I was diagnosed with early breast cancer in August and have had 2 WLE’s. Today I was told that I don’t need anymore surgery and I have an appointment next week to discuss when I’ll be starting radiotherapy.
I am just wondering if it’s normal to be feeling flat and low in spirits? I’m thinking that I should be jumping for joy that the cancer has been removed and I am of course very happy about that, but somehow, my mood seems very low. Is this normal?
Love to everyone that is going through treatment xx
I can remember that feeling REALLY well of being ‘flat’. It was the most odd time, the period between surgery and rt. There had been so much fraught emotion and psychological upheaval prior to surgery and then…err… and then a no-mans land of a few weeks before rt. It was the almost anti-climatic calm after the storm. I didn’t know what to think or feel, like you, and felt like kind of in limbo. The cancer was gone, but there was further to go and in the meantime there were no hospital appointments, no medical checks, lots of time to think without feeling the same level of panic as before, but still with concerns and fears in the background…it was really odd. I will warn you now…you might get the same feeling after rt.;o)
I remember feeling ‘flat’ but can’t remember if it was actually ‘low’, but you know each of us is different and has a slightly different response to the situation. I will say this, nothing is ‘not normal’ during this process to be honest. I will say that it took me till months after rt to start to feel like my normal self again. The impact of the diagnosis on your emotional well-being can’t be underestimated, and it takes time to get back to the ‘new normal’.
It’s Emily here from Breast Cancer Care. Thank you for posting.
While you’re waiting for responses on here, I wanted to reassure you that a lot of our volunteers felt a very similar way to you. Their expectation was that they’d be celebrating the end of treatment, but in fact at this stage, they felt low in mood.
Our volunteers are few years on from their treatment now, and are always happy to talk to people who are in a similar situation now. If you think this would be helpful, feel free to give us a call on 0345 077 1893 and I can put you in touch with someone who’s had a similar experience to you.
Hi Elaine, I think you are probably coming out of the shock and disbelief of your diagnosis and will feel flat. I suspect you are worrying about what the future holds, and how different it would have been if…
Weve all been in your situation, and the best advice I can give you is to be good to yourself. Get some treats sorted out to give your spirits a lift. Have coffee with close friends who love and cherish you. Exercise. Take a walk which will strengthen your body as well as lifting your spirits. You are not alone, so tell us how you’re doing and keep chatting. Sending big hug, and a bunch of flowers to get you started. X ?