Hello Lou, I said I would get back to you
Let me repeat, it's normal to feel anxious about D. Firstly the shock of being diagnosed, but behind that many people have a feeling that they can't quite explain; a sort of anxiety, worry, depression, foreboding, and so on
I can't give you any specific advice, since I'm not qualified, and don't know your circumstances; there is lots of info & advice about dealing with depression & anxiety. But this is how I dealt with it
I took antidepressants for a long time but didn't think they did much good, and stopped taking them. I found the best remedy was to keep busy -
I've made model planes, the plastic kits like Airfix, since I was a boy, and still do
Since I retired I've taken up knife making. Some people grind & forge their own blades but you have to be pretty keen to do that. I buy in ready made blades from suppliers then fit my own handles. If you're interested, Search YT for 'knife making'
I've learned leatherwork; at first to make the sheaths, but recently, belts & wallets
I live on my own, and have to make a bit of an effort to cook & eat properly, especially with D, but that keeps me occupied
I used to do fairly serious hillwalking, summer & winter, but I've eased off that lately. Now I go out with The Ramblers, which gets me out, and meeting people, and helps to relax.
I've started doing something that I'm calling, for want of a better name 'looking at England' - castles, museums; watching the Yorkshire Coast fall apart; old villages & pubs; Shows & events
I joined the local Working Men's Club. I'm not that interested in football or snooker, but it's nice to go to relax and chat to people. They let women in as well!
I keep in touch with friends & relations, by phone, post & email
Alright, some of these activities tend to be male dominated, though there is no real reason why ladies should not do them as well
One of my neighbours used to play football when he was younger; now he helps with a junior team - training, washing kit, fund raising, and so on. Another neighbour helps at her church - cleaning, putting out flowers, car boot sale; in the summer she goes bowling, on a green, not an alley
The point is that it doesn't really matter what you do, as long as it keeps your mind occupied, and gets you out & about