Mental Health Post Surgeries

Hi Craig L

Welcome and well done for posting when sharing can be hard for some of us. Personally, I found the public forums mixed with some direct messaging with selected users has been great for me to choose between open and more reserved sharing.

2 surgeries in 6 months is alot to go through both physically and mentally. I hope that the 'cancer free' brings some relief, once you've had some time to recover.

Try to be gentle and patient with yourself as your emotions flow - you've been through alot.

Big virtual hug

https://www.workingwithcancer.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/After-the-treatment-finishes-then-what.pdf

Hi Craig L 

Some people have found this a helpful read .

You may be interested to know Macmillan has teamed up with Bupa to offer six free counselling sessions. More information on this resource is available from the helpline. 
Some can be done online if you are more comfortable with that .

But there is also this forum . A great way to see how people regain their balance after a difficult diagnosis.

Very early days for you and even as a carer it was after the liver resection was over and the adrenaline settle I felt we all dipped a bit but it did get better .

You take special care ,

Court 

Hi Craig L,

Welcome!!  2 surgeries in 6 months must be tough to deal with, it sounds positive that they have said you are cancer free.

I think it’s normal to feel all over the place emotionally, I know I have good days and terrible days! It’s a lot to deal with physically and emotionally.  I have found this forum very helpful and everyone is really lovely.

take care

Becky

Thank you

Hi there 

I know how you feel although different surgeries and I didn’t have chemo I did have a LAR with Ileostomy for thirteen months in for a reversal then called back for primary lung cancer a lobectomy and segment. At my follow up I was told cancer free 

So why aren’t I jumping for joy 

Like you I am tired physically and mentally 

Try having a Power Nap at least once a day I find this essential, eating small meals too helps with my bowel and being kind to yourself. If you’re having a not so good day just go with it. Break up your targets. 

Yesterday we went to the Mall it’s a quarter of a mile long. We were in M&S to get a present and card for a dear friend. The cards were rubbish so hubby said let’s go to the card shop.  It was the other end by John Lewis 

Do you know I actually could have cried. How pathetic is that. Then I realised my breathing was bad. So I sat down twice going there and back. I did it but I was so frustrated I would have whizzed that pre Covid 

Take care and take it easy. 
sending you a hug 

Thank you for putting my exact feelings into words.you are a star Ann

Kath

Thanks Ann

How are you feeling today Craig?  
Keep chatting here if helps 

Hi Ann

i had a good day today.  I have taken up the offer of the 6 counselling sessions through Bupa.  I had the assessment today with a counsellor.

I read the pdf Court sent and it was a good read.  I recognise the need for me to now work on my mental health.  The counsellor doing the assessment today was good and assured me what I am going through is not uncommon.

kind regards

Craig

Hi Craig

Thats really good news  the counselling can be really helpful  

Is that CBT? Cognitive behaviour therapy

Courts a star  

Also you could contact your GP to put them in the picture into how you’re feeling

Mine was very good with me, I was actually surprised of the support he gave me tablets then phoned me to see if I had improved  So that may also help 

Keep chatting here  It’s your space and you can air your feelings 

Oh one more thing there’s another forum here called The Room  Now you can go there shout moan and say what you like, then leave  

I’ve found that really helpful to off load  

Take care