Very anxious (last post for today, I promise)!

KP1970

I was diagnosed almost 5 years ago with my cancer and had a VERY hard time dealing with it for the first few years (as many of us can relate, I panicked over every little ache or pain and was sure the cancer had come back and spread everywhere in my body). I have been working VERY hard to become better about not doing that and getting on with my life. I have been pretty good the last two years or so...not a day passes that I don't think about the cancer, but I am able to live my life and do things again that I enjoy, etc.

Fast forward to last month. My mother (non-smoker, always very healthy), was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer. I was an am devastated. I am extremely close with both of my parents and cannot even begin to imagine my life without her.  

Since learning of her cancer, my mind is right back to where it was right after my diagnosis. I am awake at night worried about her of course, but also thinking now that I am a stage IV.. that I have mets, that this ache means bone mets,that ache means liver mets, that headache means brain mets...and on and on. I mentioned in another thread that my hip has been achy and now my back is too. I just feel sore everywhere. Could stress be doing this? Am I tensing up without realizing it??

 I have worked so hard to come as far as I have and I feel now that I am back at square one. (( 

chrissyb

Kim, it's stress, stress and more stress!  Give yourself a break girl.....c'mom now with me, big deep breath......in through the nose and out through the mouth........and repeat at will.    All this is to do with your mom and your worry for her.

Love n hugs.  Chrissy

jdeking

I agree with Chrissy.

 Stress is a big pain in the a$$! It can cause our bodies all kinds of aches and pains and twinges. I have been there too, where I lie awake at night thinking of all the places cancer could recur.

I am so sorry you have this news about your mom, I hope things will be easy for her (and you, if you are going to be her caregiver). My aunt was also recently dx'ed with lung cancer. She tried chemo, but was unable to tolerate it. She did make it through rads, and is feeling pretty well now.

Good luck, and try to relax!!!!