Emotional Struggles After Surgery: Will It Get Better?

Hang in there, it gets easier. I’ve been dealing with breast cancer for over thirty years. I started out a stage 1 way back in 1993 fast forward to 2024 now I’m dealing with stage 4. I’m in counseling and it helps. I especially like guided meditation. Best wishes.

Thank you Betty. Best wishes for you. I’m sorry you’re going through this again.

It will get better. Make sure that you have plenty of support and seek a counselor .

Youre doing the best you can considering what youre going through. Be gentle with yourself

Thank you both. I had a meeting with my team today and my surgeon wants to get me in next week just before Thanksgiving and my medical oncologist has me scheduled for my ECCO and half of my chemo to begin mid-December. Too much to take in so I took a nap once I got home. That helped ❤️

As hard as it may be to put yourself first right now, please try. It will become easier as you walk your cancer journey. You are strong! 💪

Some days are better. But nights are tough. It seems my life revolves around cancer. Doctors and radiology every day. But as time goes on you will have good days. Know that it is ok to have those bad days. I have a therapist who helps me.

Thanks. I have an appointment with a counselor in February. That’s the earliest available. I’m trying to accept that I have cancer. Some days I forget about it and other days I’m very aware.

Keep going one foot in front of the other. It will get better. Right now you are the priority. You deserve to be taken care of and by all means take care of yourself. I completely understand about feeling your body betrayed you but it didn't do it on purpose. Cancer is a parasite and can consume all if you let it. Take care

Don’t put any expectations on yourself except to heal. It really is more than fine to take care of you.

My surgery is January 8th I'm on an emotional roller coaster..

Good morning! I am almost eight weeks post radical mastectomy (single) and axillary node dissection. It definitely gets better. I was very active before my cancer diagnosis in June. After chemo, surgery and now radiation, I can honestly say that I’m almost back to my normal self (minus my left boob and with really short hair). As a huge control freak, I felt so out of control. Once I decided to control the things that I could and to just roll with the rest, I slowly began to return to normal. It is definitely a marathon and not a sprint. Gentle hugs!!

Thank you everyone! I have my second surgery Tuesday 12/17/24 to clear the margins and then I’ll be slingshot through everything else. Port on the 23rd (Merry Christmas to me 🎶), first chemo on the 30th (good health to all for 2025 Happy New Year 🥳) and 11 more weeks of the Taxol. Then radiation therapy before we swing into endocrine therapy. I’m looking forward to this Christmas and definitely next Christmas when talks begin around port removal. But until then…my hubby’s taking me out to see Christmas lights 🥰

I wish all of you many happy years and a merry Christmas. I had double mastectomy in 2020.. I’m now 63 years old and muffling through. I found out I carry a genetic cancer gene so I can get it anywhere anytime. I’ve had thyroid cancer as well. I feel like I’m being taken apart piece by piece and waiting for the next shoe to drop. I go for all my check ups all the time. I also had triple bypass in 2022. It’s always something. I feel down and worthless at times. My family is with me 100 percent and have all been given a heads up they are at risk (3 children) 2-boys and 1- girl. 28-35 years old. It’s not an easy road and I could care less an out sex. My husband doesn’t really get this and tries to push me into it sometimes. We’ll all get through this in Gods time. Bless you all.

I can truly understand the emotions. You have hit upon one of the greatest challenges in life. We can not control a lot. For me this has caused me to surrender all I can’t control to God. Then you can take what you CAN control and make it the very best for you and your family. One of the most rewarding things is to serve and help others as you are going through this time where life has spun out of control. You are right, your life is not your own any more. There is something better!!!!!

Thank you for the kind words Heather.

@Jan and @Dena R bless both of you! Happiness and good times for us all 💕

The emotional challenges following surgery are very real and shared by many in this community. Recovery involves healing both physically and emotionally, and these feelings of being overwhelmed often do improve as your body heals and you gradually regain your sense of control and routine.