Newbie to the group

Hi and a warm welcome from me. Congratulations on getting to the end of your treatment - especially 8 chemos! I also found it strangely deflating when I finished my treatment and was told my last scan was clear - in fact my mum thought I was ringing with bad news when I told her! It’s like you’re suddenly on your own with only occasional checkups to look forward to. I almost missed the chemo nurses as there was no one to just run something past if you had any slight concerns. 

Some health areas seem better than others at providing after care treatment. I went on a 1 day session that talked a bit about mindfulness and exercise courses that they ran but never heard back when I registered for more information, My friend went on a Hope course which sounded better and there are also the Maggies Centres if you have one near you? Your Colorectal Support Nurse May be able to give you more information.

Ive attached a link to an article below that a lot of people have found helpful. I also bought a book called The Cancer Survivors Companion which was good - it likened the next stage of your life to a boat trip on the changeable sea and leaving your team behind on dry land which I thought was a good analogy. 

https://www.workingwithcancer.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/After-the-treatment-finishes-then-what.pdf

Hope these help and don’t forget there’s always us! You can post about anything youre concerned about or just have a chat on the monthly catch up post.

Take care

Karen x

Hi Karen 

Thank you for your lovely message it was really helpful. I know what you mean about missing the chemo nurses. Having my 3 weekly calls with my oncologist was like a security blanket that has now been taken away. 

I should be so excited about finishing treatment, and I am but still feeling emotional and a bit wobbly about the next steps. 

Thanks. 

, welcome, and I think everyone feels adrift when treatment finishes. It helps to natter on this forum and group, someone is usually around. Well done for finishing your treatment, hope there are not many side affects. All the best