Can someone tell me if they’re experiencing the same thing as me and if it’s normal? My partner has finished his chemo and radiotherapy, I’ve posted about this before. My question is this, is there some sort of process that the carer goes through? What’s happened is we’ve finished travelling to Jimmy’s hospital in Leeds and we have to wait for five weeks to see the consultant. This is all part of his treatment plan. I was coping well, but I’ve gone back to square one in that I’m bursting into tears constantly. Is there some sort of process that carers go through? I don’t think I’m making myself clear but my partner‘s got a really positive outlook but I’ve gone back to being terrified. I’m also a bit concerned that when we go back to see the consultant a new MRI scan is not going to be done until he starts on stronger chemo tablets. It’s making me wonder if they just have a set plan for people who have had brain tumour surgery and don’t deviate from it. Just typing this post has set me off sobbing. I wish I was stronger.
Hi Maureen
I think it is fairly common to feel swept along when going through treatment and the feeling of "doing something" but when it comes to an end we then have time to think and worry.
I did a living with less stress course that really helped me. One of the key elements was leaning to think much more of the things we have every day and less about worrying about a future I could not control but could imagine all sorts of issues. The conscious breathing exercies were also really useful not just in coping with when life decides to throw us a cruveball but also just getting to relax and sleep.
With radiotherapy the impact continues for some time after the last treatment so that may be why the gap before seeing the consultant.
From my wife's experiece the oncolocy team seemed to want a PET-CT at almost every appointment though I have no idea if that is typical. Certainly it might be worth asking when you see them as it can be very helpful to see how effective the treatment might be.
<<hugs>>
Steve
