Cancer journal

Hi Charden 

I used a journal when I was diagnosed and having treatment. I found it really helpful to get my thoughts onto paper and try to process them. I did talk to friends and family, but I didn’t want cancer to be the only thing I talked about, so my journal became a private and safe space where I could get out whatever was on my mind. It’s also interesting to look back at too when this is all over, at least I found it to be. x 

Yes, I’ve also used my thread on the site as a similar resource since of course it’s fairly anonymous, very few folk know me outside of the site. I’ve found a journal really helps, there is stuff I put in there that I’d not even put on this site. I don’t write daily but roughly weekly, plus if I’m away I do write in my ‘motorhome diary!) 

hugs xxx

Thank you for reply thats exactly how I feel I dont want to be talking about my cancer all the time thats why i haven't told anybody I work with except my manager because I don't want it to define me 

1. Thanks for reply This thread is great isnt it?, ive found it very informative as well as therapeutic some times 

Im a really private person so being able to talk freely about concerns is so helpful 

Hi Charden 

I kept a blog on this site. I don’t update it frequently now but it was an essential way of letting off steam during harder times.  A trip with triple negative breast cancer

Thanks I will.have a look 

I don’t keep a journal. First time round my son was in the RAF. Fixing Chinook helicopters in Afghanistan. I sent him Blueys. E Mail Bluey’s . It was interesting looking back at them 20 years later. As I described the process and how I felt. 
to be honest at the time I didn’t get much response. However this time round he has been very proactive with help to the point of booking time off work during chemo just in case OH wasn’t available. 
His response , I’m a grown up now. 
interesting sometimes to look back. 

Hey Charden 

I don't keep a journal as talking with another human is personally my best outlet for those deep feelings. I am very selective about who I do this with though and my go to is my amazing counsellor who I was referred to via my breast care nurse. I've found that having someone not connected to me personally plus bounded by confidentiality gives me the freedom to say exactly how I feel without any limitations and I get the feedback from a two-sided conversation so it feels productive rather than like I'm just kind of talking to myself. The sessions are all spaced out too so instead of talking about it all the time, it takes place in a dedicated block of time then I can move on and reflect.

I suppose it depends what you're wanting to get out of it really. I think if you're wanting to just pour it all out as a release then a journal could work really well. If you're wanting some support for your feelings also, based on my experience, I'd highly recommend counselling in addition to that.

1. Thats lovely 

Thank you I hadn't actually thought about councilng something I will definitely look in to