Life After Cancer
December 31, 2017 (Sunday): After my ovarian cancer diagnosis, surgery, six chemotherapy sessions and then finally remission, I was plagued by the thought of a recurrence, every ache and pain brought on a series of worries. Even after two years in remission, I still worry the cancer will come back, but the possibility doesn’t consume me as much anymore and I’m getting on with my life. I go to the cancer center every 3 weeks for port flush, every 2 month for blood test and 3 months for CT SCAN. My spouse is the biggest support, he was my rock, my partner in all my medical decisions and treatments. He would give me his opinion and educate me about my options and never pressured me into a decision I wasn’t comfortable with. I can’t imagine going through this experience without him.
NOTE: It is important to find your rock, could be a spouse, son, daughter, parent, grandparent or friend.
Cancer is a disruptive chapter in one’s life, especially so if the diagnosis comes in your 30s when your trying to create an independent life, a family or working towards career and goals. Many woman are looking after their kids and family, while others spend time with friends, enjoying not having such heavy responsibilities yet in their life. A diagnosis can be a serious disruption and leave you scared and searching for ways to re-create the life you had. Your hope is that once treatment has ended, you can go back to your “normal” life. Unfortunately, it is much more common to find that the end of treatment is actually a beginning of your new life as you navigate the physical, emotional and practical adjustments to life after cancer.
It took me a while to heal from the surgery, in fact, I am still healing. Followed that up with the chemotherapy sessions, it seemed like a nightmare but in reality, it was just a hurdle in life of a cancer patient. I know all the emotions your going through, know this, you will get through this moment and become stronger and wiser for it. I remember I would feel very tired, weak, fatigue with aches and joint pain all over my body. Being active all my life, I was very frustrated that my body was not cooperating or performing as it used to. I began to realize that it take time for your body to adjust all that it has been through BUT you can get your body and your life in a sensible order of satisfaction that looks very similar to your pre-cancer life style. This is very normal after cancer treatment.
Feelings about scars, changes in weight, the loss and regrowth of hair, and ongoing treatment-related side effects such as fatigue and neuropathy all have an impact on my body image, self confidence and self-esteem. These changes impacted my identity and sense of self. People may not understand my post-treatment needs and I felt out of place around people with whom I was once close. Worries sexuality, lack of fertility, and intimacy. This is very common for women best way is to attack it like a cat with a ball of yarn.
NOTE: I still get really nervous and anxious every time I have to go to have my blood test and before each scan, In the back of my mind always said what if my cancer come back, Just thinking about it still scares me but I will fight if I need to again. I will never back down, I “Fight like a Warrior!”
***************
I listened to this song everyday while I was going through the rough and tough days. Hope it empowers you as it did me.
Fighter (Kane Roberts):
