Just don't be disappointed if her treatment differs from yours. From my experience celebrities don't always face the same trials we have and can be a bit condescending. This can be frightening too for some people if they feel things are different in their situation.
Wholeheartedly agree! I watched that other woman, name forgotten, and I was angry as she was not NHS therefore got the best treatment/help/explanations etc
I agree that her treatment may be seen through the tinted glass of private care so may be a lot different to the experience most of us have in real life. It will still be interesting to see what her diagnosis is and what treatments she had. I hope she is doing well now.
I remember a documentary by another celebrity last year and while it was undoubtedly tough and scary for her, it looked as though she was having treatment in a hotel! She also had access to some test that was not available on the nhs as far as I can remember, so not really a true reflection on cancer care for the majority. I’m guessing Sarah Beeney will be similar but I will still watch it though.
Julia Bradbury! Yes, she had access to info we would be lucky if our oncologist spent that time/effort imparting to us.. However, I guess the udea was to show people it can all be dealt with regardless of who you are and how you cope. Obviously I wouldn't wish this situation on anyone c
What was the Sarah Beeny doc like ? I’m about to start my first cycle of chemotherapy on 12 July and that will go on for another 6 months. I was diagnosed with breast cancer stage 2 in early Feb. I’ve had a left breast mastectomy and a full axillary clearance. She had all her treatment in 8 months? Really all NHS? Curious but not sure if I should watch this doc, I’m very sensitive at the moment!
It was interesting to hear about the genetic tests and I shall be asking my oncologist about that when I see him. She was NHS as she said she didn't know NHS offered a wig service. She had her chemo at a hospice I think.
I don't know how helpful these documentaries by celebrities really are. I notice how quickly they bounce back to normality.....are they being totally honest with the viewer or themselves? If a camera crew is following someone, does the NHS have a different plan? Perhaps I'm being cynical? I don't wish any celebrity anything other than a speedy recovery but as Fungir05 asks....should she watch it now when she's about to start treatment. Is that helpful? Technically, I suppose my treatment took from Nov 26th when I had a lumpectomy to July 13th when my radiotherapy finished. As TNBC I had nothing else but the fatigue dragged on for months and a complication with neuropathy still troubles me. Is it that celebrities don't have the same worries outside of treatment? Often financial security, already childcare if they have children, cleaning staff, gardeners........Recovery has to be easier with support. Even without a young family....I was 62 when diagnosed.....there were days when I looked in despair at the housework, the washing and had no energy to think about cooking.
If we're honest this illness has no ' quick fix'. It doesn't simply disappear at the last treatment session. I am no pessimist. I have always been positive about recovery. People who know me tell me often but I am also a realist. I would never tell anyone this will be easy. Somedays will be awful but the end results for most of us will be a life without cancer. We may have to make changes to the 'old' life but we will be alive and enjoying life again.
So perhaps the most helpful thing the tv channels could do is follow newly diagnosed, ordinary people as they deal with treatment combined with the pressures of their normal lifestyle. How do they cope with the challenges...the waiting, the side effects, the lack of information, the follow ups ( or not?).....
I wish all of you well. My cancer was diagnosed in 2015. I am ok. I live well. I had excellent treatment and no problems with future monitoring. I don't have TNBC anymore but I know it hasn't always been simple.
Take care. Whatever you do, never compare yourself with anyone else. You feel as you feel. This illness has no right or wrong way to proceed. If have a side effect.....you have it....and if not...you don't have to feel lucky or guilty. At the end we all hope for same thing.....successful recovery for all.
I thought the genetic testing was interesting, and that she was able to see her mums notes. I’m really pleased that she is so positive post treatment, but I wasn’t, and like most of us, I’m still in fear of recurrence land. Im now wondering if my employer thinks that I might have been telling fibs. I was off work for a year and struggled for the first 6 months on return to work, dropping my hours permanently to 2 days a week. However, I had 15 rounds of radiotherapy which Im not sure if Sarah had that - maybe I missed that bit when I made a cuppa.
