Hi Everyone, the last 6 weeks have been an absolute nightmare. I was on a Trial and all appeared to be stable when I suddenly developed a pleural effusion. As this showed malignant cells I was taken off the Trial. I had 2 drains at the hospital and decided to opt for a semi-permanent drain so the drains could be done at home. Since then I've has nothing but problems with the drain from it causing me considerable pain, to it getting blocked and twice and having to go back to the hospital to get the blockage cleared. All of this has really dragged me down physically and mentally and I'm really struggling. My appetite is zilch so I'm having to force myself to eat and I just feel so worn out. I'm hoping to start chemo next week (just waiting for a phone call today to confirm yes or no) but In the meantime can anyone advise me what they did to help with anxiety. Thanks, Kerry
Anxiety Sky High: Hi Everyone, the last... - My Ovacome
Anxiety Sky High
Oh Kerry what a nightmare you're going through, I haven't had any of those problems yet but can imagine the anxiety, you must be well p****d off. Anxiety is a tough one because you often know what you should be doing but haven't the strength to do it , if you feel able ,a walk ,listen to soothing music ,or if you feel angry some heavy rock and pretend you're playing the drums , remember to breath , distractions I find good ,when I'm anxious I play candy crush ,do crosswords or read , keep telling yourself that this will pass ,it's awful when things don't go according to plan, it's really stressful making and waiting for phone calls , I hope things get better for you soon .Sending love.Cheryl xx
Thanks Cheryl, I've been trying to keep busy which does help but this morning I've hit a brick wall. I have been reading a lot more, which is something I used to enjoy before I had the kids but the book I'm reading at the moment is a bit depressing so I'm going to find more uplifting read. Thankyou for your advice I shall certainly take it on board xx
I’m so sorry to hear this Kerry. Anxiety and stress is a physical build up of cortisol due to so many things out of your control. It’s normal and can be managed. Breathing out longer than breathing in reduces the cortisol levels do in for 4 beats, hold for 4 beats and out for 6 beats just a few times really helps. So does singing! You might not feel like it or you may struggle but controlling your breathing is a magical way to reduce your stress levels. Do it frequently. Every hour if possible. I’ve kept my web site as an information resource so here’s the link (even though I’m not practicing as a psychotherapist any more) more techniques are available on there. Www.Swindon-hypnotherapy.com/stressI really hope you’re soon feeling much better and you get the news you want to hear today . Sending hugs
Alex x
Thank you Alex, I've also got OCD and I'm really struggling with breathing. Try as I might to control it better I can't so I will try your technique take and also take a look at your website. Thankyou so much xx
Swindon-hypnotherapy.com looks like a very good website. Thank. You for keeping it going after your retirement. I used hypnosis fir many years fir relaxation and found it very helpful. I shall start again with your recordings.i hope you are good,Emma
Very interesting website Alex , thanks, I think it could be helpful to me . Just don’t know which would suit me best .x
Hello Kerry
I am sorry to hear what you are going through. Bless you, I hope you feel better soon.
Hugs x.
Thank you and the hug is gratefully received xx
Hi Kerry Everything is coming at once, a recurrence, pleural effusion and now problems with the drains…no wonder you are feeling stressed.
Artgreen is right about singing but if you can’t face it try breathing in and then out while pursing your lips…a little trick I learned from my daughter who runs a singing for breathing group.
Anxiety very often goes alongside breathing problems so you are not alone…. ask for help if you need it.
Could they give you some oxygen at home to reassure you?
My other tip if you are still draining and getting pain is to go really slowly. Those vaccum bottles they give you don’t help, I preferred the flat bags. You can drain a little, have a rest and drain a little more…take your time. The draining process can crash your blood pressure if it happens too rapidly, so you may find slow and steady has other benefits too.
Sending you a hug…. this too shall pass! xx
Thankyou Lyndy, yes it has all come on all at once and has become too much to cope with. I got a sick note for work so that is one less thing to worry about as this week along I've had 3 hospital visits. Hubby has been trained so do the drains and has learnt to do it slowly thankfully as the pain when my lung expands is horrendous. Thankyou for your advice and kind words xx
Hi sorry to hear what you’re going through.I take a good quality high strength cbd oil for anxiety which I find helpful.x
Thank you. Where do you get it from please xx
I get it online - [please send me a direct message for more details] x
* square brackets indicate edit by moderator.
Thankyou I'll look into this xx
Hi Kerry, so sorry what you are going through I can’t even imagine the stress level you are at. The breathing exercise thats been given here is wonderful and I also will listen to Tim Janis instrumental hymns. His music is so peaceful, please look him up if you don’t already know him. God Bless you!🦋
Thankyou, yes the breathing exercises definitely help and I will look up Tim Janis instrumental hymns. Thanks again xx
Can't help with the anxiety but I've had a successful pleurodesis procedure which has stopped the pleural effusions - worth looking into?
Thankyou, my Onc didn't seem keen on this procedure, but I haven't ruled it out myself. Thanks again xx
Hello Kerry. I’m so sorry to hear what you are going through. Not sure if meditating is your thing? I was sceptical when I first started practicing a few years ago
Hello Kerry. I’m sorry to hear about all that you are going through and the impact it is having on you. This may not be your thing and I wasn’t sure if it was for me but meditation has helped me and more recently my husband too. We use this app -
It has an extensive range of one off meditations/ sessions for different situations…Fear of the Future, Coping with Cancer and many more general sessions as well.
Sending warm wishes to you
Lisa
Thankyou I will definitely have a look. My eldest son went through a stressful time a while back and downloaded a meditation app which he says really helped. I don't want to ask him which one as I don't want to burden him with my feelings so what you've suggested may be very helpful. Xx
Hi Kerry so sorry to hear your problems . Contact MacMillan . They are offering a free counselling course alongside BUPA . I have just got on it as I also have problems and am finding the anxiety difficult to cope with . They were very helpful and reacted quickly .Good luck xx
Thankyou, I may look into this. Life has always been challenging for me as I've have quite a lot of rubbish thrown my way, but I've always battled on and picked myself up. This Time it's different xx
I’m so sorry to hear this Kerry ,anxiety is so hard to deal with.My GP gave me some diazepam, which helped me a lot . Also I listened to mindfulness tapes .
Paul McKenna was my go to YouTube listening , and the breathing exercises that Alex recommends.
I do hope you feel better soon.
Love Sheila x
Thankyou Sheila, I have been practising the breathing exercises which are helping and Ive also been looking at some apps. Xx
You poor girl, think most of us have been through it along the way. Things will get better you're just having a hard time at the moment. There lots of great advice on here, but believe me we've all had our bad times but hopefully things will get better for you very soon. Trouble is when your actually going through it we all know its not easy coping and not feeling well.
Please if you can try and eat you need all your strength for your chemo sessions. But things will get better . Look after yourself there is light at the end of the tunnel. Im sending all my love & big hugs & hope things get better very soon
SheilaFxxx
Thankyou Sheila, because I've felt so poorly the last few weeks a lot of negative thoughts have crept in. I have been forcing myself to eat and would you believe it for the first time in weeks I found my hand in the biscuit barrel this morning 😆. Thanks for your kind words and hugs as they are gratefully received xx
Hi there Kerry
Thank you for your post. I’m really sorry to hear how difficult things have been recently and that you’re struggling at the moment. I can see you’ve had lots of responses from the forum community which I hope have been helpful.
Ovacome have an information booklet about managing anxiety that I thought may be of interest to you at this time. You can find this here on our website: ovacome.org.uk/coping-with-... - We can also send this in the post free of charge if you prefer.
I also wanted to let you know that our friends at Macmillan are currently offering 6 free specialist counselling sessions for people struggling emotionally because of cancer. We have had some really positive feedback about this service from our members, and more information is available here through the Macmillan website: macmillan.org.uk/cancer-inf... .
In addition, Ovacome’s Staying Connected programme offers a wide range of support groups, workshops and events designed to support wellbeing. If you would like to learn more, please visit: ovacome.org.uk/staying-conn... . You would be really welcome to join us.
We are here to support you so please don’t hesitate to get in touch if there’s ever anything we can do to help. You can call our support line on 0800 008 7054, email us via support@ovacome.org.uk, send us a message through the chat box on our website, or schedule a 1-to-1 video call via Zoom or Skype if you prefer: ovacome.org.uk/forms/1-to-1.... All our support services are available Monday – Friday, 10am – 5pm. We’re here to talk through questions, provide information resources, or just have a friendly chat.
Best wishes
Annie – Ovacome support
Thankyou Annie, very kind of you xx
sorry for what you're going through. do you have someone to talk to? sometimes you can get counselling from bupa via macmillan. i try to do some relaxation meditations and can recommend happy heart on soundcloud: soundcloud.com/user-185875714 a path to stillness is a good one. lots available on youtube too. hope you feel better. xx
Thankyou yes I've been looking at some of the apps I've been recommended by all you lovely ladies. Today isn't a good day as I'm feeling pretty rotten after chemo on Tuesday and this pleural effusion drain is really uncomfortable. Hopefully I'll start to pick up again soon xx
Weekly Taxol And permanent drain 
Stop pursuing treatment, or weekly taxol
Recurrance
