I was diagnosed on 9 December with grade 2 invasive ductal and having surgery on 4 March. The waiting is horrendous and I’m really struggling with anxiety. Any advice that may help me please.
Sorry you find yourself here do please speak to your team as soon as you can phone Monday or go to the breast unit and explain to them you are struggling with anxiety they might be able to prescribe you something to help. The waiting is like being in a kind of limbo, and me writing that is probably not helping but try and keep focused and look forward, once your team has your treatment plan in place and remember this is tailored specifically to you, they will have you safely in their experienced caring hands and will help you through a treatment at a time day by day with care and understanding you’ve reached out to bcn forum and we are all here as are the nurses who’s section you’ve posted on. I just wanted to reach out so you know bcn’s got you as has the forum members everyone will listen and help as much or as little as you need, but do please let your team know your struggling, they’ve seen it all before and will take care of you Shi xx
Hi @sbb63
I really feel for you as this part really is the worst. No wonder you are feeling anxious. I hated the testing and waiting part at the beginning (also Grade 2 IDC). I was scared, cried all the time, couldn’t eat, couldn’t sleep, definitely couldn’t work. It felt like it went on forever. But, and this is a big but, as soon as I had my surgery nearly all that worry went away. Sure, I was nervous about getting my results and what that could mean in terms of treatment, but it was nothing in comparison to that initial fear. It does get easier.
Things that helped were a couple of sessions of MacMillan counselling which really helped put a few things in perspective. Exercise, even if it’s the last thing you want to do, helps massively both physically and mentally. I also used a daily journal to get all my feelings out and onto paper. It may not work for everyone but sitting with a coffee and venting into my notebook each morning certainly helped me.
Best of luck with everything. x
I completely understand the anxiety you’re facing. I was diagnosed last July and had my surgery in Aug. The constant waiting caused me such severe anxiety I wouldn’t eat, sleep, kept crying and as a result I lost a stone in 2 weeks!
If I’m honest as soon as the word cancer was mentioned by my GP I closed my laptop, got signed off work and decided to focus on my health. The anxiety was too much for me to cope.
Nearly 7 months on and I am now in a much better place and even returned to work on a phased return this week. It feels like it’s taken a village to put me back together from my Gp, Oncologist, Surgeon, nurses, Physio and Counsellor they have all helped me on this journey.
Sending you positive vibes on your journey ahead xxx
Hi! I’m sorry to hear you are struggling. I felt the same before Christmas with the same diagnosis. It definitely helped to keep busy and distract myself. I enjoy yoga so that really helped- yoga with Adriene on YouTube. She also has some meditation videos that I do before bed or when feeling anxious which help me. I was referred to MacMillan counselling which has been helpful. The waiting is definitely the worst and I felt so much better after surgery. Be kind to yourself and wishing you all the best
Thank you Shi for your kind words. I will speak to my GP/Breast Clinic on Monday. This site has been so helpful. xx
Thank you hope xxx
Thank you saz1, I have checked out some relaxation videos on YouTube and they have really helped me today x
Thank you, this is really hard but it helps to know I am not alone and that things will get easier. Thank you for taking the time to reply x
I feel the same way! Diagnosed officially Jan 10. Surgery Feb 17. So anxious, sad scared. Plus I have fibroids and wondering if that will be a problem. This waiting is so awful
Bcn is here for you do look at everything bcn has on the site that it can possibly help you with the forum is your safe space and everyone understands, you will find your drum beat as you navigate through, you do what right for you, whatever you need to get through everyone navigates through their own way no right or wrongs and you’ve tge bcn invisible safety blanket wrapped round you as your armour now too as and when you want to wrap it round you Shi xx
Hi sbb63
Thank you for posting.
As others have said, being diagnosed with breast cancer and waiting for treatment to start is very difficult and it’s understandable you’re struggling with anxiety.
As @Shi has suggested we would encourage you to get in touch with your breast care nurse and GP. They can offer you ongoing information and support as well as telling you more about support services that may be available locally.
There are a variety of things that may help to reduce anxiety. @saz1 and @southwest123 have shared some of the things that they found helpful. This NHS information may also be helpful.
Some people find it helpful to explore their thoughts and feelings through talking therapy. Again, your breast care nurse or GP can tell you more about what is available locally.
We offer a range of free supportive services for anyone who has had a diagnosis of breast cancer which you may be interested in. They include face to face and online courses and events.
In particular, talking to someone who has had a similar experience can often be helpful. Our Someone Like Me service can match you with a trained volunteer who’s had a similar experience to you. You can be in touch with your volunteer by phone or email and they can share their personal experiences to answer your questions, offer support or simply listen to how you are feeling.
You can ring the Someone Like Me team on 0800 138 6551 or email them at someone.likeme@breastcancernow.org, so they can then match you to your volunteer.
You are also welcome to call our helpline if you would like to talk this through or have any further questions. The helpline team have time to listen, talk things through and signpost you to more support and information if necessary. Your call will be confidential, and the number is free from UK landlines and all mobile networks. The number is 0808 800 6000, If you have hearing or speech difficulties prefix our number with 18001 and the call will go through Relay UK. Our helpline has access to telephone interpreters if language translation is required.
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Best wishes
Val
Breast Care Nurse
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