Talk Cancer

Question:

Hi folks, last year a had a cancer scare.  They thought I may have had cancer of my testicles. Fortunately, it turned up nothing, and I’m as healthy as a horse. The problem?  Now everytime I get the slightest twinge, I get worried about cancer!  I think I’m driving my girlfriend berzerk!  But this is a legitimate problem, and I would appreciate some advice.  I never was a hypochondriac (sp?) before!! -*=Ken Elder<=*-

Response:

The problem?  Now everytime I get the slightest twinge, I get worried about cancer!  I think I’m driving my girlfriend berzerk!  But this is a legitimate problem, and I would appreciate some advice.  I never was a hypochondriac (sp?) before!!

Your worries are perfectly reasonable.  Glad it didn’t turn out to be the real thing.  For what it’s worth, I think someone wrote the following on one of the many cancer support boards I follow at vaious places: "Worry is paying interest on trouble". Congratulations on good health, and many wishes for it to continue, and do try to relax. Michael A. Abbaticchio

Response:

Hi folks, last year a had a cancer scare.  They thought I may have had cancer of my testicles. Fortunately, it turned up nothing, and I’m as healthy as a horse. The problem?  Now everytime I get the slightest twinge, I get worried about cancer!  I think I’m driving my girlfriend berzerk!  But this is a legitimate problem, and I would appreciate some advice.  I never was a hypochondriac (sp?) before!! -*=Ken Elder<=*-

If you were never a hypochondriac before. why ruin your good record? margaret —

Response:

Hi folks, last year a had a cancer scare.  They thought I may have had cancer of my testicles. Fortunately, it turned up nothing, and I’m as healthy as a horse. The problem?  Now everytime I get the slightest twinge, I get worried about cancer!  I think I’m driving my girlfriend berzerk!  But this is a legitimate problem, and I would appreciate some advice.  I never was a hypochondriac (sp?) before!! -*=Ken Elder<=*-

You are not nuts, you just got scared.  I don’t know how old you are, but please realize that a) testicular cancer is VERY rare, b) cancer in young people is VERY rare.  I would suggest a few counseling sessions to help you deal with this problem . . . sounds to me like you never really resolved how you felt about the possibility of cancer. Chris Owens

Response:

You have to learn to control your fear!  Fear will kill you if cancer doesn’t. After a year of chemotherapy and two major surgeries I learned early on that Fear was the most dangereous thing I was faced with.  Fear can inhibit and weaken your immune system. Patients who should have done well medically, could not overcome their fear, and ended up falling into deterioration.  It is not easy, It takes work and practice,  Fear is normal, it’t how you deal with it that counts. You either say "OK, yeah, I’m a little afraid, I need to get checked out to make sure I’m OK" or you say " Oh my God! Am I Dying? I can’t believe this! How could this happen to me! I know it’s all over."  The first example, you control the fear. The second example, the Fear controls you.  Who’s body and mind is it anyway? Good Luck AngelsKnow Stonewall Johnson

Response:

Hi folks, last year a had a cancer scare.  They thought I may have had cancer of my testicles. Fortunately, it turned up nothing, and I’m as healthy as a horse. I never was a hypochondriac (sp?) before!!

Ken, Many people take life and good health for granted, and this scare has made you face the fact that you’re only mortal after all. View it as a lesson in the value of life. Live each day to the full. Best wishes Chris — Chris Holder, Worcester GB

Response:

You have to learn to control your fear!  Fear will kill you if cancer doesn’t. After a year of chemotherapy and two major surgeries I learned early on that Fear was the most dangereous thing I was faced with.  Fear can inhibit and weaken your immune system. Patients who should have done well medically, could not overcome their fear, and ended up falling into deterioration.  It is not easy, It takes work and practice,  Fear is normal, it’t how you deal with it that counts. You either say "OK, yeah, I’m a little afraid, I need to get checked out to make sure I’m OK" or you say " Oh my God! Am I Dying? I can’t believe this! How could this happen to me! I know it’s all over."  The first example, you control the fear. The second example, the Fear controls you.  Who’s body and mind is it anyway?

Right on!  I think one reason why I’m a 10 year survivor is I’ve been able to maintain a positive attitude in the face of setbacks.  Studies have shown that patients who have a "I’ll never beat this attitude" do worse than those with an attitude of "I _will_ survive". — Barry Wolman Pittsburgh, PA

Response:

Hi folks, last year a had a cancer scare.  They thought I may have had cancer of my testicles. Fortunately, it turned up nothing, and I’m as healthy as a horse. The problem?  Now everytime I get the slightest twinge, I get worried about cancer!  I think I’m driving my girlfriend berzerk!  But this is a legitimate problem, and I would appreciate some advice.  I never was a hypochondriac (sp?) before!!

This is very common…the slightest bump, bruise…"have I had a relapse" comes to mind. This anxiety usually decreases as you remain in remission…but never goes away completely. Cancer changes your life forever (and the lives of those around the patient). Fears of recurrence are normal…. Loren

Response:

Hi, Ken!  No, you’re not — I repeat, NOT — nuts.  I had cancer 15 years ago, and I am still waiting for the other shoe to drop.  Everyone else I know who has had cancer has the same experience.  The only antidote I know is a heroic effort at rationality, and when that fails, going to have whatever symptom is scaring you checked out.  –Judy

Response: