New to this room--Anyone do counseling after treatment?

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dibel
dibel Member Posts: 161
edited June 2014 in Life After Breast Cancer
New to this room--Anyone do counseling after treatment?
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  • dibel
    dibel Member Posts: 161
    edited March 2008

    I have finished chemo, done my lumpectomy and dissection but have to go back for clean margins on Tuesday.  Here's my question.  Now that I'm almost finished (have to still do radiation) I find I'm really at odds with getting on with my life and reconciling where I've been.  I was wondering if you found individual/group counseling helpful?  How about support groups?  I'm not interested in support groups that do crafty/social activities.  I need to get back to my work and just need to get my head back on straight.  Thoughts??? Suggestions?

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  • ijl
    ijl Member Posts: 897
    edited March 2008

    I've been fortunate enough to have a support group in my area. I found it very helpful to sit a in a cirlce and share my feelings with women who knew what I was talking about.

    I did to for 1 private session but didn't find it as helpful. So I would reommend you try to find a support group first and give it a try.

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  • shrink
    shrink Member Posts: 936
    edited March 2008

    I go to a support group every week.  It includes people with all kinds of cancer.  I find it very helpful to be able to express my fears and support with folks who've been through the mill.  I was referred to the group by the social worker at the hospital.

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  • PSK07
    PSK07 Member Posts: 781
    edited March 2008

    The cancer center where I had rads done has an oncology social worker/family therapist on staff.  All I had to do is call her to set up the appointment.  The cost was included in the treatment, so no additional insurance worries/reporting.  I met with her around 4 times. They also have a number of support groups (didn't participate), meditation & guided imagery classes and some exercise classes (yoga, gentle movement, & so on).

    I found the therapist to be a life saver.

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  • iodine
    iodine Member Posts: 4,289
    edited March 2008

    I had private counseling with a psychologist and found it very helpful.

    Your cancer center can also have counselors on staff.

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  • roseg
    roseg Member Posts: 3,133
    edited March 2008

    I don't think most are prepared for how hard it is to cope POST treatment. We get all caught up in getting through treatment, and aren't ready for what's next. 

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  • dibel
    dibel Member Posts: 161
    edited March 2008

    I think that is so true.  Once you're almost through with treatment, you kind of start to wonder where your life fits in with the world.  That's where I am right now.  I do want to get into a support group.

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  • Calypso
    Calypso Member Posts: 205
    edited March 2008

    I'm going to check with my hospital and doctors.  I think I could use some counseling too, and I was glad to hear others with the same need.  Things just seem too DARK right now, though I feel like I should have a lot to be thankful for.  Maybe it's just doing the daily rads that gets me down.  I have to say I get a lot of therapy from the conversations on this site.  I'm forever grateful for this place.

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  • sccruiser
    sccruiser Member Posts: 1,119
    edited March 2008

    I went for a year trying to "heal" myself, psychologically and emotionally. finally called and met a wonderful psychotherapist. I have actually been with her for over 2 years now. I meet with her once a week, or once every two weeks, depending on my insurance coverage. The insurance pays 80% of my sessions for 25 weeks a year. Sometimes I pay the full amount if I run out of coverage.



    She recommended I speak with my family doc, who prescribed a mild anti-depressant. I'm on Lexapro and it really helps alot. I have been able to end the angry rants around the house, and stop complaining about or to my dh most of the time. I sleep better, and am exercising more.



    I resisted therapy because of family background, and didn't know if I wanted to deal with all that. Well, I have and it has made my life so much better. I'm able to see how I contribute to enabling my family--parents and sisters to continue to be ineffective and expect me to fix everything. Backing off has been an amazing way to stop all the conflict. I stay out of their business, and I breathe a sigh of relief at that.



    Dealing with the issues around bc diagnosis and treatment; and the development of truncal LE as a result of the treatment has been hard for me. But it's taken me all this time to decide what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. And while I have spent the past taking care of others, I now focus on taking care of me. Not in a selfish way, I still do for dh, daughter, and granddaughter; but I'm not going to solve my sisters' problems ever. So letting that go has been wonderful.



    I encourage anyone who has had bc, and treatment to seek theraputic help. Either a support group or individual therapy. I did go to a support group when first diagnosed, and it was very helpful.



    I also attend the monthly lymphedema support group meetings that are free at our local Katz Cancer Resource Center. We have formed a lymphedema patient support fund through Dominican Hospital, and do fundraising activities every year. The proceeds are there to help men and women diagnosed with LE who have no financial ability to pay for their garments. It is a great way to give back to my community.



    Good luck on your search. You will find exactly what you need--group or individual--and even if just for a short time, it helps, particularly if you are going back to work.



    grace

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