I feel left after my treatment has finished..

Hi  you might find it useful to join the Life after cancer group. Ppl on there are in your position n can help 

Sue

Hi

That is pretty poor!  My oncologist was the one to prescribe my oestrogen suppressing tablet.  I must admit that I haven't seen my doctor about my breast cancer at all though and my diagnosis was June 2017, so I got the impression the local doctors don't get involved at all.  I just get my prescription authorised monthly from my doctors every month, which gets sent automatically to my pharmacy - so I've not seen my doctor about my BC ever.

Also, if you haven't been prescribed them ask for Calcium and Vitamin D tablets (combined) as the oestrogen suppressors can affect bone strength.  I requested a DEXA scan from my oncologist as well and this took place after treatment ended and after I'd been on my tablets for a few months. (it may be that he would have suggested it, but I pre-empted him and requested the tablets and the scan before he mentioned it).   It's fairly standard to get put on these tablets and to carry out a DEXA scan for post menopausal women (not too sure about younger women, but you can certainly ask). They get a 'base line' of your bone strength and then repeat this in 3 years time.  So, I'd suggest either asking your oncologist or your doctor about both of these too. 

I had a final meeting with my oncologist during radiotherapy.  I then had a 'sign off' meeting with my breast care nurse and then my annual mammogram at my local hospital .  (I didn't have chemo.)

You should have been allocated a breast care nurse, who you can contact at any time during 5 years post diagnosis for any concerns.  If you haven't got a BC nurse, then again, ask your oncologist for her details.

Don't panic that you hadn't started the tamoxifen straight away as it's only a couple of months since finishing treatment and a lot of ladies get them before radio, some during and some after - so it's not the end of the world if you're a bit delayed in starting them.

You should be due your annual mammogram in June (usually a year after diagnosis), so if you haven't heard by the end of June - get chasing that as well!  I know everything has been dramatically different due to Covid and some hospitals are better than others - I live in Dorset, so it's been a 'good' Covid area, so my annual mammogram last year was on the anniversary to the day! of my diagnosis! which I was really impressed with, but other areas have been struggling with Covid and some ladies have experienced some delays in their annuals.  But, as you now know what you should be getting, then you can pre-empt what to chase and when.

I hope this information helps a bit.
Kindest wishes, Lesley

I admit that I felt abandoned after my lumpectomy. I had no problem with prescribed Letrozole as the surgeon gave me the prescription at the last meeting to discuss results of surgery. I only had contact when I felt lump under operated arm but they did mammogram and scan to find benign lumps. They told me that it was all gone and that was it! No more contact.

If you have BCN nurse ring and tell them how you feel about it. I wish I had. This forum is a great lifeline where you will find like-minded people.

Hope this helps, chin up! You will find it gets easier. I am 12 months along now and feeling better!

MelsSpace5, thank you so much for your post. I thought I would quickly catch up on here as hadn’t visited in a while and you have just described exactly how I am feeling. You are not alone. I was diagnosed last August and finished my treatment (chemo and radiotherapy) last month so just behind you. I started my hormone therapy (Zoladex implant every 28 days so now had two) and daily Exemestane for at least 5 years. I will need infusions every 6 months by iv for the next 4 years too to strengthen my bones.
I have heard nothing at all from the cancer specialist side of things. I was told they would phone me after 6-8 weeks but that if they didn’t, I should contact them. I have felt completely abandoned just like you. It’s a strange feeling when you have the team there (not that I got much support like many due to COVID) then nothing. My friends are in complete disbelief when I try to explain this to them. They think you have a big team round you supporting you. The only phone calls I have received were from work asking when I would return. 
Have you considered counselling? I have never done this in my life but am very tempted now as struggling with negative thoughts and feel really down all the time. I have a young child so am worried he may start to pick up on my mood. I don’t want to bring everyone down. I think my husband is sick of me moaning all the time! I thought I would feel happy after finishing the gruelling treatment but I don’t.  I am now paralysed by fear of the prospect of reoccurrence and how I will ever have the energy to get back to pre-cancer life?

I know it sounds morbid but I feel like I died the day I was diagnosed and am now a stranger looking in on what was once my life does that sound weird?! I am sure it will feel better the longer we are from all of this. Sorry for sounding really negative!! ️

I completely know where you are coming from. 

Big hugs ,

Bekky xx

Hi guys

Sounds like good advice offered already on here but I certainly think counselling should probably be standard for everyone who has been through the cancer process and the resultant fear we are left with.

One great piece of advice I was given from a friend who recently completed her initial treatment was that for every month it has taken from diagnosis to treatment completion it takes two months to recover both physically and emotionally.  I think if we have this in our heads it helps reduce our expectations of what we are fit for after treatment.

The second thing I have read on one of the treads here was that if we look at the stats after our treatment.  mine for example with her2pos, hormone receptor neg grade 3 invasive cancer having the 6 chemo cycles and one year of 2 targeted drugs puts my stats of disease free survival at the 6 year point at approx. 87 per cent.  With this in mind this is less than any female getting cancer for the first time and it isnt something which terrifies them so why should we ruminate on it to the extent it renders us immobile.  

These two thoughts have brought me some peace.  I will be starting radiotherapy next month and have the targeted therapy for a year to do after this so I hope you find them helpful also.

Take care ladies and big hugs. xx

I completely agree with you Carlo41. I feel that there should be an “opt-out” option for counselling rather than the other way round. I find it is hard to go for this if you have never experienced it and you feel a bit of a nuisance for not just getting on with things. I think those who haven’t been through it just look at you and think, well your still here aren’t you but there is so much more to it. I think it is a major traumatic event in anybody’s life regardless of age/stage etc.  When you are feeling down it is hard to actively seek counselling so I agree with you. 
Thank you so much for your positive words. Reading your response made me feel a bit brighter. 

Bekky xxx

Hi, where can I find the life after cancer group. I'm struggling with my emotions.

I agree with Carlo41. I could not ask for counselling as it's too difficult. Had it been automatic or opt -out, I would have used it in the first instance. Too proud to ask, I thought just get on with it. It takes time to adjust but eventually I came to terms with it, after about a year.

Sometimes you just need reassurance. It's the not knowing what to expect.

Hi EK55iIl get another champ to send it to you as I don't know how to do the link. Sorry,

Sue

Hi EK55

If you click on this link, it should take you to the Life after cancer forum.  I do hope it helps.

Kindest wishes, Lesley