Why is it so hard?
Hello, I’m new to the network even though I’m well past finished with my treatment. I even have almost enough hair on my head to call it a bob, sort of. I finished the mastectomy/reconstruction/6 mont...
Forum Discussion
Hello 12paws. It sucks eh? I'm fairly new at this survivor business, being three months past my last active treatment. Having BC gets described here a lot as a rollercoaster. Well I say the rollercoaster continues. I always knew this time was going to be difficult for me and it is.
Yesterday at the Plan B Conference we had a speaker on post BC wellness. She said you will feel better but it takes time. One of our number (@Zoffiel was it you? Having a brain fart here...) asked (and I'm paraphrasing) 'how long do you have to feel like crap for before you reach this mythical time?' The speaker, a doctor, said if you experience feeling significantly down or stressed to the point that it is affecting your normal activities or emotions for longer than three weeks, then you should seek help.
So maybe it's time to speak to a counsellor or psychologist? Did you have a breastcare nurse you liked? Perhaps you can ring her. Or the BCNA helpline on 1800 500 258. The women who are on the other end of the line there are wonderfully kind and helpful. Maybe find a support group so you can hang out with people who 'get' it.
50% of women diagnosed with BC will also develop depression and the time when this is most likely to occur is after your active treatment has finished. The similarities between PTSD and a BC diagnosis are currently being studied because they are almost identical in how people psychologically react.
So I think all the same advice holds true now as it did when you were going through treatment. Be kind to yourself, put yourself first a bit more, do something that makes you happy everyday. Breathe. Please don't suffer in silence. Reach out in whatever way you feel comfortable with. Stay in touch here. We're with you. K xox
Yesterday at the Plan B Conference we had a speaker on post BC wellness. She said you will feel better but it takes time. One of our number (@Zoffiel was it you? Having a brain fart here...) asked (and I'm paraphrasing) 'how long do you have to feel like crap for before you reach this mythical time?' The speaker, a doctor, said if you experience feeling significantly down or stressed to the point that it is affecting your normal activities or emotions for longer than three weeks, then you should seek help.
So maybe it's time to speak to a counsellor or psychologist? Did you have a breastcare nurse you liked? Perhaps you can ring her. Or the BCNA helpline on 1800 500 258. The women who are on the other end of the line there are wonderfully kind and helpful. Maybe find a support group so you can hang out with people who 'get' it.
50% of women diagnosed with BC will also develop depression and the time when this is most likely to occur is after your active treatment has finished. The similarities between PTSD and a BC diagnosis are currently being studied because they are almost identical in how people psychologically react.
So I think all the same advice holds true now as it did when you were going through treatment. Be kind to yourself, put yourself first a bit more, do something that makes you happy everyday. Breathe. Please don't suffer in silence. Reach out in whatever way you feel comfortable with. Stay in touch here. We're with you. K xox