Am I Obsessed?

[Jean]

Dear Joanne,
I am sorry that you have been dx. with bc. But you have found this wonderful family of woman. You have been through major surgery,
of course you body will take time to heal and recover. The cough you
mention is most likely from the herceptin. I had the cough also, it does
go away. Allow yourself time to heal. It is important to have some
exercise - maybe you could begin with small walks and then add five min. to the walks to build up.
Also joining a local YMCA or gym is a good beginning..it not only serves to get you going, but also
you will get out of the house and back into the world. Right now your home all day by yourself.
Hopeful just posted a great article on a study done regarding recurrance and depression. Take a peek at it.

I don't think your obessed, it is normal to search for information, maybe once you read the information it is
frightening you, and fear will depress you.

Joanne, realize that you are a survivor, you may not feel like one,
but you are. You have found us here at Her2, where you can discuss
just about anything you wish. Everyone is special here and different,
that is what makes this group so wonderful.

Most important, remember that you are "Not Alone!"

Kind Regards,
Jean

[Jean]

Joanne,
Just re-read your signature....you are fresh out of radiation....8/07...
that would explain the fatigue....give yourself time to rebound.
The radiation takes a lot of your energy. Rest when your body feels
tired..once again, you do need to get some small amount of exercise.
It will help to rebuild your strength.

Best of luck.....
Hugs,
Jean

[Sandy in Silicon Valley]

Hi, Joanne -

I've been reading the replies to your post with interest. It's difficult to remember back that far, for me (1992 - primary, mastectomy, CAF, Tamoxifen).

But everything you're going through is within the range of what people experience when they get dreaded bad news, and/or go through a physically/emotionally traumatic experience.

I disagree with the member who wrote that you are "stuck" in anger. Anger is a normal part of the grieving process, and I think it's important to allow yourself time to heal both physically and emotionally. As another member wrote - you just completed radiation tx a little over a month ago. That's very hard on some patients' bodies.

If you are really fed up with feeling like you do, it may be the right time to start taking some action. There are therapists - both physical and psychological - who can work with you to find solutions to your pain, lack of mobility, and the emotional slump you've described. I saw a psychologist for 4 years after my initial diagnosis, and again more than 10 years later, when I was struggling about my bcmets diagnosis. There are medications that can help take the edge off your black mood, without making you feel numb or unreal. There's physical therapy and exercises you can do to try to gradually recover from your surgery. There are pain meds to manage your pains.

It is not necessary to forget you've had breast cancer, in order to live with a decent QOL. If your obsession leads you to actively seek solutions, it can even be a good thing. If it's overwhelming and paralyzing, you might want to find someone who can help you out of the paralysis, and into regaining some sense of control and recovery.

(((hugs))) and wishes for your successful recuperation,

Sandy in Silicon Valley

[RhondaH]

No, you are not. I TOO thought I was and it wasn't until recently (over 2 years since dx) that I found that I am not thinking about it as much. You TOO will get past it and not think about it as much, but it will take time. I know that probably your family and friends don't understand it (mine haven't), but then I tell them that they have not been where I am AND everyone deals with it differently, I have a friend at the cancer center who has been stage 4 for 6 years and she has NO obsession w/ cancer...just goes in weekly for Herceptin. Curious, where in Michigan are you located? I'm in Grand Rapids.

Rhonda