Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | Im very glad you are finally on the right track!
Focus on what is within your control and avoid the "what if" thinking as much as possible. Many patients and caregivers too need more help to handle a cancer diagnosis. Many will need anxiety meds or some temporary help talking with a therapist to get thru it. Theres nothing wrong or to be ashamed of if you feel you're trying your best and you just cant get to a more positive place. Talk with your doc and ask what the treatment facility has available to help you to cope with everything. Depression runs very high among OC patients. Anyone who has not always been the most positive thinking, they probably should have this chat with their doc sooner and not wait to see how things go. You cold also call the treatment center and ask a general question about what they offer for counseling their cancer patients. Most places have a group who specializes in working with cancer patients. It cant hurt to check it out. Many of the meds take weeks for patients to feel their full effect. ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive |