Hey.
Im new here, 30 y/o and 3 months post Cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC.
During surgery, a good handful of organs were removed, and I was also put into surgical menopause. They are confident they removed all of the cancer and have told me I am in recovery, which of course, was great news and I feel lucky in that respect. However, I just can’t help myself from feeling extremely depressed. I’m doing all I can to help my mental health, and I’m getting through life, but I just feel down all the time, it’s always in the back of my head.
additionally, my pain is still bad, and my energy levels super low, which isn’t helping my mental health, as keep feeling like i take one step forwards and three back. I’ve not gone back to work yet, which has been helpful, but I will need to soon. But every time I think I’m making progress I get humbled and then spend days in bed.
i hate surgical menopause, I feel robbed and HRT doesn’t seem to be doing much yet. I think I’m just grieving everything I’ve lost, which I know is normal, but i just wish it could all be over. I didn’t really anticipate that life after cancer would feel worse than it did during.
I thought I’d try posting on here to maybe connect with other people who understand. I have a fantastic support system, but no one can truly get it. And I’m so young that a lot of my peers simply can’t relate. If there are any other younger people who have been through this I’d love to hear from you too.
Hi there
I am Christie patient....surgery July 2022. Where was your surgery?
Like you I had all the organs removed and was on HRT Gel. It takes sometime to get into your system so keep going.
3 months is still very early days....and you will have good days and bad days and eventually you will have more good days than bad....and it's those good days you need to grab and make the best of them.
My GP realised that CRS/MOAS surgery could result in PTSD type symptoms and feeling 'down' and lack motivation so she prescribed SSRI Sertraline.....which I currently still take (150mg). They are non addictive and improved my mood. Keeps me focussed and away from dark rabbit holes and gives me motivation to keep going. Maybe speak to your GP.
If you haven't already joined you might want to join the private FB group run by UK charity Pseudomyxoma Survivor....there are lots of members, survivors with experience.....of all ages. It's a really good group for support, encouragement, tips and hints. I do hope you will please consider joining.
Hiya,
thanks for your reply! 
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Yeah, I was also treated at the Christie.
I definitely feel like I have PTSD, it was such a lot for our bodies to go through, and, I had no idea how intense the surgery or recovery would be, I have had quite a few surgeries and this was on another level it caught me off guard.
I am on Sertraline, and have been for a while, but only 50mg, maybe I should explore upping my dose a little. Thank you for sharing that it’s helped you, and I’m so happy to hear that.
I don’t have Facebook but maybe I should set one up cos that looks really helpful.
My energy is very up and down at the minute still, and like you said, I’m grabbing the good days, but sometimes the smallest things makes me need to be in bed for days. Also, at the moment, I feel stuck together in my abdomen. I’m pretty sure it’s internal scar tissue and I’ve been told it should soften, but it’s limiting my movement and capacity which I’m really struggling with. If you don’t mind me asking, was there a point in your recovery that you started feeling more like yourself?
No pressure to answer though!
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