1. < Cancer: Managing Symptoms
Mentor

Facing Cancer Recurrence, PTSD & Acknowledging Mental Health

Posted by Merry, Volunteer 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.

Mentor
Merry, Volunteer Mentor | @merpreb | May 10, 2022
In reply to @callalloo "I was the point person, in a sense, when a friend was recovering from a broken..." + (show)
@callalloo

I was the point person, in a sense, when a friend was recovering from a broken neck that made surgery impossible. Meaning, his neck and head were stabilized by a carbon fiber 'halo and healing helped immensely by local ultrasound. He had a CT scan and appointment with an (amazing) neurosurgeon every six weeks while living in a post-hospital rehabilitation facility.

One of my jobs was to pick up the CD of the scan as soon as it was available and take it to the neurosurgeon's office. He explained that, while he referred to the radiologist's written report, he was sometimes looking for very subtle signs of healing that can be different from what the radiologist might look for. And looking at the digital file copy transmitted by the hospital digital archive wasn't as valuable as seeing the actual CD for clarity.

PS Merry, I had no idea that people could have, yet alone survive, cancer for years, yet alone decades. I am very unwillingly new to what I think of as Cancerworld. Only one family member has has cancer and that was my father who survived aggressive prostate cancer the first time but succumbed to it thirty years later. Everyone else seemed to die of heart and stroke stuff with a sprinkling of COPD.

But a Bad News Biopsy, resulting from a Suspicious Mammogram last September, resulted in a lumpectomy and my first real concern about what-ifs. I'll be the first to note that I was and am not pleased with the idea of rogue cells hanging out in my body, but am happy they were discovered early and, hopefully, left no buddies behind.

But reading of others' oddly positive experiences during some rude health challenges made me rethink what I thought I knew about facing inconvenient crises. And living life during them. For that, and an unfailing graciousness, thank all of you who built this resource.

Jump to this post

Calahoo.
I just saw your post and will answer more tomorrow.

What is come with serious conditions. It's all part of the package. Humans are silly this way. Please don't beat yourself up with them. They don't help.
Have a good night's sleep and I'll be in touch tomorrow

Merry

REPLY
1 reply
callalloo | @callalloo | May 10, 2022
In reply to @merpreb "Calahoo. I just saw your post and will answer more tomorrow. What is come with serious..." + (show)
@merpreb

Calahoo.
I just saw your post and will answer more tomorrow.

What is come with serious conditions. It's all part of the package. Humans are silly this way. Please don't beat yourself up with them. They don't help.
Have a good night's sleep and I'll be in touch tomorrow

Merry

Jump to this post

I hope you didn't misunderstand my post. I'm not dealing with a recurrence, thank heavens, but just wanted to thank you and the people who keep Mayo Connect running. It's a great resource and I'm sure takes a lot of time and effort and sensitivity. So, thanks again.

REPLY
jeanadair123 | @jeanadair123 | May 10, 2022
In reply to @merpreb "@jeanadair- Good morning. I am so glad that you wrote back. It's quite something, isn't it..." + (show)
@merpreb

@jeanadair- Good morning. I am so glad that you wrote back. It's quite something, isn't it when you know something isn't quite right and then someone puts the words to it! I'm so glad that you found a doctor who understands you. What three cancers have you had? What treatments have you had? One cancer is a lot to absorb, but three! I have had four lung cancers. It is not easy. WHen was you last cancer?

Jump to this post

Uterus 2009.
Breast 2016. Radiation
Recurrence in vaginal cuff 2017 radiation with brachytherapy
The doctor I had is no longer practicing so sad.
I recently had burning in my right flank side I think they call it, my drs appointments are 6 week out. I went to ER because they are through blood, urine and ct dr said all the tests were normal but he didn’t know what I really had so he put me on a weeks prednisone as he THINKS it could be internal shingles. But said not cancer so that is a relief. I am going to see if one of my doctors will order an MRI.

REPLY
1 reply
makatak47 | @makatak47 | May 11, 2022
In reply to @merpreb "Hello- It's nice to meet you. You said in one of your previous statements that on..." + (show)
@merpreb

Hello- It's nice to meet you.

You said in one of your previous statements that on May 2nd it's possible to get a consult. Have you done this?

Life expectancy differs with each cancer and each person. You began posting about this in Mid April. Your friend was correct about this type of cancer being aggressive. The sooner you are treated for your cancer the better your chances for survival will be.

Have you decided on what you will do?

Jump to this post

Yes, I got my CT scan today (what a difficult experience that was) and will receive the results in a day or 2. I'm hoping to get more help to pay for the chemotherapy. I'm praying I DON'T NEED SURGERY. If it is necessary, I will consult a couple of surgeons, but may have to borrow airfare to the Phoenix Mayo clinic. My insurance would over that. Jim

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Merry, Volunteer Mentor | @merpreb | May 11, 2022
In reply to @makatak47 "Yes, I got my CT scan today (what a difficult experience that was) and will receive..." + (show)
@makatak47

Yes, I got my CT scan today (what a difficult experience that was) and will receive the results in a day or 2. I'm hoping to get more help to pay for the chemotherapy. I'm praying I DON'T NEED SURGERY. If it is necessary, I will consult a couple of surgeons, but may have to borrow airfare to the Phoenix Mayo clinic. My insurance would over that. Jim

Jump to this post

Jim- Good morning. What was difficult about your scan? Did you have a reaction to the dye? It's never easy when finances are involved in medical decisions. This shouldn't be in life-threatening illnesses.

Fingers crossed for you. Will you let me know what the results are?

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Merry, Volunteer Mentor | @merpreb | May 11, 2022
In reply to @jeanadair123 "Uterus 2009. Breast 2016. Radiation Recurrence in vaginal cuff 2017 radiation with brachytherapy The doctor I..." + (show)
@jeanadair123

Uterus 2009.
Breast 2016. Radiation
Recurrence in vaginal cuff 2017 radiation with brachytherapy
The doctor I had is no longer practicing so sad.
I recently had burning in my right flank side I think they call it, my drs appointments are 6 week out. I went to ER because they are through blood, urine and ct dr said all the tests were normal but he didn’t know what I really had so he put me on a weeks prednisone as he THINKS it could be internal shingles. But said not cancer so that is a relief. I am going to see if one of my doctors will order an MRI.

Jump to this post

I'm a big believer in testing to find answers. I'm wondering if a PET can be done?

REPLY
2 replies
jeanadair123 | @jeanadair123 | May 11, 2022
In reply to @merpreb "I'm a big believer in testing to find answers. I'm wondering if a PET can be..." + (show)
@merpreb

I'm a big believer in testing to find answers. I'm wondering if a PET can be done?

Jump to this post

Thanks for your response. I was thinking of maybe a pet scan I haven’t had one in 5 years.
I’m not sure my oncologist would order one but I have a great Gynecologist oncologist who would probably get one for me I call her when I have a uti and she just calls in my prescription for it and a urine test.
One just needs to know who to call and who is most responsive. I do find that the Doctors nurses are really helpful. But right now my wonderful nurse had a baby and didn’t return so my dr is swamped.

REPLY
makatak47 | @makatak47 | May 11, 2022
In reply to @merpreb "I'm a big believer in testing to find answers. I'm wondering if a PET can be..." + (show)
@merpreb

I'm a big believer in testing to find answers. I'm wondering if a PET can be done?

Jump to this post

What is a PET scan?

REPLY
1 reply
makatak47 | @makatak47 | May 11, 2022
In reply to @merpreb "Jim- Good morning. What was difficult about your scan? Did you have a reaction to the..." + (show)
@merpreb

Jim- Good morning. What was difficult about your scan? Did you have a reaction to the dye? It's never easy when finances are involved in medical decisions. This shouldn't be in life-threatening illnesses.

Fingers crossed for you. Will you let me know what the results are?

Jump to this post

No, they had me drink castor oil to clean my colon. WOW, what a mess that was. But my great wife took care of me. I could afford the hospice there, $65 a night, but I think I'm seeing it is hard to get into.

REPLY
1 reply
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.