Will I ever be Normal Again; How Cancer Changes Your Life
Cancer is a life changing event that can have a significant impact on your life, mentally, physically and emotionally. Not only does cancer change your life while going through treatment but the impression cancer leaves on you after treatment can be just as impactful.
How cancer changes your life during the treatment phase:
Physical changes: Depending on what kind of cancer it is, treatment may involve surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or a combination of these. These treatments can cause physical changes including hair loss, fatigue, pain, nausea, weight loss, and temporary changes to your skin (from radiation).
Emotional changes: Cancer can be a traumatic experience, and it is common for people to have anxious feelings, become withdrawn, sad, depressed, and overwhelmed. Cancer can also change your perspective on life and your priorities.
Lifestyle changes: There may be changes to what (and how) you eat during treatment, exercise routines may change as a result of the physical changes, and simple daily activities may feel like they are too much to tackle. Going through treatment may influence your ability to work, travel plans, or how you participate in family and social activities.
Relationships: Cancer can add tension or stress in relationships with family and friends. There may be new relationships that form during treatment with the healthcare team and other support systems.
How cancer can change your life after the treatment phase:
Physical changes: There may be long-term physical side effects after treatment is complete. This can range from radiation tattoos, ongoing fatigue, scarring, changes in taste & smell, to eating capabilities. Cancer can also change your transition back into the workforce or simple daily activities. It may take longer than anticipated to get back to feeling like yourself and finding that ‘new normal’.
Emotional changes: The emotional impact of cancer affects nearly everyone involved. There may be subtle changes to more obvious emotional changes you feel. The emotional impact can last for a long time after treatment ends. It’s sometimes when the emotions really surface as you are left without the constant support of the medical team. It is not uncommon to have ongoing fear of the cancer returning, anger, guilt, and overall increased anxiety. And don’t forget about chemo brain – it’s a real thing!
Lifestyle changes: After treatment ends you just want life to return to normal and put it behind you. There is a transition getting back into the lifestyle you once knew and most people have a new perspective on life and priorities altogether.
Relationships: Cancer has a way of bringing perspective to relationships. There may be family and friends who aren’t as supportive as you thought or haven’t respected your wishes or feelings along the journey. There may be changes in roles and responsibilities within the family as well.
Cancer changes your life in many ways, some of which are out of your control. I’ll share below what we did to cope and adapt to the changes we experienced during my husband’s treatment.
Sharing my knowledge and personal experience may help you find comfort and hope knowing you are not alone in this. I love the phrase "when you know better you do better". This opens up the mind to gain more knowledge and understanding, to make changes to better the outcome of any life-changing event.
Will my life go back to normal; how to Cope After Cancer!
1. Allow your body time to heal as it has been through a lot. Take short walks, listen to your body, find patience, and give yourself grace! Try a new exercise or experiment with different ways to move your body to keep yourself active (think inside and outside your house). Check into local wellness centers, YMCA, etc. for cancer survivorship programs that help ease you back into physical movement after cancer.
2. Cancer can leave an emotional impact and is one area that may not be addressed in the medical system. Learning about emotional intelligence, mindfulness practices, and allowing yourself to ‘feel’ will help you better understand your emotional wellbeing. Check out my mindfulness blog to learn simple techniques to support your emotional health. You DON’T want to ignore your emotions!
3. Cancer changes your life in many ways and some of the old activities you once did may not feel right or aren’t as easily accomplished, reminding you of life before cancer. The reality is you are a new version of yourself after cancer. This may be an opportunity to make changes or do something different or something you’ve always wanted to try. Opening yourself up to a new chapter in life may bring positive feelings instead of holding on to it as ‘life after cancer’.
4. Going through the cancer journey may help you recognize who you want to spend time with. You may have found some people don’t serve you anymore and that’s okay. Setting boundaries is important for your mental and emotional health after cancer. This creates a more positive and supportive environment for you and your family. Spend time with those who are positive, supportive, and make you feel empowered.
The cancer journey can be a life transformation with ups and downs, a time for reflection, and even celebration. Anyone who’s gone through the experience will say you come out a different version of yourself. Cancer changes your life and it is different for everyone.