WOW Treatment finished but what now?
Here I am, having been through surgery, chemotherpy and radiation, BC is offically behind me (I hope). But what now? My days for the past 6 months have revolved around treatments and appointments, today I attended my last radiology appointment and felt the tears well up It was fear that I felt, Fear of now being on my own, fear of not recognising any symptoms early enough. I have my check up appt for 3 months but this has not provided any ressurance. The past 6 months have seen me go no longer than a fortnight without a medical appointment. I know I have to re-immerse myself back to my pre-cancer life but......Thats it! getting back to a "normal" lifestyle but with all that I have been through what will it look like?, Will I cope with living with the fear of the cancer returning?. What does my new normal look like? So many questions running through my head. How have others coped with transitioning to their new "normal"?
Rita
Comments
-
Firstly congratulations on completing treatment! Yay for you! I finished treatment 12 months ago last week.
We cannot go 'back' to our old life because life is always about moving forward. Things happen that change our direction in life all the time, good and bad. There are things that we can learn from our BC experiences that will help us to find a way forward to that 'new normal'.
I decided that the best way for me to cope with the knowledge that there was a chance of recurrence was to use this as motivation to live well. I had already had BC effect my life in some negative ways so it was time to make some changes. I took this little step by little step not sure where I would end up but trying too just keep improving things for myself.
One of the important things for me was to find things that made me feel better and do these as often as possible. The reverse happened too. Things that had a negative effect on me I found I could limit in many ways. It is different for everybody but the theory is there.
For me it was looking after myself by eating healthy food (I made changes slowly but 12 months later my pantry and fridge look very different from before). BCNA have a great booklet on healthy eating which is a good way to start. I also exercised everyday, slowly increasing this until I felt good about what I was doing. I also saw my GP and took advantage of the 5 subsidized sessions with a physio that we are entitled to to help with recovery. I saw a lady who was qualified in Pinc Pilates and she designed a home program to help me which I still do everyday.
So I guess the way forward is to look at what you can do to make your life better. Get help from your GP, a counsellor, nutritionist, physio whatever you need. Reward yourself when you think you have made a good effort or change. Keep in contact with the ladies on here, and/or find a local support group. Don't expect to feel terrific instantly but try to keep moving forward and acknowledge what you achieve regularly. You deserve to feel as good as you can. You have already taken the first step by reaching out on here. Take care and keep in touch. Just reading other people's posts helped me. Deanne xxx0 -
Firstly congratulations on completing treatment! Yay for you! I finished treatment 12 months ago last week.
We cannot go 'back' to our old life because life is always about moving forward. Things happen that change our direction in life all the time, good and bad. There are things that we can learn from our BC experiences that will help us to find a way forward to that 'new normal'.
I decided that the best way for me to cope with the knowledge that there was a chance of recurrence was to use this as motivation to live well. I had already had BC effect my life in some negative ways so it was time to make some changes. I took this little step by little step not sure where I would end up but trying too just keep improving things for myself.
One of the important things for me was to find things that made me feel better and do these as often as possible. The reverse happened too. Things that had a negative effect on me I found I could limit in many ways. It is different for everybody but the theory is there.
For me it was looking after myself by eating healthy food (I made changes slowly but 12 months later my pantry and fridge look very different from before). BCNA have a great booklet on healthy eating which is a good way to start. I also exercised everyday, slowly increasing this until I felt good about what I was doing. I also saw my GP and took advantage of the 5 subsidized sessions with a physio that we are entitled to to help with recovery. I saw a lady who was qualified in Pinc Pilates and she designed a home program to help me which I still do everyday.
So I guess the way forward is to look at what you can do to make your life better. Get help from your GP, a counsellor, nutritionist, physio whatever you need. Reward yourself when you think you have made a good effort or change. Keep in contact with the ladies on here, and/or find a local support group. Don't expect to feel terrific instantly but try to keep moving forward and acknowledge what you achieve regularly. You deserve to feel as good as you can. You have already taken the first step by reaching out on here. Take care and keep in touch. Just reading other people's posts helped me. Deanne xxx0 -
It's a strange time when treatment is finished. I felt like I was cast adrift from my lifeline. I was looking forward to reclaiming my life back and I have partly achieved this, but the 'new normal' the ladies on this network talk about is real. I don't believe life can ever be the same as before BC and that's not always a bad thing. I suffered from depression and anxiety and still do but I am a much stronger person since I have been through BC, no longer worrying excessively about small things. As for the fear of it returning, the only thing we can do is as Deanne said, look after ourselves as best we can, keep getting checked and what will be will be. Sometimes my mind will start to wander down the negative path but I stop and say to myself 'just keep moving forward one day at a time and enjoy being well'. Congrats on finishing your treatment, you should be proud of yourself, it's a hard road at times. All the best finding your new normal, don't stress about it as sometimes the new normal will find you, if you know what I mean:) Take care and keep in touch,
Hazel xx
0 -
It's a strange time when treatment is finished. I felt like I was cast adrift from my lifeline. I was looking forward to reclaiming my life back and I have partly achieved this, but the 'new normal' the ladies on this network talk about is real. I don't believe life can ever be the same as before BC and that's not always a bad thing. I suffered from depression and anxiety and still do but I am a much stronger person since I have been through BC, no longer worrying excessively about small things. As for the fear of it returning, the only thing we can do is as Deanne said, look after ourselves as best we can, keep getting checked and what will be will be. Sometimes my mind will start to wander down the negative path but I stop and say to myself 'just keep moving forward one day at a time and enjoy being well'. Congrats on finishing your treatment, you should be proud of yourself, it's a hard road at times. All the best finding your new normal, don't stress about it as sometimes the new normal will find you, if you know what I mean:) Take care and keep in touch,
Hazel xx
0 -
It's a strange time when treatment is finished. I felt like I was cast adrift from my lifeline. I was looking forward to reclaiming my life back and I have partly achieved this, but the 'new normal' the ladies on this network talk about is real. I don't believe life can ever be the same as before BC and that's not always a bad thing. I suffered from depression and anxiety and still do but I am a much stronger person since I have been through BC, no longer worrying excessively about small things. As for the fear of it returning, the only thing we can do is as Deanne said, look after ourselves as best we can, keep getting checked and what will be will be. Sometimes my mind will start to wander down the negative path but I stop and say to myself 'just keep moving forward one day at a time and enjoy being well'. Congrats on finishing your treatment, you should be proud of yourself, it's a hard road at times. All the best finding your new normal, don't stress about it as sometimes the new normal will find you, if you know what I mean:) Take care and keep in touch,
Hazel xx
0 -
Thanks Deanne, I suppose I was just knocked for six at the emotional reponse to end of treatment. I was waiting for the elation. But I have followed your posts and plan those little changes to improve my overall health, and today took myself out for a walk and plan to continue this lifestyle change one step at a time.. And love the thought of doing more of the things that make me feel better. So implementing that NOW. Hazel thanks, and likewise taking on board your advice continue to move forward one day at a time. And I will now take to heart, to enjoy being well.
I will continue on this site for my benefit and to help others as I found this support so benefical reading and following the journey of others. From the start just reading about the experiences of others prepared me for what was to come. When I doubted myself, others didn't. So thanks to all, I may not have responded to your posts but read them and every bit of information was appreciated.
Rita
0
