Struggling mentally

I got the anastrozole and zoladex the wrong way round! Also mind not working and always tired too x

Macmillan can sort out counselling for  you within a couple of weeks - they have for me. Ring the helpline and they should put you forward for it

Oh OK thankyou 

Hi Everday Blues, so sorry to hear you're struggling at the moment. I am at a different stage of this awful journey, as i had the lumpectomy, then they found more cancer cells, so i opted for a mastectomy, i had that Operation on 14th Oct this year. I too struggle some days, with pain and getting comfortable to sleep in bed and i have a fluid build up above my scar and i am now on blood thinners as my GP is not sure if i have a DVT, i have leg pain, so i'm now due to have an ultrasound scan on Wednesday and the breast nurse said i could pop in after that appointment, so they can check my wound and look at the swelling. I have an old work friend who went through breast cancer a couple of years ago, so i find it good to talk to someone who has been there and done it. Are there any Groups in your area that you could join, as this may help you, as you've all got something in common. I know i have been given so many leaftets etc with different contacts from the Nurses. I say be kind to yourself, try to find a Group to join too. ps. you are not alone. xx

So sorry to read this, as Anabrock has said, do try and get counselling sorted.

I have had similar timescales to you, diagnosed in August last year, though had chemo first. Also went through an early medical (intense!) menopause. 

Firstly, ask your nurse for Emla cream for the zoladex injection. I have had that ever since my first one, which was pretty painful, and it makes a huge difference to the pain. I barely notice it going in. You just use the cream an hour or so before your injection.

It's funny you should say you're struggling mentally as I have been really happy and delighted with how everything has gone but have been struggling myself these past few weeks. I read that Seasonal Affective Disorder can be far worse when you're going through the menopause, so it could be the time of year making you feel especially low.

I don't think I gave the menopause enough credit straight after my treatment. When you've been through chemo, the menopause just seemed like another thing that happened and I was then so happy to have got through all treatment and start getting my energy levels back that I felt great.

However, I think I'm now suffering a little from menopause blues. It is a huge change to our bodies and we had to do it very suddenly, alongside everything else. As if cancer treatment isn't hard enough, you have to cope with something that most women find difficult on its own.

I hope your hair is growing, mine is coming back in well, though still very short. 

Hopefully Macmillan can help you. I have found meditation apps have helped me a bit, and there are loads of free ones.

Dear Everyday Blues, what you are feeling is common for anyone who has cancer, you get treated and then find you cannot move on, it hap pened to me, both breastcancernow and Cancer support run free moving forward courses, I found particularly the Cancer Support UK course helped me a lot so give them a try.  Lov from Ann

Hi sorry you are struggling with side effects. I am not far through my treatment yet so physically I am fine so far (had lumpectomy, chemo and radiotherapy to come) but the whole thing has  hit me hard mentally like most of us. Just wanted to also mention Macmillan as they have helpline nurses who offer emotional and physical support and it might help if you talk to the nurses about your side effects (I was becoming a regular)!    I have a Macmillan ‘phone buddy’ who I chat with and she has medical experience so have found it really good having someone ring me and have a good old chat with someone who has herself experienced what we are going through and I’d definitely recommend this service.  

Hello Everyday blues.  Sorry to hear you are feeling bad.  I am having treatment for cancer which has spread to my spine and sternum.  Results of a scan last week show the treatment is working.  However i am just beginning to get my head around this nightmare.  I used to wake up in the morning and think oh no here we go again.  The worry that the cancer will spread i think is always with us but gradually we do learn to live with it.  I used to cry quite a bit and at the hospital when I was speaking with the nurse and sometimes to friends on the phone.  I think it just hits you sometimes.  I think some friends dont quite know what to say so dont get in touch.  I found in the beginning that some members of my family did not always appreciate how I felt but again we have all got our heads around it.  The other day when I was having my infusion I thought I wish Mum was with me and nearly cried.  When I first had breast cancer 19 years ago Mum was around but has since died.  I dealt with the cancer then much better than this time around.  I belong to a support group and that has really helped me.  I do hope you begin to feel better.  Hugs , love Suexxx

Thankyou  you see I read your journey so far and It makes tears come to my eyes as you are staying so positive ...I will find someone as each day I feel like iam drowning at the minute. I hope your leg is alright along with everything else goes well with your recovery ...thankyou for writing back to me xx