No help and no compassion or understanding

Ask our Nurses your questions
1

Hi, for many months and years I recieve no help or has compassion and little understanding.

Feeling completely on my own and have done for years.

Cancer in 2023 went through surgery chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Have been on tamoxofin and now on letrozole and have 16 months left and counting down.

The side effects to letrozole have been horrendous. Just about managing to cope. But no one understands, they think everything is ok.

Throughout cancer my family and my partners family have not been there and are still not there. They just presume I feel OK now because the cancer has gone, however the side effects are terrible. The most annoying thing is that I have been there for all of them at major times in their life’s, with no thanks. I am surrounded by selfish people.

My partner was their through cancer but now he has gone back to normal life which is understanding.

My employers have not been there, and no one will believe what major stresses they have put me through. I am having to take legal action.

I just want to move away and start life again.

No one realises what stress they have put me through, before and after cancer.

I just want to be with like minded people not selfish, ignorant or arrogant people.

2

Hello Claire.S,

Thanks for posting. It sounds like you are having a really hard time.

It’s often difficult for family, friends (and employers) to understand the impact a breast cancer diagnosis can have on someone emotionally and physically. Dealing with the ongoing side effects of hormone therapy like letrozole can also really affect quality of life. Its understandable you feel like moving away and starting life again.

Getting support is key. You may want to call us to talk all this through our free and confidential number is 0808 800 6000. Our nurses have time to listen, talk things through and signpost you to additional support and information if necessary.

If you have not done so already do reach out to your treatment team and GP so they can support you with how you are feeling as well as managing side effects of letrozole

We also offer a range of free supportive services which you may be interested in. They include face to face and online courses and events. Here you can connect with others who have been through a diagnosis and treatment.

You may be interested in an upcoming Speakers Live about the emotional impact of breast cancer

Also, Dr Peter Harvey a Consultant Clinical Psychologist wrote about how people can feel after treatment has finished. Although the article is many years old and not specific to breast cancer the emotional issues discussed remain relevant. You can read this through the following link After the treatment has finished - Then what?

Managing the anxiety, anger and grief of breast cancer from Future Dreams may also help.

The organisation Working with Cancer can support you with the current issue you have with your employer.

Through these suggestions you may find likeminded people and ways of getting support that you are not getting elsewhere.

As mentioned, do call our helpline if you would like to talk this through or have any further questions. If you have hearing or speech difficulties dial 18001 followed by our number and the call will go through Relay UK. Our helpline has access to telephone interpreters if language translation is required.

If you would prefer one of our nurses to call you. Please complete this form ticking the box agreeing to a call back.

Our usual opening hours are Monday to Friday 9am - 4pm and 9am -1pm on Saturdays.

We are closed on English bank holidays.

Out of hours you can leave a message and we will call you back when we next open.

Best wishes,

Jane

Breast Care Nurse

Please read the disclaimer Full details on how we collect and use your data can be found in our Privacy Policy

As we are unable to monitor for further replies, this thread will now be closed. If you have any additional questions or would like to provide feedback, please start a new thread, call our helpline, email us or request a call back.