Living with Fear: Coping After Cancer Treatment

Yes. I think the concern of recurrence is real for a lot of us. I'm doing a little bit of counseling to help process though this journey. It helps.

Thank you for your reply ❤️ I was thinking about maybe counseling. There are days I have anxiety 😥

Yep. I had it before BC. So how is to lessen the occurrence and severity. I'm doing both biblical study and secular counseling. They both have merits for me. Together they help get my thoughts in check.

Yes. I’ve been in a clinical trial for 6 months and have surgery in a July followed by 1 month of radiation. (IDC 2a HR+PR+ Her-) Cancer changes everything. How we live, think, and physically move. It’s no small thing to have to learn to navigate. Give yourself time and use alllll the resources available to you. (Therapy, yoga, whatever you can get.) It will all help. And to be honest, there will still be those days that none of it will help at all. That’s ok too. 💕 Hang in there. There are many of us rooting for each other!

And it's okay to cry. Having Cancer is a journey aseason in your life. I have been living 16 yrs w Mestatic breast Cancer. Take care of yourself. I pray you have love n support you need. ❤️ All the best

I have triple negative breat cancer and opted for a double mastectomy I have my 16th round of chemo next week then surgery hopping that lessens the chance of reoccurring it’s been a long hall but hang in there there is a light at the end of the tunnel we are in this together!

Wow thank you all for your support and kind words. This is truly a journey that I hope and pray I’ll eventually get a grip on.

Wow thank you all for your support and kind words. This is truly a journey that I hope and pray I’ll eventually get a grip on.

I’m trying not to cry….

Let yourself cry - sometimes for me it's the best way to release some of the million feelings I'm having.

Thank you for saying that ❤️

Cancer gave me two things I really didn’t have: humility and gratitude for this day!

I am 2 weeks out from a mastectomy and reconstruction. I don't let anyone see me cry. But the feeling come out when I am alone.

@Rosemary After I got the cancer diagnosis, I didn't cry right away. A couple of weeks later, I broke down in front of my closest friend. Her frantic response was "don't cry, don't cry, everything will be fine, I just know it… UGH! I tried to edit this message and somehow lost half of it! The main point I was making is that my friend didn't know how to handle it. Most people don't. I found a great support group of cancer patients/survivors who encouraged me to cry, scream, break stuff - express my feelings in whatever ways I needed. They can relate to it all. I highly recommend looking for a similar group in your area.

Linda, Love hearing from long time survivors. Thank you.

Recurrence is a fact of life for cancer survivors. 72 and got my third breast cancer diagnosis after double mastectomy, tamoxifen and 20+ years. Now have my 3rd cancer - same breast cancer, evidently a cancer cell was left behind- they can’t ever remove all the breast tissue. Yes it is back - frankly mad as hell about it. Have to say the drug therapy and treatment seem better now - more evolved. Keep thinking about that quote “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”. I have refused to let my cancer define me - believe it has made me a stronger person. Use it as a strength - as your super power - you are alive and have been given a gift of more time - make it worth while!

Your words truly moved me. God Bless you

What you're experiencing is incredibly common among cancer survivors - the fear of recurrence can feel overwhelming and completely change how someone views life. Many people in this community have shared similar feelings about crying, anxiety, and the emotional impact that comes after treatment ends. It's encouraging to hear about your clear results, and sharing these feelings here is a brave step that can help connect you with others who truly understand this journey.