Struggling to Connect After Chemo: Can Anyone Relate?

Sometimes we invent scenarios in our heads that don’t ever happen. My bff was very distant bc I had the same cancer that killed her Mamma. I had to give her space to see that I was going to be ok and not drop dead in front of her. I was sensitive by wearing a wig when we had lunch. We’re still the best of friends. Our kids grew up together, and we were both single moms. I lost touch with a lot of my friends but she will always be my best.💕🙏🥰

Quick word of warning: People will ask how are you doing? to be polite and concerned. I learned even family don’t want to hear your lab test results.💕🙏🥰

I can relate! Illness can be so isolating and even people with the best intentions sometimes just “don’t get” what I’ve gone through and am going through. I’m here to offer any support I can ❤️🙏

@Jasmine T just checking in. How are you doing?

Just give yourself a pass for awhile. I just heard the term “cancer hangover” & I relate to the feeling. Your life has completely changed and you haven’t had much time to work back up to normalcy. I’m a year out from my bilateral lumpectomy & eight months out from finishing five weeks of radiation & I’m beginning to be more comfortable in social situations. I hope that it gets better for you.

I am 2 months into my diagnosis I have just started chemo so I'm new here. But I find I can't talk about anything else. My boss said how are you at the start of a meeting and I spent 30 min talking about cancer. She is so sweet and understanding but I was like wow that was a lot for good morning how are you. But I feel I'm getting closer to some family and friends by continuing to talk about it. It is the opposite of my normal personality so I think they are happy I'm reaching out.

You're definitely not alone in feeling this way - many people find that their relationships and social connections feel different after going through treatment. The emotional and mental adjustments can be just as challenging as the physical recovery, and it's completely normal to feel disconnected even when your body is healing. Others in this community have shared similar experiences about struggling to relate to friends who haven't been through cancer, so hopefully you'll hear from some folks who truly understand what you're going through.