Struggling after finishing cancer treatment.

Hi Kimberley 

I finished treatment end of March . I had a scan end of June and I was terrified and also it took a long time to get results because of a backlog but was all good thank goodness . I’ve an app in dec to see oncologist so that’s the next bit . When I finished treatment I felt a bit lost to be honest ! After weeks and weeks of going to hospital for treatment and seeing nurses and docs etc I just felt a bit lost and on my own etc ( I guess it’s having the fact that someone always about ) . I spoke to my cancer nurse a couple of times because of a few side effects and they were helpful . You can always speak to them even if it’s to reassure you . Also there is a lot of very good advise and people on here to help . It’s only natural to be scared when tests etc coming up . Congratulations on trying to give up smoking . I hope this helps that it is natural to feel scared and concerned . I know it’s seems the loneliest thing sometimes but please come on here or even phone the macmilliannurses they are amazing and are there to help through this bit . 
best wishes val 

Hi Kimberley8 

I think most of us struggle with a bit of anxiety around scan time, and many of us can also identify with the ups and downs of life after treatment finishes. We go through intensive treatment, and then the safety net of regular appointments stops and that can feel a bit lonely and scary.

Try not to beat yourself up about the smoking-it’s not the end of the world to have had a slip up when you’re stressed, but there’s lots of help out there to quit for good if you can.

I hope you’ll hear a date for your scan soon and that you’ll get good results from it.

Sarah xx

Hi Kimberly,

I felt the exact same way after the end of my treatment (mid April of this year). I had started a new relationship, opened another business and had a clear scan, but I still felt off, despite all the positive things going on. 
I decided that the anxiety I was feeling was probably never going to go away, however we do have the power to shift the odds in our favour by improving our lifestyle. 
I dropped a day and a half at work, which gave me more of a balance, and I’ve also started going to a PT twice a week, which has helped me feel physically and mentally stronger. The way I’ve been looking at it, is IF my cancer rears its ugly head again, I’d like my mind and body to be the strongest it’s ever been… but also if I work on being strong and healthy right now, it may limit the chance of that ever happening again.

i hope all that makes sense. I feel like when I shifted my mentality, i felt a massive weight off my shoulders. 
I know it isn’t easy, but you’ve just to do it. You’ve already conquered so much. It can only be up from here.

And there’s always that slight possibility of reoccurrence, but that shouldn’t and doesn’t deserve to bigger up any happiness and good times you could be having now.

You can do this.

Sara :) 

Hiya Kimberley8  im also at the 3 month mark in fact my scan is tomorrow  and my results appointment with my oncologist is in late November. So im not looking forward to that wait . 

I also used to be a smoker infact I gave up 2 years before I was diagnosed and thank fully I haven’t picked one up again. But there’s lots of help out there.

I agree it’s quite lonely after treatment ends, it’s even more lonely when you fear something and you only have your mind to go back and forth with scenarios sometimes. It’s normal to feel like this I guess. But we have here to chat to people and voice any concerns. Or just have a natter xx

I hope your upcoming scan is good news  xx

Hi Kimberley, I hope you’re doing ok and thanks for sharing.

A couple of slip ups is nothing and not going to change anything. The important thing is that you’ve quit which is a great achievement! Although it’s scary waiting for scan results, when they are good it’s sends you riding high! I read the most likely time for relapse is 2 to 3 years and like Sarahjazzle says, there is so much you can do to give yourself the best chance of recovery and to prevent relapse.  Do you know your vitamin D levels? keep them up. There is a fantastic book ‘eat to beat disease’ very well researched, informative and the advice is easy to follow.  Eat plates full of vegetables, the polylhenols are very protective, walk and prioritise rest and sleep.

But all that doesn’t help all the ups and downs. A new normal has to set in I think and give yourself time to get over the shock. I am a year out of treatment and the scan anxiety has diminished a lot and I feel healthy and grateful to still be here. Another thing after treatment, people think you’re now ok and can get back to normal, which can sometimes grate. But the mind is so powerful, we just need to train it to do what we want! Give yourself time, take it slowly and try to do things that bring you peace and joy if you can, try to crowd out the downs but still accept the feelings, you’ve been through a life changing event and just need a constant big hug until you feel better. Better times will come, just make sure you look after yourself.

Sending lots of best wishes to you x