Hello Debs50306986 and welcome to Cancer Chat,

First of all, it's great to hear your treatment has finished and that you have come out the other side. However, it's important to acknowledge that what you've gone through isn't easy and that this would take it's toll on a lot of people. It's natural that your wellbeing has been affected. It may not feel like it right now but I think you're taking great steps. The support services and reflexology are useful for reflection and relaxation, giving your mind a chance to recharge after treatment. Keep going and don't be afraid to lean on the people you've met and those closest to you for support, as talking is so important.

There isn't a quick fix, but with time I hope you'll start to feel yourself again. There is lots of advice on mental health and cancer on our website, which you can refer to at anytime and this forum is here for you whenever you need it.

All the best,

Moderator Anastasia

Thank you for replying, its  good to hear that people say it takes time for your mind to heal and it will improve, as it’s so hard at the moment and every morning I wake up and every night I go to bed I say please let me feel better tomorrow. It’s good to hear positive comments that it will improve as the journey is so long. 

Hi Debs,

Well done on finishing your treatment. Sadly, the way you are feeling is not unusual.

We all have great expectations about how we'll feel, once we reach this stage, but the reality is very different from our expectations. You have been through a lot in the past year, so it's no wonder that you feel so tired and depressed. It sounds as if you are doing the right things to try and improve the way you feel.

Many of us suddenly feel so alone and this is something that friends and family don't always know how to deal with.  Attending the cancer support services is a good way to go. Talking things through with a counsellor can help and your weekly reflexology should help you to relax more. Do you get a chance to talk to others when you visit the centre?

I have had 2 bouts of breast cancer, within a year of one another and I certainly did not feel full of the joys of Spring after treatment. I attended my local Maggie's Centre workshops, Breast Cancer's "Moving Forward" workshops, Mindfulness courses, etc. I found that speaking to others, who had been diagnosed with cancer, was very helpful. After some of these courses finished, a group of us formed our own support group. We meet in one another's houses for a cuppa and a chat, on a rota basis. I am now 14 years down the line and have to confess, that I still feel very tired, but my mood is greatly improved. 

A legacy for anyone who has received a cancer diagnosis, is the fear of recurrence. This is something that we have to learn to live with. I have found that this has become a little easier with the passage of time and I now feel more optimistic about the future. Do you have family or friends who you can speak to about how you feel? Having a good support network makes all the difference to your recuperation. Getting out and about can require a concerted effort, as you've probably not been able to do this during your treatment. Picking up on old interests or finding new ones really can improve your mind frame.

Medication is all very well and it is good to keep in touch with your GP, but you will get there eventually, with sheer grit and determination. You will find that there are others on this site, who have similar problems and it will be useful to speak to some of them and to get some tips on how they cope. Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx