One of the problems is that I have no insurance so my choice of doctors is limited; I take what I can get and recently they've been tightening the financial assistance. My primary doc is a surgeon who is not very interested in issues apart from removing the tumor; she does refer me to other specialists which is useful but I do not have a primary doctor. I do see a psychiatrist and I am working on finding another therapist.

[quote=ChristineB]Being a cancer survivor can be difficult. Sometimes we tend to think way too much about the whole ordeal we have endured and it can become overwhelming. Seems that only cancer patients or their caregivers truly understand how awful cancer really is, especially oral cancer.

Happiness is contagious. Try to avoid the negative people and seek out the ones who are more positive and it will help you to feel better. Some days its easier than others to do this. I always try to keep away from the grouchy ones at work. It only leaves me feeling rotten when I talk with them and they start complaining and I tell them to cheer up, things could be worse. It gets irritating to me when I must tell someone who is perfectly healthy (in my eyes) that their latest sniffle will be ok.

A good doctor and therapist can help to make all the difference too. Have you discussed all of theses things you mentioned with your family doctor or someone who specializes more in that type of field? Sometimes it takes a few tries before you find the right fit with a specialist that you are comfortable with.

Hope you start to feel better soon. Its a new year, lets try to make it a good one [/quote]