I am acting like a patient instead of a survivor

LoveLau

I want suggestions on how to leave bc and rebuild my life again after 1.5 years survivorship despite anxiety.

You brave ones, please help me. I did go on cruise and I did fly to NY for 3 weeks alone, but I brought my anxiety with me. How can I leave my anxiety in the dust and live my life as a survivor without anxiety.

I have been working hard to live my life but the anxiety is causing me to live more like a sick person instead of a survivor. I am not sick, except for the anxiety. I want to live my life and enjoy myself. I believe I am pretty healthy and want to live as if I were very healthy. I did lose 50 pounds in a year after bc. I am not at my target BMI but my drs said not to lose anymore weight. It seems like at 1.5 years I have stumbled. I have had depression and anxiety but was able to conquer it. Well not exactly conquer. I was able to do things while having the anxiety and depression. I would like to stop the anxiety and depression and reclaim my life again. Swimming, exercise activities.

Suggestions and your story are appreciated

Thank you

gb2115

You and I were diagnosed around the same time! I too suffer from anxiety but it was pre-existing. Cancer made it worse. I just try to take it one day at a time but I am bothered because my 5 year old daughter pointed out to me yesterday that I worry too much. Ouch.

Do you have a therapist?

Jojobird

Dear LoveLau,

If I had any fast cures I think I'd be a millionaire...so all I can offer is empathy. I want to say to first give yourself time. Cancer is a life-changing diagnosis. When you are diagnosed, you cross a threshold - for good, for bad, who knows - but it permanently changes you. So give your body and mind time to change, and have compassion for the fears.

What really helped me was joining a women's cancer support group. Hearing everyone else's struggles and vulnerabilities helped me to see that I'm not alone. Another thing that helped was a circle of support and friends/family that I make time to regularly connect with. I also forced myself to exercise, or go out and hike in nature, and meditate. Meditating is hard for me, but I am working on it. Also, lots of coffee in the morning, along with a "cheat day" of food every Friday, where I drink a Coke and have some really decadent dessert. And guess what day today is?

These aren't new or especially exciting ideas, I know, but they are tried and true. The biggest one is the kindness for yourself in the anxiety - maybe your mind is a fearful mouse that needs to know it is loved. And it is. And it is not alone. Because already you are reaching out. Already you are taking steps to tend to it.

Love out.