Low mood

Hi , 

I'm not on the drugs you mentioned but I'm having similar issues. I had a lumpectomy followed by what should have been 6 chemo sessions but my treatment was stopped after 3 because of CV. Then after a 6 week break I had 5 higher dose radiotherapy sessions instead of the standard 15 I was expecting. I don't need to have any hormone therapy so technically I finished my treatment 2 weeks ago. I was expecting to at least be relieved as the treatment finished,  but actually I think that last day of treatment was probably my worst day emotionally since I was diagnosed, and my mood since has been pretty low. Most days I end up in tears about something. 

I am upset about this but my head is telling me to try to stay focussed: My body has had a battering over the last few months. Surgery, chemo, radiotherapy. And so has my mind - the emotional shock of the diagnosis, the stress of finding out the scope/scale of the illness and coming to terms with the treatment I'd need . Everything related to to talking to friends and family and dealing with their emotions as well as my own. Add to that the background of CV and then getting my mind around the it forced to my treatment, and it's not really surprising that we feel rubbish is it?.  And it sounds as if you have had all of that and more to contend with. 

I had read some time ago that it's not unusual to feel low as we finish treatment, and there is a good paper that has been recommended on this site many times about this. I don't have the link to hand but I will post it when I find it. I'd love to be able to wave my magic wand for us both - but for now I'm just acknowledging that I feel like C***, that it's not unusual or surprising, and trusting that if I can just take a day at a time it will start to get better as my body and mind recover.  I guess it's called convalescence. In your case it's possible that the hormones may be another factor - but maybe not - and even if they are,  your body may settle after a little while. 

I'm not sure if saying 'me too' actually helps at all. But for now I'm trying to be kind and gentle with myself, trying to notice any good things  and small improvements and trying to stay hopeful that it'll start getting better as I recover.

Sending you love and best wishes. I'm pretty sure that in a month (4 weeks, 30 days)  we'll both be feeling better than we do today. 

Here is the link to the paper I mentioned by Dr Peter Harvey. Hope it helps a little bit.

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

Vx

Thank you. It sounds like you're having similar experiences. 

You're right. We just need to be kind to ourselves. The whole process is a shock and takes time to comprehend let alone heal from (physically and mentally)

Thanks for taking the time to reply. I hope we're both feeling more positive soon. 

X

It is so incredibly hard to recover at the end of whatever treatment you have needed....

I remember so clearly at the end of my radiotherapy (post chemo) and new hormone drugs etc etc...I really struggled. Struggled with how I felt, so tired which probably didn’t help, determined to be the person I was.

Two years on...I, at last, feel like I’m making progress....it takes time, more time than you think to recover from this treatment. But...day by day....step by step...it does get better...honestly I would never have believed that I would wake up and cancer wouldn’t be my first thought....but I now realise it isn’t! Dinner, cleaning, when was the dog last out...yes, life, family life....thankfully gets in the way. Yes I do have down days, cry in the shower, have scary thoughts...but it happens less...

But, if you are really struggling please speak to your GP....I have anxiety medication and it has helped...a lot! 

Hi  &

i finished treatment in May 19. I had surgery and hormone therapy but everything happened so fast I was in shock going through it and fell apart afterwards. I’ve written a few posts on here about struggling with the emotions post treatment as I couldn’t understand why I haven’t bounced back to the old me. I’m definitely not my pre cancer self and doubt I ever will be. I’m waiting on recon and until I reach that point I think the feelings, mainly grief will continue for some time yet. 

Its very early for you both, you’ve been through so much treatment wise and now you need to focus on yourself. Take the time you need and try to be kind to yourself because if you can’t it just makes it harder. 

Sending you love and kindness xx 

Hi

I've been thinking about you. Are are things this week? 

Sending you love