Been a long journey over the past year. Finally had surgery to remove my tumor. Then had another surgery 4 days later because I had a massive csf leak. That tumor caused me to become type 2 diabetic, no testosterone and my thyroid stopped working. So now I deal with anxiety daily wondering if my life will ever be normal again. Will the head aches and congestion ever go away?
Hi Florian2021 and a very warm welcome to the online community
I'm sorry to read all that you've been through over the past 12 months and it's natural to wonder if symptoms you're experiencing will ever go away.
I had a different type of cancer to you so don't have any experience with headaches and congestion to draw on. Have you had a chat with your CNS about this as I'm sure your hospital team will want to know if you're experiencing any problems?
I don't think that any of our lives go back to how they were pre-cancer but we have to come to terms with a 'new normal'. A lot of people have found that this article called After the Treatment Finishes - Then What? really helpful.
Living with anxiety on a daily basis must be very debilitating and you might want to take a look at this from Macmillan on managing anxiety. If you feel your anxiety is getting worse, speak to your GP or specialist nurse as they can help you find ways of coping with it.
When you have a minute it would be great if you could pop something about your journey so far into your profile as it really helps others when answering or looking for someone with a similar diagnosis. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. To do this click on your username and then select 'Profile'. You can amend it at any time and if you're not sure what to write you can take a look at mine by clicking on my username.
x
"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"
Hello Florian2021, I hope you are feeling better now! CSF leaks are terrifying, I had a big one following my surgery. And I'm sorry to hear of your other complications.
Congestion takes a while to go away in my experience but it will go! The headaches are horrible and I wish someone had told me this sooner, caffeine is the best remedy! drinking energy drinks really helps with low brain fluid levels following surgery.
Life may not return to the old normal but you will learn to adapt and live with it. I am now on more medication than most elderly people, and have frequent medical appointments. But my lifestyle hasnt changed, I can still do everything I used to and no longer have the 24/7 headaches or blurred vision I had pre surgery.
I hope this helps 
