Brief history in 2017 I was treated for breast cancer. Now my brother-in law has just been told he is on palliative care as of today. Since we were told he could have cancer which was only two weeks ago. I have been having panic attacks and nightmares that its me going through it again. Is this normal I can’t shake this feeling. I feel so guilty and not very helpful in giving any support to my husband and sister-in law. It isn’t helping waking up from the nightmares and being exhausted.
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Hi @Saphire,
I’m really sorry to hear about your brother-in-law’s diagnosis. That must be so difficult for your family to go through, and it’s no surprise that it’s uprooting your anxieties as well. What you’re feeling is totally normal but you don’t need to go through it alone. Our nurses are always here to listen and support you and are only a phone call away on 0808 800 6000. The forum will also be here for you every step of the way 
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Thank you so much Alice, you have helped a lot with your reply knowing it’s a normal feeling. The symptoms of his cancer has come on so quick. My nephew was told at the hospital after a scan to let him go home for palliative care with his mum. His test results still haven’t arrived it will be another 4 weeks before they do come through. We are all in total shock. I will contact the nurses if I can’t control this anxiety. I need to keep a clear head for my husband’s sake, it’s not just about me this time.
Totally understand. I’m 5 years on and was doing ok then recently had a routine blood test which threw me into panic mode because of the terminology on results and they mistakenly thought I had a serious heart issue . Now taking beta blockers . We do our best but we are traumatised for ever really and should be more provision for mental health
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Thank you Susan, no nightmares last night and had a good nights sleep, which has helped tremendously… The trauma of having cancer never goes away, there is a place in the mind that is alway on high alert of it coming back. We never get the definitive of it being cured we are only in remission maybe 5,10, 20, 30yrs. Hopefully one day there is a cure.
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Sending you a big hug 
!
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Hope so we’ve come a long way but none of us can say we are cured … probably because we are not tbh
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I am back again the cyst that was diagnosed last year has changed, I noticed a couple of days ago that when raising my arm I have an indentation on the surface of my breast in the same spot. Should I get it checked out? It’s making over anxious again and scared. It doesn’t help because I have been feeling poorly since Christmas I am excessively exhausted all the time falling asleep for no reason and I don’t feel like eating. I managed to see a Doc 6 weeks ago after trying since Christmas, I had a blood test which showed low folic acid she prescribed 2mths supply but that isn’t working. Should I try and get it checked again or is it just me panicking. Trying to contact doc is near impossible at my surgery.
Dear Saphire, It’s always wise to get things checked so do get back in touch with your breast care team by whatever means you can and ask for an appt. Keep trying via the GP as well. I know they are often very difficult to access these days but don’t give up. Sometimes just walking into the surgery and asking for an appt may be the best option. Let us know when you get to see someone. Wishing you well. Love Tulip x
Thank you Tulip, I will keep trying I have been into surgery but they don’t do appointments. You have to phone and if you miss the 2 hour window that’s it, the first 1/2 hour all appointments are taken for that day if you do get through you start at 70 and then you may get a 6 week appointment.
That’s dreadful! Maybe best to go the breast team route then. Do you have a contact number or email for them? If not then you could ring hospital switchboard and ask for secretary of your surgeon or oncologist. If that doesn’t work call PALS and get them to help you. Its the breast care team you need to see so bypassing the GP should be quicker. Do you live in an area where there are no alternative GPs? If there are then you can apply to change to a different practice. I’m rooting for you! X
Tulip I have moved from Staffordshire where I was treated and now live in Shropshire. I moved home a couple of months before Covid, I went with the nearest Doctors which is just around the corner from where I live and can go on my mobility scooter. What I didn’t know at the time was they own 5 separate surgery’s dotted around Telford so IF I you do get an appointment it could be at any of the surgeries in the practice. All appointments are now done through the NHS phone hub. I know its the same for everyone having problems getting appointments, those days have gone now. I will go through my results from last year to see if there is any phone numbers so I can contact them. When I can’t get through I start to feel let down and anxiety takes over.
Dear Saphire, I see the difficulty now that you are in a different location to where you were initially treated. Now you need a referral into the Shrewsbury and Telford Breast Clinic. They can be contacted on 01952 64122 X4431 or X4164. An alternative entry path to GP referral is to request a mammogram. There is also a Macmillan centre at Princess Royal Hospital in Telford Tel 01952 565702 x5702. It may be helpful to go there and seek their help in getting you back into the system. In the meantime just keep trying for that GP appointment. Love Tulip x
Tulip, thank you so much. These phone numbers and contact details will be so helpful. It makes me feel a little less anxious. If it weren’t for this site, I don’t know what I would do. It feels like I am talking to family without actually talking to them, and then I feel like I am moaning all the time.
I come on here daily trying to keep my feelings in check and not feel alone in my very scary thoughts.
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Hi @Saphire . I’m sorry you are having such a worrying time . Are there are no alternative ways to contact your GP surgery eg on line via PATCHS - a lot of GPs are using this now and it does seem to get a quick and appropriate response .Is there an alternative number you can press on the GP line ie an extension for admin etc if there is I’d be tempted to press that and if you manage to speak to a human say you’ve had breast cancer ,you have a suspicious lump and that you need to be seen quickly but can’t get through via usual route - they have a duty to see you quickly .Another way would be to take a letter into the practice addressed to Practice manager marked urgent explaining the issue , make sure they are aware you have moblity issues to . I feel your frustration but don’t give up it’s important . Best wishes Jill .