having had my mom deal with the threat of a cancer recently I can relate to you in the worry it causes. You are right there is no running from the situation, it's there. Right now with your parents moving in, the diagnosis and all, things are likely moving rather quickly and there is so much involved in it to understand and fully grasp that you just don't have time to. I think your boyfriend will still be able to help, however with your parents moving in it may make it a bit less effective, or seem so anyway. The thing triggering you will be with you all the time. So you and he will need to make time for just the two of you where he can help you calm. I am very sorry to hear about the situation with your father, its not a good one to have to face. In time I think it will get a bit easier for you, but for now all I can say is sorry you have to go through it. *huggles*

I am so sorry your father has been diagnosed with cancer. It is such a terrible disease. I think many can relate to what you are going through.

I know you can identify the cause of your anxiety, your father is sick, but what is the underlying reason for your anxiety?
*Are you afraid you will not be able to take care of him?
*Are you afraid you will lose him?
*Do you feel trapped in the situation?
*Do you feel helpless?

When you find how you are feeling (besides anxious) you can then start to work on changing your thinking. So if you are thinking "OMG! What will happen if I can't take care of him?!" change this to "I will do my best to take care of my father".

I am sure there are a tremendous amount of thoughts going through your mind right now so if you can try to find a quiet place where you can write down your thoughts and how you feel it may help.

Sending love and healing to you and your family.

I think everyone going through what you're going through would feel a great deal of anxiety. I think for us it's a matter that extra adrenalin gets dumped into our system so we feel more anxious than most.

I don't know if you have any medications that are helping. I use propranalol and it does wonders for me. It's just a blood pressure medication so all it does is regulates my heart rate, but that helps me not have panic attacks.

I've also found L-Theanine to be helpful. It's a natural herb that helps me mellow out without zoning out.

Meditating is really helpful too but I can't do it when I'm having high anxiety. However, meditating each morning prevents anxiety for me.

I hope you find some answers soon.

I'm sorry about your father's diagnosis. You are definitely in a very tough situation! I think I would be feeling anxious and overwhelmed if I were in your position, as well.

I have a suggestion that may or may not be right for you. Just something to consider.

I noticed you say you want to mask the anxiety that you are feeling so that it will not affect your parents. You don't have to impose your anxiety on them, but maybe if it comes up you can share your feelings in an appropriate manner.

As well, I don't know what type of relationship you have with your father but maybe (if you can) talking to him about what is happening could help you. Letting him know that you are there for him, you love him, and just asking him how he is feeling. And let him be there for you! He may have a diagnosis but he is still your father, and I think he would want the opportunity to be there for you and to help you.

I feel like sometimes the person who is sick is the one who feels exactly like you do the most. They want to be strong etc. when it might be better for them and others to share their fears, etc, and work through it with everyone.

Good luck! I hope you find a way to deal with this that works for you!

Thank you all for your helpful advice....
As for the questions asked,
I have no fears about not being able to take care of my father, In fact I work well under extreme pressure as I found out when my youngest was born with many health issues.
Of course I am afraid I will loose him. He's the only man I have had in my life who has treated me as his own child. And I know that Cancer is unpredictable which means anything could happen.
I would never feel trapped in the situation. I am the only child my mother has and even though my father has a biological daughter she would never help him as she has chosen to only be part of her mothers family. So I am all they have and I am perfectly fine with that, in fact it was my choice to move them into our house.
And yes of course I do feel helpless because I can try to do all I have and will but non of that is going to take my fathers worry away. And that makes me sad and feel more helpless than I ever have.
But I am managing. And I will manage because in this moment nothing is about me and my feelings.
All of your suggestions are great and I appreciate them very much.
Thanks again
Shelby