Learning That You Have Cancer

"I heard the doctor say, 'I'm sorry; the test results show that you have cancer.' I heard nothing else. My mind went blank, and then I kept thinking, 'No, there must be some mistake.'"
Learning that you have cancer can come as a shock. How did you react? You may have felt numb, frightened, or angry. You may not have believed what the doctor was saying. You may have felt all alone, even if your friends and family were in the same room with you. These feelings are all normal.
For many people, the first few weeks after diagnosis are very hard. After you hear the word "cancer," you may have trouble breathing or listening to what is being said. When you are at home, you may have trouble thinking, eating, or sleeping.
People with cancer and those close to them experience a wide range of feelings and emotions. These feelings can change often and without warning.
At times, you may:

• be angry, afraid, or worried
• not really believe that you have cancer
• feel out of control and not able to care for yourself
• be sad, guilty, or lonely
• have a strong sense of hope for the future