The Macmillan Online Community plays host to a wide range of different discussion forums. As well as different forums for a whole range of cancer types, the Community also has spaces for a range of cancer experiences. One such space is our Life after cancer forum.
It’s a common misconception that every person will have an exclusively positive reaction to being given the ‘all-clear.’ It’s tempting to think that getting this hoped-for news will be the moment all your stresses and worries instantly melt away forever. But is that true? Although feelings of relief are common, they can sometimes be short-lived, or at least far more complicated under the surface.
Family members, friends, and colleagues might make assumptions about how you’re supposed to feel. You’ve been told your cancer is no longer a serious threat. It’s either gone, or fully under control now. That’s job done, mission accomplished, right? You can get back to living your life right away, can’t you?
Unfortunately, it might not always be that simple. Cancer isn’t just about the physical illness or the way it can place limits on what you’re able to do while you have it. Having cancer can be a psychologically demanding, mentally challenging experience.
While concluding your treatment can certainly change your outlook on life for the better, it can take a lot of work to process all the stress and worry you’ve been through. In short, cancer can be a traumatic experience which takes time to fade. It’s not unlike being left with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
For many, receiving the ‘all-clear’ will be the first time in months or years where every moment hasn’t been consumed with treatment plans, appointments, meetings, and procedures. When treatment ends, it’s often when everything sinks in, and this change of pace really gives you time to think:
One of our volunteer Community Champions describes this phenomena brilliantly:
It’s no wonder that the most popular topic on the Life after cancer forum is how to move on once treatment is finished. How can we move past the trauma? How can we manage anxiety over cancer recurrence – the worry that cancer might return?
The good news is that it is possible to move forward and to leave those negative feelings in the past. There are many Online Community members who are proof of that. The key thing to remember is that it’s perfectly natural to feel wary about ‘trusting’ your body again. Trust is something built over time, and so you shouldn’t put pressure on yourself to feel instantly relaxed.
While you wait for your feelings to adjust, remember that you still have a team of health care professionals looking out for you. Alongside your scheduled follow-up appointments, you can get any additional concerns addressed by getting in touch with your hospital care team or GP. It is their job to look after your health, and they will be more than happy to put your mind at ease by discussing your concerns.
On top of the clinical support available, you can also take advantage of a whole host of emotional wellbeing and mental health services that can help you to unpack what you’ve been through, and can help you to formulate strategies for moving forward:
