Cancer can lead to uncertainty in many areas of your life, and this may be a cause of some of the emotions that you have. Feeling that we have some control over our lives gives us a sense of security and allows us to enjoy things that we do. It is natural to want to know what is likely to happen to us, so that we can plan for our future.
When cancer is diagnosed, it takes away our sense of security and control and this can be very frightening. Uncertainty can be one of the most difficult things to deal with and can cause a lot of tension. You may find that you feel irritable, angry and frightened.
Sometimes it can help to find out as much as possible about your illness and what may happen. It is best to discuss this with the doctors and nurses who know your situation and are involved in your treatment. Our nurses can talk to you about what is likely to happen to someone in your situation.
Often, it is difficult to know whether treatment will be successful and whether your cancer can be cured. Once the treatment has ended you may still be left wondering whether the cancer will come back. This uncertainty can make it very difficult to plan ahead and you may wish that you could know for sure what will happen to you.
Unfortunately, it is often impossible to know whether a person has been permanently cured of their cancer. If someone's cancer has come back it is often impossible to say exactly what effect it will have and how long they will live. You may find that your doctors and nurses can't answer your questions fully or that their answers sound vague. Many people find this uncertainty very hard to live with.
If you find that the uncertainty is a continuing problem and you feel overwhelmed by it, it can be helpful to talk to a counsellor or psychologist. They can help you to find ways of coping with the feelings and emotions that it causes.
If you think that you may die, sorting out your affairs so that things are in order and you know that friends or family will be alright can also be helpful, although it can be difficult and painful for both you and members of your family.