Coping With Your Feelings
Hope
Inner Strength
Sadness and Depression
Grief
Denial
Anger
Stress
Fear and Worry
Guilt and Regret
Loneliness
Getting Support
Ways You Can Cope
You've probably felt a range of feelings during your cancer experience. You may
have had these feelings at other times in your life, too, but they may be more
intense now.
There is no right or wrong way to feel. And there is no right or wrong way to
react to your feelings. Do what is most comfortable and useful for you.
You may relate to all of the feelings below or just a few. You may feel them at
different times, with some days being better than others. It may help to know
that others have felt the same way that you do. You may also want to read "Ways
You Can Cope".
"I feel it's important to me that
I live each day to the fullest,
and make peace with my relatives
and friends and develop loving
relationships with them."
- Kate
You can feel a sense of hope, despite your cancer. But what you hope for
changes with time. If you have been told that remission may not be possible,
you can hope for other things. These may include comfort, peace, acceptance,
even joy. Hoping may give you a sense of purpose. This, in itself, may help you
feel better.
To build a sense of hope, set goals to look forward to each day. Plan something
to get your mind off the cancer. Here are some tips from others with advanced
stage cancer:
-
Plan your days as you've always done.
-
Don't stop doing the things you like to do just because you have cancer.
-
Find small things in life to look forward to each day.
You can also set dates and events to look forward to. Don't limit yourself.
Look for reasons to hope, while staying aware of what's at hand. See "Ways You
Can Cope" for more ideas from other patients.
"My biggest struggle is that I need help, but I don't
want people to give me too much of it. I want to do
what I can for myself. If I have to work at something,
there's a reason to live."
- Will
People with cancer find strength they didn't know they had. You may have felt
overwhelmed when you first learned that your doctors couldn't control your
cancer. And now you aren't coping as well as you did in the past. But your
feelings of helplessness may change. You may find physical and emotional
reserves you didn't know you had. Calling on your inner strength can help
revive your spirit.
Some people find it helpful to focus on the present instead of the past or
future. They start a new daily routine. They accept that it may have to be
different from the old routine. Others like to plan ahead and set goals. With
places to go and things to do, life stretches out before them. Others focus on
the relationships they have with people close to them. Inner strength is
different for each person. So draw on the things in your life that are
meaningful to you. Look at other sections in this booklet for ways to tap into
your inner strength.
It's normal to feel sad. You may have no energy or not want to eat. It's okay
to cry or express your sadness in another way. You don't have to be upbeat all
the time or pretend to be cheerful in front of others.
Pretending to feel okay when you don't doesn't help you feel better. And it may
even create barriers between you and your loved ones. So don't hold it in. Do
what feels natural to you.
Depression can happen if sadness or despair seems to take over your life. Some
of the signs below are normal during a time like this. Talk to your doctor if
they last for more than 2 weeks. Some symptoms could be due to physical
problems. It's important to tell someone on your health care team about them.
Signs of Depression
-
Feeling helpless or hopeless, or that life has no meaning
-
Having no interest in family, friends, hobbies, or things you used to enjoy
-
Losing your appetite
-
Feeling short-tempered and grouchy
-
Not being able to get certain thoughts out of your mind
-
Crying for long periods of time or many times each day
-
Thinking about hurting or killing yourself
-
Feeling "wired," having racing thoughts or panic attacks
-
Having sleep problems, such as not being able to sleep, having nightmares, or
sleeping too much.
Your doctor can treat depression with medicine. He or she also may suggest that
you talk about your feelings. You can do this with a psychologist or counselor.
Or you may want to join a support group.
"I heard the doctor say, 'I'm so sorry, but . . .' and
then I heard nothing else. My head was spinning,
and I kept saying to myself, 'No, the doctor must be
making a mistake.'"
- Rosa
We all cope with loss or the threat of loss in different ways. You may feel
sadness, loneliness, anger, fear, and guilt. Or you may find the way you think
changes from time to time. For example, you may get easily confused or feel
lost. Or your thoughts may repeat themselves over and over again. You may also
find yourself low in energy. You may not want to do things or see people. These
are all normal reactions to grief.
What you grieve for is as varied as how you think and feel. You may be grieving
for the loss of your body as it used to be. You may grieve for the things you
used to be able to do. You also may grieve losing what you have left: yourself,
your family, your friends, your future.
It's okay to take time for yourself and look inward. It's also okay to surround
yourself with people who are close to you. Let your loved ones know if you want
to talk. Let them know if you just want to sit quietly with them. There is no
right or wrong way to grieve.
Often people who go through major change and loss need extra help. You can talk
with a member of your health care team, a member of your faith community, or a
mental health professional. You don't have to go through this alone.
"I feel like the reality of this cancer isn't going to go
away if I deny it. If I did that, I might miss the
comfort I get from sharing fears and concerns. I don't
want to miss the sense of well-being I have knowing
I have taken care of my loved ones."
- Carrie
It's hard to accept the news that your cancer has spread or can no longer be
controlled. And it's natural to need some time to adjust. But this can become a
serious problem if it lasts longer than a few weeks. It can keep you from
getting the care you need or talking about your treatment choices. As time
passes, try to keep an open mind. Listen to what others around you suggest for
your care.
The feeling of "No, not me!" often changes to "Why me?" or "What's next?" You
have a lot to deal with right now. It's normal and healthy to feel angry. You
don't have to pretend that everything is okay. You may be mad at your doctor,
family members, neighbors, and even yourself. Some people get angry with God
and question their faith.
At first, anger can help by moving you to take action. You may decide to learn
more about different treatment options. Or you may become more involved in the
care you are getting. But anger doesn't help if you hold it in too long or take
it out on others. Often the people closest to us are the ones who have to deal
with our anger, whether we want that or not.
It may help to figure out why you are angry. This isn't always easy. Sometimes
anger comes from feelings that are hard to show, such as fear, panic, worry, or
helplessness. But being open and dealing with your anger may help you let go of
it. Anger is also a form of energy. It may help to express this energy through
exercise or physical activity, art, or even just hitting the bed with a pillow.
(See "Ways You Can Cope".)
"Just because I love God and know where I'm going,
doesn't mean I'm not stressed. I worry all the time
about what's to come. I try to focus on the things I can
control, but it's not always easy."
- David
Everyone has stress, but most likely you're having a lot more now. After all,
you're dealing with many changes. Sometimes, you may not even notice that
you're stressed. But your family and friends may see a change.
Anything that helps you feel calm or relaxed may help you. Try to think of
things that you enjoy. Some people say it helps to:
-
Exercise or take a walk.
-
Write thoughts and feelings in a journal.
-
Meditate, pray, or do relaxation exercises.
-
Talk with someone about your stress.
-
Do yoga or gentle stretching.
-
Listen to soothing music.
-
Express yourself through art.
See "Ways You Can Cope" for more ideas to relieve stress.
"I have people around all day, but there's nothing
worse than waking up alone and upset at 3:00 in the
morning in a quiet, dark room. You have to have
someone you can call right then."
- Jamal
Facing the unknown is very hard. At times, you may feel scared of losing
control of your life. You may be afraid of becoming dependent on other people.
You may be afraid of dying.
If you struggle with these fears, remember that many others have felt the same
way. Some people worry about what will happen to their loved ones in the
future. Others worry about money. Many people fear being in pain or feeling
sick. All these fears are normal.
Sometimes patients or family members worry that talking about their fears will
make the cancer worse. This is not true. Thinking about getting sicker or dying
is not going to make your health worse. But it's good to be hopeful and
positive. It's better for your health to express your feelings, rather than
hold them in.
Some people say it helps if you:
-
Know what to expect. Learn more about your illness and treatment options by
asking questions of your healthcare team.
-
Update your affairs. If you have not already done so, make sure your will and
other legal paperwork are in order. Then you won't have to worry about it. (See Advance Planning.)
-
Try to work through your feelings. If you can, talk with someone you trust.
If you feel overwhelmed by fear, remember that others have felt this way, too.
It's okay to ask for help.
"I couldn't stop thinking about what I could have done
to slow down my cancer. Maybe I should have gone to
the doctor sooner, maybe I should have given up
sweets, maybe I should have done this, maybe I should
have done that. After talking about it with my social
worker, she helped me see that this is no one's fault,
especially mine."
- Erika
It's normal for people with cancer to wonder if they did anything to add to
their situation. They may blame themselves for lifestyle choices. They may feel
guilty because treatment didn't work. They may regret ignoring a symptom and
waiting too long to go to the doctor. Others worry that they didn't follow the
doctor's orders in the right way.
It's important to remember that the treatment failed you. You didn't fail the
treatment. We can't know why cancer happens to some people and not
others. In any case, feeling guilty won't help--it can even stop you from taking
action and getting the treatment you need. So, it's important for you to:
-
Try to let go of any mistakes you think you may have made.
-
Focus on things worthy of your time and energy.
-
Forgive yourself.
You may want to share these feelings with your loved ones. Some people blame
themselves for upsetting the people they love. Others worry that they'll be a
burden on their families. If you feel this way too, take comfort in this: many
family members have said it is an honor and a privilege to care for their loved
one. Many consider it a time when they can share experiences and become closer
to one another. Others say that caring for someone else makes them take life
more seriously and causes them to rethink their priorities.
Maybe you feel that you can't talk openly about these things with your loved
ones. If so, counseling or a support group may be an option for you. Let your
health care team know if you would like to talk with someone.
"I know my friends try to understand. It doesn't
matter what I say though--they just don't get it.
I can't even begin to explain to them how I feel or
what's going on. I'm not saying it's their fault or
anything. It's just hard."
- Jennifer
You may feel alone, even if you have lots of people around you who care. You
may feel that no one really understands what you're going through. And as the
cancer progresses, you may see family, friends, or coworkers less often. You
may find yourself alone more than you would like. Some people may even distance
themselves from you because they have a hard time coping with your cancer. This
can make you feel really alone.
Although some days may be harder than others, remember that you aren't alone.
Keep doing the things you've always done the best you can. If you want to, tell
people that you don't want to be alone. Let them know that you welcome their
visits.
More than likely, your loved ones are feeling many of the same things you are.
They, too, may feel cut off from you if they can't talk with you. You may also
want to try joining a support group. There you can talk with others who share
your feelings.
Finding Humor |
Laughter can help you relax. Even a smile can fight off stressful thoughts. Of
course, you may not always feel like laughing, but other people have found
these ideas can help:
-
Enjoy funny things children and pets do.
-
Watch funny movies or TV shows.
-
Read a joke book or look at jokes on the Internet. If you don't own a computer,
use one at your local library. Or ask a friend to print some for you.
-
Listen to comedy tapes.
-
Read the comics in the newspaper or the cartoons and quotes in magazines.
-
Look in the humor section in the library or book store.
|
Your feelings will come and go, just as they always have in your life. It helps
to have some strategies to deal with them.
First, know that you aren't alone. Many people have been in your situation.
Some choose to confide in friends and family members. Others do better when
they join a support group. It helps them to talk with others who are facing the
same challenges. You may prefer to join an online support group, so you can
chat with people from your home.
If support groups don't appeal to you, there are many experts who are trained
to work in cancer care. These include oncology social workers,
health psychologists, or
counselors.
Many people also find faith as their source of support. They may seek comfort
from the different members of their faith community. Or they may find that
talking to a leader in their religious or spiritual community can be helpful.
If you need help finding faith-based support, many hospitals have a staff
chaplain who can give support to people of all faiths and religions. Your
health care team may also be able to tell you about faith-based organizations
in the area.
About Support Groups |
You may have heard about support groups in your area for people with cancer.
They can meet in person, by phone, or over the Internet. They may help you gain
new insights into what's happening, get ideas about how to cope, and help you
know that you're not alone.
In a support group, people may talk about their feelings and what they have
gone through. They may trade advice and try to help others who are dealing with
the same kinds of issues. Some people like to go and just listen. Others prefer
not to join support groups at all. Some people aren't comfortable with this
kind of sharing.
If you feel like you would enjoy outside support such as this, but can't get to
a group in your area, try a support group on the Internet. Some people with
cancer say that Web sites with support groups have helped them a lot.
|
You may be able to keep doing many of your regular activities, even though some
may be harder to do. Just remember to save your strength for the things you
really want to do. Don't plan too many events for one day. Also, try to stagger
things throughout the day.
On the next page you'll find some ideas that other patients say have helped
them cope. As you can see, even little things can help.
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