Blog

June 1, 2024

By Anne Dabbs, 
NCAN TN Support Group Leader, NET Patient

“Action is the antidote to anxiety.” 

What a helpful concept, I thought when I stumbled across this tidbit!  I failed to note which social media site gave me this insightful thought, but I do remember that it was not a cancer themed article.  Nonetheless, I knew immediately that this was a powerful message for those of us living with Neuroendocrine Cancer.

Anxiety is perhaps the most reoccurring theme of our social media patient posts. Considering that our hormones are directly affected by this disease, we should not be surprised.  We need to acknowledge the frequent general sense of angst that this form of cancer gives us.

What are actions we can insert into our daily lives to keep the anxiety at bay?  Knowing that we cannot totally escape the worry, how can we turn negative thoughts into positive actions?  I offer you these four simple suggestions:

1) Perform daily activities with intent and positive energy.  

Try a mindset of “Hey!  Take that, Net cancer!  Look what I accomplished today despite your interference!”   

Break your work and chores into manageable spurts of action and schedule breaks as needed.  

Make to do lists and proudly cross items off no matter how small.

Prioritize physical activities to keep your mind and body limber.

2) Engage in small acts of advocacy.

Post or share a Neuroendocrine Cancer awareness message on social media.

Reach out to a fellow Nets patient just to say “Hi, I am thinking of you.”

Develop a record keeping system for your medical reports and appointments that keeps you on pointe for your calendar.

Sign up for patient portal messaging with your physicians to streamline communications.

3) Expand your knowledge of Neuroendocrine Cancer in general, and your diagnosis in particular.

Knowledge is empowering and will develop your confidence in living well with this disease.

Avail yourself of the many patient conference videos and physician presentations by our Neuroendocrine advocacy groups. 

Refresh your memory of what your lab values mean.

Look up in medical and manufacture literature the known side effects of your treatments so that you can live with awareness, not fear, when new symptoms present themselves.

4) Personalize your Neuroendocrine Community.

Whenever possible, join a local support group.

Attend in person meetings. 

Cultivate friendships with patients with similar diagnosis and temperaments.

Find a cancer buddy to whom you can offer encouragement and will receive encouragement in return.

But what about those days when it takes every ounce of energy to even think about crawling out of bed?  It’s true for so many of us that each morning seems like a coin toss.  Will this day be full of energy and accomplishments?  Or will it be a day of barebones survival?

There is positive action to be had on those hard days too.  Some days, survival depends on our recharging our bodies and our minds.  For those days, I offer the following poem by Jarod K. Anderson.  Mr. Anderson offers us positivity set in seemingly inactivity.  Please take his words to heart and hold them close when you need time to recharge.

I am not okay today.
So, in the absence of okay,
what else can I be?

I can be gentle.
I can be unashamed.
I can turn my pain into connection.
I can be a student of stillness.
I can be awake to nature.

I can sharpen my empathy
against the stone of my discomfort.

I am not okay,
but I am many worthy things.

—   Jarod K. Anderson

In the face of the uncertainties and challenges brought by Neuroendocrine Cancer, it’s vital to remember that you’re not alone. Together, we can find strength in action, solace in stillness, and support in our shared experiences. Reach out to your NCAN family whenever you need guidance, encouragement, or simply someone to understand. We’re HERE for you, every step of the way.