I was a healthy 34-year-old – then everything changed with one shock diagnosis | UK | News
When I was diagnosed with cancer, many things did wrong. I wish one of the things I can change about my time in early treatment would be to try and access mental health support earlier. To be fair, I have never had cancer before. I never had to face the possibility of dying. I probably never had to chat with my loved ones about what I could ask for them to see them again or what I could like to look like. I never had to talk to my partner about the wills or to revive the orders.
All of this is things I need to do without any training, without the right tools. Fortunately, for me, I would have access to mental health support thanks to a clinical psychologist in my treatment. At the age of 34, he was diagnosed with non -Hodgkin lymphoma in 2019. I was the most suitable for years, my diet was healthy and a sharp runner. All of them were scary of change rates (as well as other things). I was passing kemo in weeks after the diagnosis.
Something was so fast that it was very crushing to try to function mentally – it was better to strengthen the treatment as much as possible.
This was not sustainable and led to an inevitable decline after a stem cell transplant. I was dealing with disease, treatment, pain and isolation (or I wasn’t interested). The isolation that worsened by Covid epidemic. I have been effectively protected since 2020 due to a weak immune system and the danger caused by Covid.
I needed professional help to visit all this, and I was lucky enough to offer support by a clinical psychologist buried in a wider health team in my hospital. Later, I learned that this was an article that existed only due to the financing provided by the Anthony Nolan charity.
It’s hard to express how much this help has on me. I was blessed with a bright support network through my wife (we got married alone during my 2020 treatment).
However, it is different to be able to talk to a professional. In similar situations, they had the experience of people and they could give me the right tools to navigate in the darkest times of my life.
This support should be present not only for those who live close to the right hospital, but for everyone who has passed through cancer treatment and great consequences. Although the physical treatment I have passed is not hundreds of thousands of pounds, I don’t really know if I will be here today without dozens of costly and mental health support.
I know that my physical healing goes hand in hand with my mental healing, why do we only leave half of the work for patients and protect themselves with the mental aspects of the disease?
My partner should also have help. He was supporting me, but also trying to continue our lives – it only stems from the ongoing power because we come from the worst.
Mental health support should be buried in the treatment we offer to all cancer patients as standard care.
Therefore, I support Daily Express’s cancer care campaign to ensure that patients receive mental health care during and after treatment.
