Diagnosed 6 months ago

Good evening!  I am looking to reach out to others in this new-to-me world of cancer.  After the initial shock, having to leave my job and not being able to work; I find myself very anxious.  I am in treatment and it seems to be going well.  How do you handle all these changes?  I am thankful to have some support at home, but I think only people in my situation can really understand.  I would love to hear back from others!

Thank you,  Marie

@mariea1160 welcome. What type of cancer do you have? What stage?

It is normal to feel anxiety and worries from the time of diagnosis through treatment and after. You have just recently encountered a life changing event. 

I would recommend, depending on your condition, to try and keep up with your daily regimen as best as you can, as this will help you not feel consumed by the cancer. If you are able to work some - even if minimal - I would recommend that too... You want to maintain active as best as you can as to not allow your mind time to become consumed with thhoughts/things you cannot change.

However, with that being said, there are many things you can control and one of those is your mental health and diet. I really encourage you to focus on your mental health, whether that is going to church, listening to uplifting music, motivational podcasts, etc. Also try to  eat as clean of diet as you can, and if possible focus on all natural/organic.

A good diet is the Gerson diet - there are many testimonials of cancer patients who have been cured by the Gerson way or had the condition greatly improve.

Also, yes. that is great that you have the support of your family! I would highly recommend to spend time with loved ones who play a positive role and have a positive impact on you.

@mariea1160 I am here for support if you need.

I encourage you to take care of yourself, physically and emotionally, and internally with a clean diet. Try to remain positive... it is easier said than done, but reach out to people you love and know are there for you and hang out with them when you are feeling down. 

You want to stay positive.

@sara_at32 

Good morning!  I am still new to this site so excuse my delay in responding!  Thank you for the support and I am here as well.  I am stage iv lung to brain; the lung tumors have shrunk and we got rid of one brain tumor and working on another one that is in the optic center of brain.  it's messing with my peripheral vision.  I try to keep positive.  

I was diagnosed in September 2018 with stage iv lung to brain.  So far my lung tumors have shrunk, we got rid of one brain tumor and doing radiation for a small one in the optic center.  So my vision isn't very good and I'm sure my typing is worse!  

I am 59 years old and married with a 16 year old daughter, 2 dogs and a cat.  

I can't thank you enough for reaching out and for the positive thoughts.  I've been working on cleaning up my diet and I do think I feel a little stronger.  

I really wish I could work but that's not possible right now so I am always looking for things to do!  Any ideas would be great!

Ty you for reaching out!  We are not alone!

Sincerely, Marie

Good morning!  ty for responding!

@stillwoman‍ 

Good morning!  Yes, I have found reaching out is so important.  I have my husband and teen daughter here at home, but unfortunately the rest of my family lives out of state.  Good thing for facetime!

I have definitely cleaned up my food act!  and I feel so much better and stronger.  

Thank you so much for responding and please keep in touch!

Sincerely, Marie 

@mariea1160 thank you for sharing a little about your story. I am glad to hear that you have a daughter and husband for support.

If you are asking, in turn for work, what you could do to fulfill this void, I would take the time to join a local support group or a local group that gets together to enjoy things that you may enjoy, for example painting or reading. I knew a lady who got together with friends every Wednesday to watch episodes of a sitcom. It helped her a lot because it gave her freedom for a moment from the constant worrying of cancer.

How are you doing with your diet?

What treatments are you undergoing for your cancer?

@mariea1160 welcome. I am sorry to hear about your diagnosis, but glad you found this resource and hopefully others. I would also recommend joining an in-person support group, practice meditation, have time where you can enjoy yourself and attempt to focus on something other than your diagnosis. You will never have your diagnosis out of your mind, but actively occupying your mind is healthy. 

For me, initially after my diagnosis, I would often want to be alone because I just did not want to have to talk to others or exert myself, but I also found that this was me falling into a zone of comfort and it when I would be alone, my depression would be much more. So, I began to ask friends and family members to visit or go visit them even if it was to watch a movie ... even if I would just fall asleep from exhaustion. Their is something strong about having that people support.

Good morning!  That is so true about the depression worsening being alone too much.  I am working on reaching out to some friends who would like to visit me; I am so happy I found this resource; it is a great help.  Having suffered from depression most of my life, I do take meds for it and they help also

You hit the nail on the head about falling asleep at the drop of a hat!  I feel like if I invite a friend over they will need to be warned about that!  lol

Ty! Marie

@stillwoman‍ 

Good morning: Hope you are doing well.  I am doing good with my diet; high protein, I love fruits and veggies and low sodium to try to reduce some of this horrible swelling from the steroids.  I just had 5 rounds of radiation to target the brain tumor that's messing with my eyesight.  So I hope it helps.  Funny about the painting; I was invited to a painting party and I am going to go.  The ladies were nice enough to arrange a ride for me since I can't drive.  

What type of cancer do you have  and how long are you diagnosed?

THank you so much for keeping in touching 

Good morning!  Do you happen to have any suggestions on how to reduce this swelling from the dexamethasone? It is so uncomfortable to say the least!  I don't use salt, drink lots of water and walk!  I feel like I'm going to just    pop!

Thank you, Marie