taf
05-06-06, 15:55
Howdy, all! Since I so value all of your insight and experienced advice, I need a "collective let's put our heads together here" moment from you, if you will.
In my early 20's, I was dx with a very rare form of endocrine cancer. (And it is very rare, and I want to remind all that just because I had this, it was quickly discovered, treated, and 20 plus years later I am here and in very great health...so DONT worry about that fear!! :) ) But here is my dilema, which I need your help. Upon dx., I immediately entered a then experimental support therapy program which was, I think now that I know more about CBT, a massive CBT intervention program for cancer patients to go along with any treatments from the traditional medical front. We went on an intensive, beautiful forest surrounded health retreat during which time we received intensive counseling on call, aimed at getting to the psychological underpinnings and roots of the disease process (yes, believe it or not, cancer can, and I am living proof, WILL, respond to supportive interventions such as learning to relax, meditate, work with your docs instead of against them, etc.......and, people, despite a dx at one time that 1/3 could pass at the end of 5 years, I am HERE TODAY after about 23 years have passed!!!
But here's my situation:
Lately,[8)] I have worked myself into a corner of catastrophizing thinking patterns regarding avoiding doctors, health checks....it is a very negative pattern...I am too worried about a little thing turning out to be investigated and found to be cancer related, so I avoid the doctor, and cataxtrophize little pains...very negative, and too much time worrying and not enjoying the beautiful gift of life I have been afforded now for such a lifetime, despite what the concrete dx from docs said, I outlived and am so healthy....SO WHAT'S my Problem? Why do I worry about a reoccurance?
Help and insight appreciated to break this negative cataxtrophizing pattern!
Love yous, T
In my early 20's, I was dx with a very rare form of endocrine cancer. (And it is very rare, and I want to remind all that just because I had this, it was quickly discovered, treated, and 20 plus years later I am here and in very great health...so DONT worry about that fear!! :) ) But here is my dilema, which I need your help. Upon dx., I immediately entered a then experimental support therapy program which was, I think now that I know more about CBT, a massive CBT intervention program for cancer patients to go along with any treatments from the traditional medical front. We went on an intensive, beautiful forest surrounded health retreat during which time we received intensive counseling on call, aimed at getting to the psychological underpinnings and roots of the disease process (yes, believe it or not, cancer can, and I am living proof, WILL, respond to supportive interventions such as learning to relax, meditate, work with your docs instead of against them, etc.......and, people, despite a dx at one time that 1/3 could pass at the end of 5 years, I am HERE TODAY after about 23 years have passed!!!
But here's my situation:
Lately,[8)] I have worked myself into a corner of catastrophizing thinking patterns regarding avoiding doctors, health checks....it is a very negative pattern...I am too worried about a little thing turning out to be investigated and found to be cancer related, so I avoid the doctor, and cataxtrophize little pains...very negative, and too much time worrying and not enjoying the beautiful gift of life I have been afforded now for such a lifetime, despite what the concrete dx from docs said, I outlived and am so healthy....SO WHAT'S my Problem? Why do I worry about a reoccurance?
Help and insight appreciated to break this negative cataxtrophizing pattern!
Love yous, T