main menu   -   prostate   -   stories   -   articles   -   sexuality   -   resources   -   glossary   -   search   from Advice From Some Veterans Menu Advice from Will Shadish:   NO, YOU'RE NOT ALONE (In response to my post of 1/28/00.) Robert, No, you're not alone in feeling like that. I found myself going in cycles (I was diagnosed 6/1/99), with lots of anxiety surrounding any treatment decision, followed by lots of recovery time after doing the treatment, followed by some stability for a while, until the next problem hits (I've just recurred), and the cycle starts again. It is very hard to take emotionally. I wish I could say I saw an end to it, but short of a cure, I don't think there is one. Perhaps some guys learn how to be more laid back about these things, but I'm not a laid back kind of guy. Perhaps I should be. Will Shadish [I wrote him a few months later to see how he was doing and got this response.] Hi Robert: Good to hear from you. I do remember our brief interaction. It's perfectly fine to use my observations in whatever form you want, with or without name. Makes no difference to me. There is a definite change to the way I view life now, though. I am very much more "present-centered," and much less "future-oriented." I'm getting better at letting stress and conflict go away. I'm a bit more forgiving than before. I cry when I don't expect it, and I've never been one to cry. (I saw the end of "Saving Private Ryan" last week, for the third time, and I cried this time though I hadn't the previous two times.) I guess I'm more sensitive to the pathos in life. I think I'm a bit more spiritual than before, and perhaps more generous and giving to others. I view each year I get as a gift, and am grateful for it. And I've learned a lot about how to be realistically optimistic in the face of a recurrence that I initially took as a death sentence. I still cycle up and down emotionally, but there are more ups and fewer downs. But I also know that when more bad news comes, I'll go down again. All in all, though, that's a list of things that are pretty positive. There are some gifts that come with all this, I guess. I just wish I didn't have to have cancer to learn them. Take care. Will [name used with permission] Go to VETS ADVICE MENU PROSTATE BASICS MENU MAIN MENU   This information is provided for educational purposes only and does not replace or amend professional medical advice. Unless otherwise stated and credited, the content of Phoenix5 (P5) is by and the opinion of and copyright © 2000 Robert Vaughn Young. All Rights Reserved. P5 is at <http://www.phoenix5.org>. P5's policy regarding privacy and right to reprint are at <www.phoenix5.org/infopolicy>.