After care

Hi Owlet

I know how u feel I finished rads in April this year and due to covid things changed but I have now had tele consultation with rads Consultant and everything seems ok and he said he has discharged me. I have now got Breast care nurse tele chat coming up as after treatment support. I have been able to call then if needed though, but I think it's the not actually seeing anyone that makes me feel a little lost at times 

Xxx

Hi,

I finished rads 18th June and have had fortnightly phone appointments to check on me.I could also ring radiology or my BCN if I was worried.Signed of from radiology last week and handed back to BCN.Excellent service yet again.

Hi yes got two radiotherapy telephone calls booked, it was more someone just to talk to about the whole thing more emotional support really and it just seems unclear who to speak to now! 

Hi yes got two radiotherapy telephone calls booked, it was more someone just to talk to about the whole thing more emotional support really and it just seems unclear who to speak to now Have emailed the breast care nurses and they said have to fill a questionnaire in but not had it yet and seems very slow! Would just like to talk to someone face to face who understands! 

Unfortunately due to Covid face to face may nor be possible.But you can still get help here from Macmillan.

Hello ,

I think this is where we all step in.... many come to this site looking for help, guidance, answers, too share worries and concerns - mostly, before treatment, and then many of us stay..... we stay for the emotional support, the guidance, the worries, the any little lump and bump causing concern.... and more times than not there is another one of us here waiting to lean a hand, an ear, or a shoulder.  Others that have completed treatment go off and might not come back here, might pop back from time to time, others stay here - not knowing they turn into the very people we all looked to when we started our journey.

I hope this made sense.  The short version is, it's like we go from a massive whirlwind of a rollercoaster ride to treatment finished and a wave bye bye.  Yet now is the time it all starts to sink in what has happened, what just went on, where is that person I was, in a way a type of grief sets in for the person we was..... whilst a new and most often than not an improved us emerges. 

I'm happen to talk anytime, however, I had combined combined operation and radiotherapy and I take letrozole - I do understand - but maybe in a different way to others that have had a similar journey to you.

Don't stress, you will feel all mixed up - take each day at a time - it does become easier xx

Thank you for this, I had a lumpectomy and then a week of radiotherapy which finished last week.  I had the choice to take tamoxifen which was a hard one but trying them.  My mum and gran both had breast cancer so was expecting it just not at 42!  Feeling like it’s been happening to someone else these last few weeks and starting to process it all now so not really knowing how I should feel!   Trying to keep everything normal for the family but nice to talk to people who understand! 

Hi

I was diagnosed 3 years ago (just had my annual - all clear).  I finished my radiotherapy and it was 3 months before I had a follow up appointment.

However, pre-Covid, there was a wellness session run by my local hospital which I thought was fab.  I can't imagine that they would be doing this now as it was a group of about 20 of us in a room (all different cancers).

Local support groups, I guess will also be struggling with meetings too - so I think as has already been said, it's probably 'us lot' to rely on for emotional support.  We'll do our best for you!  (Your BC nurse will be able to help with any medical concerns naturally as you have a 5 year hotline to her).

I think it takes a while for it to 'sink in' as not feeling unwell when diagnosed.  If feeling unwell, it would be more understandable that we were 'ill'  and then to be told when you feel fine that actually you have cancer is a really hard one to process.  It's been full on for you until now - and now you have time to think, so it is understandable that it's hitting you now.

Kindest wishes,

Thank you! 

Hi , lovely replies already from the fine folk here, just wanted to add, I’d recommend contacting your nearest Maggie’s centre (google it to find out). I didn’t contact mine till over a year post diagnosis but wish I had done so sooner. It’s an hour’s drive away so hardly nearby but they’re lovely and although it’s not open for face to face stuff at the moment, during lockdown I’ve done a zoom mindfulness course and now do weekly drop ins, also on zoom. I have stayed in contact with 2 lovely ladies who had ear acupuncture there with me pre lockdown, and one of them has been attending a ‘dealing with anxiety’ workshop through the centre, again online. Am sure it’s worth a try, I initially made contact by email as I couldn’t pluck up the courage to phone. Love and hugs, HFxx