What have you found that helps with anxiety?

At the moment Sherry! On a more productive note,  I find mindfulness very helpful,  I'm still fairly new to it but I'm getting better the more I practice...

I can identify with all of those emotions you've mentioned. The initial shock and disbelief at the diagnosis, the difficult decision who to tell, the anxiety of waiting for results, the faint optimism that the op went as well as it could. Currently in a hospital ward waiting for PDR brachytherapy treatment tomorrow so some apprehension at that! I live alone with no close family nearby so I have felt quite isolated at times which in turn increases the anxiety. I'm much better at controlling it if I'm doing something e.g. meeting friends and family, some gentle exercising, walking, even shopping takes my mind off it. The next challenge will come when the treatment is over and how to control the worry that, one day, the cancer may return. I plan to minimise this by, hopefully, getting back to doing the things I love e.g. travelling, theatre, short breaks, meals out with friends. But whether I'll totally conquer this fear completely is a other unanswered question.

Hi SH53, thinking of you as you have your treatment tomorrow. It’s different from the sort of brachy that most of us on here have/have had and I feel for you with your apprehension. 

Hi SH53. Hope it all goes well and recovery is quick. I have had 3 brachytherapy but it only lasted 6 mins each treatment and not the PDR type but HDR and I'm sure you will be fine. It's the not knowing!  X

Hi, I've not been on here for a while, I've found that planning cycle tours and volunteering at my local meditation centre helps-having a goal but every little twinge, every change in bowel habit has me wondering and worrying. I changed my diet to mostly plant based as this gives me a feeling of control over my body - like putting the right fuel in a car so it runs properly-I do feel healthier, fitter and more positive when I stick to the healthy eating. I checked my environment for carcinogenic chemicals in air fresheners, cleaners, cosmetics etc. But I guess the core fear will never go away. I'm much more kamakaze on my bike going downhill lol and find the courage to try things I never would have before so positives there. I wake up every morning and say "I am well, I am healed" whether I believe it or not. Thanks for bringing this subject up Madesp love to you all and a happy healthy 2023!

I hope your treatment today goes well SH53 , fingers crossed for you and sending some gentle bear hugs

Hi MarmiteFan59 , i know i was in deep shock after my diagnosis but also anger at being fobbed off for so long and i know i was extremely lucky to be low stage and only needing a hysterectomy as treatment. But i cant help feeling what if it was the other way and aggressive, or what if it returns. These are all normal feelings but it doesn’t help to know this, but over time it helps. I found help from a local cancer support group and also the local hospice at first, the hospice got me into art in a big way.

I have created a thread  RE: The womb girls arts and crafts  Because i found this to really help with the mind and helps to relax and was definitely a huge help for me. 

I also joined a mental health group which was started by a local lady but she has grown the group to social media services to reach out to many more people, i loved watching her walking her dogs in the park the chats she did so you felt you were there with her, that was great when i couldn't get out much and i myself now enjoy my walks to the local park to feed the ducks. Because of other health issues that have been made worse since my cancer these little walks etc are my little victories. The most important thing i found with dealing with anxiety is to try to set little goals and build them up, this helps not to be overwhelmed. I honestly get so fed up when i have a day my kidneys are flaring stops me having the energy to get out, or as i have found out recently heart disease although to be fair i have had some randomly strange heart issues for a while they couldn't work out the cause so i have some answers and i have poor immune, i can’t believe its taken well over a year to start to clear an infection in my head, but touch wood the new treatment seems to be helping.

sending big gentle bears hugs to all

I hope your treatment goes well and you can soon get back to doing things you love and find the joy again  xx

Sorry to hear you still have ongoing problems, I hope now that your infection is clearing, you can start to feel better and deal with your other health issues xx

Nice to hear from you PikNik, it's been a while. I totally get where you're coming from and the thought of recurrence never really fades, sadly there are a few members on here that seemed 'cured' when I joined the forum but have since had recurrence with our type of cancer. I too, have changed my diet tomainly plant based and only have small amount of meat on Sundays, my husband is doing same so it does help organizing meals for the week! 

I'm not on here as much now as it gets me down a bit sometimes reading the other members threads.  But you're doing very well and long may it continue.x