The "wall".

SO - You have received that cancer diagnosis, discussed treatment, started treatment, are going or will be going through the miserable side effects of the treatment - all to save your life. In this whirlwind of activity: scheduled appointments, overwhelming emotions: anger, frustration, sickness, pain, depression, and great fear. When all is said and done, sometimes when the treatments over, but usually at some point within, we all to some extent "hit that proverbial wall" of our emotions needing to catch up with our minds and what all we have experienced – all we have been through or are continuing to go through.

You wonder how will you emotionally and mentally survive this trauma that has invaded your life. How will you cope with all the bodily changes that may be ongoing? How can you de-stress yourself? How do you cope with the weakness, brain fog, and fatigue the whole process has left you in?

Here are some helping hints to break that wall down to size:

This is where it is VERY IMPORTANT to get the right treatment you need to make a good recovery.

WHEN THINGS FEEL LIKE MORE THAN YOU ARE ABLE TO HANDLE:

You may have to go back to your main doctor and be very honest with them, tell them if you are experiencing any of the following: you can't seem to calm down enough to sleep, concentrate or function well, see your doctor if you are extremely depressed, can't find anything to smile about, have very high anxiety, or have any physical body function issues. severe mental or emotional issues, or are feeling suicidal, feel like harming yourself or others.

If the latter seems like what you need right now, please call 9-1-1, let them know you are having a crisis, they will help you to connect to the resources you need, or Ontario Mental Health Helpline live chat: 1-866-531-2600

Your family doctor or oncologist can help, and they are able to assist you with medication, sending you to a specialist, or getting you connected with a specialized help or crisis centre.

If you look in our emergency section of this web site - we have listed the numbers of additional organizations that may be able to help you.

WHEN YOU ARE HANGING IN THERE, BUT REALLY NEED TO TALK TO SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN THERE:

Speaking with a peer support mentor can be a great start if you have questions at the beginning of your cancer journey, while you are midway through treatment or have been years out of treatment and still haven’t felt like yourself, - our peer support group "WOWS" is important. We have been there, suggest some stuff that works for us, but most of all, we just “get it”.

Our peer support group is a very safe haven to come out to and find friendly faces. We meet once a month, it is a chance to have a night out among folks who know the struggles and fears we all face with cancer. What is said at the group meeting room stays in the group meeting room, it stays confidential and private. We also do some fun activities and have special celebrations. Please remember to join us.

If you need to talk sooner that waiting for our meeting night - you can call or send us an e-mail.

We love to hear from you and we can direct you to where you can find some of the answers – we know where to look!