Lately I find myself not giving as much thought to my bladder cancer as I used to or think I should. I'm so burnt out from a 9 year history of this disease, over 20 cystoscopies, 3 TURs, 2 courses of BCG so far, conflicting pathology reports, conficting medical opinions, having my original urologist die and having to find another, progression to high grade, etc. In addition to BC, I have at least a dozen other medical conditions to contend with (I was counting them last night when I couldn't sleep...fell back to sleep while counting...good method to use for my chronic insomnia). I do not have any real-life support and have at times had to drive myself to procedures, not sure how I was going to get home because I wasn't allowed to drive myself.
I used to do so much research and try to keep on top of things. Now I have piles of articles I've printed out that I can't make myself read. I'm not even sure what my maintenance BCG schedule is and am not picking up the phone to clarify. I'm burnt out from dealing with screwed up medical bills, conflicting opinions, arrogant doctors, impertinent and incompetent medical office staff, the struggle to constantly make up time at work for all the time I take off for appointments, etc.
I absolutely love it when doctors tell me I need a vacation. I tell them if they didn't take all my disposable income and if my medical issues didn't use up all my paid vacation days from work, maybe someday I could.
Anyone else go through a period like this? How does one recover from burnout? Or does one?
Connie