on being happy and grateful for what I have. I have my family, I have a good support system, and I am not alone! Also I am cancer free right now. I am grateful for that!