Having trouble just coping

Shorelle
Shorelle Member Posts: 80
Hi , Im new to this group and after ready some stories I am greatful for my early diagnosis, well not that early stage 2a. But still I know I am in a better odds position that lots of others. Im a mum of 3 little girls 5, 6 and 8 with a husband who would be useless without me and Im really really scared. I have just finished 4 rounds of chemo and decided to book in for bilateral mastectomy end of sept. Im just not coping still with the diagnosis and cant see how this is ever going to stop taking over my mind. I was such a happy strong person and now Im a wreck. 
«1

Comments

  • Zoffiel
    Zoffiel Member Posts: 3,374

    Hey  @shorelle I've just, today, had my portacath removed after having to go through the whole bloody process again. I had a double mastectomy with reconstructions at the end of 2006 and had a recurrence, with all the associated drama, last year.

    You know, it does get better. I'm not suggesting that it all just goes away, but that physical feeling of fear that follows you around does lose a bit of energy and lags behind a bit. It catches up every once in a while, but if you just keep putting one foot in front of the other, one day at a time you can start to feel you are outpacing it 

    I've got no evidence apart from experience to support this, but I think sometimes BC is harder for people who have previously had a sunny disposition. Perhaps those of us who are crankier and generally less cheerful are used to being pissed off and feeling like shit. I don't know.

    Good luck with your upcoming surgery. I firmly believe that the process of making those sorts of decisions is far and away the toughest part of BC treatment. If you have been through that, you have done the worst bit. It is bloody exhausting, but you are getting there. Keep going. Marg XXX

  • LMK74
    LMK74 Member Posts: 795
    Hi @Shorelle, it's a bloody long process all of this and I think just get through one day at a time. I agree with @Zoffiel, I think happier people may find it harder. Personally, I have had a shit three years so what's one more thing. It will get easier I believe. All  the best.
    Lisa 
  • Shorelle
    Shorelle Member Posts: 80
    edited August 2017
    Thank you for your words. I think you are right the toughest trees fall the hardest has been a way to explain myself. I was so healthy happy positive and tge change in my is sad. The whole thing is sad. Did your bc come back in your breast even after mastectomy? Thinking of you. Just when you had passed your 10 year mark too. That is really unfair. It seems it never really goes away.  
  • iserbrown
    iserbrown Member Posts: 5,766
  • Shorelle
    Shorelle Member Posts: 80
    Good advise. Thank you.xxx
  • HIT
    HIT Member Posts: 261
    So common after treatment to feel like you.  The advise already given is so true.  For me I think no matter what age we are, until something really goes wrong with someone close (or yourself) we still have that almost childish view that it won't happen to me -- and when it does its a real shock!!  You lose your innocence (for want of a better word).  Before I was a happy person, now I have to work at being happy. Saying that I think the happy is better when you work for it.
    Previously I was bullet proof -  now I know I'm not.   Maybe the unhappy people in the world are the people who have lost that innocence too early in life....    
  • CellyK
    CellyK Member Posts: 23
    Hi @Shorelle
    Big hug. <3 Getting enough rest would be a magic trick in your situation.  But if there's some way you can wangle that - more rest  will help you regain not only physical, but some emotional energy too.  I hope you have some options there - like occasional babysitting or the girls having a sleepover with someone you trust etc.  
    Whether or not that's the case, your surgeon, oncologist or GP could refer you to a clinical psychologist.  I don't think any of us should try to get thru this without that level of professional emotional support.  I and a colleague who also has bc are both seeing psychs.  Wouldn't be without it.  A psych will also help with some practical tips for easing your responsibilities too.  
    I'll go out on a limb here and guess that despite your diagnosis - you still have too much on your plate.  Your lovely daughters will need you to be more 'selfish' for a while - they will thank you in the long run.  I get that fear you have.  My daughter really only has me (except some clueless relatives who's values make me cringe).  So we just have to keep believing that these girls will have us 'bossy mums' around for years to come!  
    If the fear starts sucking you down into that 'sh*!t - scared' horrible place - try to breath deep and remember whatever stats and facts are in your favour (then let go of the rest) - it seems to help me.  My surgeon is really good at reassuring me when I'm having a mini-freak-out.  I hope you have someone - or find someone who can do that for you!  
  • Shorelle
    Shorelle Member Posts: 80
    @CellyK everything  you have said is spot on. Its as if you know me.xxx
  • Brenda5
    Brenda5 Member Posts: 2,423
    We always imagine the worst in our future after cancer touches us but for most of us it doesn't happen so why worry about it? Teach your husband planning so he can help you. Men are 'doers' and feel helpless when you are down. We keep a calendar of everything in the kitchen and it sort of turns in to a diary really. It does help. Planning and repetition will help you with chemo brain too so don't get disillusioned that you are getting no where. You need normal. Keep at it day by day and the weeks and years will follow. <3
  • Shorelle
    Shorelle Member Posts: 80
    Thank you. I need to find that positive again. The feeling of being doomed is overwhelming.  
  • Romla
    Romla Member Posts: 2,092
    Think many of us have beeen there - my strongest advice is to look outwards and you have made a first step by coming online to this site.I am pleased to have a couple of very practical mates who pushed me when I was down to find others in the same boat - I am soon to start a free hydrotherapy course organised by the YWCA called Encore which will  provide some pampering and information but a chance to meet others - it is Australia wide. I rang Cancer Council and they have a Cancer Connect service - within 3 days a lovely lady from Brisbane who had been thru same as me rang and talked to me - the importance at that time to me of hearing her voice was immeasurable - she'd gotten thru it all and was enjoying life.There are local bc support groups - I found some in my area by googling. The Journey Kit from BCNA has been very valuable but I had initially only focussed on the treatment stuff - I discovered it provided way more than that - it gave me questions I could ask the medical people and at the back a huge list of resources available to me.In a nutshell there are many of us and there is much available to help us but for me having someone to share the journey with who got it because they were going thru it was the best. - 
  • Shorelle
    Shorelle Member Posts: 80
    Maybe I should have a look through all the cancer paperwork I put up on the highest shelf in the office so I dint have to see it. It might be what you are talking about. There are so many books and pamphlets there.  I just didnt want to see anything with the word written on it.  
    Everyone has been so nice and helpful I could never complain about that. All the cc support people are so nice. 
    Maybe when I start to feel better physically my mind will follow. Having a bad cough and cold 1 week after chemo isnt the ideal setting for inspiration.  I keep thinking I should be thinking myself lucky. So many worse off and I have goid odds,  could be much worse. I do think myself lucky.  I do however feel that that boat we are all sitting in has a leak! I wish none of us had to spend our time on here and we could go back to normal.
  • iserbrown
    iserbrown Member Posts: 5,766