Page 78 - LIVESTRONG Digital Guidebook
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Your Feelings
During Treatment
As you go through cancer treatment, there may be times when you have little energy or interest in things
that used to be important to you. There may be conflicting emotions about your fight with cancer. This is
a normal part of living with cancer. Each phase of the cancer journey brings new experiences.
“Talking about emotions is a difficult thing for guys...to express
your emotions and still be the stoic guy that everybody wants
to be...I am stronger than I ever was. But it doesn’t mean that
the little insecurities and little voices aren’t there.” —BRIAN H.
On the one hand, you may have confidence that DEALING WITH LOSS
you can beat cancer. You may be ready to tackle the
physical, emotional and mental challenges that can Cancer patients might experience losses. Some
come with cancer treatment. You may also feel good may be easy to see and name such as physical
about your health care team and the support you changes. Others, like the loss of a sense of control,
receive from others. can be harder to recognize. A loss may be tempo-
rary or permanent. A loss can be life changing or a
At other times, you may feel unsure about what minor inconvenience.
will happen. There may also be concerns about pro-
tecting loved ones. You may attempt to hide some You might find that some people around you
things from them. There may even be times when seem not to recognize your losses or feelings of grief.
you feel alone or withdraw from others. Some may find it hard to talk about feelings. They
might want to help you, but do not know how. If this
It is normal to feel emotional and have mood happens, remind them that you need the support of
swings during cancer treatment. You may feel peace- having someone listen to you. Let them know that
ful and balanced one day, yet stressed and fearful on you do not expect them to have answers or to be
another. Strong emotions and reactions might occur able to make everything better.
when you are not expecting them. It is often best to
allow yourself to have these feelings without judging DEALING WITH EMOTIONAL DISTRESS
them as right or wrong.
Stress that is ongoing can become serious emotional
The following mix of emotions are common for distress. Symptoms may include changes in blood pres-
people who are beginning treatment: sure, chest pain, headaches, depression or anxiety. If this
starts to happen to you, try using some of the methods
• Relief about starting to fight cancer you have used to deal with difficult times in the past.
• Hope about beating cancer
• Concern about physical changes You may already know some good ways to cope.
• Worry about whether the treatments will work Some people use exercise or meditation. Many keep
• Sadness about the challenges cancer can bring a personal journal to record thoughts, feelings and
• Anxiety or fear about the future experiences. Writing about challenges may help
• Distress about the changes cancer and you deal with them and reduce stress. As much as
treatment might bring to your life possible, focus only on what needs to happen today.
• Anger about having cancer
• Uncertainty about the future
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