lost my joy

[obx1]

try to find happy things every day but it is getting harder. scans are ok, stable . Ton Ibrance and anasstrozole. I am 85 and want to live each day with joy. faith is strong but body says not so much. prayers for all and have a blessed day

[Thatflowerlady]

I find I have just ok days & sometimes bad days and then some good days . It is an emotional roller coaster. On the not so good days I remind myself that tomorrow may be better and to try to not be hard on myself and go with the flow . It can be very emotionally draining to try to be upbeat all the time .

I hope your sunshine comes out soon for you .

[Karen2235 in reply to Thatflowerlady]

Mainly I try to live in the moment. Most of the time this moment is good. Occasionally what is happening is not good and I am uncomfortable or struggling with my body but i know it will pass.

[hopenowandtomorrow]

“Thou will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee because he trusts in Thee.” Isaiah 26:3. One of my favorite verses when I become fearful or lose my joy. Praying for you 🙏❤️🙏

[Praising in reply to hopenowandtomorrow]

Yes claiming His promises

[Mary115]

Cancer with medications can dull the sense of joy, and our connection to our own intuition. Anastrozole also produces hormone fluctuations even in our old bodies. I am not looking for more longevity but rather the best way to stay connected to myself and the Light that feels diminished in me, but is still there. I am 75 years old and am in an active process of reviewing my life and recognizing the significance of what I have experienced... Gerontological counseling helps others find community support as we face so many losses.

I love how you wrote that you want to live each day in joy, and that your faith is strong, but the body says "Not so much". You and I realize that what the body feels is not the most real part of us: Still we need self and other compassion and respect as we deal with so much physically which tries our faith and resolve. Sending compassion and respect even through cyber space. Strongly thinking of you today.

[TwithBC in reply to Mary115]

...”You and I realize that what the body feels is not the most real part of us” so true. That is absolute truth. The real part of us is the soul that never dies. Even bodies without cancer “know” sickness and eventually death....but not the soul.

[Hidden in reply to Mary115]

So beautifully writtenClare

[13plus]

Perhaps it would be helpful to talk to a social worker at your treatment hospital? Even if you don't think you have a specific problem. Most of the time I'm pretty upbeat and positive but I have found them incredibly helpful if I ever find myself sinking into a bit of a hole emotionally.

[Hidden]

I’m sorry you’re feeling this way. All of us battle difficult emotions with this disease.

I encourage you to call both your doctor and the associated social worker. Perhaps they can identify how or if your meds are affecting your mood and suggest relief.

Ask the social worker to find out if your community has a senior center or council on aging. Older relatives find good support systems and activities there.

Our local high school connects senior citizens with students to read or converse. Perhaps the social worker has info about similar resources in your community.

Please feel free to reach out to the women on this board. It is important that you know you are not alone feeling this way.

We are here for you.

[483724667]

god bless you....we are both having the same treatment..l wish the very best ..l enjoy each day and looking forward to some nice summer sunshine

[SusieIM]

Dear fellow warrior, going thru is hard---I will pray for joy to return to you. I too have faith always will, but at times it is hard to have joy. For me, the joy of the Lord is my strength, I pray it will be yours too. It is ok not to feel joy at times, our bodies get tired of the treatment, etc. I am sending a hug to you.

[debbiedo2063]

Sorry you are feeling this way right now and wish you many days in the future when you will feel joy. Planting flowers today in North of UK, sunny days are precious here. Blessed with warm Summer weather right now.Have a lovely day, reflect on the good things around you.

Debra xxx🥰

[urthmothr]

I know that empty feeling, although not associated with cancer (yet). I hope you continue to seek those things that normally cheer you up, while seeking guidance/treatment for your mood. And yes, it's OK to take a step back and say, "I'm just not feeling the joy today."

[Rhwright12]

Have a blessed day too! Sending prayer to find joy in something today! 🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻

[Gingerann1]

Respectfully, I think I have a different perspective. I am overwhelmed by the number of ladies who are living with MBC at such a young age who have little children they may leave behind and haven’t lived even the life I’ve had at 62. I would find joy everyday in the fact that you’ve lived to be 85. Something so many of us will only dream of. I don’t know how long I have on this Earth but wake everyday feeling blessed to still be here fighting the fight! May God continue to bless you, your joy returns to you and that you live many more years!

[mariootsi]

Sending prayers and blessings to you!

[Dragonfly2]

Dear OBX1 - Im so sorry you're feeling down...that's part of the effects from the treatment. As I near the end of my cycle, I'm feeling poorly and the sadness comes in. It helps to know that there is a physical/chemical component to this feeling...especially if you are experiencing pain. Speak to your oncologist but also remember that you may need more pain relief to help you get over this feeling. MBC patients are walking chemical miracles...everything seems to rely on that chemical balance of the drugs we take. Your faith is there ...you will refund the joy.

[Hidden in reply to Dragonfly2]

“Walking chemical miracles.”

That resonates with me. Thank you. It is a good reminder. I was dx bone mets June 2018. Some days it is a journey. Other days it feels like a slog.

Your insight is a good message

[Dragonfly2 in reply to Hidden]

Right your are…I suspect I’d be long gone if not for these chemical miracles…😉

[626262]

So sorry to hear that you are feeling low. I'm sure everyone on this site of every age has experienced the same. Perhaps lowering one of your medication dosages might help you. I know that my mental and physical state improved with lowering of my Ibrance dosage. Pain management was a great help. Just a suggestion that you might discuss with your oncologist. Taking extra care with nutrition and daily sunlight may provide some relief as well. Prayers and loving healthy thoughts to you.

[viennagirl]

Hi obx1,

I hope you find your joy again. I believe we are meant to live much longer than we think. You might be attaching too much importance to being 85. I had tea with my landlady some years back who was 103 and she was still doing her own housework. What a cheery soul she was. What kept her going - I don't know but she didn't seem to let her age slow her down. I think she would tell you that you are still just a kid. I know that this might not help you with your struggles but each and every day brings us a chance to find something worth living for. I often think of her when I feel down.

I feel good right now because it is spring. It is one of my favourite times of the year. Our property smells so good right now. We have tons of roses blooming and our peonies are about to pop open. And the ducks on our pond seem to love my husband who feeds them. We are living in such a beautiful world but I am like you some days. I feel sad too but I really try to stay upbeat because just being alive and having been given the gift of life is truly something to smile about. Hugs Marlene

[Itisfinished]

Just Praise His Name! That's what He has been speaking to my heart. This season of my life just seems so hard and the valley seems low not only with mbc but with my marriage also. The emotional stress has been very challenging. However He knows our name and every hair on our head and He can take care of us, so just praise Him! 🙌 🤲🙏💕

[8576]

Just adding in, sounds like you are not just in a one day funk. You are really down. That is when even if you don't feel like it, reach for help. From your doctor or his nurse or a local Cancer group. You will feel better just unloading on someone. We can do that but we wouldn't want to do that to family! Hope this helps.

Cheers, June S.

[Mary115]

obx1 Just thinking of you again tonight and checking in on how you are doing. Mary

[Hidden]

Hi obx1 -

I'm never sure what to write when folks are struggling as you are. My heart does go out to you....I also turn toward optimism, thinking that your treatment -- Ibrance + Anastrozole -- is typically one of the first few that are tried? Perhaps you've got several other treatments ahead of you, which might give you more hope?

I'd like to also ask you about your "handle", obx1...Does this, by chance, refer to the Outer Banks, which many refer to as the OBX? If so, we def have a connection, since most of my family live there and I have a house there....I think the wonderful sea air is beneficial, e.g. my sister, who lives in Corolla, has TNMBC and is doing extraordinarily well...

Either way, I wish you the very best...

Take care,

Lynn

[obx1 in reply to Hidden]

thanks so much for your helping words. yes I live in Rodanthe, been here 26 years.I feel at home here and my husband and I had 10 years together. prayers for no storms for your sister and e

[jersey-jazz]

Finally, I have found someone on this forum who is older than me. I am eighty four and holding. Family and friends of my generation are dying. It is especially painful to lose those family members. I seem to be in mourning so much of the time.. Are you experiencing the same?

[obx1 in reply to jersey-jazz]

glad to be a help, being an only child and marrying one my family was small. friends leave us too. keep the faith and have a blessed day.