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Emotional aftermath following breast cancer treatment
Breast Cancer | Last Active: 22 hours ago | Replies (82)Comment receiving replies
@auntieoakley thanks for your reply. Yes, I am safe in terms of my mental health status. I’m highly functional, but it’s just the way I’m rolling through it. I’m not myself…. Emotions are still rocking. I have spoken to a psychologist, and I’m doing ok. ….. but I’m not myself…. Sad, angry, scared. Everything heightened. It’s like my nerve endings are worn out. It feel like my body chemistry is off. When I had my hysterectomy in the midst of breast cancer (bc there were cells turning in my uterus), that was rough chemically. That began to settle after about 4 months, but I have been experiencing this longer term “rewiring” I call it. It’s like my body has to learn to live without a constant flux of cortisol from all the stress I was under. I’m not in fight-or-flight mode anymore, but my body was used to that for about two years…… so it’s trying to navigate the new normal.
I’d consider medications, but I react to much. So…. Trying to do what I can naturally (sleep, exercise, diet), and just give it time.
Replies to "@auntieoakley thanks for your reply. Yes, I am safe in terms of my mental health status...."
@rhongirl My journey differs from yours only by cancer in a different place in my body. I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer in 2019 and my mood was good for 2 years until I had a recurrence in late 2021. After the initial shock of that recurrence diagnosis I had 5 weeks of radiation therapy at Mayo Clinic (I live far enough away that I chose to live in Rochester, MN during that period). I rang the bell when I finished. And I came home. Within a month after I came home I knew I was sinking down. It's like I "knew" what I was going through but I also knew I didn't feel it deep down. Like you, I'm functional, I can do what I need to do but I've been more anxious, irritable and depressed than I've been in many, many years. I was already on a low dose of duloxetine and I've thought many times of asking my doctor for an increase. I'm doing what I can with exercise, diet, meditation, and practicing acceptance and giving myself the time I need.
By the way, my partner has been somewhat baffled by my emotional response. He talked with HIS psychologist who has a background in oncology and he told my partner that my response (and yours, by the way) is very, very normal and common after treatment ends. The psychologist validated what I said so now my partner understands better. At least I hope he does. There is that initial elation followed by a downswing in mood.
Has cancer changed my life? Yes, most definitely. Does it make me grateful for every day. A reserved yes, but not the way many people who have not experienced cancer seem to think when I'm asked that question.
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Rhongirl, what you are experiencing is not unique to breast cancer as you can see from this discussion in the Cancer: Managing Symptoms group:
- Emotional health after cancer: How are you doing really? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/emotional-health-after-cancer/
While I moved you newest discussion to your original one:
- Emotional aftermath following breast cancer treatment https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/emotional-aftermath-following-breast-cancer-treatment/
I'd like to bring @roch and @lisaok into the discussion and highlight the specific questions you asked:
"How many of you have gone through depression after the very physical trauma of cancer has passed? And what has your experience been?"