cancer survivor coping with alcohol - NO BUENO!

daniel

I would like to know if anyone has any advice on alcoholism among cancer survivors. Are there any support groups? Is there anyone who deals with survival this way? I was diagnosed with stage 3b lymphoma at the age of 22. I am now 26 years old and although I have stepped back into "normal" life, I now have a serious alcohol problem. I have not dealt with the fact that before surgury I had less than 12 hours to live, I have not dealt with the fact that 2 years of my life were eaten by this disease. I think that I have survivors guilt. At times I wonder why God spared my life. At times I have been so depressed over such a traumatic experience I wish I had not survived. will someone please give me some advise? I need a support group of people who have been through similar experiences. I have a wonderful family and beautiful girlfriend who are willing to help with whatever i may need, but i dont know exactly what it is that i need.

dizzybuff38

A friend of mine recently died from cirrhosis and it is not a pleasant way to die - you bleed from all orifices. He lost his job, wife, 5 children and all of his friends except his dear sister who is my best friend. Although you have a supportive family and girfriend perhaps now you need the support of others who have gone through alcoholism. Try Alcoholics Anonymous - I'm sure their phone number is in your local directory. You have made the first very important step in acknowledging you have an alcohol problem - you just need help in overcoming the addiction. Most of us on this forum have had to deal with our own mortality in facing imminent death from cancer, myself included. It is tough....the treatment and the emotional treadmill, but alcohol is not the answer. Does the hospital that treated you have some kind of counselling service? They may be able to help you. I wish you well in turning your life around.

daniel

Thank you Dizzy for your advice!

pat devitavessa · Regular Joined: 09 Apr 2005 Posts: 25

Hello daniel,

You know what? Cancer does not only happen to people without other problems in their lives. Dizzy gave you sage advice, just one more thing. You are worried about whether you have some type of guilt over "making it through". Talk to some doctor that you trust to steer you in the direction of a licensed therapist that makes that one of their specialties.

Your problem would be viewed as "dual", the alcohol what ever the therapist and you come up with. Regardless, sober is better and AA can help you if you let yourself be open to the help.

Very Best of Luck & Support,

Pat
_________________
Pat DeVita-Vessa, MFT

This is a dislaimer that this is not medical advice only information to help you

believer · New User Joined: 09 Jul 2005 Posts: 1

My new Dear Friend,

You are already on your way to recovery. Just admitting and acknowledging the fact that you are drinking too much is much more than many alcoholics can do. My father was recently diagnosed with lung cancer,thats what got me here, he has been sober for 20 yrs , and I myself have been sober for 5 years, after a nasty 25yr bout with alcoholism. Recovery is absolutley doable in any situation, there are two significant things that changed my life...And this is my story only I'm just going to tell you what worked for me. Prayer Prayer Prayer, I gave my life to Jesus, and the other no less important was that I stopped acting and treating myself like a victim. When we victimize ourselves we become less willing to take responsibility for our situations. God Bless you friend. I'm praying for you right now. I have much more story to tell if you want to chat. Good Luck.
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I Believe

mssue · Posted: Sun Jul 10, 2005 12:27 pm Post subject: Re:Alcohol

Hi Daniel,

I noticed that Your last post was in February-it is now July--How are You doing?It sounds to me like You are depressed-I could be wrong-using the alcohol to cover up how You really feel. I'm far from being an expert,I myself used to drink,now I have no desire for it -my Doctor put me on an antidepressant and all of my desire to drink are gone.That wasn't the reason that I was given the anti depressant but a side effect I can live with.This is a good thing for the fact that my cholesterol and triglycerides were so high for so long caused me to end up with a fatty liver which if not controlled and taken care of could possibly turn into cirrhosis.My Sister is in the latter stages of this disease-no one in the family realized she had drank so much everyday-it was mind boggling to find out.She's on a liver transplant list.We almost lost her 2 months ago-she doesn't realize that I (or the family) know that the last time she was hospitalized it was obvious she had been drinking again,She started throwing up at work(blood),her husband picked her up took her home as she continued to throw up blood ---finally her son thought she was going to die and made her go to the hospital-she had three tares in her esophagus(sp)they managed to get two of the tares stitched the last one after two days finally clotted.They kept her knocked out for four days to keep her from going into DT's which would have killed her-more blood vessels would have ruptured.I'm hoping and praying that she doesn't get kicked off of the transplant list -that is really her last hope-I live about 900 miles from her,it sure is difficult being this far away when she's going through all of this.I assume alcohol is just as addictive as cigarettes or anything else-making it hard to walk away from.Some people(like my Sister)really don't have a choice-well I guess she has 1 to live or to die.I hope it's the first one.I know that You can't help anyone that is not willing to help themselves.I sure hope You get everything straightened out,You're pretty young,ny sister will be 50 this year -if she makes it to her birthday in December.
Please do what You have to to take care of yourself.We may not understand what our purpose for being here is ,but the fact is You are still here,so make the most of everyday and do what You beleive to be true and good.You'll be in my prayers!

God Bless You!
_________________
Sue
Age-44
DX-8/29/2003
Stage 1 - ER/PR-,HER2-NU+
Infilterating Ductal Carcinoma
Modified Radical Mastectomy/Left-side
4 Rounds of A/C-completed 1/2004

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