Shifting priorities
I am just past two years from BC. It is only now that everything has hit me so deeply. What I had, what happened to the before me, losing friends, so many things just falling away on...
Forum Discussion
@JSN
Hell, yes, grief, anger, frustration and a sense of helplessness but more in the first 12 months for me because that was the self imposed time limit i gave myself to get my shit back together. But more recently when i went back on letrozole after a 2 month break...all those side effects to cope with again.
Grief hits people in so many ways and differing time spans, simmering away in the sub conscious until something triggers the flood gates. You are also learning to deal with the 'new you'. I've accepted most of the new me but there are some parts that i still don't like, being more of a stress head for one. But cancer does that to you i think especially if it comes out of the blue and hits two people at the one time, like myself and my husband (stage 3 prostate). I stressed out for both of us, my husband buried himself in work. But we were still there for each other. You have to be.
I'm so glad you're seeing a psychologist and that your immediate family are supportive, that's so important for you.
This will pass but it will take time and patience and it's good that you've recognized it for what it is, that you are taking time off and getting the help you need to get you through this difficult time.
A good technique my psych taught me was if things are really bad, sit down and quietly think of 5 things you can see around you, 5 you can touch and 5 you can hear. You can expand this to 5 people you love, 5 activites you really enjoy and 5 books, music or movies that you enjoy as well. It's just a little quietening activity.
Be kind to yourself and yes, lots of deep breaths. Cathxx
Hell, yes, grief, anger, frustration and a sense of helplessness but more in the first 12 months for me because that was the self imposed time limit i gave myself to get my shit back together. But more recently when i went back on letrozole after a 2 month break...all those side effects to cope with again.
Grief hits people in so many ways and differing time spans, simmering away in the sub conscious until something triggers the flood gates. You are also learning to deal with the 'new you'. I've accepted most of the new me but there are some parts that i still don't like, being more of a stress head for one. But cancer does that to you i think especially if it comes out of the blue and hits two people at the one time, like myself and my husband (stage 3 prostate). I stressed out for both of us, my husband buried himself in work. But we were still there for each other. You have to be.
I'm so glad you're seeing a psychologist and that your immediate family are supportive, that's so important for you.
This will pass but it will take time and patience and it's good that you've recognized it for what it is, that you are taking time off and getting the help you need to get you through this difficult time.
A good technique my psych taught me was if things are really bad, sit down and quietly think of 5 things you can see around you, 5 you can touch and 5 you can hear. You can expand this to 5 people you love, 5 activites you really enjoy and 5 books, music or movies that you enjoy as well. It's just a little quietening activity.
Be kind to yourself and yes, lots of deep breaths. Cathxx