Struggling with emltions

FormerMember
FormerMember
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Hi 

iI had mastectomy middle of august this year And am still having some issues with my scar especially where the drain was, the biggest issue I have is with my armpit area it gets really sore here.

i have had good oncontype result and don’t need chemotherapy so just having tamoxifen as treatment. 

I coped really well throughout but recently find it more and more difficult to get the cancer off my mind, and even though I know it’s good not to have the chemo it worries me that there is something left and not having treatment will cause it to spread, silly I know as no breast there to spread into but can’t help the anxiety and because I’ve had such a brave face since day one and positive attitude as far as my family is concerned I don’t want to tell them I’m not coping well.

i suppose I’m trying to say we all have our good days and bad ones and that is perfectly normal for us, but reaching out to others is the best way forward for support and help they say.

hoping that this low mood, anxiety goes soon, can’t keep up the pretence all is well when I just want to screem, is this down to the tamoxifen I wonder

  • Hi,

    I too didn’t need chemo or rads, and sort of felt short changed, if you know what I mean? I suspect you might be feeling similar?

    keep going with the shoulder exercises and also some gentle massage as that will help with altered sensations, nerves which get cut in surgery can cause annoying ‘fizz’ and stabbing feelings.

    Have a google for Dr Peter Harvey’s article of ‘when treatment ends, what then?‘ As some of the feelings you have are explained in there.

    And yes, hormone busting tablets can cause mood problems, try to remember you are you, not what the cancer has done! 
    Hugs xxx

    Moomy

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to moomy

    Hi moomy

    thanks will have a look at that article it’s just so frustrating when I’m normally mentally strong feeling anxious isn’t something I’m used to or like. 

    You are right about feeling short changed mind, no matter how many times you tell yourself it’s great that hormone treatment is all you need that little niggle doesn’t go away. 

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    Hi Tash, I'm not having chemo either. This is due to the fact that the type of BC I have will not respond to chemo so it is a waste of time having it.  The only way that sort of cancer can regrow is if it has the oestrogen to 'feed' off which is why you are taking Tamoxifen.  When they did your mastectomy they would have ensured that the margins around the tumour(s) were large enough for them to be sure there was no cancer left behind.