Oncologist Response to Fear of Recurrence
I went to my checkup with my oncologist on Thursday and I thought it worth sharing. I like my onc and trust him to be doing the best for me but I know that to a large extent, that's on faith and reco...
Forum Discussion
Hi @Sister I understand the constant fear of recurrence which dominates our thinking after active treatment ends and how it colours our life.
I was very low and thought life not worth living at one point .
I stumbled into phoning the Cancer Council who arranged Cancer Connect for me which was a turning point for me.Within 3 days I was rung by a lovely Irish lady from Maroochydore who had had lobular cancer like me some 10 plus years beforehand.The life in her voice and her words lifted me out of the mire as she was not only living her life but enjoying it.It started me thinking I too could have a life.
I started to look outwards for contact with other women who had been thru breast cancer.I joined the BCNA blog and a local breast cancer group . The blog was a godsend as I found support from others who understood what I felt and could also offer practical ideas to help .From the local support group I learnt about Encore and an online support program Flinder Uni provided called Finding My Way.The big thing for me was knowing there were others out there like me and I was not alone.Further to see people walking around my community participating in life be it shopping at the supermarket or having a coffee with friends etc meant a great deal to me.
It takes time and also practice to get back into life but it does happen - slowly but surely life once again starts to absorb you and as it does confidence starts to grow with fear no longer every moment of every day.I still worry before each check up and yes if something unusual happens I head for my onc.
I agree strongly about exercise .I have found daily walks a real help in dealing with feeling low .I walk twice daily now for an hour which helps clear my mind.I use it as thinking time and listen to music on my phone as I go.I bought a runners band on eBay too as I tripped one day and find I need two hands free.It has been a godsend dealing with the stress of dealing with my twins studying year 12.
Basically I think it starts with realising we are not alone , that we can get through this and enjoy our lives again as others have and are , but it takes time and practice with the occasional slip up along the way.Its about looking outwards after months of looking inwards .
I was very low and thought life not worth living at one point .
I stumbled into phoning the Cancer Council who arranged Cancer Connect for me which was a turning point for me.Within 3 days I was rung by a lovely Irish lady from Maroochydore who had had lobular cancer like me some 10 plus years beforehand.The life in her voice and her words lifted me out of the mire as she was not only living her life but enjoying it.It started me thinking I too could have a life.
I started to look outwards for contact with other women who had been thru breast cancer.I joined the BCNA blog and a local breast cancer group . The blog was a godsend as I found support from others who understood what I felt and could also offer practical ideas to help .From the local support group I learnt about Encore and an online support program Flinder Uni provided called Finding My Way.The big thing for me was knowing there were others out there like me and I was not alone.Further to see people walking around my community participating in life be it shopping at the supermarket or having a coffee with friends etc meant a great deal to me.
It takes time and also practice to get back into life but it does happen - slowly but surely life once again starts to absorb you and as it does confidence starts to grow with fear no longer every moment of every day.I still worry before each check up and yes if something unusual happens I head for my onc.
I agree strongly about exercise .I have found daily walks a real help in dealing with feeling low .I walk twice daily now for an hour which helps clear my mind.I use it as thinking time and listen to music on my phone as I go.I bought a runners band on eBay too as I tripped one day and find I need two hands free.It has been a godsend dealing with the stress of dealing with my twins studying year 12.
Basically I think it starts with realising we are not alone , that we can get through this and enjoy our lives again as others have and are , but it takes time and practice with the occasional slip up along the way.Its about looking outwards after months of looking inwards .