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nearly 3 years into a cancer journey......and still scared

Janice E
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I've just found this forum and am not sure if it is what I need...or if I can help anyone through it. I was diagnosed with stage 4 aggressive strain endometrial cancer 2 and a half years ago. Successful surgery, chemo and internal beam radiotherapy later, I am still cancer free. However, the panic I feel whenever I feel any twinge of pain...and that happens practically daily, is hard to handle. I am ver positive....family and friends think I am amazing, as I am so positive....but so often, that is not how I feel. I had one counselling session.....he failed to make contact again to arrange a second session.....and I felt as if I was counselling mmyself ( maybe that is a sign of a good counsellor, I dont know ) .

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    Hi Janice and welcome to the forum.  Believe it or not everyone feels the same fears and two people posted the other day with exactly the same feelings as you.  Please google 'When the treatment finishes, then what?' by Dr Peter Harvey.  It is a four page document of a talk he did at a conference about this part of the cancer journey and gives a very accurate insight of how to cope with things.  It is really helpful and many people here have found invaluable. Keep in touch x

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    Hi Janice,

    Welcome to the forum.

    From what I can gather your feelings are pretty normal. I can't add much to what Max has said except that I'm pretty sure that isn't the sign of a good counsellor :-)

    Just by coming on here and saying "Successful surgery, chemo and internal beam radiotherapy later, I am still cancer free" will have helped someone find hope ... without you even knowing it.

    Hope we chat again soon.

    Cheers
    Dave

     

     

     

     

  • Offline in reply to davek

    Thanks, I think just joining this forum has helped me recognise I'm not "coping" as well as I seem tone to everyone else... So at the moment, this is my little secret... Somewhere where I can admit that all is not well. Thanks again. 

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    I don't know why,but I have never been scared by cancer,the first time it was a bit of a shock,but I was positive from the start,now after my third bout 5years on at 70still positive,don't be afraid to talk to anyone with the experience of having the big C ,If you want to chat we are here,keep smiling,and stay strong,you are not alone we are always here to lend a year.

    Alan

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    Hi Janice, Glad Max has pointed you in the direction of Dr Peter Harvey- really worthwhile.

    Being 'normal'  (what ever normal is) after cancer treatment, and you've been through a lot, is exhausting.  Especially now you are cancer free with everybody being so up-beat.

    We still seem to have that cancer shadow looking over our shoulders.  Sometimes ordinary (there's that word again) life can seem trivial.  We have to learn to live with the new us, post cancer and try not to feel guilty  that we have come through while others are still struggling.

    Maybe a different counsellor would help, you can offload here anytime of course!  

    Take care, gardenlady.

     

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