Bette

It came as a surprise to both my wife and myself just how hard the third time diagnosis of cancer hit us. From my point of view as the patient, it's even harder on the caregiver. My advice is based on our personal experience.

You should make an appointment asap with your general practitioner/family doctor and tell him/her about the inability to sleep and the fact that this is the third time around. Medically you are experiencing what is known as "situational anxiety", and like any medical condition, you should be treated for it. You don't need to go see a psychiatrist just a GP or even a physician's assistant. Ask for anti anxiety medication.

My wife read your post and said: YES, that is exactly how she felt. No sleep: basket case, no one to understand. She called our family doctor's office and said she needed anti anxiety help due to this third round of cancer. I had recommended Ativan, but the physician's assistant told her not strong enough or appropriate, instead she got prescriptions for Zoloft and Xanax. They really worked. In fact,she just renewed her Zoloft prescription.

Trust me on this, the third time is worst than the second time. You'd think it wouldn't be, but it is. The coping mechanisms that worked before just don't cut it.
I'm just a year younger than your husband so I remember the General Electric advertisement: Better things for better living thru chemistry. It has made a world of difference for my wife. You owe it not only to yourself, but to your husband and your children to get the medical help and TX you need and deserve. You wouldn't blink an eye if the doctors put your husband on something. He will need you now more than ever. Please take care of yourself.
You can still post and have a pity party, but call your doctor and make that appointment.
Oh, and no, there are not a lot of people here on OCF who have faced cancer three times. My wife got thru the first two times but the third time, she was also "a little bewildered". Trust me on this. Get some Zoloft and Xanax
Charm