Emotional aftermath following breast cancer treatment
While I was diagnosed in Dec. 2019, chemo, cancer surgery, and four more surgeries took place over the next 2 1/2 years (one of which was a second cancer surgery). I'm 6 weeks out from my last surgery, feeling somewhat normal physically, but wading through the emotional aftermath. "What just happened to me?" I told my husband that I've spent the past 2 1/2 years trying to stay alive - and I'm exhausted. Exaggerated emotions with up-and-down mood swings. . . I find myself yearning for that sense of emotional equilibrium I had before this all began. I'm doing my best to give myself time for this part of the healing - but I find myself weary. Family and friends look at me like I'm fine now, and the trauma has passed - but the truth is, I am not fine on the inside. It's as if my body is trying to reboot emotionally, and its short-circuiting a bit. I am so goal-oriented. . . if I just had that "magic" date of when everything would be normal again, I could focus on that; but it doesn't work that way. I have to be patient with this portion of the healing - and I'm finding that hard. What are others' experiences with this? How long does it take for your emotions to settle from the trauma of breast cancer?
Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Breast Cancer Support Group.
@lznielsen, fellow members have written about PTSD and cancer in these related discussions too:
- PTSD and learning to cope living with cancer https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/ptsd-learning-to-cope/
- Facing Cancer Recurrence, PTSD & Acknowledging Mental Health https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/facing-cancer-recurrence-ptsd-acknowledging-mental-health/
- Likely metastatic lobular cancer: How do you deal with fear, PTSD? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/most-likely-mbc-ilc/
I believe grief and gratitude can co-exist. I'm glad you're here to share your experience.
My emotions have been all over also. I had so many shocks, or surprises as I went through the phases of diagnosis and finding it aggressive enough for chemo. Didn't start out that way. The AI drugs, I think, have an emotional effect on me too. I have very recently confided with a trusted friend and have talked with a psychologist. I plan to continue with that for a while. I felt better after the counselor visit. You aren't alone. Don't hesitate to reach out for some help.