Breast Cancer Now Forum

I'm 8yrs post DX, I have struggled with Anxiety and depression for years, this was escalated enourmously by my DX, and subsequent surgery and treatment. I returned to work 3mths after finishing treatment though I had another 4.5 yrs on Tamoxifen to go. I had a very short time of phasing in before returning to normal hours, I have continued with these hoursand it has been a immense struggle, physically/mentally/emotionally, I had a very bad 'down' moment just recently, I have asked my employer if I could now do half days instead of full days as I find them too much, well I managed to get my hours down to 4 half days and one full day for 2wks and now discover I've been put back in for 2 full days and 3 half days, my full days can sometimes be 10hr days my half days can be up to 6hrs, I do not know how to explain myself anymore to my employer, she is not the most understanding, and is of the train of thought NED so 'your ok'. I have an appointment with my GP on Friday to discuss my latest 'blip'....I have been on medication for my Anxiety and Depression for 8yrs this time. I felt a little better when I knew I would be doing half days even though financially it was a struggle or would be a struggle I feel as I'm sure many of you do that health and happiness is more important. Besides taking the drastic measure of my GP declaring me 'unfit' for work I do not know what to do, the majority of staff where I work are several years younger than me too and nice as they are bless them they don't always undrstand, my employer can be very harsh at times and at previous times when I have mentioned feeling stressed etc., has replied ''what have you got to be stressed about'' I don't think people always understand the mental/emotional longterm effects of cancer DX and treatment. I hope you all manage to get things sorted. ... View more

Thats fantastic news Chris x ... View more

Hi norberte, Thank you for that. Ribs still feel bruised and very tender, and have a feeling of fullness under arm/side of chest/breast.....not sue=re it is actually swollen though?? x ... View more

I'm 8yrs post dx, how long ago was your dx Jo? Hope your beginning to fee a little better. Karen x ... View more

Baby shower ... View more

Hi, No I didn't take job, probably just as well, as I have been suffering with my joints and back. Hope everyone else is doing ok xx ... View more

Hi All, I will try and get to a meet, maybe february. Happy New Year to everyone....I hope its also a healthy one for everyone too. xx ... View more

One day I might get there!!!...........I'll be honest now...I suffer from Social/General Anxiety disorder....which makes it very difficult for me to meet new people. But I will try xxx ... View more

Hope you all had a good time last night. Well i've finished work now til 3rd Jan.,.....was a hectic last few days...kids xmas party at work....left me exhausted lol. Hope you all have a lovely christmas and a healthy New Year xxxx ... View more

I am presumming it is the shoulder on yr effected side? The reason I ask as I have been experiencing pain in my shoulder for 3 - 4 wks now...but not on my effected side...I went to my GP who dx frozen shoulder....probably not helped by my job..I am a nursery nurse, working with babies and toddlers....he put me on Naprosyn anti-inflammatories for 2 wks and if no bettr at end of that is going to do a cortisone injection. I am 7.5 year since dx, and don't have great faith in my GP as it took him 18mths and my persistance to get him to refer me, even though there is a family history of BC. I would go back o yr GP or see a different one for a second opinion or, as has been suggested ring yr BCN. ... View more

No...Order of St Johns Care Trust. There is light at the end of the tunnel....eventually...but you'll feel like its a long time before you see it. I was dx in January 2004.....returned to work in November of that year....though have reduced to part-time hours since rerurning. As for things ever being normal again.....I don't think your life is ever what it was before dx....you definetly look at life differently after this. x ... View more

Thank you for your reply. Sorry to hear you too have joined this horrible club. Some of the residents do suffer from Dementia. The pay is actually better than what I am now, which is NMW plus an extra 10p an hour for being NVQ3 qualifed!!! and sick pay is only SSP. The company is quite a big care provider, I'm still contemplating lol . ... View more

Thank you Jane....its such a difficult decision to make for anyone moving to a new job.....the general/social anxiety can be damn disabling at times x ... View more

Hi all. I have been offered a job as a care assistant in a nursing home, I have no experience in this field as have worked as a nursery nurse for over 17yrs. I am still considering the offer, my main concerns... moving residents re lymphodema risk, I suffer from social/general anxiety disorder.....can I actually go through with this! I have poblems with my knees...will the position aggrevate this? I did declare my medical conditions on medical form ... View more

I have been taking 20mg Citalopram for 7 years (since dx)...though I have suffered with anxiety/panic disorder/depression prior to this too. I have not suffered any SE's on Citalopram but know some who have. I also take 2mg Diazepam when needed and 5 - 10mg Zolpidem at night. I'm currently very anxious as I have been offered a new job (have been in present job for over 17years)....and my anxiety level is sky high worrying wether to take it as I do not cope with change and people I don't know very well......wish I'd never gone for the interview now lol ... View more