Since having Breast Cancer and my life being tipped upside down with it all, including long term chronic health problems, I find not only is my life nothing at all like it was prior to my Cancer diagnosis but the emotional and physical stress and strain continues on. Recurrent infections and chronic Migraines to say the least, and so it goes on. I keep seeing all of these adverts about people being supported by Macmillan but sadly this was not our experience. I had to leave my job some time ago for health reasons but have no income aside from ESA Non work group payment. I find I feel continuously stressed and worried and often extremely down, despite having a loving family. My GP is good but not when it comes to anything emotional. I have tried to help myself by doing Yoga at a Cancer centre and a Mindfulness Group, but it doesn't seem to matter what I do to try to help myself because of chronic illness and chronic fatigue I cannot get on my feet. My friends all think I'm fine............but can't understand why I keep being ill? I don't think that a lot of people even medical staff realize what the full impact of having Cancer is, even some time afterwards?
Hi Niamhie
Yes I totally agree with you. Chronic health problems after treatment for cancer are not really on the radar when going through cancer treatment. I finished treatment for breast cancer with herceptin April 2019 due to heart damage caused by the herceptin. I didn’t complete my treatments due to not tolerating side effects.I am on heart medication for this and unsure if I will need to stay on these permanently. I have regular ECOS & my heart has improved, although I have had headaches with the medications as I have not tolerated them well. I have been on 4 different ones. I also had bad neuropathy in my legs from the chemotherapy. This has improved though.
For me I am more stressed 
over the side effects of the cancer then I was when going through treatments.Which has been tackling my heart 
️ problems.
I understand how it is stressful trying to plan your future and whether you can stay in your job or not. I am currently utilizing my superannuation income protection from my job. Although I have decided I won’t return to it. Unfortunately my life will never be the same as it was prior to my cancer diagnosis. I believe that for me my cancer journey keeps on evolving and changing and I am riding the wave and trying to stay on my surf 
board.
I think that’s great you are doing yoga and mindfulness. If you think it’s helping you. Though it would have other benefits of getting out and meeting others. I don’t believe others really know what it is to be going through cancer and chronic health conditions. Why would they if they haven’t been through it or supported someone close who has been through cancer.
Its great you have a good GP. For me it really is day by day, I make plans and still set my goals it’s just that I need to be more flexible and realistic and not be so hard on myself. Because whether some body tells me or not. I know that I am doing pretty dam good with what I have been dealt with. And that goes with everyone who has been dealt the ‘Cancer Card’
All the best and keep smiling
PeterMaria38
