Scared of dying from deadly cancer

Thoughts of dying from cancer is on my mind most days. Throughout the years I've seen specialist and had test to check for all sorts of diseases and cancers, all negative. All that was ever found is that I have a rare benign condition, however recently it was linked to pancreatic cancer. After reading the article I have become obsessed with dying of pancreatic cancer. My doctors and gastro doctor all tell me that pancrease is fine, CT 2.5 year ago and MRI confirmed it recently.

I spent countless hours reading these medical reports and I feel I know way too much. It's my fault and too late to erase all the facts.

Any advice on how to get through this? My psychiatrist has me on Avitan & Zoloft, which I don't take..

Here is sample of study:

http://www.omicsgroup.org/journals/2165-7092/2165-7092-S1-e001.pdf
Familial pancreatic hyperenzymemia is a benign condition and its pathophysiological mechanism is still unknown. An appropriate clinical and imaging follow-up should be carried out in those patients having this condition associated with familial pancreatic cancer.

Another Study
An elevation in serum pancreatic enzymes in the absence of pancreatic disease is reported in the literature and defined as “benign pancreatic hyperenzymemia” or “Gullo’s syndrome” [7]. This condition can occur sporadically or in a familiar form, it is asymptomatic, and it is generally discovered incidentally. Nobody of the subjects included in this definition had been treated in the past with pancreatotoxic drugs. These authors sustain that at least one year must pass after the initial finding of pancreatic hyperenzymemia before it can be considered benign. Furthermore, they emphasize that a proper diagnosis of this condition is important because it allows the clinician to reassure the subject that this alteration is benign and does not require any kind of therapy. Nevertheless the possibility that these individuals could have an increased risk of pancreatic cancer cannot be excluded.

Post Edited By Moderator (getting by) : 8/7/2013 9:44:25 AM (GMT-6)

hi there. your doctor knows best. it sounds like your pancreas is okay. my suggestion is to try and relax a bit. maybe some meditation will help you to calm your mind a little, it helps me. i burn incense and play soothing music. walking is good too. take care.

with healing compassion,
the happy turtle.

Hello apa37us ...

   I hear you and your concern. But, why have you stopped taking your meds? And why wait to stop smoking?

   I say the above because I stopped taking many of my meds early this year - mostly out of frustration I think. However, since then, I have talked to three of my doctors about it ... and have adjusted my meds. Frankly, some of them don't work all the time ... sometimes we need to change ... and sometimes some meds work against other meds.

   I stopped taking my blood pressure med after I lost some weight because of a cancer med I started taking last year. My Oncologist actually told me two weeks ago to stop taking the multiple vitamins ... because they were actually feeding my cancer and working against some of the cancer meds.

   I have heard that pancreatic cancer is not at all nice ... but if you've been cleared of it, please don't continue to deal with life as though you have it. I do have advanced prostate cancer. And while it is usually a slow growing cancer, it is a killing cancer. There is no escape from it.

   Please do see a psychologist if you can for guidance. It seems too often that a psychiatrist uses pills to replace therapy ... and if you're off of the meds, the psychiatrist is doing you no good! 

  

   While most doctors will, of course, suggest a person stop smoking - I know first-hand how difficult it is. I was there for many years ... just stopped smoking nearly 3-years ago now. And now, my COPD is manageable ... with meds! COPD is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (or something close), and it does make breathing difficult. I've been told similar to having asthma - except it is with you 24/7 and in all seasons.

   Did I preach enough!!!!

   Don't mean to do that, but ... if you do not have cancer, please be so very thankful. Below, I listed an abbreviated background of my cancer and meds for cancer. Not shown is how the cancer has mostly destroyed my kidneys - and my kidney procedures ... as well as, my COPD history and meds.  

Hope this was not too overbearing .... be good to yourself and enjoy life.

 

Do take your meds, it relieves anxiety which you obviously have. I hope you feel better soon.

Hugs, Karen