@fairydust It doesnt have to be a Psychologist for Cancer, like you as part of a rehab I could have seen the Psychologist there, but I had no rapport with her strangely. I did see someone 7yrs ago for awhile due to a snowball of traumas and she was fantastic, she helped me deal with the loss of my Mum, my marriage breakdown and 1st diagnosis. Even when I had a recurrence in 2015 and had to do extensive treatment, I didnt seek her out as the strategies she taught me were so helpful. HOWEVER, leading into my Mastectomy/Diep flap recon I called her for a session, 1 is all it took to know I am not going mad, everything I felt was validated and she helped me see things and myself in a different way. I didnt look back even now, 3 months post surgery, I love how I look, never a tear nothing LOL. so it is more about connection than anything else.
I also see an Exercise Physiologist organised through my income protection last year. AMAZING!!! recommend to anyone getting back into exercise. I couldnt have done it any other way, I needed professional help, something a little more than a personal trainer, someone who is trained in rehabilitation. She got me ready, strong in my core for surgery, (so needed for the tummy wound) 6 weeks post op was back with her and now building again. The knowledge is what gets me, so helpful and knowing how the body moves, stretches, muscles etc.,
I think everyone is individual, I dont know that we ever really bounce back without reflection as we move forward. Im 2 years clear but only 3 months post surgery. Still working with side effects, my life will never be the same, Im nothing physically to where I was, so for me its about adapting to what I can do now without getting frustrated and upset. Thats soooo hard!!! Its one thing to be grateful for the treatment, but they dont want to know the fallout or impact lifelong of what it actually does on a physical/emotional/mental level. So go and have a chat, it helps to vent but just to be heard.
xx Melinda
