A good friend of mine has been fighting Breast Cancer. She asked me how to fight the fear of recurrence and this is the reply I gave her (I hope she doesn’t mind me sharing.). It’s how I’ve stayed sane after having melanoma.
Yes, fear is your enemy now. I always tell people its the Devil walking the Earth. Use my secret to defeat it: HOPE
Humor: You’re a natural at this. Laugh at everything — including cancer. Help your immune system. Medical studies show that laughter may not be the best medicine, but it helps.
Opportunity to Serve: If nothing else, find another Breast Cancer survivor and help her through her battle. Start a two-woman support group. By giving to another, you’ll also help yourself. It’s why I co-founded the Run from the Sun.
Physical Well being. Take care of yourself. Exercise helps reduce your chances of recurrence. And that’s what the game’s about. And it will reduce your stress levels.
Education: Learn all you can about your disease. It will not only help you ask better questions to the doctor, but will reduce your stress levels. Knowledge can slay the fear dragon.
I’m sorry you’re having to go through this — I never wish cancer on anyone. But I know you are a strong woman of faith and if anyone can beat those pesky cancer cells, you can.
Let me know how else I can help.
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Thanks for H.O.P.E. I am a two time survivor (breast and melanoma) and understand all too well about fear. I have shared H.O.P.E. with other survivors and it made us all laugh, cry and put put fear in its proper place!
Dear beth, I need ur help I got recently again breast cancer and and I totally leave now in the fear of dying I do live the whole day almost with butterflies in my tummy, iam really suffering from the feeling I do have and I already have been treated years ago from anexity attacks so now it’s worst for me could you give me ur hand to help me get out of this continuious fear.