‘Macmillan lifesaver helped me out of black hole during cancer battle’

Annie Compton, from Eastbourne, felt she was unable to talk to her family during the treament she needed for breast cancer. Having never suffered from mental health problems before, she ‘couldn’t understand what was happening and was really frightened’.

Annie was diagnosed in August last year and said she ‘sailed’ through the surgery to have a lump removed.

But after starting chemo in October, she got neutropenic sepsis and had to stay in hospital for five days; and then two rounds later she got a blood clot in her lungs.

After her fourth round of treatment she developed pneumocystis pneumonia and had to stay in hospital for nine nights in the run up to Christmas.

Fortunately, she found her way to the Macmillan Counselling Service at Eastbourne DGH and spoke to Lorna Earl, who explained the chemo drugs were contributing to her depression.

Annie said: “All I did in our first session was cry. Lorna said the depression would probably start to clear once the drugs had worked their way out of my body, which is exactly what happened.

“With each cycle of chemo she helped me prepare for the onslaught of depression and helped me focus on the fact that within a few days it would start to clear.

“She allowed me to cry, be angry and say things I didn’t feel I could to my family as I was so scared of upsetting them, and they were providing such amazing care for me. She was truly a lifesaver and stayed with me through a lot of lockdown to check I was coping.”

Lorna, Macmillan counselling services lead at East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, said: “People affected by cancer will react in their own way and often become anxious, depressed or angry. Some worry about how they will cope with treatment and practical things – others feel confused or overwhelmed.

“Diagnosis and treatment can also put a strain on relationships and be traumatic for the whole family – added to this the Covid pandemic has greatly increased fear of infection, isolation and loneliness. Cancer patients have been unable to have the physical connection with family and friends that would usually provide emotional and practical support.

“We provide a safe environment where people struggling can talk to a professional counselling volunteer. We are here for you to get you through this.”