Mental health and feelings

Hey .. I was diagnosed with breast cancer 2023.. I've had a mastectomy on my right breast.. been through intensive chemotherapy and refused to have radiation treatment as simple it was to much trave ing as wasn't local to where I live. I was offered a new chemotherapy drug which I opted to take.  However they messed up nearly every month on the delivery to my home and basically didn't deliver t meds .. so was left with no treatment.. I was offered a hysterectomy as my cancer was estrogen based to remove my ovaries./ womb etc. However I'm not menopausal I'm 47.. so was told I'd need inject ns to bring on menopause.. I tried the injections but made me really poorly so they was stopped and my cancer meds I wasn't receiving.  So no operation for hysterectomy even though I've had womb can r cells already removed and high risk for ovarian cancer.  My appointments for specialist I've seen 1 in 6th month's.. and was told oh you no longer qualify for that medication.  And have basically en left with no help or support... and told take tamoxifen as that's all we can offer you.. I haven't been told I'm clear of cancer and feel like I'm in limbo .. tbf I feel like I've been forgotten out.. overall the level of care I've received is awful... even down to the simple thing like after breast removal.. was supposed to get a insert for my bra but never got them or the nurse checking o my welfare.. I'm bi polar and so overwhelmed with the lack of care and feel like I'm a burden when I ask .. I honestly think that I have been forgotten about and slipped through the system . 

  • Hello Nikwitch, 

    Poor you you've been through quite a tough time and experienced so many frustrations along the way. It's terrible what happened with the delivery of your drugs and that you were left with no treatment. I can completely understand why you are feeling in limbo at the moment and that you feel you have been forgotten about. I am so sorry you had such a negative experience and this feeling that you haven't received the care you needed is bound to have repercussions on your mental health. 

    It might be worth sharing your feedback about your experience and our website has a page on how to complain about healthcare services so that they are hopefully more careful in the future. Try also to talk to your GP or anyone who is also aware of your mental health issues and therefore can understand how all this can affect you. We also have in-depth information on mental health and cancer which I hope you will find useful. It does mention that if you have an existing mental health problem, it can be even more difficult to cope after a cancer diagnosis. 

    I hope that you will manage to flag all these issues and voice your concerns and that you will hear from others on our forum who can relate to what you have been going through and to this feeling of having been forgotten about. 

    Keep strong Nikwitch and we are all here for you anytime you feel the need to offload. 

    Best wishes, 

    Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

  • How traumatic for you! .Dealing with cancer is difficult enough without the system letting you down.  Do you have family / friends who could take the load from you and advocate for you.? Alternatively an official advocate via your mental health support network or cancer network.

    I don't think you are being a burden when you ask for help - it's what those people are paid to do!

    In your position I'd probably write down a plan of action t help me not to feel like I'm floundering in chaos and that I was taking control.  You might feel better too after making the complaint.

    Take time to relax too if you can and snatch some moments of peace and quiet.

  • Hello I really feel for you I was diagnosed with lukimia in July 20-23. And ever since been struggling to with anxiety and panic. Dreadful.