When a cancer diagnosis is made, life quickly becomes centered on a regimen of treatments, surgeries, and appointments. Most individuals have a general sense of how long it will last, so they fall into a habit. After everything is said and done, there is an overwhelming want to return to life, but what do you do when life isn’t limited by appointments? Is it ever possible to resume your story before cancer?
Fortunately, others have been through this before you, so we compiled the wisdom and advice of people to tell you how to resume your life after cancer.
10 Tips!
- Be Open With Your Family and Friends: Cancer does not end with treatment, and neither should the support you get. Many caregivers and supporters are unaware that you still require them to check in on you as frequently as you did while in treatment. Be open and honest about your feelings, and don’t be hesitant to ask for what you require.
- Get a New Hobby: There may be a lot of pressure on you to return to your previous self, yet doing the same things as before may now feel foreign to some people. If this happens to you, seize the opportunity to try something completely new. Have you ever wanted to learn to knit, run, or paint? The time has come. Because you are a new version of yourself, why not begin something you’ve always wanted to do but never tried? This will assist you in defining this chapter of your life as more than just “life after cancer.”
- Expect and Accept Awful Days: You will undoubtedly experience bad days. You’ll wonder why you got cancer or why you survived while others didn’t. You’ll succumb to your fears and anxieties about the possibility of recurrence. But keep in mind that having a terrible day and becoming upset does not imply that you do not value your second chance at life. It simply means that you are human. Feel what you’re experiencing at the moment, and don’t let anyone convince you otherwise. Make a plan for what you’ll do on terrible days, such as getting your favourite meal with your best buddy, going to your favourite park, or watching your favourite movie. Good and bad days will come and go, what’s important is that you take care of yourself and don’t give into despair and negative thoughts.
- Consider Returning to Work: If you worked prior to being diagnosed with cancer, returning to work can help restore a sense of normalcy. If you don’t feel comfortable returning to the job you had before your diagnosis, think about changing jobs. Organize your CV by skills and accomplishments rather than dates worked. This will promote your abilities and divert attention away from any gaps caused by treatment.
- Practice Your Elevator Speech: Questions like “What do you say if someone inquires about your cancer?” or “How do you sum it up in a few phrases for everyone who asks?.” Write out and practice an explanation of what you want to say when someone asks where you’ve been or how you’re doing. This will help it in not becoming a roadblock.
- Begin Exercising (if able): Exercise is a well-known way to relieve stress and tension. It’s also a way to connect with your new normal body. Start small with at-home workouts and work your way up to going to the park, then the gym, or even classes. If you join a class, make sure to inform the instructor about your condition so you can take breaks as needed. There’s nothing wrong with that.
- Make a List of Your Fears: Make a list of your deepest concerns about life after cancer. Dealing with chemo brain, thoughts of recurrence, emotions of bitterness about having to go through cancer, fears of being treated differently once you return to “normal” life. Writing down your ideas can successfully put a stop to general fears. It’ll also empower you to plan how to manage these issues more effectively. Tackling one day is the way to move foward.
- Take Charge of Your Health: You can’t make your hair grow back the same way, but think about the things that you can change. Take an active role in your health, make realistic lifestyle adjustments. Create a daily program to help you get back on track. You know your body better than anyone else, so stay diligent and keep track of what makes you feel good.
- Be Willing to Let Go: Some people will be unable to assist you in adjusting to your new normal. The crucial motto to remember in this situation is: If you can’t love me at my worst, you can’t have me at my finest. Not everyone you care about will be waiting for you on the other side when you emerge, but that’s okay. Take it as a learning experience; thank those who stayed and forget about those who left. They would have done it if it hadn’t been now.
- Share Your Experiences: The value of giving back lasts long after your treatment is finished. Consider yourself on the day of your diagnosis and consider yourself now. Whether you recognised it or not, you have undoubtedly learned a lot along the way. You have information that can benefit someone else. Dispersing that information will .e you feel as if your cancer experience wasn’t for naught. There are numerous sites where you may share your story. In return, you both receive and give support to people like you.
Things to keep in Mind
Remember that Cancer is something you fight your way through! Expecting to go to the life just like before is not always possible. Your body is different, the condition is different. Rather than sticking to one thing, take things in stride and adjust according to your new lifestyle. That’s the main thing which matters.