Coping With Cancer

*July 2021*  Written by Tess Taft, MSW, LICSW, and oncology psychotherapist.© “I feel like I’m doing something terrible to my family even though I didn’t ask for this.” “My friends and family don’t get it. They can’t. I finally let them off the hook.” “My teenager wants to know ALL…

*May 2021*  from Lungcancer.net, written by Ivy  Elkins This past February 13th marked one year since having an upper right lobectomy that resulted in me reaching NED (No Evidence of Disease). Fortunately, I am still considered NED and hope that this status will last a long, long time. Oncologist visits…

*May 2021*  by Tess Taft, msw, licsw ©all rights reserved “Finally, death itself is not the worst thing that can happen.” “Everyone who loves me has heart fatigue. When I die their hearts will be tired in another way. But me? I’m curious about what’s next. I’m diminishing here, but…

*April  2021* by Tess Taft, msw, licsw ©all rights reserved “I’m in my dark place. I’m stuck in cancer thinking. I don’t want my life to be minor distractions from fears of my own death.” KS, coping with cancer “If you see a piano falling, push me under it.” MR,…

*December 2020* by Tess Taft, msw, licsw ©all rights reserved This is the seventh part of a series on how people cope with cancer. The first installment discussed GRIEF, DEPRESSION, and ANXIETY. The second installment included thoughts on ANGER.The third installment spoke to people who manage their feelings by WITHDRAWAL and RESIGNATION. The fourth part addressed how people handle…

*November 2020* by Tess Taft, msw, licsw ©all rights reserved This is the sixth part of a seven-part series on how people cope with cancer. The first installment discussed GRIEF, DEPRESSION, and ANXIETY. The second installment included thoughts on ANGER.The third installment spoke to people who manage their feelings by WITHDRAWAL and RESIGNATION. The fourth part addressed how…

*October 2020* by Tess Taft, msw, licsw ©all rights reserved This is the fifth part of a seven-part series on how people cope with cancer. The first installment discussed GRIEF, DEPRESSION, and ANXIETY. The second installment included thoughts on ANGER.The third installment spoke to people who manage their feelings by WITHDRAWAL and RESIGNATION. The fourth part addressed how people…

*September 2020* by Tess Taft, msw, licsw ©all rights reserved This is the fourth part of a six-part series on how people cope with cancer. The first installment discussed GRIEF, DEPRESSION, and ANXIETY. The second installment included thoughts on ANGER.The third installment spoke to people who manage their feelings by WITHDRAWAL and RESIGNATION. DENIAL “I think…

*August 2020* by Tess Taft, msw, licsw ©all rights reserved This is the third part of a five part series on how people cope with cancer. The first installment discussed GRIEF, DEPRESSION, and ANXIETY. The second installment included thoughts on ANGER.This third section speaks to people who manage their feelings by WITHDRAWAL and RESIGNATION.…