The Loneliness of Cancer... by Leah Singh

Leah is a 34 year old mum, blogger and YouTuber from Liverpool. You may remember her from her previous blog about wearing the cold cap during chemotherapy. Leah was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 32 but has recently received the wonderful news that she is cured.

One of the less spoken about factors of a cancer journey is the loneliness that may be suffered along the way.

Not everybody is aware of this side of the disease, other than the patient themselves. The lack of understanding and knowledge about this part of the journey can result in the patient becoming and feeling extremely isolated.  

I think that most patients feel like this to some degree, regardless of the support system that they have around them. Cancer can be such a lonely journey that one must walk alone, and that can become one of the scariest things about it. I found that it is like walking on unknown territories with nobody there to hold your hand or no security blanket to keep you safe.

I felt alone, like nobody could understand me no matter how much I tried to communicate what I was going through. It was almost like there was a language barrier between me and everybody else. All of a sudden I became an alien, I became different. People treated me differently, or didn't know how to talk to me after they found out I had cancer. It resulted in awkwardness. I often felt like I was at the bottom of a dark well and I didnt know how to get myself out. It is a really unique experience and very hard to put into words. But this experience can only make you stronger.

Reflecting on my own cancer journey, this was definitely the hardest, toughest part. I really struggled with this and I felt that it effected me terribly, especially mentally. Although I felt very strong and positive the majority of the time, I felt that the loneliness set back my recovery and made my depression, which I was experiencing at the time due to my illness, a lot worse.

This was not a pleasant thing to go through, but the person I have become because of it only makes me happy. Sometimes we have to sink to the bottom in order to rise to the top, and this is most definitely what you will take from this experience.

No matter what life throws your way, learn to take those negatives and turn them into positives. Even on the dark days. The cancer journey eventually makes you fearless and a force to be reckoned with. 

Just know that even though every experience of loneliness is different, all cancer patients face loneliness somewhere along the way. It is all part of the process unfortunately. I found that seeking therapy every week really helped. Talking about everything really made me feel so much better. I highly recommend this to anybody experiencing loneliness during cancer.

It is so important that this topic is highlighted, because patients go through so much already and the loneliness can be extremely detriment to their well being.

I truly believe that there should be more support and understanding surrounding loneliness and cancer. Once you are diagnosed, you are thrown into a unknown world, a very intense one filled with fear and hospital appointments. Getting used to treatments can play havoc with your mind, body and soul, but there is always somewhere to get help, or someone who will listen to how you are feeling, even if it doesn't always feel that way. 

 

 

Leah can be found on instagram: @blessedwithcancer. See some of her posts below:

View this post on Instagram

I have been sent some amazing skin care products by @jenniferyoungtraining and I am in LOVE!!!!!! Jennifer is a skin care specialist and has created some fantastic products for those living with and beyond cancer ❤ As we know chemotherapy and all its side effects can be so tough on oir skin during and after treatment. These are little bottles of skin medicine for those who's skin has been effected due to cancer treatment. All products are organic, so there are no harsh chemicals on the skin!!!! Ingredients include..... Mango and shea butters, peach and apricot kernel oils,organic macadamia, jojoba, floral waters, organic cocoa and sweet almond just to name a few. These are literally the best products i have ever used in my life!! My skin feels so soft and soothed after using them 😌 Highly recommend for anybody who's skin is suffering from treatment!! Here is the website..... www.BeautyDespiteCancer.co.uk Thank you so much @jenniferyoungtraining 💖 #lookafteryourskin #organic #natural #effectsofchemotherapyoncancerpatient #soothing #nourishing #hydration #amazingproducts #highlyrecommend #goingthroughtreatment #aftertreatment #sensitiveskin #antiageing #soporicqualities #skinfeelsamazing #blessedwithcancer🎗

A post shared by 👑 W A R R I O R 👑 (@blessedwithcancer) on

View this post on Instagram

I have been using these beauty products from @jenniferyoungtraining for about 2 months now. These are hands down the best products i have ever used in my face. Designed specifically for people going through cancer treatment. Anybody going through cancer treatment these products are incredible. 100 percent organic and natural. Anybody who doesn't like using harmful chemicals on their skin who hasnt necessarily been through treatment, these are definitely a must have. Everything about them are just fantastic 👏 Check out their website www.BeautyDespiteCancer.co.uk for all their products. Also a fantastic gift to a loved one going through treatment as there are alot of changes happening to the skin and the skin becomes very irritated and sensitive. I absolutely love mine, thank you so much @jenniferyoungtraining for introducing my skin to such amazingness 🙌❤ #lookafteryourskin #sensitiveskin #chemotreatment #bestonthemarket #hydration #natural #100percentorganic #soothing #amazingproducts #blessedwithcancer

A post shared by 👑 W A R R I O R 👑 (@blessedwithcancer) on

View this post on Instagram

I wanted to come on and share with you, all the amazing things @beautydespitecancer are doing. Jennifer Young are giving away Ten Thousand specialist skin care products to small charities, hospitals and hospices. To lift the spirits of those who have been hit hard by COVID. I think this is absolutely amazing of them, what a lovely thing to do. Everybody at the @beautydespitecancer team have looked after me alot. I have received so many of their amazing specialist skincare products, and like I have mentioned before are absolutely phenomenal. Here are the list of charities that have been chosen..... 💚 @headwrappers2016 💚 @thelewisfoundation 💚 @cancercarecharity 💚 @something_to_look_forward_to 💚 @ovacomecharity 💚 @make2ndscount 💚 @manxbreastcancersupportgroup 💚 @thepinkplacecharity 💚 @treatmentbag 💚 @metastatic_mammas 💚 @mummys.star 💚 @michaelsobellhospice 💚 @cancerwise_chichester 💚 @chesterfield_royal_hospital 💚 @wombcancersupportuk 💚 @paulsartorifoundation Massive round of applause to each and everyone of these amazing charities. I personally nominate @something_to_look_forward_to 💕 I think what you guys are doing is amazing and has really touched me. Keep up the amazing work everybody, what you are all doing is extremely special ❤ #charity #tenthousandgifts #amazingpeople #goodsouls #helpingcancerpatients #patientsinneed #familieseffectedbycancer #support #liftingspirits #earthangels #cancerawarness #dogooders #blessedwithcancer🎗

A post shared by 👑 W A R R I O R 👑 (@blessedwithcancer) on

Shop now