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May 14, 2019 03:02PM
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Posted on:
May 14, 2019 03:02PM
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wrote:
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder After a Cancer Diagnosis
December 19, 2018

For nearly 25 years, Kelly Grosklags has dedicated her practice to minimizing suffering through her work in oncology, palliative care and hospice. An experienced therapist, Kelly is a licensed clinical social worker and a board-certified diplomat in clinical social work. She also earned a fellowship in grief counseling from the American Academy of Health Care Professionals and is the author of A Comforted Heart: An Oncology Psychotherapist Perspective on Finding Meaning and Hope During Illness and Loss. Kelly speaks frequently about end-of-life issues, including care, grief and loss, both in person and on her website, Conversations With Kelly. Her passionate and supportive demeanor helps patients, caregivers and health professionals connect with the wisdom of making life more meaningful, coping with depression and anxiety, transforming fear into hope, healing versus curing, and the wisdom of dying a good death.
Listen to the podcast to hear Kelly talk about:
- what PTSD is, what causes it, and some of the most common symptoms of PTSD in people diagnosed with cancer
- why people who've experienced trauma in the past may want to be proactive and schedule an appointment with a mental health professional or spiritual guide shortly after being diagnosed
- when PTSD can happen
- how PTSD is treated
- three things people diagnosed with breast cancer should know about PTSD
For more information on PTSD in people diagnosed with cancer, you can read a piece Kelly wrote for the journal Oncology Issues.
Running time: 38:18
Listen now or read the transcript.
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phoenixrose8
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Mar 24, 2021 08:51PM
phoenixrose8
wrote:
I have read this transcript and it was simply amazing. I have developed PTSD type symptoms during cancer treatment and on top of other mental health issues. I have a psychiatrist to handle my physical symptoms but I'm finding it hard to find a therapist that I can afford that deals specifically with cancer in general. I wish I had an oncology psychiatrist earlier on. I stopped going to my regular therapy sessions after my diagnosis because they specialized in OCD and anxiety. How can I be a part of helping to bridge mental health and physical health for cancer patients?
Dx
IDC, Right, Stage IIIC, Grade 2, ER+/PR+, HER2-
Surgery
Lumpectomy; Lumpectomy (Right); Lymph node removal
Targeted Therapy
Herceptin (trastuzumab)
Hormonal Therapy
Tamoxifen pills (Nolvadex, Apo-Tamox, Tamofen, Tamone)
Radiation Therapy
Breast, Lymph nodes
Chemotherapy
Carboplatin (Paraplatin), Taxotere (docetaxel)
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annabelle2
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Mar 25, 2021 09:03AM
annabelle2
wrote:
I wish I had seen this 2 years ago. Phoenix I sent you a PM.
Dx
2/9/2018, IDC, Left, 3cm, Stage IIIC, Grade 3, 0/3 nodes, ER+/PR-, HER2-
Chemotherapy
3/9/2018 AC + T (Taxol)
Surgery
7/18/2018 Lumpectomy; Lumpectomy (Left)
Radiation Therapy
8/15/2018 Whole breast: Breast, Lymph nodes, Chest wall
Surgery
1/22/2019
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phoenixrose8
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Mar 25, 2021 01:39PM
phoenixrose8
wrote:
Thank you Anabelle2!
Thank you for your PM! I haven't chatted through PM in so long! Also, let me know your thoughts on the article and we can discuss!
I hope more people find this article helpful as well!
Dx
IDC, Right, Stage IIIC, Grade 2, ER+/PR+, HER2-
Surgery
Lumpectomy; Lumpectomy (Right); Lymph node removal
Targeted Therapy
Herceptin (trastuzumab)
Hormonal Therapy
Tamoxifen pills (Nolvadex, Apo-Tamox, Tamofen, Tamone)
Radiation Therapy
Breast, Lymph nodes
Chemotherapy
Carboplatin (Paraplatin), Taxotere (docetaxel)
P
phoenixrose8
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Mar 30, 2021 09:28PM
phoenixrose8
wrote:
Please read if you are struggling with PTSD. 
Dx
IDC, Right, Stage IIIC, Grade 2, ER+/PR+, HER2-
Surgery
Lumpectomy; Lumpectomy (Right); Lymph node removal
Targeted Therapy
Herceptin (trastuzumab)
Hormonal Therapy
Tamoxifen pills (Nolvadex, Apo-Tamox, Tamofen, Tamone)
Radiation Therapy
Breast, Lymph nodes
Chemotherapy
Carboplatin (Paraplatin), Taxotere (docetaxel)
P
phoenixrose8
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71
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Jul 20, 2022
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Mar 31, 2021 01:56PM
- edited
Mar 31, 2021 01:56PM
by
phoenixrose8
bump
Dx
IDC, Right, Stage IIIC, Grade 2, ER+/PR+, HER2-
Surgery
Lumpectomy; Lumpectomy (Right); Lymph node removal
Targeted Therapy
Herceptin (trastuzumab)
Hormonal Therapy
Tamoxifen pills (Nolvadex, Apo-Tamox, Tamofen, Tamone)
Radiation Therapy
Breast, Lymph nodes
Chemotherapy
Carboplatin (Paraplatin), Taxotere (docetaxel)
P
phoenixrose8
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71
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Apr 3, 2021 04:16PM
phoenixrose8
wrote:
Let’s start a quotes game!
State a quote that inspires you. My first quote is from Albert Einstein:
“
Space-time tells matter how to move; matter tells space-time how to curve.”
Dx
IDC, Right, Stage IIIC, Grade 2, ER+/PR+, HER2-
Surgery
Lumpectomy; Lumpectomy (Right); Lymph node removal
Targeted Therapy
Herceptin (trastuzumab)
Hormonal Therapy
Tamoxifen pills (Nolvadex, Apo-Tamox, Tamofen, Tamone)
Radiation Therapy
Breast, Lymph nodes
Chemotherapy
Carboplatin (Paraplatin), Taxotere (docetaxel)
P
phoenixrose8
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71
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Jul 20, 2022
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Apr 3, 2021 11:34PM
phoenixrose8
wrote:
“Spread Gratitude.”
Dx
IDC, Right, Stage IIIC, Grade 2, ER+/PR+, HER2-
Surgery
Lumpectomy; Lumpectomy (Right); Lymph node removal
Targeted Therapy
Herceptin (trastuzumab)
Hormonal Therapy
Tamoxifen pills (Nolvadex, Apo-Tamox, Tamofen, Tamone)
Radiation Therapy
Breast, Lymph nodes
Chemotherapy
Carboplatin (Paraplatin), Taxotere (docetaxel)
P
phoenixrose8
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71
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Jul 20, 2022
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Apr 6, 2021 09:51PM
phoenixrose8
wrote:
I'm going to drop the quotations and just turn this into a log of interesting thoughts I get as bumps for this topic :
What is one of the things you learned during the experience of being a cancer patient?
I say “The difference between courage and bravery" .
Dx
IDC, Right, Stage IIIC, Grade 2, ER+/PR+, HER2-
Surgery
Lumpectomy; Lumpectomy (Right); Lymph node removal
Targeted Therapy
Herceptin (trastuzumab)
Hormonal Therapy
Tamoxifen pills (Nolvadex, Apo-Tamox, Tamofen, Tamone)
Radiation Therapy
Breast, Lymph nodes
Chemotherapy
Carboplatin (Paraplatin), Taxotere (docetaxel)
P
phoenixrose8
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71
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Jul 20, 2022
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Apr 7, 2021 06:14PM
phoenixrose8
wrote:
Take a step back and look again. Perspective.
Dx
IDC, Right, Stage IIIC, Grade 2, ER+/PR+, HER2-
Surgery
Lumpectomy; Lumpectomy (Right); Lymph node removal
Targeted Therapy
Herceptin (trastuzumab)
Hormonal Therapy
Tamoxifen pills (Nolvadex, Apo-Tamox, Tamofen, Tamone)
Radiation Therapy
Breast, Lymph nodes
Chemotherapy
Carboplatin (Paraplatin), Taxotere (docetaxel)
P
phoenixrose8
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Jul 20, 2022
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Apr 9, 2021 07:30PM
phoenixrose8
wrote:
"Simplicity, patience, compassion.
These three are your greatest treasures.
Simple in actions and thoughts, you return to the source of being.
Patient with both friends and enemies,
you accord with the way things are.
Compassionate toward yourself,
you reconcile all beings in the world."
― Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching
Dx
IDC, Right, Stage IIIC, Grade 2, ER+/PR+, HER2-
Surgery
Lumpectomy; Lumpectomy (Right); Lymph node removal
Targeted Therapy
Herceptin (trastuzumab)
Hormonal Therapy
Tamoxifen pills (Nolvadex, Apo-Tamox, Tamofen, Tamone)
Radiation Therapy
Breast, Lymph nodes
Chemotherapy
Carboplatin (Paraplatin), Taxotere (docetaxel)