What are you doing for your mental health?

@Zoffiel. Know where you're coming from. Better days ahead. XX

Take heart @LIttleBlueWren. The anticipation is the terrifying bit. The reality is normally an uncomfortable to unpleasant slog. It becomes routine very quickly, and human nature dictates that we find humour and upsides, no matter the ordeal. You'll never feel more loved and cared for, it will deepen your closest relationships, and you will come to understand yourself in a truer way than ever before. If you feel it's getting on top of you, don't hesitate to get counselling or pharmaceutical help. I did/do and it makes things better. Don't ever suffer in silence, there is almost always something that can help. We'll be with you all the way, we've got yoi. K xox

@LIttleBlueWren My BS and I had some discussion round the word 'mutilation' when we were talking about the BMX. He agreed that it was, and that made me feel better, that he acknowledged what a big thing it was, to chop off your boobs.

I have no regrets (I had a DIEP recon). Good luck tomorrow. Look forward to a future with much. less. worry. K xox

@sister. How it makes you feel when you read and see all of that kind of info will be a testament to how much better mentally youre doing. I had no idea it would get easier, but I'm becoming immune to everything i see and hear. Not denial either lol. @LittleBlueWren, of course you have everything to cry about right now. Hopefully your partner will be your rock and get you through this. Men that are worth their salt will still make you feel a million dollars, no matter what we end up looking like post surgery. You were meant to find that necklace. Its a lovely story and has given you strength. Its still got a lot of work in front if it, and things will improve from now on. 

@LIttleBlueWren best wishes for the mastectomy

I know what you mean @blondy by being surrounded by breast cancer.  I choose to come to this site but I have no control over what other things I "bump" into.  It became the only topic of conversation (and to be fair, I wasn't doing anything to hae other topics) and, for awhile, every single book I read had a side character who had died/was dying of bc.

A very good question. When you are on the treadmill of appointments, surgery  chemo, rads you tend to emerge months later, rather shattered to say the least  It's taken up every bit of your time and energy ....... and then, all of that intense treatment is at an end and you are left with your thoughts. Enter the next battle, Mental health. I found this step the hardest of anything I have ever done in my life. It totally messes with your head  Coming to this site in the early stages was too much, and set me back. I was unable to cope with reading about everyone else's suffering. It seemed every where I looked I'd hear or read about breast cancer. I plodded on week after week keeping myself extra busy and doing a lot of pep talking to myself  Overall I have found 'time' to be the healer. I have noticed in the last six months since my treatment ended,  at just how far Im winning this mental battle. I can come to this site and make comments and hope I can give inspiration or help to others. It doesn't bother me if I read and hear about breast cancer. I've stopped arranging my funeral  I mean there were at least 60 songs I wanted played, plus a violin concerto. As a matter of fact it was only today or should I say yesterday, as its the middle of the night, that it dawned on me that it's been quite a few days since I stopped  thinking daily and often that I had cancer. I plan long term goals and have my life mapped out well into old age. I tell my husband who is 17 years my junior that when I'm 98 I'll still be kissing him with or without teeth . Having a positive attitude and the determination to not let cancer rob me of my happiness is what has got me through. All I yearned to do was to return to normal and I've pretty much reached that place.. Think positive, act positive  be positive.,surround yourself with positive people and ditch any negativity. It does get easier but you will be the driver. Good luck