Is anyone awake at the moment.

Hi lionelb11430 and I see it’s your first post so welcome to the Macmillan Community but so sorry to see you finding us.

Happy to chat if you want but you may benifits from calling the Macmillan Support Line that is open between 8am-8pm (timings may differ across services) 7 days a week on 0808 808 00 00…… this service provides cancer information, practical information, emotional support, or just a listening ear.

Hi Mike 

Thank you for getting back to me. It's ok. I shouldn't really be here. I might not have cancer. My bowels have become a problem and the GP response - quick and efficient, has made me feel anxious beyond belief. I have a long-standing problem with generalized anxiety and especially about my health. The GP says I need a colonoscopy. My response has been disproportionate I know. But I feel sick in my stomach, my body is hurting and late last night I felt frightened and discovered the site. I was feeling alone and frightened and distressed. I was awake a lot with these catastrophic images of me dying, leaving my son on his own. It just got too much for me and I wanted to tell someone. I got a little sleep. Today I am talking with the hospital. Thank you for your response. I am going to try to manage these feelings a little better. Try to get a bit of perspective if I can. It just felt quite overwhelming in the middle of the night. And of course I am hoping that I am worrying without cause. I think if I wasn't already quite an anxious person I would be better able to manage.

Thanks again. Hope your day goes well 

Hi again lionelb11430 ….. this is just one of the reasons the community is here.

Health anxiety is not something I have experienced in my 70 years but I can definitely appreciate the challenges of living with this.

I have been on my cancer journey for over 25 years…… at times it’s been a rather complicated journey (See my story) but I am over 9 years 10 month out from my last treatment and I doing great.

Should you find yourself on the cancer rollercoaster the Community is here for you.

The Community is actually divided into dedicated Cancer Support Groups (Discussion Rooms) and this link Cancer Specific Groups will be where you can find all our dedicated cancer support groups listed.

I honestly hope that you don’t have to be in the community in the future be we are here for you……. and remember about our Support Line.

The space between our ears can be the strongest or weakest link in our life’s journey

My simple mindset says - “Only worry when we are actually told there is something to worry about - easier said then done but it’s worked for me over my 25 years with my cancer…… and with many other medical issues”

((hugs))

Hi Lionel, and warm welcome to the forum, though I'm so sorry you have to be here, and how awful you are feeling. I don't know if its you or a loved one waiting for/have had a diagnosis or about to start treatment or waiting for results, but I'm familiar with them all and understand how this awful disease impacts your life and your emotions especially early on and what your feeling is perfectly normal my friend, most of us can relate to how you are at this time, but we find a way to move on with our new lives, my cancer isn't curable and I'm on my last treatment option, which is failing but I refuse to let this disease rule my life, it feels such a dark place where you are at the moment, but there's a way through it to a better place, it may not be  the life any of us wanted, but it can be a life worth living.

Lionel, on this forum is a thread called "awake all night", full of lovely people, can I suggest you put a post on there and if your ok to, a little more information about yourself. Your not alone my friend and my friends on there are kind, supportive, and caring and we'll help you however we can, I hope to see you soon on there.

Eddie 

Thank you for your message Eddie. I am sorry to hear about your situation. I am feeling overwhelmed with anxiety and I think I will try to wait until I actually have the examination to know if I need to come back on here. All this distress I am feeling may not be necessary. But thank you so much for responding to my cry for help. It is very appreciated. I wish you nothing but good luck with your health situation. 

I will have everything crossed your examination goes well my friend, and you'll always have friends here if you ever need us.

Eddie