Good prognosis guilt.

Beacon25, Don’t apologise. I’ve been in your shoes although I later went on to have more treatment on my other side.  When I chat or message anyone about my cancer I always pre-emotional any discussion or message with caught early, good prognosis but I realise I do this to appease the fears for my family and friends - and yes it then makes it difficult to raise my own anxious and sad feelings afterwards.  I just struggle with worrying I’m causing a fuss but what I did do is have that exact conversation with my immediate family members (they are the only ones that mattered to me) to try and explain the physical and mental impact this disease has and how I feel.  Surgery is massive, radiotherapy is massive - your mind is just catching up with everything so now is the time to be kind to yourself. Lots of luck with everything going forward x

* Pre-empt that should read

Thanks so much, you're exactly right with pre-empting any conversations, this is what I do for those same reasons. Definitely a good idea to have an honest conversation with my nearest and dearest.

Sending best wishes to you.x

None of us should beat ourselves up, I am in early days, just had mastectomy waiting for results which is mind numbing, but am being honest with family and friends which actually I find a therapy in itself, most days I am strong but just have emotional moments that seem to come from nowhere x

That's me today, just keep needing to cry for no particular reason. 

Think waiting for results is the worst. Sending positive vibes. X

Hello. I too count myself fortunate that I didn't ignore the lump. I know there are those out there who have had a much worse time but I can only cope with myself and how I feel. It is a whirlwind and when the treatment finishes thats when you realise what you have been through. Just because treatment is done doesn't mean there aren't ongoing side effects. I'm struggling with puffy armpit and fluid in boob, tamoxifen effects currently achy joints, dry skin, the odd hot flush and general fatigue. My hormones are everywhere and recently had a number of low and weepy days. It takes a while to realise what you have been through so yes I empathise with your feelings too. Now I seem preoccupied with what if it comes back. I know they got mylump but is it anywhere else as I have other aches. I don't think you are alone. Just keep going and take it one day at a time x

Thank you, it really helps to hear others feeling the same. I've also got pre cancerous uterine cells and had to cancel a hysterectomy when got breast cancer diagnosis, so just waiting for that to be rearranged. 

You're right about the side effects, it's hard work!! 

You can’t turn your feelings on and off like a tap. No matter what the outcome, cancer diagnosis, surgery and radiotherapy are stressful. I think we sometimes get the image of the Instagram influences who is always positive in our minds but those stories aren’t typical and we don’t see them at their low points. So I have learned to be honest, I say “Hopefully everything will be fine but I’m waiting for my results now and I feel a bit rough.” Nobody has thought any the worse of me for it. Any diagnosis like this means we reassess our future. Technically we have all got to come to terms with that as we age but it’s a particularly brutal way to come face to face with it. 

Also, I am sure that the current events in Ukraine are’t helping anybody feel better. It’s certainly got me down. I try to limit my exposure to news, particularly early in the morning, and to catch up with the headlines rather than constantly follow rumour and speculation. Hope this helps.

Absolutely know how you feel. My treatment from op to end of RT was 2 months. Now on hormorne blockers for 5 years and about to have end of treatment appointment  which is 3 months on from my op. Feels unreal and still processing the emotional aspect.

As others have said irrespective of what treatment you have had you still have to deal with the diagnosis and its OK to feel sorry for yourself on occasions as its part of the emotional healing. None of us here on this forum deserved this and its OK to feel what you feel 

Xx

You're right in all counts. Just a down day I think. 

P.s I pressed report by accident on this comment ( phone slipped) not sure how to take it back, sorry.