As you have asked this question.....are you feeling very stressed yourself? If so perhaps you'd like to chat about the things that are upsetting you. Sometimes just writing things down can ease the tension or at least give a clearer picture of the situation. Perhaps you are worried about the cancer treatments or the outcomes? Or have friends and family who simply cannot imagine how you are actually feeling or have expectations of you which are not possible now? Again on this site numerous people can empathise with you having already shared similar circumstances. This site is full of support and confidentiality.
Can stress affect cancer? I don't have a medical answer although I was told in some cases a very stressful situation can start the cancer in the first place. But will being stressed affect how you cope with treatment? I think it might because there will inevitably be some very unpleasant days ahead and the better you feel in yourself....the easier it will be to deal with them.
Either continue on this thread or join in one of the established ones like the Awake thread where you may find something to laugh at in addition to sharing your concerns or if you have questions about treatment...the monthly chemo thread. For relaxation the thread...walking back to happiness often contains beautiful photographs of the places people live and walk.
I hope you will feel able to talk through your difficulties. Stress is not kind at any time but is particularly debilitating when you are dealing with another illness.
Hi I found writing a treatment diary helped me.and also talking to my hubby has helped as he has been my rock all the way through from my diagnosis chemo and in July my radiotherapy I don't know what I would have done without him or my friends it's so good to talk never be afraid to talk about what's going on I say xx
Thanks Karen I'm so stressed about my children they are just not getting on which upsets me immensely. I have 3 sons and a daughter they took my cancer news quite badly and just don't seem to be able to get on together. I turn to them as a support as I lost my husband to cancer 17 years ago. Not sure how to handle the situation feel like pig in the middle but I really need to concentrate on my own health problems?? X
Hi, so sorry to hear that you are having issues on top of all this. I have researched stress and cancer as I have always been a naturally stressy person and from what I've read, stress is a chemical and effects the immune system and can cause it to shut down or not perform as well as it should do which obviously isn't good for our bodies. I am trying to stress less since my diagnosis but it's easier said than done. I have tried meditation which relaxes me and try to remain positive where I can. I have also been listening to pod casts by Bruce LIpton who is a medical professor and a stem cell biologist and he makes a lot of sense about the importance of positive thinking and having a healthy mind set when it comes to diseases and healing your body. Hes not to everyone's taste but it has certainly helped me think more positively x
It really sounds like you are going through it. What I understand now, after my 2nd time with Breast Cancer, is that the more relaxed you can be (easier said than done!), the more able we are to cope with this awful time. I use Mindfulness all the time now and there are so many good ones on Youtube etc. The pain of my recent Mastectomy was definitely reduced when I paused and deep breathed with the calming Meditations and Music. Hope this can be of some help. Best wishes, K.
