Terrified and incredibly down

Hi anyone out there reading this.

 

I was diagnosed with cancer last August, so it's coming up to the 1st anniversary. I am still getting treatment until the first week of November and am taking tamoxifen for the next 10yrs.

 

I was trying for a baby before I was diagnosed and had not massively successful fertility treatment before the cancer treatment. That's my first issue. I've been told by my specialist that I need to take tamoxifen for 2yrs then have a 6mth break then try for a baby. By then I will be nearing my 39th birthday. I'm too scared to even think about trying anymore and am concerned that this will come in between myself and my partner because I feel that if we do not have a child, there will always be something missing. Therefore, all I can do with this is put it to the back of my mind for now and store that worry for 2yrs time.

 

However, what I can't get out of my head is how much of a burden I feel to the people around me who have done nothing but support me throughout my cancer journey. There's 1 person in particular that I have at the front of my mind here. My manager at work. He's kept me safe all this time by allowing me to work in some capacity as my mental health couldn't handle staying at home just waiting for each chemo... the surgery... radiotherapy... etc. However, I've had MASSIVE issues with trusting that I wouldn't lose my managers support and my distressed behaviour ment that I was incredibly dependent on my manager. 

 

Sadly, due to the coronavirus, my wonderful team and I inc my manager have all been at risk of redundancy. As a way of reducing redundancies, my workplace have obviously offered voluntary redundancy packages. My manager took this up and their last day is Friday. I saw him last week to say goodbye and they said they would give out their personal phone number to keep in contact with everyone. Luckily my manager has managed to land 2 jobs. 1 they have already started 3hrs a day and the other starts in September. Not what they want to do long term but is thinking about joining the police or going to uni and becoming a social worker (that's their dream as my manager fosters 3 children currently.)

 

I know that obviously my manager has A LOT on their plate but I messaged them asking about going for coffee together on the day my team and I said goodbye. I know they got the message instantly but they didn't reply. How am I supposed to keep in contact with them if they don't reply? This isn't the only time they've done this. I know my circumstances has been hard for them too emotionally but I'm absolutely beyond terrified that I've lost SUCH a good person/friend in my life. I simply can't handle losing them.

 

I don't think that it's helped that I'm female and my manager is male... (but gay!) and there have been people at work who have said that I have a fixation on him due to how dependent I've been. I can hand on my heart say there's no feelings in that way for him. As any cancer survivor, I truly feel that the one thing I've learnt from my experience is just how much I need the people I have around me and just how grateful I am of them all.

 

My last issue is that again, like many cancer survivor, the experience knocks your confidence for six. I honestly truly believe that I'm NOT worthy of the people around me. I'm NOT worthy of friendships. My manager does NOT want to have anything to do with me and won't keep in contact with me. It's THIS feeling that I just can't overcome. I'm not eating, my sleeping pattern is awful, I don't ever want to get or of bed due to this horrible persistent waves of fear that come over me in the morning over having to face another lonely day feeling like this, I've now cut off from the rest of my work team and horrible thoughts of suicide have started to creep in like they did when I was diagnosed.

 

I'm just so frightened.

  • Hello Coll0042

    I'm so sorry to hear that you're really struggling at the moment. I know from our previous conversations here on the forum that work has been a big part of helping you to get through things and that your Manager was very supportive to you through everything. 

    It sounds from your post as if you may benefit from some professional support and I wondered if this was something you'd considered or had previously? You've mentioned a lot of areas that are causing you great upset and concern at the moment and I can imagine that it must be exhausting to be dealing with all these things. 
    Please do speak to your GP or your BCN to ask what counselling support may be available in your area. If you have a Maggie's centre close to you then you may want to give them a call as they are able to offer talking therapies both via phone and, in some cases, face to face at the moment. 

    There is also the option to call The Samaritans if you want to talk to someone anonymously. They are available 24/7 via phone if you feel that things are overwhelming you or becoming too much. 
    We know that this all feels so difficult at the moment. You've been very brave in taking the first step in posting here and reaching out for help - get in touch with your GP tomorrow and take that next step on the path of improving things. 

    Best wishes, 
    Jenn
    Cancer Chat moderator

  • Hi Jenn.

     

    Sorry. Have I really whined on about my situation so much so that you recognise me  and my situation now?

     

    I've spoken to my GP and they've said it depends on what my psychologist thinks. However, my next appointment with my psychologist isn't until the 7th Aug. Perfect timing as it's the day before the anniversary of my diagnosis. My psychologist has told me that all of my feelings and emotions are completely normal so I don't know what else to do????

  • Good morning Coll0042

    Not at all! I remember lots of conversations that I've had with members here on the forum over the years :happy:

    I do think that explaining to your psychologist that you're struggling to cope with your feelings is important. Whilst a lot of what you've described is very normal for someone who has been through cancer, it's important to have the tools to cope with those and it may be that there are some strategies that the psychologist can discuss with you to help you process those. 

    If you think that you may struggle to explain those things face to face then you could write them down, as a letter or a list, to your psychologist and take them with you to the appointment. 

    Best wishes, 
    Jenn
    Cancer Chat moderator