There are times when mesothelioma patients stop or take a break from treatment because their cancer is undetectable or stable
Most. cancer patients enjoy the moments they are not subjected to treatment because they feel better physically and to regain a sense of normalcy. Yet one of the challenges that the experience of most mesothelioma patients when treatment is constantly fear their cancer will come back.
This fear of recurrence is quite normal and understandable, but there is a feeling that can be a struggle to manage.
What are the symptoms of fear of cancer recurrence?
- Worrying too much about your cancer returning
- Distrust of your body
- the uncertainty of the future
- generalized anxiety: fear, agitation, sleep disturbances, muscle tension and difficulty concentrating
There are certain times when the fear of recurrence is most strongly felt. For example, the time around the anniversary of the diagnosis and the beginning or end of your treatment can stir the emotions, possibly leading to fear.
Prior to track an appointment with your oncologist, it is common to feel a sense of panic, leading you to think: "My doctor will tell me that my cancer is back"
watch a TV news program on a new cancer treatment or reading an article about a famous person recently diagnosed with cancer can also trigger fear. any new pain, pain, lump or bump can cause you to ask yourself, "is my cancer coming back?"
Most patients with mesothelioma Don ?? t want to spend the rest of their lives feeling overwhelmed by fear their cancer will return. In order to keep these negative feelings at bay, they learn to use strategies that reduce their fear, allowing them to better enjoy their lives as cancer survivors.
strategies that can help you
Normalize
it is important to accept that it is normal (even helpful) to experience some fear of recurrence. Your oncologist wants you to be concerned enough about your cancer back so that you can report new symptoms develop healthy habits that include eating and exercise, and make sure to keep your appointments for monitoring analysis and laboratory work.
know your monitoring plan: Have a good understanding of this plan will reduce your fear of recurrence. Knowing what tests or scans are ordered, how often they will be controlled and often you will see your oncologist is reassuring. Ask your doctor what they are looking at these scans and tests. Ask specifically what symptoms you should report immediately to your oncologist.
compartmentalize
When you enter your oncologist s ?? office, lab or imaging center, you are there to take care of your cancer. But when you leave this building, imagine that you physically leave these worries there on your medical records -. And not with you on the way home or to work
Do the same if you keep a journal. Once you close your journal, you let your worries inside it.
Distraction
Pending the results of tests or impending meetings with your doctor can be nerve-wracking. The key to getting around these days is distraction. Maybe you can watch funny movies, schedule fun things to do with friends, work on hobbies or work overtime
Use anxiety as fuel for positive change: The .. fear and anxiety are very energizing emotions
We Pace, tap our feet and shake even when we are afraid. Many mesothelioma patients successfully exploit that fear and its power to make healthy changes in their lives. Fear of recurrence led many survivors to quit smoking and alcohol use, a healthy diet, getting more exercise and to make significant changes in their lives.
Relaxation
There are several ways to "turn down the volume" on anxiety, relaxation and proven strategies to help us sleep better and even reduce our blood pressure.
guided imagery exercises allow you to take a trip in your mind and calm your thoughts. progressive muscle relaxation exercises are intended to help people whose anxiety is more physical (agitation and muscle tension). There is a wide variety of relaxation exercises that most people are able to find one that works for them.
