Postby Rock_Robster » Sun Jan 06, 2019 5:02 am
Hi Trying, I’ve only been on this journey for two months now so I might not be the best to comment, but I’ll give my two cents anyway.
I am afraid; absolutely. Every day, to some degree. Some days though I can still live “happily” mainly by focusing on what I’m doing that day and that day only, the things I have (all my senses, my partner and family, that I’m fortunately not in pain, etc), and not thinking too much about the future and all the “what ifs”. I guess this is called mindfulness and it is REALLY hard, but my psychologist is a big advocate and I can see the benefits.
I also have to tell myself that there are just so many possible “imagined” fears about the future (the majority of which will likely not happen), and I have enough real challenges now and real good things to appreciate, that I can’t possibly worry about everything. I have to focus only on the real and the now, and deal with the future as it comes.
I don’t know if I’ll ever feel “normal” again like before my diagnosis, but maybe there’s a “new normal” I can make peace with so I can live my life to its fullest. The thing I find hardest is that due to my personal circumstances I have had to give up in the short term so many of the things that used to make life feel “normal”, so I now have to work on re-establishing some sort of routine and identity beyond someone who just gets cancer treatment, in order to achieve my “new normal”.
Getting help from a psychiatrist, psychologist or therapist is a great idea. I had to visit a few to find one that I ‘clicked’ with, but it’s definitely worth doing and persisting with. Also exercise helps my mood and overall well-being a LOT (and as a bonus, is proven to lead to better health outcomes and reduced recurrence risk). I’ve also heard lots of good things about meditation though have yet to get started myself (planned for mid-Jan).
Best of luck, keep talking and asking for support, and focus on the good news when it comes - down from 10 mets to 2 is great news!
Male 37; Melbourne, Australia
10/2018 Dx 3.5cm RC adenocarcinoma, 12cm from AV
Mod diff, EMVI+ LVI+ PNI-
3 LN; 4 liver mets
pT3pN1aM1a; Stage IVa. MSS, NRAS (G13R)
CEA: Oct-18= 12; Nov-18= 14, Mar-19= 2.4, Aug-19 <2.0
11/18 - FOLFOX x 6
3/19 - Liver resection
4-5/19 - 25 x pelvic radiation; complete met. response
07/19 - ULAR (robot), temp ileo, 1/27 LN
08/19 - Missed liver spot
08-11/19 - FOLFOX x 1, FOLFOXIRI x 1, FOLFIRI x 5
12/19 - Planned liver resection #2 & (01/20) stoma reversal