In the Spotlight: Moving Forward

For many Stage 3 IBC patients, adjusting to life after primary trimodal treatment can be exceptionally hard. The treadmill of life during treatment with hospital visits, scans, appointments and family/friends checking in, can fill time and provide a ‘busyness’. Piecing ourselves back together without the support network of hospital visits, returning to work or fear of recurrence can feel overwhelming. Many of us no longer recognise the person looking back at them in the mirror.
A number of organisations run moving forward courses which provide support in adjusting to life after primary treatment when trying to find a ‘new normal’. Debbie Purbrick, member of the Charity’s IBC support group, reflected on the course she attended at her local Maggie’s Centre.

“I found the course was really useful, but probably the most significant aspect was the fact that it was a ‘safe space’ for the group to talk. A wide breadth of topics were covered; dealing with uncertainty, family and friends’relationships, advice for working/reducing work, diet, exercise, handling hospital issues. Inevitably, whatever the topic of the day, it was the shared experience and understanding from being with people who had been in a similar position that was the most helpful.”  The group was consistent throughout the course (although mine was cut short because of COVID restrictions) which meant there was a build up of trust over the weeks. Nearly everyone cried on week one – some people couldn’t even speak to introduce themselves – but most of us have stayed in touch and have been able to support each other. Of course in my situation there was still the feeling that ‘but my cancer is different’ as there were no other IBC patients, but nonetheless I found it quite healing. Inevitably there’s sadness. One of our small group has passed away and another is having a difficult time at the moment. However there’s also hope seeing others do well. I’d definitely recommend it to others. It was a commitment as it meant a morning off work each time but it forced me to stop and reflect, which I’d been guilty of not doing previously since diagnosis. We also had a half hour exercise class at the beginning each week.”
Debbie