The Emotional Impact of Secondary Breast Cancer - Community Stories Part 7

Living with secondary (metastatic) cancer is challenging. You will deal with a variety of emotions, such as fear, sadness, anxiety, anger, or hopelessness. Sometimes, people find it difficult to express how they feel to their loved ones. Your loved ones might also need help coping. Having a family member or friend with metastatic cancer is challenging, especially for people who help care for you.

Talking about fears and concerns is important, even when treatment is working well and you have hope. 

We opened this subject up to our ‘2nds Together’ community to find out more about the ‘emotional impact of secondary breast cancer’ and are sharing stories from Rachel & Jan this week. 

Thank you. 

Questions:

How long have you been living with secondary breast cancer?

What is the emotional impact of this disease for you and your family?

Do you have any coping techniques or advice you’d like to share?

How long have you been living with secondary breast cancer?

I was diagnosed in February 2021 so just over 2 years

What is the emotional impact of this disease for you and your family?

After the initial shock it has galvanised us into making the most of the time left. Particularly while I remain fairly fit.

This does help to make cancer not the only focus of my life.

We try to live with the mantra that I have cancer. As yet it doesn't have me!

Do you have any coping techniques or advice you’d like to share?

I do keep myself busy and do avoid very draining people.

I have a number of different hobbies. Making jewellery, drawing, painting & doodling. This helps me do mindful tasks when I feel emotional times or just want to sit quietly.

I prefer mindfulness than meditation and enjoying breathwork techniques too.

I love walking and being outdoors. Noticing the changing seasons.

We love travelling, festivals & fundraising. Having events to look forward helps me enormously. If we have to cancel then that is something we will face. Fortunately this hasn't happened yet! So just I  think,  imagine the things I could have missed if I had held back. One life we need to get on with it. I am fortunate that my husband is impetuous and upbeat too.

My tip is to have a cancer support mechanism.  But also surround yourself with others who can keep you in the non-cancer focussed world!

Jan Corbett

How long have you been living with secondary breast cancer?

I was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer in April 21, so I have been living with it

for 2 years.

What is the emotional impact of this disease for you and your family?

I live with my husband who is very supportive, but it is emotionally draining. Initially we just didn’t know how to deal with it. He found it really hard as he is used to sorting things out, but this he can’t. He felt quite helpless really.  We feel we live on a constant merry go round.

My family are equally supportive, after initially coming to terms with the diagnosis.

I found speaking to a Counsellor in my early months really helped me get my head round the whole thing. She taught me to be kind to myself, and go with my emotions when I wanted to. This was helpful.  I take quiet time out, so I can just be with my with my own thoughts, but I don’t allow myself to dwell to much on the future.

Do you have any coping techniques or advice you’d like to share?

My biggest advice would be to take help when offered, and don’t be afraid to ask for help, but most of all take one day at a time.