Do you express your emotions?

[KatieB]

There have been studies that people who regulalry express their emotions do better in their cancer treatment.

Do you express your emotions? How and with whom and what works best for you?

[nonni]

Hi Katie....

I don't know for sure what you mean by asking 'do you express your emotion's.'....do you mean talking about our LC...do you mean do I express sadness and worry....

My probable answer would be....no, I don't express my emotions.. ..when I worry..I keep it mostly to myself except for my husband.....another thing...I rarely talk about my bout with LC...would like to keep it on the back burner...but if I'm in a conversation that call's for my opinion...I may say...'when I had my surgery'...so on and so forth...

I alway's try to think on the positive side....hard sometimes...but I am not a negative person...mostly I have put this whole ordeal in God's hands....HE has taken care of me thus far and I have all the faith I need to know HE will continue to do so....no matter what

Probably didn't answer your question..but I tried...LOL

hugs...nonni.

[SandraL]

I keep most of my truly deep dark emotions surrounding my illness to myself. Around others in my life I try to remain as positive as possible. I do believe though that it is important to let our emotions and thoughts out and we all need some sort of a forum to do that. I have found this board and the friends I have made while here, a place where I can do that. And that has been invaluable.

[dadstimeon]

I do depending on the (not just anyone and everyone) person. I certainly do not hold anything back from my wife, I think one owes it to at least tell there spouse. I don't have a problem talking about lung cancer, death or whatever. I think it's important to tell the people who mean the most about how you feel about what is going on and even how you feel about them. If the shoe was on the other foot with someone very close to me I would want to know. To me expressing ones feelings is not a sign of weakness, does not mean there not positive or means one is giving up.

[dianew]

I think this is a really good question, but I'm still trying to figure out the answer. I have two friends (or maybe not) that haven't spoken to me since my newest diagnosis - apparently they could not handle it - so around most of my friends I am upbeat and say very little unless asked directly. Around family it's harder to figure out. My oncologist is very optimistic and my husband takes everything she says as fact - i.e., I am going to be cured - no doubt. We all know that is a hope, not a fact. When I try to inject a little worry or doubt, I can tell he just really doesn't want to hear it and accuses me of being too negative. I don't want to worry him or take away his belief that all will be well - I suppose if things are not going well he will know soon enough. My children are all grown, but are just like their father -- they only want to hear everything is fine. I think perhaps SandraL is right when she says this board is the best place to let out our emotions and thoughts.

[snappy]

Katie; I express most of my emotions with someone. I do have a long time friend that I can do that anytime I want. Once something is talked about it generally is easier to deal with. There are times I get stubborn and keep things to myself. I shared about my husband’s cancer with friends so I could get thru it.

Katie; I personally feel what you posted is true that “people who regularly express their emotions do better in their cancer treatment”. My husband was going thru treatment. I thought we were talking but I missed something. All of a sudden one day after getting another call from the doctor, to come to the office right away, I asked a question and in response he just fell apart emotionally. I didn’t realize this was all tied up inside him. I felt so bad. I watched better after that but know he still didn’t share all his feelings. Most the men in my life do not share with others but they should.

I have very severe COPD and if not for the message boards where I made friends and/or the pulmonary rehab I have attended for years, I would not deal with it near as well. These are outlets for emotions too. Everyone here has the board members to share, if they desire to. I came over to ask a question and found this post of interest.