Come August is when I found out I had cancer, that will be three years. Life after cancer seems to be a lot harder at times. Your body changes so much after going through some harsh treatments, losing hair, surgery, female issues, and many other things. I know with prayer, and guidance from my cancer doctor he will help find a solution for alot of issues that surround my body in this healing phase.
As I was reading an article it sums me all up, I was excited to have treatments out of the way but little did I know the chemo has changed my body. At times I do not feel like Amanda. I honestly had no clue these are some major issues after chemo, and I look forward to talking to my doctor soon!
Cancer survivors: Managing your emotions after cancer treatment
Get to know the emotions that are common for cancer
survivors and how to manage your feelings. Find out what's normal and
what indicates you should consider getting help.
By Mayo Clinic staff
When you began your cancer treatment, you couldn't wait for the day
you'd finish. But now that you've completed your treatment, you aren't
sure if you're ready for life after treatment as a cancer survivor. With
your treatment completed, you'll likely see your cancer care team less
often. Though you, your friends and your family are all eager to return
to a more normal life, it can be scary to leave the protective cocoon of
doctors and nurses who supported you through treatment.
Everything you're feeling right now is normal for cancer survivors.
Recovering from cancer treatment isn't just about your body — it's also
about healing your mind. So take time to acknowledge the fear, grief and
loneliness you're feeling right now. Then take steps to understand why
you feel these emotions and what you can do about them.
Fear of recurrence in cancer survivors
Fear of recurrence is very common in cancer survivors. Though they may
go years without any sign of disease, cancer survivors say the thought
of recurrence is always with them. You might worry that every ache or
pain is a sign of your cancer recurring. Eventually these fears will
fade, though they may never go away completely.
Cope with your fear by being honest with yourself about your feelings.
Try not to feel guilty about your feelings or ignore them in hopes that
they'll go away. Ask your doctor about what you can do to reduce your
chance of a cancer recurrence. Once you've done all you can to reduce
that risk, acknowledge your fears. Take control of those fears and do
what you can to influence your future health. Try to:
- Take care of your body. Focus on keeping yourself
healthy. Eat a healthy diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables. Fit
exercise into your day. Go easy at first, but try to increase the
intensity and amount of exercise you get as you recover. Get enough
sleep so that you wake feeling refreshed. These actions may help your
body recover from cancer treatment and also help put your mind at ease
by giving you a greater sense of control over your life.
- Go to all of your follow-up appointments. You may
fear the worst when it's time for your next follow-up appointment. Don't
let that stop you from going. Use the time with your doctor to ask
questions about any signs or symptoms that worry you. Write down your
concerns and discuss them at your next appointment. Ask about your risk
of recurrence and what signs and symptoms to watch for. Knowing more may
help you feel more in control.
- Be open about your fears. Express your concerns to
your friends, family, other cancer survivors, and your doctor or a
counselor. If you're uncomfortable with the idea of discussing your
fears, try recording your thoughts in a journal.
- Keep busy. Get out of the house and find activities that will take your mind off your fears.
Most cancer survivors report that the fear of recurrence fades with
time. But certain events can trigger your fears. The feelings might be
especially strong before follow-up visits to your doctor or the
anniversary of your cancer diagnosis.
Stress in cancer survivors
When you were diagnosed with cancer, you might have focused completely
on your treatment and getting healthy. Now that you've completed
treatment, all those projects around the house and the things on your
to-do list are competing for your attention. This can make you feel
stressed and overwhelmed.
Don't feel you need to do everything at once. Take time for yourself as
you establish a new daily routine. Try exercising, talking with other
survivors and taking time for activities you enjoy.
Depression and anxiety in cancer survivors
Lingering feelings of sadness and anger can interfere with your daily
life. For many people these feelings will dissipate. But for others,
these feelings can develop into depression.
Tell your doctor about your feelings. If needed, you can be referred to
someone who can help you through talk therapy, medication or both. Early
diagnosis and prompt treatment are keys to successfully overcoming
depression.
continued:
Cancer survivors: Managing your emotions after cancer treatment
Self-consciousness in cancer survivors
If surgery or other treatment changed your appearance, you might feel
self-conscious about your body. Changes in skin color, weight gain or
loss, the loss of a limb, or the placement of an ostomy might make you
feel like you'd rather stay home, away from other people. You might
withdraw from friends and family. And self-consciousness can strain your
relationship with your partner if you don't feel worthy of love or
affection.
Take time to grieve. But also learn to focus on the ways cancer has made
you a stronger person and realize that you're more than the scars that
cancer has left behind. When you're more confident about your
appearance, others will feel more comfortable around you.
Loneliness in cancer survivors
You might feel as if others can't understand what you've been through,
which makes it hard to relate to other people and can lead to
loneliness. Friends and family might be unsure of how to help you, and
some people may even be afraid of you because you've had cancer.
Don't deal with loneliness on your own. Consider joining a support group
with other cancer survivors who are having the same emotions you are.
Contact your local chapter of the American Cancer Society for more
information. Or try an online message board for cancer survivors, such
as the American Cancer Society's Cancer Survivors Network.
Where to go for help
While experiencing any of these emotions is normal, that doesn't mean
you have to do it alone. If you find that your feelings are overwhelming
you or interfering with your everyday life, it's a good idea to
consider getting some help.
Sometimes talking with friends or family can help. But you might feel
like those people can't truly understand what you're going through if
they haven't had cancer. You might consider consulting:
- A therapist. Your doctor may be able to refer you
to a professional who can help you sort through your emotions and come
up with ways to deal with your feelings.
- Other cancer survivors. Support groups, whether in
your community or online, provide a great place to share your feelings
and hear from others who are going through what you're experiencing. You
can learn new ways of coping with fears.
Devise your own plan for coping with your emotions. You know what works
best for you. Have an open mind and try different strategies to find out
what works best for you.
I am linking up with Kelly from Kellys Korner. 
