Post Cancer Grief

In Feb 2020 I was diagnosed with Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma (a salvitory gland cancer). I'm 31 with 2 children.

Thankfully, I'm lucky. Caught the cancer early (stage 1) and now free from cancer according to recent checks.

Recently, when seeing myself in photographs with family and kids I have an overwhelming sense of grief. Almost as though I feel like I've died.

This is clearly a strange feeling; and I was wondering whether anyone else has been through anything similar?

  • Hi Curt_ace

    Sorry to read that you have been through cancer especially at such a young age with young children. 

    We all feel differently when faced with cancer, it can shake us to our core, we're frightened for ourselves and our familes. Our bodies may change and certainly, our peace of mind is never the same again, 

    We are giving all kinds of support to treat the cancer but there, in my opinion, is very little to no psychological support to allow us to come to terms with what we've been through.

    I personally felt that cancer had taken up enough of my life and didn't want to give it any more of my time once my treatment was over. I didn't like when nurses kept telling me that I would be a "new you" - to hell with that. 

    Some are not as pragmatic and can struggle and may need some help to explore their feelings and I know several who went to counseling and found it helpful, so if you are feeling low then perhaps that is something you could think about doing. 

    This forum can also be great for support and hopefully, others will come along and give you their experience and advice.

    .Take care and be kind to yourself x