counselling
Hi everyone
Nearly one year on since my diagnosis, have had the mastectomy and the chemo now on Tamoxifen. There could not be much more I said . . wrong. I have been very down crying nearly every hour on the hour not like me at all. I had gotton through the hard bits why go down now. Anyhow just to let you know I started counselling this week at The Gary Kelly Cancer Support Centre and after my first session I feel slightly better. I never realized how much I was holding in trying to protect my family. I could do everything, I was superwoman rather than admitting to them I needed help. Hopefully the counselling will help.
Evelyn
Hi Hugs I should be asleep but hot flushes keeping me awake Thanks for the reply and yes I think the counselling will help. I never fully acccepted the diagnosis/treatment were for me , it was as if I was looking on to it happening to someone else.
Glad you keeping well
Evelyn x x
Hi Evelyn,
I am really glad that you are going to the Gary Kelly Centre for counselling. I went there too when my treatment finished and found it great to talk to someone 'unknown' to clear out all the thoughts and feelings I had held in. By the end of my course of sessions, we were discussing more regular problems of life and very little about the C word at all so I knew it was time to move on. You will get there too.
I also think it might be a good idea to find yourself a little project to work on or to plan for and look forward to. One lady I met, booked herself on a part-time course that she'd always wanted to do so she had something to look forward to after treatment ended. She said it really helped her with the transitition from the endless round of treatment back into 'normal' life again.
I did some remodelling on my garden (I had someone to help with the heavy work) and I enjoyed planning the layout and looking out for plants to buy and the pottering around. Its good to do 'normal' stuff to remind us that life goes on, that it WILL go on, and that it will be good.
Hang in there, it gets better.
Hugs,
Flo.
Thanks Flo good advice as usual. I did the gardening stuff about a month ago and it was when I finished this low came down on me. I am booked in for some type of art workshop next week so that will take up a full day. I found the counseller great for my 1st session (even though a cried through it) she seemed to know exactly where I was coming from.
Hi and best wishes to all the girls going through their treatment.
Evelyn x
Hi,
I also cried a lot during the first couple of my counselling sessions. One day, I felt fine going in (actually thought I was a bit of a fraud being there) but as soon as I sat down opposite her and she asked how I was, I broke down. Sometimes we don't know just how much we are holding in so the counselling is a great way to get it out and let it go, lightening our load.
When are you up for your next session? Do you want to meet for a cuppa after? I give good hugs and it sounds like you need one.
Hugs,
Flo.
Hi Flo
Thanks again it's great when someone knows where you're coming from. Counseller is gone on 2 weeks holiday so next session is 3 weeks away. I am going to an art therapy class on Thursday 10.30 till 3.30 maybe we could fit that coffee & hug around that.
Hair growing back and I hate it. It's grey/black wavy thick and sticking up like a scarecrow. It wants to grow out rather than down, there is a lot to be said for the old wig
Hi to everyone Evelyn x x
hi, Evelyn,
Just about councelling - hope to go soon. Is it difficult - i imagine i will cry cry cry!! My hair growing like yours, only grey one side and black and grey other side and back - used to be fair! My wig
was lovely, getting worn, cant go outside without it. What do you think about dying hair, i would be a bit scared to.
I have other health problems, couldnt take it when i got cancer,but you can only go with it.
Best of luck to all on here going through chemo etc.
Gemgee :
Hi d gee,
I have heard that they recommend you DO NOT dye your hair until 6 months after your treatment is complete. Apparently the hair dye might not mix well with residual drugs in your hair and it is unpredictable what colour it will be. I know someone who tried to go brown during the later stages of radiotherapy and ended up pink!!!
When my hair grew back, I was devasted cos it was only white with a little grey at first. But the brown started growing eventually. It was also extremely curly for a while but it went back to normal after about 6 months. Talk to your hairdresser to see if there is anything you can do. I wonder if you could shave the white early growth so you can still wear your wig with comfort until your 'real' hair comes through???? And I'm sure there are products you could use or supplements you could take to stimulate your hair and scalp and promote better growth. Maybe something like Nourkrin although I don't know how effective it is????
Hugs,
Flo.
Well done evelyn for taking that first step! im sure it is going to help you immensely
When I got my diagnoses in march I ran over to arc house cancer support. I was at one with the diagnoses but knew that one day I would need councelling. So I spoke to the counceller and she took all my details that she would need, had a lovely chat, and now that door is open for me for when i need it. I think it will be easier for me to go in and say 'remember me', rather than having to start at the beginning.