Comments on: tired of cancer

By: Becky Hartley

Becky Hartley — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 05:20:21 +0000

I feel the same way! I finished chemo for a brain tumor a little over a month ago, but I feel even more anxious than during the treatment. Not only is there the chance that my tumor could come back, there are some long-term risks with the chemo I was on, like developing another cancer (mainly leukemia). I know that the chances of anything bad happening again are low, but they aren’t 100% low. I know when looking at something like the weather and there is a 30% chance of rain, I always try and stay positive and say “well that’s a 70% chance of sunshine!” But it’s so much more different than that! It’s not just a chance for rain, it’s a chance for cancer, a chance for going through hell with treatment again, a chance that your life is going to have to change all over again! I think the worst part is that a lot of the main symptoms for something getting worse are all so common. Fatigue, headaches, malaise, pain – all such common parts of being human, but they are also such common beginning symptoms of cancer. It’s hard to not jump to conclusions! It’s just really hard to stay positive when you know what it feels like when something negative happens…

By: Farah Contractor

Farah Contractor — Sat, 25 Dec 2010 14:14:57 +0000

i feel the same exact way as you too. i completed treatment a 2 months ago and i get scared when im tired at school, or have a cold. The doctor ssid that after a year and half it most likely wont comeback. My friend who had leukemia had her big ‘I’m-done-with-chemo’ party after two years, so that she wouldn’t get her hopes too high just in case. Whenever I’m with my friends or busy with something, I forget about cancer for a little while. I guess we just have to push through this and take Leah’s advice, she knows what she’s talking about

By: Leah Shearer

Leah Shearer — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 20:18:28 +0000

Hi there,

I can totally understand what you’re going through. Trust me when I say that these feelings are all very normal.

Life after cancer can sometimes be harder than even when you are trudging through it. From an emotional perspective, it is difficult because people tend to think that after cancer is “done” that life should return to “normal” and that the person should just get on with life.

This is NOT easy. It is so common to have fear and anxiety that the disease will return. The important thing to remember is that you need to express these things to the people around you. Talking these feelings out will help you. Do you have a doctor, a social worker a friend –someone who you can really level with? You need to just get this out.

Post-cancer life can be so stressful, but you will find a lot of people on this message board who GET it. I’m one of them. As a two-time cancer survivor I’ve been there.

You will get through this. And you will be happy again…it takes time to heal emotionally.

So glad you were able to share this. That’s what we are here for.

Leah Shearer
TLC Program Coordinator