Mental health

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I was diagnosed with breast cancer November last year! Treatment was 6 months intense chemo, couple of hiccups which landed me in hospital for 6 days consecutively but made it through. Mammoplasty and lumpectomy with sentinel node biopsy with 4 nodes removed. During these months I was intensely surrounded by friends and family, which I was grateful for. Since my op and receiving the all clear, that effectively now cancer free, my circle friends have tapered off. I am yet to still have radiotherapy, 15 sessions and also start my menopause journey, I am 40. I just can’t help but feel really lonely and they now people do t think I am going to die that it’s situation normal. It feels anything but if I am honest. Feel I can’t talk to my mum as to burden her and anyone else I feel like i am whining. I have so many things going on too that I am starting to feel like a pressure cooker, I have held it together this long but I fear I may crack. 

  • Hello  

    A warm welcome to the Macmillan Online community - I am so sorry to read of your issues, let's see wat I can do to help.

    First off the community is divided into chat rooms or forums which are cancer specific so I would suggest you join the breast cancer forum There you will connect with Community members on the same or similar journey to you. Here's the link-

    Breast cancer forum 

    Just click on the link I have provided and once the page opens up click on "join" on the black banner at the bottom of the page. Once you have joined the forum just copy and paste or repost your original post in the "New Here - Say Hello" section - I am sure you will receive plenty of replies.

    We do offer free counselling supported by BUPA and here's the link to this service-

    \www.macmillan.org.uk/.../bupa-counselling-and-emotional-well-being-support

    We also have a "Buddy Service" where we can allocate you a personal buddy who will call you once a week for a chat - it can be about cancer or anything you wish to chat about - again - here's the link-

    https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/get-help/emotional-help/macmillan-buddies

    We also have our support line on 0808 808 00 00 (8am to 8pm 7 days a week). Just give them a ring and they will be able to offer you that little bit of extra support.

    I do hope the above helps. If I can do anything else for you please do let me know.

    Best wishes - Brian.

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    Macmillan Support Line - 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week between 8am-8pm

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  • Hi Tezza1, just to add to Brian's #millibobpost, if you are fortunate to live close to a Maggie's centre, they are a lovely place you can just pop into, no appointment needed, open weekdays 9am to 5pm, talk to cancer support specialists or others affected by cancer, www.maggies.org is where you will find out. PS if you feel like screaming, shouting, having a rant or a cry then do so, keeping your emotions in won't help. best wishes with your radiotherapy and recovery.

    Eddie xx