| Everyone around me expects me to be just like | | | | and anxiety to people around her. They don't |
| a normal person - that is, one without cancer. But | | | | want to hear it, it's too frightening for them. She |
| I'm NOT. I never will be that person again. These | | | | does NEED to say it though. She is fragile |
| are the feelings of one with cancer of any kind. | | | | emotionally, feeling unable at times to cope with |
| I always have to be positive for everyone. I | | | | normal life (even small things like no phone calls |
| know that in some fashion, my lymphoma will | | | | get to her). She doesn't NEED the stress of |
| probably appear again, probably sooner than later, | | | | anything right now. She needs support and |
| but no one wants to hear me say that. It is not | | | | understanding, take over her responsibilities, go |
| negative thinking, just being realistic. This patient | | | | out to lunch, anything - just be there. It's enough |
| has suffered with the disease and now suffers | | | | dealing with the cancer. Her patience with trivia |
| the rejection of her friends and family. | | | | and annoying people has worn thin. People don't |
| A new lump is reason to panic. She stopped | | | | seem to understand that she is struggling every |
| looking and feeling but one of her doctors had to | | | | day to remain upbeat and get on with her life |
| go looking and found lumps in her neck and armpit | | | | knowing she has cancer inside ...and to learn to live |
| and now she is trying not to worry. Thus the PET | | | | with this disease is an ongoing struggle. |
| scan and all that follows. She has a PET scan | | | | As she is through with treatment for now, and is |
| scheduled for next week, a ton of lab tests and | | | | starting to look more "normal" again, people want |
| then the appointment with the oncologist. Horrible | | | | her to be "OK" all the time - and she"s NOT. It's |
| anxiety appears every time this has to be done. | | | | has changed her and her life forever, she will |
| Again, the outside world is missing and not | | | | never be the same person again. |
| understanding. This is the most important time for | | | | This is so important for the friends and family to |
| the family and friends to step up and be as | | | | understand and acknowledge. She needs all of the |
| supportive as ever. This is a frightening time for | | | | support and love that is there for her. Now and |
| the patient and the not knowing is terrible. She | | | | forever because there will be down days, bad |
| really needs love and understanding at this time. | | | | days, scary days and she needs YOU! |
| She's tired of not being able to express the fear | | | | |