I feel ... OK. I wish I felt better but I just ...
Save as Favorite- I was Diagnosed with:
- Anal Cancer
- Date of Diagnosis:
- June 17, 2009
- Employment Status:
- Employed: Full Time
- Age:
- 37
- Type and Description of Treatments:
- How do you feel today?
I feel ... OK. I wish I felt better but I just don't. I still can't sleep. I worry too much and it affects my time at work.
- Since the diagnosis, what has changed in your life?
Nothing much has changed in my life. Except the medication and medical bills! I still have to come to work every day, I still have to take care of my son every day. I still have to function as normally as possible every day.
- What is going well for you right now?
My good days are good. Today I am not sick and feel like having some lunch.
- What is not going well for you right now?
I still have only told people who "need to know". Which are only a few people. My husband, of course, my boss, my best friend, and one of my close co-workers. I haven't told my parents and I haven't told my sisters. I would get 45 worried calls a day from all of them and I don't want to talk about it all day every day.
- What has been the most challenging thing about having cancer?
Trying not to let it take over my whole life. Going on with my daily life.
- When difficulties overwhelm you, where do you go for support?
I internalize most of the issues. I don't want to talk about it.
- How have your long-term goals or life goals changed since diagnosis?
At this point, they have not been changed. I will see after my exam on July 31.
- What is your work arrangement right now? What are your hours?
8-5 Monday thru Friday.
- Since the diagnosis, what has changed in your work life?
Hard to concentrate, hard to get up in the morning, so I'm always late. Have had to work at home a couple of days. I know my boss is getting tired of it.
- What has helped you continue to work the most?
To help keep my mind off of my situation.
- What advice do you have for others trying to work through treatment?
It helps to keep working, so you're not thinking about it 24/7.
- How have you dealt with any side effects of treatment?
The days I have to take my chemo meds, I get sick and I can't eat for a day or two.
- If "today's you" could give advice to "day-of-diagnosis you," what would you say?
I knew I had it the day I was diagnosed. I was prepared for the news. My biggest fear is when I go back to the dr on July 31 and possibly finding out that it has come back or they have found more.
