INVISIBLE WOUNDS and The Power of Words.
I have a sad but true story about somebody who thought his feelings weren't valid or acceptable. At 3am one morning a man turned up at his home in a taxi. His wife didn’t expect him, surely somebod...
Forum Discussion
We are all grateful for the sheer luck (or good judgement for those who chose to immigrate!) that finds us living in a country where mostly excellent quality healthcare is readily available.
But sometimes it is difficult to be positive about treatments that hopefully improve your longevity, but decrease the quality of your day to day life. I have mentioned several times the reason to keep taking my AI, and that I am determined not to stop. I always appreciate the voices that say 'I have no problems taking it'. However the reality is people who have issues on any treatment are more likely to post, seeking advice, encouragement and possible solutions. For example, I would not have known to try magnesium to help with my ankle pain and restless legs if I had not posted about them here. It was not suggested by my oncologist. I am trying it now and it appears to be helping.
I agree with all those who've said that we should always be mindful about how we write here, but sometimes we need to howl our pain into a place where we can be understood by people who have 'been there'. It is one of the most invaluable aspects of this forum. I struggle with the pressure to be the good patient, to keep positive. I find it insensitive and unrealistic. Having cancer is hard. I am a realist. Sometimes I feel reasonably cheerful, sometimes not. I can't fake my emotions, I have to be true to myself. I need to be authentic. I also feel strongly that the hush hush approach to the old taboos of depression, menstruation and menopause need to smashed. More than half the world's population is female. We bleed... and then we don't! I've always spoken openly about periods and I'm going to be the same about menopause and depression & anxiety.
I try to leaven my posts with humour. I've been helped so much by those who've gone before and I hope my problems will resolve and in doing so I gain knowledge and experience I can pass on to others.
Sometimes if I am feeling vulnerable I don't come in here as much. Other times when I'm feeling down, here is where I want to be! I agree with @Romla, the option to scroll past is a good one. We all have to use our self-knowledge to make good choices. In all things in life eh?!
"We all need to stand and support each other together or some of us will fall"
Kate xox
But sometimes it is difficult to be positive about treatments that hopefully improve your longevity, but decrease the quality of your day to day life. I have mentioned several times the reason to keep taking my AI, and that I am determined not to stop. I always appreciate the voices that say 'I have no problems taking it'. However the reality is people who have issues on any treatment are more likely to post, seeking advice, encouragement and possible solutions. For example, I would not have known to try magnesium to help with my ankle pain and restless legs if I had not posted about them here. It was not suggested by my oncologist. I am trying it now and it appears to be helping.
I agree with all those who've said that we should always be mindful about how we write here, but sometimes we need to howl our pain into a place where we can be understood by people who have 'been there'. It is one of the most invaluable aspects of this forum. I struggle with the pressure to be the good patient, to keep positive. I find it insensitive and unrealistic. Having cancer is hard. I am a realist. Sometimes I feel reasonably cheerful, sometimes not. I can't fake my emotions, I have to be true to myself. I need to be authentic. I also feel strongly that the hush hush approach to the old taboos of depression, menstruation and menopause need to smashed. More than half the world's population is female. We bleed... and then we don't! I've always spoken openly about periods and I'm going to be the same about menopause and depression & anxiety.
I try to leaven my posts with humour. I've been helped so much by those who've gone before and I hope my problems will resolve and in doing so I gain knowledge and experience I can pass on to others.
Sometimes if I am feeling vulnerable I don't come in here as much. Other times when I'm feeling down, here is where I want to be! I agree with @Romla, the option to scroll past is a good one. We all have to use our self-knowledge to make good choices. In all things in life eh?!
"We all need to stand and support each other together or some of us will fall"
Kate xox