Hi new here so please bear with me diagnosed in June 2024 lung and lymphnodes cancer biopsy radiation chemotherapy and immunotherapy treatment operation in January this year back to work in March mental health is shot to pieces go back to work stop work can't get a grip on this yes I'm inpatient with the recovery side have a great manager who understands but if I don't get a hold of this I may end up losing my job I'm the only breadwinner in the house at the minute anti depression tablets are maxed out and therapy started then cancled another appointment been made when I'm off work I'm in bed all the time I'm tired and no motivation to do anything I'm stressed with all the negative thoughts and am a complete mess any advice would be welcomed as I'm not coping at the minute
Hi Mama48fffd and welcome to this corner of the community.
The NHS is great at navigating to a diagnosis then getting us through treatment…… but the final third of the journey - navigating the post treatment world is unfortunately not that well funded……. so many people are left to flounder their way through this part.
I was diagnosed way back in 1999 age 44 with a rare (8 in a million) hard to treat incurable type of lymphoma when our daughters were 14 and 18.
As the main bread winner I continued to work for 12 years in a demanding teaching job along with various treatments…… I eventually had to give up my job as the stress and demands if the job was affecting my health……. then in late 2013 a second rare (4 in a million) more aggressive Lymphoma came along taking me to stage 4…….
So I had some intensive treatment between late 2013 to late 2015 (750+ hrs chemo, 45 radiotherapy zaps and and 2 Allograft (donor) Stem Cell Transplants………. but over all these years we still went on to see our daughters graduate, get married, set up very successful businesses and provide us with 4 beautiful granddaughters….. I turn 70 at the end of this year and I am coming up to 10 years since my last treatment and I am still living a great life.
The battle between the ears is the one battle that is in our hands to control…….. do we fight through the crap of treatments to then allow our brain to rob us…… it’s all about definition.
Do we define how we live…… or do we let our cancer journey and the post treatment leftovers rob us of this hard fought for life we have been gifted.
Talking to people ‘face to face’ can be very helpful so do check to see if you have any Local Macmillan Support in your area, do also check for a local Maggie's Centre as I found these folks are amazing.
It’s all about navigating the post treatment world one step at a time…… At times there is no quick fix but my great CNS once said…… “you are still you despite the big C”
You may find it helpful to make a cuppa and have a look at this great paper…..
After Treatment Finishes - Then What?
….. by Dr Peter Harvey as it highlights the post treatment milestones.
Always around to chat ((hugs))
