I believe that this to be a most pertinent article, because it was quite simply something that I really struggled w/ myself upon being diagnosed.
In my own case, prior to diagnosis, I had been studying for Five (5) years for a 'Change of career' and in the hopes of succeeding in being placed abroad in SE Asia. After the many obstacles I was required to surmount, I eventually landed the position I had applied for and was set to leave in two (2) days when I received my initial diagnosis and advised that further tests would be required. Naturally, and at that point, I rode through the gamut of rationales and emotion waves that quickly ensued, which also included denial and then eventually descending into depression. Hence, I do have some experience in understanding how this works, in my view...
I wonder how many others might have somewhat similar stories to share...?
Diagnosis of any type of cancer is obviously a life-changing event for a great many of us, and often depression is and can be a stupefying factor that tends to leave us all feeling a tad numb...
In my view, I believe by my finding something really constructive to be passionately a part of helped me to understand that I am not done quite yet, and that I still have much to contribute... and that we all have much greater capacity within us...
PS. Posted on MPN-MATE.COM July 4, 2019. But hoping to hear views from MPN Voice as we are still slowly growing Down Under...
PPS. The image is from a cycling trip in Sydney's Blue Mountains. Awesome scenery...
REFERENCE
Takaaki Hasegawa et al. 2019. "Depressive symptoms during the first month of chemotherapy and survival in patients with hematological malignancies: A prospective cohort study." Psycho-Oncology (2019). DOI: 10.1002/pon.5143
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socrates_8
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Are you sure you have not been caught up in this big "C" word collective fear. You could be doing just fine but then the "cancer" word gets mentioned and then something from the skies descends upon you like a ton of bricks if you let it. Please do not allow yourself to be caught in the collective fear but instead direct your energy into finding a cure.
Thanks for your reply, and for providing one of the types of unique perspectives that might materialise during our MPN journeys etc...
You are right that we sometimes also need to remain vigilant and not allow ourselves to become too adversely impacted by depression. However, and that said, depression is a factor that I believe touches us all.
The article I referenced for this Post above, was just one study relating to Depression post cancer diagnosis. Each of us react and respond to things in a manner of ways, in order to best cope with such news.
Were you not depressed at all by your own diagnosis? Just curious, and thanks again for your response...
No I was not at all depressed but a little bit shocked because I have always enjoyed good health but I realised that at the age of 60 I was starting to get some of those health issues that affect older people. This caused me to become very interested in health care and really to look after myself, eat healthy foods and try different types of exercise. I am continuously reading books relating to health care and trying out supplements and new ideas.
That was a very positive way of dealing w/ your own situation, and sharing and understanding each person's perspective will no doubt assist others who might not actually comment here but who do read what others write...
Many of us here that are 60+ in chronological years, were born of a generation where traditionally it was frowned upon to show any form of vulnerability. I suppose that no one really likes to admit that they suffer from any form of weakness, and often just defeating stereotypes is half the battle that many of us must ultimately face and conquer, in my view...
Whether you mention the c word or not, It’s still a chronic illness with varying outcomes which changes your life as you knew it
I don’t think enough is done to even say there may be psychological effects attached to blood cancers
I found a newspaper article in the first year mentioning the psychological effects of watch & wait on people with blood cancers & it was the first time it had been acknowledged to me
Of course we don’t want to wallow & will be positive but good to know others going through it & there is a reason for it!
Yes, I could not agree more with your sentiments. Having received a diagnosis; there are a great many ways this can adversely impact , and change one's life. For myself, it was like a huge block suddenly descended and confronted me, and all my years of study and efforts to work abroad were gone right before my eyes...
However, later one is able to more calmly assess all of those implications, and adapt and adjust... Hopefully...
Resilience, is an incredible quality, and often highly undervalued. In my travels to places like Sri Lanka after the Boxing Day Tsunami, I met people who had lost everything, including their loved ones, their homes and property. Yet those children smiled and laughed as we played cricket together, and I have seen that same resilience in so many other ways too.
However, it has been harder to come by in my own experience... When I have far less to complain about in reality. Learning about one's perspective was a great epiphany for me personally...
Having said all of that... Today, I am much more able to not only cope but to also take more affirmative action, both for myself and others, and just knowing that I can also come to an MPN Forum and discuss all things MPN. I find really assists me and my own efforts to stay on top...
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Excess Mortality Higher in Younger Patients With MPNs vs Older Patients
