Life After Cancer Treatment: 5 Tips to Adjust & Create a New Normal
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Struggling to adjust to life after cancer treatment? Life may not be exactly the same as it once was. But you can still live a healthy, happy, and fulfilling life.
One piece of advice I can share is that you have to live your life. There were times when I would worry myself sick, wondering if I would have a breast cancer recurrence, and that is definitely not living your best life. Dance, laugh, take that fabulous vacation to the beach (I did), volunteer your time. Just continue to live your life!
Once your life has been touched by cancer, it is difficult to go back to what life looked like before. Even after your treatment is over, going back to “normal” may not feel like an option. The physical and emotional toll your mind and body went through during treatment may leave you with lingering side effects.
You may expect to return to the person you were before your cancer journey began. Likewise, those closest to you may expect you to go back to the person you used to be. It is important to be patient with yourself as you navigate your “new normal.”
Here, we share tips to help you create and embrace your new normal.
1. Find ways to manage any lasting physical side effects, such as fatigue.
Cancer treatment often comes with long-term fatigue. You may have trouble finding the energy for even the simplest tasks. Fatigue usually lessens over time, but it is sometimes caused by anemia or blood loss that can be treated with medication. Sometimes fatigue is confused with depression, a psychological condition treatable with counseling or medication.
Eating healthy and exercising regularly can help you feel better after treatment and eliminate any lingering physical side effects. Be sure to talk to your healthcare team if you are experiencing fatigue or any other side effects to determine what will work best for you.
2. Prioritize your mental and emotional health.
After treatment is over, you may feel a mix of emotions, from relief to sadness to anxiety. Recognize what it is you are feeling and know that those emotions are common among cancer survivors. Here are a few suggestions to take care of your mental health:
- Keep a journal to help process any emotions you are feeling. Or create a personal support website to blog about your experiences and share your journey with friends and family.
- Practice daily meditation and breathing techniques to ease any emotional distress. Stop by our virtual Mind Body Studio for yoga lessons, gentle exercises, and meditation videos specifically designed with the needs of people impacted by cancer in mind.
- Share your unique cancer experiences and offer insights, coping strategies, and inspiration. Join our discussion forum for post-treatment survivors to connect with others like you.
3. Don’t let any fears of the future stop you from living in the moment.
Even though you are cancer free, fear of recurrence is a reality for many cancer survivors. But focusing on the here-and-now can help shift your thinking away from fears and worries and allow you to embrace the people and things that matter most.
Finding meaning after cancer is easier said than done, but try to do things that bring you pleasure, even if adjustments need to be made. Listening to your favorite music, taking a walk, or sharing a special meal with a friend are just a few things you can do to enjoy life today.
4. Have open and honest conversations.
The relationships between you and your family members, friends, and colleagues may have changed during your treatment. People may not know how to talk to you about cancer, or they may wonder if they should even bring it up. You might feel like no one really understands. To move forward, you may need to have honest conversations with different people in your life.
Depending on your circumstances, here are some examples of conversations you may want to have:
- Many partners might struggle to talk about intimacy and fertility after cancer. Listen to our podcast episode about navigating those tough conversations and sexual wellness after cancer.
- Due to medical bills and other financial burdens, going back to work may be necessary. But if you are not physically or mentally ready, it’s okay to wait. You may not be able to handle the same workload you did before because of fatigue. Talk to your manager or supervisor about what is best for you.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help from your friends and family. Let them know when you could use extra support. And at the same time, don’t be afraid to say no when people ask you to do things you aren’t physically or mentally ready for. It is important to have conversations with your loved ones about your needs and abilities.
- Meet with your healthcare team to discuss any needs or concerns you may have post-treatment.
Finished cancer treatment and want to be sure you know what you should be doing for follow-up? A Survivorship Care Plan can help.
5. Join a support group.
As you transition from treatment to survivorship, you don’t have to do it alone. Within the cancer community, there are others who will understand your experience and what you are feeling. Support groups are a helpful way to talk about it and make meaningful connections with others who “get it.”
By coming together and sharing personal experiences, support group participants can help one another feel less alone. The Cancer Support Community has 196 locations worldwide, with professionally led programs that include support groups and educational workshops. Our programs are offered at no cost to anyone impacted by a cancer diagnosis.
