Life after cancer

[Esole]

Recently I started to notice how had it can be life after cancer and chemo.

For some reason I had a very bad time trying to re adjust to normal life again. Is this normal? is anyone else feeling the same way?

[wendydee]

As a survivor of OC for 20+ years and a volunteer with a Gynae cancer support group, I’ve observed the following:

We seem to never lose the fear of a recurrence. It’s always there, whenever we have an odd twinge, a stray new symptom.

For many of us, the monthly/yearly checkup provided a good reassurance. I felt this when I got to the 5 year mark. My CNS was wonderfully understanding. She reassured me by giving me a CA125 blood test form and saying I should ring the CNS helpline whenever I felt a ‘wobble’.

We all have these ‘wobbles’ but it does get better. Ring your CNS….Keep busy! I found that walking, tai chi, mindfulness meditation and volunteering helped me.

Good luck. You’ll get there.

Wendy xx

[delia2]

Hi. I think this disease does change many people’s lives. On the positive side it can make you appreciate being alive and living in the moment. On the negative it can create intense anxiety about recurrence. After six years and two recurrences I have been told my life will be continual treatments which I find depressing. So I recently started antidepressants and that has helped a lot. Many people find counseling helpful, especially with a therapist familiar with cancer patients. Time will help you adjust as well.