Having breast cancer has been very traumatic for me. I always thought I was a strong person, overcoming many hardships in my life, but the loss of all control has been overwhelming. Grief, loss, and fear frequently take hold.
I was disappointed to discover how little is available as far as mental health support. I’m blessed to have survived a early stage treatment plan but I needed counseling help and was told I’d be on a long waiting list- don’t bother you’ll be just fine when active treatment is over. Thankfully I have the ability to call on my faith to a greater degree. But it was still extremely stressful working with the different providers, some of whom may be burned out and also in need of support. This system of care that’s saving lives, leaves many patients scarred physically and psychologically.
Thank you for sharing your experiences with the Yerbba community. The emotional toll of cancer and the challenges in the healthcare system are real concerns that need attention. Thank you for watching, and keep looking for support. We are hopeful that you will find someone to work with as part of your healing.
Going through six months of testing and waiting for office visits and getting results before finally having a mastectomy was not only traumatic but cruel. No one seemed to really care since it was only stage 1or 2 and the tumor was "like a lazy dog, not aggressive". Surgery is done now and because I do not require chemo or radiation, it is " see you in October. " I am angry
Thank you so much for coming here to share your response to the time it took to get you through treatment. A lot of people do not understand the burden of going through this even when the prognosis is good. It can be invalidating to be told things like, "You tumor is lazy." We want to validate your anger, and we wish things had gone differently.
I helped my daughter through breast cancer twice. We both really have had PTSD after this last round. Multiple complications that were scary and then, after all was said and done, 0 cancer in pathology. We were left feeling numb and traumatized. I wanted to be happy and grateful, and I am, but it is hard to get over everything she had to go through. Trauma is real. Also my reaction is ANGER and this is not helpful.
Thank you for sharing your experience with the Yerbba community. It's completely understandable to have lingering feelings of numbness, fear, and anger after such a journey. Trauma is real, and healing from it takes time. It's essential to acknowledge your emotions and allow yourself to process them. Remember, it's okay to take your time in healing, and it's okay to seek help along the way. Thank you for watching.
Thank you Dr. Griggs, yes , my experience with the dx of lobular breast, the trials and tribulations, the mistakes made during my treatment..the addl surgeries, chemo burn..etc. was very traumatic. my feelng overwhelmed, scared, has come up again due recently to having symptoms the cancer may have reoccurred. Im at the testing stage.. i am going to try to reach outmore to my family, friends and other resources which will help me feel less alone and more supported.. The timing for me to find your RUclips videos is so helpful..thank you so very much.
We're sorry to hear about the challenges and traumatic experiences you've faced during your treatment. It’s completely understandable to feel overwhelmed and scared, especially when facing the possibility of recurrence. Reaching out to family, friends, and other support resources can make a big difference. We’re glad you found our videos helpful and hope they continue to provide support during this time. You may find our video on forgiveness to be helpful: ruclips.net/video/VvUk164yfNs/видео.html. Forgiveness can help reduce your suffering. Forgiveness is not saying that what happened is okay. Rather, it is a shift in emotional experience that helps lift the burden from you.
Thank you Dr Griggs for a very thought-provoking video! It's 6 months past my last chemotherapy and a year my last surgery, but I'm still talking a lot about my breast cancer quite a lot!. I can feel some processing going on though. Now that you mention it, it does feel as if I was trying to pick up the threads of an "interrupted story" to knit them together with the present and move forward. Talking and journalling is helping me with all this as well as, weirdly, remembering dreams. I've also just purchased a copy of 'yoga for cancer' by Tari Prinster to help bring more self-compassion in my yoga practice and not push myself too hard with it.
You're very welcome! It's completely normal and important to process your breast cancer journey even months after treatment. Talking about it, journaling, and exploring your dreams can be powerful ways to knit together the past and present, aiding in moving forward. Incorporating self-compassion into your yoga practice through 'Yoga for Cancer' sounds like a wonderful approach to support your healing journey. Be gentle with yourself and allow time for self-reflection and growth. Wishing you continued strength and healing. Thank you for watching.
I already had C-PTSD because of physical and sexual child abuse. I was diagnosed with HR+ cancer that had already spread to my lymph nodes. I am stage 3. I have had a left mastectomy and 6 weeks of radiation and the trauma is not even being addressed or even mentioned and it needs to be addressed. Even the notification of a positive test from the pathology lab was very traumatic and there was no mention of if I had support when I was given that horrific news. Even the body dysmorphia of a lack of a breast makes showering almost impossible. The daily radiation was very traumatic and I missed a few appointments but they were made up. I can no longer function and I have no family support because of the past childhood trauma. My therapist has been useless with the trauma and even the discussion of my own mortality.
We're truly sorry to hear about the challenges you're facing. Dealing with both childhood trauma and a breast cancer diagnosis is undoubtedly overwhelming. It's disheartening that your current support system, including your therapist, has not been as helpful as needed. Your experiences with diagnosis, treatment, and body image are valid, and it's crucial that the emotional impact and trauma are acknowledged and addressed. If you haven't already, consider reaching out to a support group or seeking a second opinion from another mental health professional who may better understand and assist with your specific needs. Remember, your feelings are valid, and there are resources available to help you navigate through these difficult times. Thank you for watching and sharing your experience with the Yerbba community.
Having breast cancer has been very traumatic for me. I always thought I was a strong person, overcoming many hardships in my life, but the loss of all control has been overwhelming. Grief, loss, and fear frequently take hold.
We're deeply sorry to hear about the challenges you're facing. Remember, you're not alone- we're here to support you! Thank you for watching.
Educate yourself, knowledge is power. 😊
I was disappointed to discover how little is available as far as mental health support. I’m blessed to have survived a early stage treatment plan but I needed counseling help and was told I’d be on a long waiting list- don’t bother you’ll be just fine when active treatment is over.
Thankfully I have the ability to call on my faith to a greater degree. But it was still extremely stressful working with the different providers, some of whom may be burned out and also in need of support. This system of care that’s saving lives, leaves many patients scarred physically and psychologically.
Agreed!! I was put on a waiting list and I live in a large city where you'd think there would be access to mental care during cancer treatment.
Thank you for sharing your experiences with the Yerbba community. The emotional toll of cancer and the challenges in the healthcare system are real concerns that need attention. Thank you for watching, and keep looking for support. We are hopeful that you will find someone to work with as part of your healing.
Going through six months of testing and waiting for office visits and getting results before finally having a mastectomy was not only traumatic but cruel. No one seemed to really care since it was only stage 1or 2 and the tumor was "like a lazy dog, not aggressive". Surgery is done now and because I do not require chemo or radiation, it is " see you in October. " I am angry
Thank you so much for coming here to share your response to the time it took to get you through treatment. A lot of people do not understand the burden of going through this even when the prognosis is good. It can be invalidating to be told things like, "You tumor is lazy." We want to validate your anger, and we wish things had gone differently.
I helped my daughter through breast cancer twice. We both really have had PTSD after this last round. Multiple complications that were scary and then, after all was said and done, 0 cancer in pathology. We were left feeling numb and traumatized. I wanted to be happy and grateful, and I am, but it is hard to get over everything she had to go through. Trauma is real. Also my reaction is ANGER and this is not helpful.
I too struggle with anger and resentment. Logically I know it's not helpful but I still feel it.
Thank you for sharing your experience with the Yerbba community. It's completely understandable to have lingering feelings of numbness, fear, and anger after such a journey. Trauma is real, and healing from it takes time. It's essential to acknowledge your emotions and allow yourself to process them. Remember, it's okay to take your time in healing, and it's okay to seek help along the way. Thank you for watching.
Thank you Dr. Griggs, yes , my experience with the dx of lobular breast, the trials and tribulations, the mistakes made during my treatment..the addl surgeries, chemo burn..etc. was very traumatic. my feelng overwhelmed, scared, has come up again due recently to having symptoms the cancer may have reoccurred. Im at the testing stage.. i am going to try to reach outmore to my family, friends and other resources which will help me feel less alone and more supported.. The timing for me to find your RUclips videos is so helpful..thank you so very much.
We're sorry to hear about the challenges and traumatic experiences you've faced during your treatment. It’s completely understandable to feel overwhelmed and scared, especially when facing the possibility of recurrence. Reaching out to family, friends, and other support resources can make a big difference. We’re glad you found our videos helpful and hope they continue to provide support during this time.
You may find our video on forgiveness to be helpful: ruclips.net/video/VvUk164yfNs/видео.html. Forgiveness can help reduce your suffering. Forgiveness is not saying that what happened is okay. Rather, it is a shift in emotional experience that helps lift the burden from you.
Thank you Dr Griggs for a very thought-provoking video! It's 6 months past my last chemotherapy and a year my last surgery, but I'm still talking a lot about my breast cancer quite a lot!. I can feel some processing going on though. Now that you mention it, it does feel as if I was trying to pick up the threads of an "interrupted story" to knit them together with the present and move forward. Talking and journalling is helping me with all this as well as, weirdly, remembering dreams. I've also just purchased a copy of 'yoga for cancer' by Tari Prinster to help bring more self-compassion in my yoga practice and not push myself too hard with it.
You're very welcome! It's completely normal and important to process your breast cancer journey even months after treatment. Talking about it, journaling, and exploring your dreams can be powerful ways to knit together the past and present, aiding in moving forward. Incorporating self-compassion into your yoga practice through 'Yoga for Cancer' sounds like a wonderful approach to support your healing journey. Be gentle with yourself and allow time for self-reflection and growth. Wishing you continued strength and healing. Thank you for watching.
Dr.Griggs.thank you so much!I wach you from Serbia,brest cancer surviver and trauma is real!respect and love for you 💜
Thank you so much for watching. Wishing you healing.
Thank you, Dr. Griggs, for your helpful advice.
Thank you for watching. Yerbba appreciates you!
I already had C-PTSD because of physical and sexual child abuse. I was diagnosed with HR+ cancer that had already spread to my lymph nodes. I am stage 3. I have had a left mastectomy and 6 weeks of radiation and the trauma is not even being addressed or even mentioned and it needs to be addressed. Even the notification of a positive test from the pathology lab was very traumatic and there was no mention of if I had support when I was given that horrific news. Even the body dysmorphia of a lack of a breast makes showering almost impossible. The daily radiation was very traumatic and I missed a few appointments but they were made up. I can no longer function and I have no family support because of the past childhood trauma. My therapist has been useless with the trauma and even the discussion of my own mortality.
We're truly sorry to hear about the challenges you're facing. Dealing with both childhood trauma and a breast cancer diagnosis is undoubtedly overwhelming. It's disheartening that your current support system, including your therapist, has not been as helpful as needed. Your experiences with diagnosis, treatment, and body image are valid, and it's crucial that the emotional impact and trauma are acknowledged and addressed. If you haven't already, consider reaching out to a support group or seeking a second opinion from another mental health professional who may better understand and assist with your specific needs. Remember, your feelings are valid, and there are resources available to help you navigate through these difficult times. Thank you for watching and sharing your experience with the Yerbba community.