I think what your experiancing is only natural. I know most people when diagnosed look to the internet to find out as much as possible about their particular cancer type; I know I did. The problem with this was I found some sites had information that was at least two years out of date and allthough that may not seem much, cancer statistics and treatments have improved dramatically in two years. I found most of the American sites were not giving independant information and the reason is most are run/funded by hospitals or drug companies who want you to use ther services/ products. I always recomend people if googling to stick to well know sites like Cancer Research, MacMillon ect for their sites are usually up to date and give independant information.
Again as regards to talking about cancer, It is only natural to want to talk about it for having cancer is life changing. Yet there are some people who go the opposite way and dont want to talk about it at all. I personally was like you and was able to talk honestly and openly about my cancer. Yet I tried to keep some semblance of normality in my life.
Sending best wishes and kind thoughts your way, Brian.
Even now (two and a half years in) I sometimes have to make a conscious effort to switch off and not let my cancer start to define who I am.
Brian's advice is sound, stick to authoritative sites and read anything else with a good-sized pinch of salt close at hand! There is so much out of date information and mis-information on the web, with hidden agendas and up-selling to us when we're at our most vulnerable and suggestible.
Hi, my mum was diagnosed with a grade 4 glioblastoma brain tumour in February. She was taken to hospital at beginning of January with a suspected stroke. ... then they found a tumour but weren't sure if it was cancerous or not without a biopsy. On being told it was a tumour I Googled everything. I then realised even on cancer research sites the possible outcomes for each particular person were into the thousands.... varied hugely so stopped looking.... until we were given her diagnosis. Mum didn't want to know a thing so I Google again....... but again I found so many varied outcomes, treatments, etc I again told myself it was pointless to look.
The most useful bits I found were things to help or aid mum whilst she was going through treatment for radiotherapy and chemo. Soothing creams for soreness etc.
But it's now July and I still can't help but look and read too much.
Mum hasn't read a single thing. She said the drs will treat her and do the best for as they can and that's good enough for her.... she doesn't want prognosis or anything. ..... so me and my mum are complete opposites. I need to know everything... she prefers to just have a normal day talking about things that are normal. So we are almost banned from mentioning anything.
X
Thanks for your reply; How is your mum now? And how are you?
My mum (had mesothelioma/lived 4 yrs from diagnosis) had chemo; and done some dietry adjustments in the begining. My mum didn't talk about cancer- she knew hers was terminal - she talked about my dad and she got everything ready for him for when she wasn't there. My dad is totaly colour blind and registered technically blind.
I have decided on my treatment now (today) so I am hoping I don't really have to have many more "cancer" conversations, the only thing I need to do now is meet my surgeon and have surgery.
Try not to read too much ;) I found the more I researched..the more I had, to research!! but I know EXCACTLY were you're coming from!
I have stopped reading now - which is going to be a big relief. x
You don't. I think about my Husbands cancer all the time. On diagnosis it consumed me 24/7. I thought about it whilst watching tv, ironing, shopping you name it I couldn't think about anything else. Especially when there are adverts all over the place for cancer awareness although I know now it was just my increased sensitivity. As time has gone by it doesn't seem to consume me as much but it is with me everywhere I go. I used to go on the net and read about my Husbands cancer but I'd come across dark statistics which would turn my stomach and rip me apart. I guess I was hoping I would read about some miracle cure. It is very rare I go on the net looking for information now and if I do I curse myself for getting myself all upset again.
