I was diagnosed at the beginning of the year, mastectomy with Diep flap reconstruction followed by radiotherapy. I’ve recovered well physically, a few aches and tightness but I’m ok.
Now I’m having flashbacks at very random moments and get completely overwhelmed. Today I was sat in the dentist chair and suddenly the lights took me back to the radiotherapy sessions.
I’m sure this is common and it’s what I expected might happen but I’m not coping with it very well
So sorry that you’re experiencing this - you certainly aren’t alone . My Mum died a few months before I got diagnosed and while I was awaiting surgery I was getting odd flashbacks of being on the phone to the ward doctors and being told that Mum wasn’t yet ill enough that they could let me come and see her ( lockdown ) . It was very distressing and I think it was caused because having BC was another situation that I had no control over and I was having to wait again for the medical professionals to do their thing. We have a 24 hour mental health helpline at work and I called it one evening and it helped a lot .
It’s not surprising that you got triggered at the Dentist - clinical treatments where you have to relinquish control of your body to someone else and dental treatment isn’t easy at the best of times ( I should know as my partner has a phobia of Dentists ) . I’m sure if you speak to the team at your dentist and explain they will understand.
After my treatment had finished I was a bit of a mess emotionally and I found that doing the Moving Forwards course helped and I think it would be worth you looking into it . It did sort my head out and allow me to process and you could also look into counselling or find out if there are any support groups locally as it does help to speak to people who get it . Sending love xx
Hi emmah2
You are definitely not alone with this.
I get them at my hairdressers when having my hair washed as they have similar lights of trees on the ceiling very much like where I had my radiotherapy.
I am finding it is getting easier over time
Sending hugs
