Breast cancer & mental health

Thank you. I see that I have to be patient. I expect to be here for the long haul! 
thanjs for the advice. Much appreciated. X

Morning Polar Bear

I'm sure there is definitely a connection between the two - Poor physical health can cause mental illnesses, so it follows that mental health issues can if not recognised and treated cause physical health problems.

The number of people here who were diagnosed within a few months of some form of highly emotional upset is very high. Be that divorce, death in the family or something else that just tipped them over the edge; creating a chink in the armour that allows cancer a way in when you are at your lowest :-/

I always wonder if dormant rogue cells are something we are all born with and all it needs is a 'perfect storm' trigger to wake one up ?

Take Care Polar Bear   Best Wishes Funky Fishes   G n' J

Hi Dreamthief

i think both physical and mental health are connected but which one comes first is a big question. From my own experience everybody has mental health issues occasionally, in the same way that we all get colds. Events can trigger a physical response especially if your health is interrupted by poor sleep and you get run down. In the same way, events can trigger say, anxiety following an event. Then there are serious mental illnesses that are often a result of a mixture of genes, nurture and nature. Sometimes there are no triggers and it’s all down to brain chemistry. I suppose you could compare these to chronic Physical illnesses. I find it hard to understand why there isn’t a ‘holistic’ approach to medicine but I suppose that will come in time. The bottom line is we all need to look after ourselves. Eat well, sleep well, keep moving. 

x

I also got a Fitbit after my treatment - small targets but it helped motivate me ‘just to do a few extra steps’ ....it continues to support me now.

I too had a mastectomy beginning of April. Luckily I don't have to have any more treatment, just have to take letrozole for 10 years.

The way I cope with it is that I don't think about it as losing a breast but getting rid of the cancer that was inside of me.  I look at my scar and think that the surgeon saved my life and I am very lucky to have had the op especially during the Covid19 peak.

I also try to walk as often as I can. I'm again lucky because I have lovely fields and countryside around me.  

I also didn't tell many people about my op so I don't have to talk about it all the time.  I did not have reconstruction so invested in some good post  mastectomy bras and wear my soft inside and to be honest no one would actually know and I have big boobs.

Wishing you all the best and hope you have good results.

Be strong, you can get through this.

Love

BoobyJ 

Hi BoobyJ

thank you for sharing. We seem to be following the same path! I saw my consultant yesterday and have been told I’ll need hormone therapy for 10 years. The cancer was grade 3 so they’ve sent a biopsy to America (!) for gene marking. If it comes back high I’ll need chemo so have to wait for 3 weeks for the results before starting hormone therapy. However, I’m so relieved they caught the cancer in time and like you feel so very lucky. The softie they gave me is fab. With a little manipulating, moving the filling around, it looks fine. A prosthetic would be better but there are no fittings at the moment due to covid. At the moment I can’t see myself having a reconstruction in the future. The thought of undergoing surgery is daunting and quite frankly I’m happy as I am. This is me now and I’m proud to have got through it. My husband is too! 

wishing you all the best for the future. Thanks for your positivity. I’m aware that trauma can sometimes take a while to hit you, sometimes a couple of years after the event so stay positive and keep sharing!

x

Thank you for replying to my post and yes our story does seem familiar.  I have my fingers crossed that you don't have to have chemo bless you. My cancer was stage 1, 13mm in right breast but because I had have 2 lumpectomys 6 years ago due to DCIS I had to have a mastectomy.  

I too am waiting for a prosthetic fitting and have been told I'm top of the list once this covid19 has been controlled.  I am more than happy with my softie though. Much better than I thought it would be to ge honest.

I was diagnosed with breast cancer the same day as my mum was told she had terminal bowel cancer and she passed away 9 days before my operation so I did not tell her as I didn't want her to be worryjng about me whilst in the Hospice. My brother has just finished chemo too and I know she was so worried about him and it would have been awful for her to know my diagnosis too.

We have had so much cancer in our family and have had some Gene's tested, but nothing has been found, but we are convinced we must have a faulty gene.

As you can see I have been through so much this year and not sure where I have got my strength from. But i cling onto every positive and feel that i am lucky to have had an amazing NHS consultant looking after me.  I could have gone private but so glad I choose not to as I gave been well looked after.

Wishing you all the best and stay safe and positive.

BoobyJ

My goodness. You have really gone through so much! I hope the rest of the year is restorative and you can keep positive for yourself and your family. Let me know how you get on. I hope we both get are replacement boobs by the end of the year. Something to give us a lift...excuse the pun!

Take care. X

Thanks for listening. I'm ok. Just been on walk with my dad, bless him.

Yeah look forward to getting my new boob, keep in touch and all the best.

Sorry for ranting on yesterday. Feel better for it.

Stay safe.

BoobyJ

Hi I think the fact you had just returned to work for a short time after a longtime off has probably not helped your depression. I think it has probably just kick started what you had just got through. I feel in a similar position slightly, I was just about to return to work after being off since October when I was told I couldn’t return to work as classed in vulnerable group. This really knocked me back, along with other things during lockdown my emotions have been a rollercoaster again, I try to give myself some headspace, fresh air definitely helps even if just I garden if you are not yet motivated for exercise. Everyone always says be kind to yourself, treat yourself how you would treat a friend in your position. Take care x