Hello, this is my first entry here and registered just so I could add my penny-worth! I was diagnosed April 2012 BC had lumpectomy, 6 rounds of chemo then double mastectomy and immediate reconstruction January 2013. Trying times as my diagnosis came a year in to my daughters 2 year, 3 months chemo for ALL (acute lymphoblastic leukaemia). She was 8 at the time. I am also a working single mum. I had the 'luxury' of seeing how the care (and after care) of children with cancer are afforded and even though now she is in remission I can call the Drs and nurses and they will call straight back. They will see her at the drop of a hat and a year after her treatment is over, and she has a full 'MOT' every three months. Just as it should be. However, me? Straight after chemo I was given an appointment to see my oncologist in 6 months. A week before it came around, and it was cancelled, and another was made for in another 6 months! The consultant in overall charge of my care also alternates her appointments at 6 month intervals. Any 'issues' and I have, I have to explain the whole saga to my GP of the day at my surgery about my treatment etc. I currently have been diagnosed with post cancer chronic fatigue by the GP after going to see her 6 times and being told to 'rest a little, here have some anti depressants' I'm not even depressed lol! So, I see I am not alone. Thank goodness my employer has been super, and they are helping me by financing some treatment by seeing a fatigue specialist and I have my first meeting with him next month. Otherwise it's a shocking state of affairs, we all worry if it's 'gone' if it's going to 'come back' and our loved ones are exhausted with it all, let alone us. No one told me that post treatment would be like this, and I can honestly say I felt better during my chemo than I have done this last year, at least I had someone to answer my concerns then. My quality of life is non existent and the guilt I feel that I should be doing lots and lots of stuff with my daughter after all she's been through adds to my feeling of low self worth if the fatigue has left me any lol! But what I wanted to say was thank you to everyone here that is sharing their experiences as I did until an hour ago, feel I was very much on my own, as all I kept hearing were people a year on after treatment were doing things like running marathons, arranging charity events, etc. some days I can't even be bothered to brush what little hair I have! So, thank you everyone xx
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