cancer scares

You aren't alone in worrying like this. I'd say it was pretty common but that won't make you feel any better I expect. This is something you will sort out in your own mind eventually. I imagine diversion - getting on with your life - would be a good tactic. Don't be hard on yourself for worrying - having a cancer diagnosis and treatment is a horrible shock. But you've been given good results so far, that's worth remembering.

ethel please don't be so hard on yourself. Of course you are worried. Why wouldn't you be? If it feels as if the worry is taking over then is there someone you can talk to? A specialist nurse maybe or worth sourcing counselling? It can help get the perspective back and it can be easier to talk in a neutral space than with those who are close and also worried. Worries can grow if they are kept inside at a scary rate. . mollie reminds us and she's right that you have responded well so far. No one can guess the future with accuracy. There will be people here better placed than I am to support you do I send hugs, hope and

ethel I sympathise because I'm a worrier too, but I haven't found a way to stop!
I only know that it doesn't help and it doesn't change anything either. Talking to someone does help to relax me, so maybe it would help you.
Sorry, no answer really.

ethel and lona I'm so sorry you are feeling worried and scared and of course anyone would be but its about being able to put it into perpective and its a good idea to start with your specialist nurse if you have one. I understand that relaxation therapies (various kinds including yoga) are a really good way forward and if the nurse or GP can help you find something like this I'm sure it will help you. Best wishes.

Ethel....are you on any medication to help you with the anxiety and worry, because I take diazepham.....doctors hate prescribing it in case it becomes addictive, so you have to press them....but even taken occasionally it does give you a break from anxiety even if only for an hour or two......also some anti- depressants help.

Ethel what about discussing your fears and anxieties with your McMillan nurse? There must be a contact through the hospital that you can talk to, and perhaps if you find that this is not an uncommon way to feel it will help?

I have a friend with ovarian cancer who found herself with the same problem of anxiety - entirely understandable, but very distressing. She has been put on Citalopram by her GP and she is now facing life anxiety-free and enjoying herself.

My sympathy to any of you who have this fear - it's completely understandable.
I wonder if there are any support groups which you could join? I belonged to one once (nothing to do with cancer TG) and found it a great help.

thank you for the supportive comments. I had a long day at work yesterday and found I didn't think of it and even when I got home my mind was full of stuff other than the big C. I need to distract myself and I will ask for help. to you all

Good luck ethelbags1 it is very difficult, especially when you are a natural worrier anyway. As you have said, try to keep busy and the word will not pop into your head so often.

Yes ethel you have identified the key, don't allow your mind to obsess - worrying is normal until that is all that you think about and then it is wrong - the idea is to keep your brain active and deliberately think about other stuff if it starts to worry again.
Mind you I am not very good at it and do obsess at times if I think the cancer has returned.

Ethelbags I think everyone who has had a cancer diagnosis and treatment has a bit of a worry in case it returns, so your concerns aren't unusual. I think the idea of talking to your specialist nurse, if you have one, is a good one, or contact your local Macmillan centre. They have people there who can talk with you about your fears which might give you an outlet.

Thoughts are with you.

I've had ovarian cancer. I was going mad with worry about it coming back, I couldn't sleep, eat, think, I was utterly miserable. In the end I self referred for a mental health assessment and was offered some cognitive behavioural therapy. I'm cured now and living a much happier life. I'd recommend it to anyone.

The Cancer Survivor's Companion by Dr Frances Goodhart and Lucy Atkins . Practical ways to cope with your feelings after cancer. A brilliant book. Bought a copy for a friend who had breast cancer. Read it myself and found that the sections on coping with anxiety, and I am a very anxious person were so helpful even though I wasn't ill.

Wish you all the best, all of you who are going through the treatment.