Struggling with emotions

Hi BethC these feelings and emotions are very common but none the less frightening! We have lots of ladies who have just finished treatment (including myself) but if LJ comes on you will see how absolutely petrified she was and now she's finished and can't believe it. She will most certainly give you information and encouragement .keep posting Beth.

Angela xx

Thank you Angela.

I know I'm going to be fine in the end, i just feel lost xxxx

Hi Beth.

No problem. So what diagnosis did you get and what is your treatment plan? For me it was 2b cervical. I had 26 rounds of radiotherapy (Monday to Friday) and weekly chemo(cisplatin) for 6 weeks then 3 brachytherapy. This seems to be pretty much the norm for this cancer. But we all will definitely help you thru this process and to be honest you've already came thru the worst which is all the waiting for diagnosis and scans and appointments etc. You will find that time will fly once treatment gets under way. If you have any questions or fears/worries, just come on and post here, someone will most certainly have advice for you. It's pretty daunting but before long you will be on here giving advice to " newbies"  lol.

Angela xx

Mine is the same 2B and 5 weeks of radiotherapy and chemotherapy then 3 weeks or bracky therapy (not sure thats the right spelling)

It's my emotions I'm really struggling with i have 2 small children and feel like i don't have the right to feel like this xxx

You are totally entitled to own your feelings. There's no wrong or right way to feel. It's your process and UV said b4 on here that it's a solitary journey..no matter how supportive family are, you realy walk this path alone! The old saying, walk a mile in my shoes is very appropriate right now. I've a great family but on diagnosis day I could only txt them which sounds cold but i couldn't say the word cancer for so long. We absolutely know how you feel Beth. You aren't alone in this very supportive grouo.

Angela xx

Hi BethC and welcome to our group!

You can feel however you feel after a cancer diagnosis, and there’s no right or wrong way. We all cope differently, but we all recognise the whole range of emotions that you will be going through right now. 

I was stage 2b too when I was diagnosed in 2018, and went through the chemo and radiation, and as Angela says, lots of ladies in the group have been through this standard treatment so will be able to help and support you. 

The unknown is scary, but you have a diagnosis and treatment plan now to focus on. It must be hard having young children, but you will get through this. The best piece of advice I can give is to take one day at a time, one appointment at a time and try not to look too far ahead. Treatment can be tough, but some ladies sail through without many side effects at all, so try not to anticipate what “might” happen. You will be closely monitored, and make sure to tell your team how you’re feeling. For any side effects that you may have, there will be something to help.

No matter how much support we may have from family and friends, it’s very difficult for them to understand what you’re going through, but we do understand in the group because we’ve been there and know how it feels. We are a very supportive and encouraging group, and can help you get through-keep posting and use the group to ask questions or simply to tell us how you feel. There will always be someone who can help or offer some advice and moral support.

How are you feeling physically in yourself? This whole thing is both a mental and physical challenge for us, so just take care of yourself and accept all the emotions you’re going to be feeling. You’ll probably feel a bit out of control right now, and a bit overwhelmed but each appointment you tick off is one step nearer the finish line. Stick with us and keep posting and we’ll help you through. 

Sarah xx

Hey

thanks for your message I’m feeling tired and constantly sick after my first lot of chemotherapy.

Family are all wanting to help take the kids and things but I’m finding that hard as well just want my children to myself.

sounds ridiculous I know but the fact I can no longer have anymore children is breaking me, 7years ago I got told I couldn’t have children then I was blessed with my two girls to my second one being 1years old and finding out I have cancer.

xx

Hi Beth

Make sure you discuss your sickness with your team- they can change your meds to help, and the crucial thing is not to wait until you’re sick to take them. 

It’s incredibly difficult for you having young children, and being robbed of the chance of having more…mine were grown up and I was post menopausal so it was very different for me.

But I always try and look for something positive out of the negative, and having treatment gives you the chance to survive to be there for the children you already have. This is very hard for you, it is for all of us, for different reasons, but try if you can to focus on the treatment being to cure you to be there for your girls. 

You might want to consider talking to a professional around all these feelings. I found it very helpful when I was at a really low ebb  after surgery and Macmillan can arrange this if you feel it could help you. We are all changed by our diagnosis and treatment, and life really never is the same again. But it is possible in time to adapt and accept this new reality. You are at a low point right now with treatment highlighting all that you’ve lost but it can become better in time. And I would recommend that you accept any and al help offered. I had no help at all, ever, apart from my partner and it made life very tough. One day at a time,

Sarah xx