cancer dreams

minxie

After my diagnosis I would have horrendous dreams - that I was in a stark bleak hospital being told my cancer had metasticized, that I was one of a study group of bald BC patients in a concentration camp, that I was searching for a gun to kill myself because I couldn't deal with the fear anymore. Lots of disturbing stuff. I ended up seeing a therapist and doing EMDR therapy to help with all the panic and anxiety I was repressing - which would come out in my dreams. And it worked. For awhile anyway.

Now the nightmares are back - but with a twist.  The other night I dreamt I lost an important flash drive, was rushing home in my husband's car and ran over a bump in parking lot in a bad part of down, destroyed the engine, was surrounded by panhandlers, a tornado was approaching, and when I rolled up the window all the glass shattered and split open my thumb... but after each incident I remember thinking, well at least it's not CANCER. Geez. Last night, a similar dream, I went to the oncologist's office for a routine visit, I knew it was all fine, but I was curled up in a ball, sobbing.

Guess I need to see the therapist again!  But does anybody have any idea what's going on in my tortured brain?

cinnamonsmiles

I really can't help you with that since I am no expert. But I am an expert in have crazy, wild, weird, and sometimes terrorizing dreams since I was a child. I have woken up crying, scared out of my mind, etc. When I was on vicodin after surgery, they got even more strange and vivid. However, I am not sure if this was a dream or not...Last mid to late summer I would wake up (or was I still in that fog-like state?) and a voice would tell me that I have cancer. In October, I found the lump and got the results on 12/2/10 that it was indeed cancerous. Who knows what that complicated, intricate mass incased in our skulls does or why.

Lynkoura

Minxie

I have had lots of operating thaetre cancer type dream since my surgery over a year ago. I think it's a natural part of our brain processing fear.

I have a sleep CD that I think has helped me. The first track is a relaxation go to sleep track and the second one tells you that you are going to have good dreams and be in control of having good dreams. It is a soothing kind of self hypnosis CD.

It has been a really good purchase for me. I keep it set up beside my bed and use it to go to sleep every night and then again when I wake in the night. I have it set at low volume and use headphones. I can't remember the presenter on my CD but I'm sure you will be able to find other CDs on the net. Try googling for "lucid dreams". It has given me a lot of comfort thinking that I can control my dreams. If you need the name of my CD PM me and I'll check for you.

Best

Lynkoura

seacat

I'm not sure that anyone knows why we dream, but studies that have deprived people of dreaming, have affected the subjects badly.  It is thought they may be a kind of 'safety valve'. 

For the past months I've been sleeping very heavily and had dreams that (I'm told) cause me to shout, scream and swear in my sleep.  (Mine often tend to be alcohol related as I'm an alcoholic, 1yr sober.  Not easy admitting that!)

What drives me nuts is that EVERY night when I am just dropping off, I get a fright and wake up with a sharp intake of breath and half sit up.  Then I have a flash and a spark of irritation and frustration because it's happened AGAIN and struggle to relax enough to try and sleep.

I had EMDR too and it has certainly helped me.  Also have an ipillow, it connects to an ipod and has a speaker inside the pillow itself, so you don't need headphones and doesn't disturb significant other.  Have found the hypnosis ones very good, I like Paul McKenna. 

Best wishes

  

KIMBERLY09

I am starting to have nightmares again and i think it is because i just started a new relationship the first one since all the ca tx and i am not finished with recon yet and i am afraid of being rejected and i am afraid of what i will look like. Finished product and all. I am soo fearful that he will want some one with real breasts that are functioning. We have had relations and i now know just how much i missed being held and feeling desired. But what if his feelings change?  I am scared of recurrence and i need my blood work and mri done soon and have out it off. anyone out there feel the same? would love to hear ur thoughts. Cant sleep hardly at all at night. Dreams r so vivid.