Imposter syndrome and Breast cancer

Hi Aggie L , lovely messages already from the fine folk here. Everyone is different and there will be people who have worked pretty much throughout their treatment but I wasn’t one of them. I thought I’d just have a couple of weeks off after my op but ended up being signed off for a total of 4 months. This took me up to 4 weeks after my radiotherapy finished. I definitely needed all that time, even though I felt guilty about letting people down. I was a special needs teacher and my job was physically and mentally challenging, though tbh I’m not sure that I’d have felt able to go back to any job any sooner. 
So I’d echo the advice of others - now is the time to put yourself first and take whatever time you need. Sending love and a big virtual hug your way, HFxx

Hello Aggie,

please give yourself and your mental health the time to process and heal after the surgery and radiotherapy. I have followed the same pathway recently you are now on and felt similar feelings as you.If there is anything I can advise it’s to be kind to yourself and not expect to just snap back into normal life. The whole experience isn’t normal, it’s scary on occasions and bewildering with information , surgery and treatment. You will feel better and life will return to a level of normal again so don’t rush. Please know you have the support of many of us already ahead of you on the same journey. I hope this helps .

Dear Indy, Thank you so much for your encouragement and support. Some of my work colleagues might think that I should be well now as I had my surgery, so should be back to normal. I will stop feeling guilty about going back to work and start thinking of myself and my wellbeing. Plenty of hugs and sending all my positive energy  

Dear Hopi, Thank you so much for your support. I will definitely start thinking of my wellbeing and not my work! Small steps into right direction. Sending lots of  

I am a 70 year old male and  I had surgery for third stage breast  cancer on the 2nd of April. But I have been told I will have to have radiotherapy. For three weeks.and also to have tablets to stop the cancer.coming back.i am not looking forward to having the radiotherapy. Because I have read that you can have bad side effects after the treatments. 

I know right? It's hard to give ourselves the grace to take care of us. Whether we're relied on for our jobs or our families, it's like we don't know how to put ourselves first, even if it is for our own heath. Especially because the C word makes us feel like that end date is closer than before. Like everyday is precious and can't be wasted. 

If this awful sisterhood has taught me anything, it's to take a moment to be kind to me.

So you do that too. And we're here to help you (and us) remember that!

Hi Onyman. I completed 2 weeks of radiotherapy 2 weeks ago and, like yourself, I was anxious about it and the potential side effects. I found radiotherapy harder to deal with mentally than chemotherapy because it felt so impersonal, even though the staff were absolutely lovely and made sure I was as comfortable as possible. I developed cellulitis after the 2nd session but that was partly due to a previous infection and is now almost healed. Other than that, my skin is in good condition and I've had no other problems. Radiotherapy can cause side effects further down the line but for some of us it's the best defence against recurrence but it's still a difficult choice to make. Talk to your radiotherapy staff... they deal with these concerns every day and may be able to allay your fears. I wish you the very best of health and peace of mind whatever you decide.