How to deal with stress

Hello Polly! So sorry you find yourself here but u are in great company! You.don’t say where you’re at with your diagnosis so I presume at the ‘start’ of your journey? I have joined a local cancer group in my area (SE England) and we meet twice a week. It’s certainly not all about cancer, quite the opposite, v uplifting and such a divide if ladies attend. They do many therapies too. Find out if there’s one in your area, via GP/BCN. (you cannot have massages in certain body areas but again check this with MacMillan whose number you should have been given) Easy to say ‘stop stressing’ BUT we all know anxiety adds weight to your already tired brain…don’t Google but ask questions of the staff and follow their advice. I really wish you well.  You will smile/laugh again in due course! Bless your lovely husband..he’s probably feeling totally helpless and unable to offer support at this time. It does get easier..xxx

Thanks Tavares

i live in rural Northern Ireland.There are some services but all seem to have waiting lists but I don’t mind paying.

I’ve had surgery and slnb and I know my tumour is bigger than on scan. Also my slnb I had hoped would be clear as it was on ultrasound but I have micromets .

my cancer has moved fr stage 1 a to Stage 2 b as far as I can work out and I’m so annoyed by that.

let’s hope tomorrow will help. I’ve enrolled  for an exercise class but the leader is on holidays 

I think I’ll arrange some things myself to bridge this waiting list gap 

thanks for the reassurance 

Polly

That awful anxiety is a real hindrance isn’t it?
I was having regular massage from a chiropractor before I was diagnosed. Once I knew I had breast cancer, the chiropractor was not happy to continue with treatment unless the oncologist agreed. M yesy breast surgeon said not to have deep tissue massage in that area (it was my shoulder). I’m just passing this on as it hadn’t occurred to me that it might be unwise. My chiropractor said the reason is that deep tissue massage is to get everything moving including the lymph and obviously while there is a danger there are cancer cells there you wouldn’t want to be encouraging them to move around the body.

If your anxiety is that bad, I wonder whether your GP is the best person to talk to. Would you consider medication? 
I find that sometimes I can feel anxiety and manage it, example by doing gentle activity to distract me, but other times the feelings are overwhelming and I can’t get it under control.  I sympathise. It is exhausting and unhelpful.

There are some apps. I think the most well-known ones are Calm and Headspace.
I hope you find something which works well for you. 

Sorry to hear your stage has changed.I was diagnosed at stage 2 but then was told it was now stage 3 so I know how you feel. Keep busy to occupy your thoughts…sorry you have to wait to get back into structured exercise. Onwards and upwards! Xx

Thanks for replying Hedra .

I really don’t want to go take medication for anxiety.

I can manage a lot of the time and I use distraction and then suddenly out of

nownere this beast hits me in the guts .

maybe after my appointment today It will help

polly