Anxiety
Hi I am a newly diagnosed breast cancer patient as of mid november. I had a left mastectomy and lymph nodes removed the day after my 60th birthday 🙁 in december. Aggressive Stage 2 1/2. I...
Forum Discussion
Contact either your cancer care team and ask for a counsellor session, or your breast care nurse or you can can present at any major hospital primary health department (or phone them) and they will triage you and can provide you with some support. You are doing a lot of great things already but yes its such a hard journey. My sister came over every day and we just watched TV or went for coffee. I really needed that daily support. So ask for that help from friends and family. Open up to them how hard it is and you really just need regular company to keep those dark thoughts away.
The cancer council offer also on call counseling services. Talk to your GP. You may need assistance with an antidepressant that has an anti anxiety component, but that does take a couple of weeks to kick in if started.
I recall being really frightened after my first chemo. My husband came during treatment in the morning but then went to work. My sister stayed until 5. And on all days my husband worked OT...by 7 I called him in panic, i felt totally weird and terrified if something happened who would help me. Round 2 was better but I had other drugs on board to assist with side effects and by Round 4 I was good.. ..finished then and on to another. We are also given steroids with treatment which can heighten anxiety.
There is no shame in feeling scared and needing to ask for help. No one but a fellow bc sister / brother can really appreciate the fear that is with us especially at night. The time we worry about the what ifs.
But know this. It does get better. You will get through and you will draw on strength you never knew you had. And we are here to listen when you need.
Take Care. Kath x
The cancer council offer also on call counseling services. Talk to your GP. You may need assistance with an antidepressant that has an anti anxiety component, but that does take a couple of weeks to kick in if started.
I recall being really frightened after my first chemo. My husband came during treatment in the morning but then went to work. My sister stayed until 5. And on all days my husband worked OT...by 7 I called him in panic, i felt totally weird and terrified if something happened who would help me. Round 2 was better but I had other drugs on board to assist with side effects and by Round 4 I was good.. ..finished then and on to another. We are also given steroids with treatment which can heighten anxiety.
There is no shame in feeling scared and needing to ask for help. No one but a fellow bc sister / brother can really appreciate the fear that is with us especially at night. The time we worry about the what ifs.
But know this. It does get better. You will get through and you will draw on strength you never knew you had. And we are here to listen when you need.
Take Care. Kath x