Best Of

Hi @Fletch , interesting what your GP mentioned. I have suffered from depression on and off for years and have found cancer easier to deal with in many ways.

For one thing, I have been able to reach out to family and friends for support without feelings of shame or stigma. To lean on others during cancer treatment is such a socially sanctioned act, isn't it?

I have had many feelings during this experience, from a zen like acceptance to hyperventilating about my imminent mortality in the wee hours.

I had chemo first, so I didn't have time to panic about it before it started. Surgery will be the last step for me and I'm fairly certain that I'm going to panic more closer to the time (late October). At the moment I am dealing with it by trying not to think about it. 

Because I knew that counseling has been helpful to me during depression, I took up the offer of counseling during cancer treatment with gratitude. My counselor is lovely, and is particularly helpful in letting me know when what I am feeling is similar to others going through cancer. I hope you will find it helpful too.

xxx and many hugs.

Hi to all of the ladies above,I can only say, yes, I am in the same position, mental health wise, I have all the support I need, my partner is wonderful,and YET, the tears have been pretty close by the last couple of weeks, no real reason, except of course metastatic breast cancer,5 years down the road, I have isolated myself as well,I am an introvert by nature and what is termed as having a highly sensitive pysche I,to have all sorts of techniques to put in place when things go wrong, like, you @zoffiel, I dont do crowds, waiting or queues, I think its because I like to be in control, plus of course living in a rural community means I dont have to deal with a lot of people, I live in a beautiful area, have a lovely home,everything I need, and yet, it still feels like something is missing, I just have to say to myself, this too will pass, and it does, its just the days in between that are hard, just as well I dont like ice cream, however, Daryl Lea Chocolate covered liquorice bullets, come a pretty close second, my remedy apart from the liquorice bullets is simply just to be - let it wash over me, get it out of my system as best as I can and tomorrow is another day, I am not wonder woman, I live life in the slow lane now and I am rather enjoying it, I make no apologies for not being able to do stuff or go places, I am me, 
I have wanted to get this out of me for a few days and after reading the previous posts, I felt strong enough to do so,
thank you ladies,
wendy55

Wow! I can’t thank you all enough for sharing. I saw the counsellor this morning and feel so much better. The combination of that and this forum is perfect for me!
I am as prepared as I can be and have sooooo much support.
Let the ride begin!
Thank you all .