Breast cancer

Hi Conker

its hard and although I am now at the end of my treatment plan cancer is always at the back of my mind. I brainwashed myself while going through chemotherapy and radiotherapy this was my new unpaid job,I went to each treatment came home and tried to forget about it. Luckily l had hardly any side effects. The other thing I did was walk everyday my cocker spaniel helped me there. Also I downloaded a calm app and audio books this also helped. The weeks will pass and your treatment will be soon over.Take care ,keep going it will soon be all over look forward not back.xxx

Thankyou, how many sessions did you have. Xx

Hi  

I’m sorry you are struggling. 

I know exactly how you feel if that’s any consolation.

I have struggled a-lot with chemo.

 Terrible nausea and my mental health has taken a real dip.

 My MacMillan nurses have been wonderful have you talked to yours? One day I got so upset and they really helped me to calm down.

 The mental health side and impact of all this is often overlooked I think as there is so much going on physically. 

Have you tried meditation? I find that is very helpful? 

Hi yes, I have spoken with the macmillen nurses , they are very good  , just feel.so low, not so much from the chemo , just so overwhelmed with everything,  I am very tired, but expecting that

Hi Conker

I am truly sorry to hear about everything you are going through. 

Cancer affects so many of us either directly or through loved ones and there are no words to describe how awful it is.

I know it's hard but try maintaining a strong social connections with friends and family. Emotional support is vital during treatment and recovery.

There is a new health platform called HExSOS that might be helpful to you. It has lots of questions and answers on Breast Cancer. 

https://www.hexsos.com/

I hope you find it useful.

Sorry to hear that you are struggling.  Just because you are struggling now doesn’t mean that this won’t ease in the future x.

some people seem able to continue with their life and let the chemo incorporate in to it. I haven’t found it to be like that.  I have had to reconfigure my life to accommodate the chemo and all its effects - mental and physical.  This doesn’t happen overnight, but is a period of adjustment.  One small example is that I watch an awful lot more tv than I ever did, and rather than just switch it on and let it run I deliberately choose programs that will engage and distract me - and entertain and educate too!

thinking about cancer all the time is an easy trap to fall in to, and a hard one to climb out of.  I think the theory is that if you think about cancer you consciously notice that you are thinking about it ‘oh, I’m thinking about cancer again’ and then move on to a different thought.  Every time you think about it just notice it and move on.  It is possible to train yourself in this approach, but of course takes effect and time.  I don’t want to make it sound flippant or easy, but it is an approach which can work very well.

there will be so many people one this forum who felt like you, but who have adjusted anext now things are better - I hope that thought gives you some hope xx

Thankyou thats really kind an thoughtful words  appreciate it, you just think you on uour own  , I am an anxious person st the best of times, so it's really difficult for me

You sound like you want things to be different to how they are now ie some relief from the horrible mental torment - that desire will give you the determination to make small changes which will make a difference x

our brains love to go crazy don’t they! 

Thankyou, mine certainly does  are you having treatment now or finished

I finished my chemo 2 years ago and felt similar, it felt as if everyone else’s lives were carrying on and mine had stopped. I struggled with chemo and felt I would never pick my life back up. We started booking little treats for after treatment had finished so I had things to look forward to. We tried to do something every month. 

I did get my strength back and am now more or less back to normal, still have my anxious moments but they do get less.

You already have 2 done and ticked off so carry on and you will get through and out the other side. X