5. Life After Cancer
Completing active treatment is a significant achievement, but it’s important to recognize that this is just the beginning of a new chapter in your life. The time after treatment can be filled with mixed emotions and unexpected challenges. Let’s explore what you might experience and how to navigate this transition.
The Transition: From Fight or Flight to Reflection...
1. The End of Active Treatment
During your treatment, you were likely in a state of “fight or flight.” You had a clear focus on fighting cancer, supported by a dedicated medical team. You were surrounded by appointments, treatments, and interventions, which can feel like a protective cocoon. Without realising it, you can become institutionalised; you have readily available access to a specialist nurse, your next appointment around the corner if you have a worry about something, and a steady stream of apointments to keep your mind occupied. Your focus and goal is often 'ticking off' a list of chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatments.
2. The Shift in Mindset
Once active treatment ends, many patients enter a period of reflection and adjustment. Even if active treatment goes on for months or a year, when everything stops there can be an anti-climax; that busy period of appointments and treatment are replaced with a silence and absence of appointments. What you have been longing for for months suddenly feels unfamiliar. This is when it begins to process that your 'old you' (the 'you' pre cancer) has gone and won't be returning back to normal just like that. This is when the adrenaline often subsides and the fight or flight mode shifts to reflection. This is when your mind is finally able to begin to process just what it is you've gone through. This period isn't often spoken about and not recognised by people who haven't experienced cancer. People around you expect you to be back to your 'old self' when in reality you can feel confused and unsure of who you are anymore. This is entirely normal.
It’s common to feel:
Vulnerable: With the medical team stepping back, you might feel exposed or unprotected.
Anxious: Facing an uncertain future can naturally lead to feelings of anxiety or worry about what comes next.
Isolated: Friends and family may not fully understand what you’ve been through, and it can feel lonely at times.
3. Processing Your Journey
It’s important to take the time to process what you’ve experienced. This can be a complex emotional journey, including:
Grief: You might grieve the life you had before cancer, the experience of treatment, or even changes in your body or health.
Relief: Some people feel relieved to be done with treatment, but it can also bring unexpected worries about recurrence.
Hope: Many survivors also find a renewed sense of hope and determination.
Navigating Life After Cancer
1. Create a Support System
Seek out support from friends, family, support groups, or even online communities. Sharing your thoughts and feelings with others can be incredibly healing.
Tip: Consider joining a local cancer support group or an online forum where you can connect with others who understand what you’re going through.
2. Take Care of Your Mental Health
Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. Consider these approaches:
- Counselling or Therapy: Speaking with a mental health professional can help you process your emotions and develop coping strategies.
- Mindfulness and Relaxation: Practices like meditation, yoga, or deep-breathing exercises can help calm the mind and reduce anxiety.
3. Focus on Your Physical Health
After treatment, this can be a time to pay close attention to your physical health and nurture and help it heal from what it has gone through. You can do this by:
- Staying Active: Engage in activities that you enjoy, whether it’s walking, swimming, or dancing. Movement can boost your mood and energy. Be patient; you may have been able to run 5k before cancer, but it might take time to get back to your pre-cancer level of fitness.
- Eating Well: Focus on a balanced diet that nourishes your body. Consider trying new recipes focused on whole foods.
- Regular Check-ups: Keep in touch with your healthcare team for follow-up appointments and screenings.
4. Rediscover What Brings You Joy
This is a wonderful time to explore new hobbies or revisit old passions that may have taken a back seat during treatment.
- Try New Activities: Whether it's painting, gardening, or writing, find something that brings joy and satisfaction.
- Set Small Goals: Focus on setting achievable goals that excite you and give you something to look forward to.
5. Allow Yourself to Feel and Heal
It’s okay to feel a plethora of emotions during this time. Allow yourself to feel sadness, anxiety, happiness, and gratitude all at once.
Tip: Journaling can be a great way to express your feelings and reflect on your journey. We provide some journaling books as part of our charity merch which can help with this process.
Conclusion: Embracing Your New Normal
The journey after active treatment is deeply personal and can vary for everyone. There is no right or wrong way to feel. Embrace this opportunity to understand yourself better, nurture your well-being, and create a new sense of normalcy in your life.
Remember, you are not alone. Reach out for support, explore what brings you joy, and give yourself the grace to heal. You’ve overcome so much, and while the road ahead may feel daunting, it can also be filled with new beginnings and renewed hope.