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Counselling

Mummymartin
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I phoned MacMillan in February to talk and ask for some counselling following breast cancer diagnosis. My initial session is this week and although I’ve written some notes my concerns seem small and I’m worried I might be wasting the persons time. Has anyone had counselling and if so how did you get on? 

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    Hi Mummymartin.  Sorry to hear about your breast cancer diagnosis.  I have breast cancer and had counselling arranged through MacMillan.  I never wrote anything down I just chatted to the counsellor who was very nice.  Believe me you are not wasting anybody's time.  It is a traumatic and difficult experience having cancer and does change your life.  I just offloaded to her and could say things to her that I couldn't say to family or friends.  It's nice to be able to talk to someone who is not involved and wont get upset with what you say.  So  I would say go ahead and use this service.  Good luck.

    Lee x

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    The fact that they have accepted you for counselling shows they feel that counselling would benefit you.  Theirs is a precious resource and they wouldn't offer it to anyone they felt didn't need it .  The counsellor would soon give you feedback if it wasn't appropriate.

    I have had counselling around my breast cancer experience.  You can say things to your counsellor that you wouldn't feel able to do to friends or family.  I've found it extremely useful.  

    Hospital staff are excellent and supportive but their focus is of necessity on all the practicalities of treatment.  Counselling gives you the opportunity to look at all the issues round the edges that otherwise you might not have the chance to look at.

    Sometimes one feels one is coping well and sometimes not.  Getting into counselling now you could look on as a good insurance policy incase things get tougher further down the line..

    You could try a few sessions and if you don't like it you never have to go back...

    A

    Good luck!

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    Hi Mummymartin,

    Have you seen the counsellor yet and, if so, how did you get on? I spoke to a counsellor at a Maggie's centre and found her very helpful.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Offline in reply to Jolamine

    I had to cancel due to a work issue. 
    I’m rebooked for next Wednesday. I kicked myself after I cancelled such a stupid idea. I forgot about me! 

  • Offline in reply to Mummymartin

    What a pity that you cancelled. We all forget about ourselves, but you are important here. I am glad to hear that you have managed to get another appointment next Wednesday and I hope that it all goes well.

    Please keep in touch.

    Jolamine xx

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    I am a counsellor.  A good counsellor is happy to just let the session flow and you will find you talk about all sorts of things, your support, family ect. 

  • Offline in reply to Sky19

    Hi Sky19 yes the Macmillan counsellor just let me ramble on about nothing specific sometimes but it helped me.  It was arranged by Macmillan through Bupa but unfortunately there is no more counselling through Bupa as Macmillan didnt have enough funding which is really sad.

    Lee 

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