{"id":2285,"date":"2017-08-08T21:27:19","date_gmt":"2017-08-08T21:27:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.cancerhopenetwork.org\/?p=2285"},"modified":"2023-11-16T16:15:45","modified_gmt":"2023-11-16T21:15:45","slug":"post-treatments-new-normal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cancerhopenetwork.org\/blog\/post-treatments-new-normal\/","title":{"rendered":"Post-treatment’s new normal","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"
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Guest Post by: Cara Tompot<\/a>
<\/strong>Social Media Addict, LGBTQ+ Advocate, Feminist, Cancer Activist<\/em>
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the first few months after a cancer diagnosis typically is the most challenging, there is a different struggle that comes further down the line in cancer survivorship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of fear and worry, you\u2019re left with anxiety and confusion. Rather than making quick yet carefully considered treatment decisions, you\u2019re forced to figure out how to keep moving forward and how to get back to the life you had. Of course, life will never be the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s the thing about life-changing diagnoses. They do just that: Change your life. Forever.
My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer<\/a> at 38 years old. At the time, she had a sporty 12-year-old son and a bouncing baby girl. Naturally, her cancer diagnosis changed a lot of things. In the immediate future, she worried that her children would grow up without their mother and wondered what would happen if she was not able to beat this treacherous disease. There was a distinct shift in her marriage, her friendships and her career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fast forward 23 years \u2014 more than two decades longer than her initial prognosis \u2014 and her life has changed many times since. While she no longer worries her children will grow up without their mother, she does worry her children will face the same diagnosis she did.
And while she no longer wonders what would happen if she didn\u2019t beat the cancer, because she has beat the cancer, she still wonders how much longer she has and what toll her years of chemotherapy<\/a> will ultimately take.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But my mother did not beat cancer to worry and wonder. She beat cancer to keep living, keep creating new memories and conquer more life-changing obstacles.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Managing Expectations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After a cancer diagnosis, your life often becomes a never-ending circle of platitudes. Between \u201cmake the most of each day\u201d and \u201clive in every moment,\u201d we get it. Our survival is a miracle, but the expectation to constantly live life to the fullest just adds even more stress to our already complicated life.
Wait, there\u2019s an expectation for cancer survivors?
Yes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We beat the odds. Now, we must continue to make the most of this miracle. So how can we manage these expectations and combat the added pressure? How can we take care of ourselves first? After all, we are the ones who survived. Here, based on life well-spent with my survivor mom:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8 Self-Care Tips for Cancer Survivors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You did it! Whether you were diagnosed six months ago or 20 years ago, congratulations! You\u2019re a cancer survivor. So what now?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1.       Think You First.<\/h3>\n\n\n
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That\u2019s right. Above all else, remember to focus on yourself. I know it sounds selfish, but you deserve it. Think about it: When the doctor told you about the cancer, for a moment, everything felt out of your control. How could this happen to you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But now it\u2019s not like that. You are in control of your choices. Whether it\u2019s making a treatment decision or deciding to go back to work, that\u2019s up to you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2.       Try Something New.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Hey, you just beat cancer. Why not try something new? Have you always wanted to travel to Europe? Or maybe you want to ride the tallest roller coaster at your local amusement park? It\u2019s all up to you. Whether it\u2019s something huge like international travel or simply trying to cook a new meal \u2014 go for it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3.       Do Something You\u2019ve Always Loved.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Is there something you\u2019ve loved doing since you were a child or young adult? When was the last time you did that activity? If your answer isn\u2019t in the last year, now\u2019s the time. Take an afternoon or day or weekend to do some of your favorite activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4.       Meet New People.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Throughout my mom\u2019s cancer battle, she has made more friends than a high school “It” girl. Between meeting people at chemotherapy treatments and connecting with other survivors at support groups, her social circle has grown. These new friends can have a major impact on your life because they understand what you are going through. That\u2019s exactly what Trina, a 16-year mesothelioma<\/a> survivor, and Raeleen, a three-year mesothelioma survivor, did. Both women were diagnosed on the same day 13 years apart<\/a>, and the two bonded over a similar diagnosis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5.       Give Back.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not uncommon to want to give back after winning a cancer battle. Whether you want to fundraise for a nonprofit (Cancer Hope Network<\/a>?!) or become a mentor for someone recently diagnosed with the same cancer, you can make a difference. By giving back to others combating the same cancer, you can help them cope with the same life-altering decisions you did throughout your battle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6.       Get In The Zone.<\/h3>\n\n\n
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Are you interested in yoga? Meditation? Tai Chi? These practices can help you cope with the anxiety you may face as a cancer survivor. By focusing on your mental health and awareness<\/a>, you can ensure that you are taking the best care of your whole self. Exercise is essential to cancer treatment recovery. Some physicians won\u2019t even perform certain operations if a patient is not physically active. Dr. Jacques Fontaine<\/a>, a renowned thoracic surgeon, asks surgical candidates to walk up a set of stairs before offering surgery as a treatment option. Fitness is key throughout every aspect of a cancer battle \u2013 even survivorship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7.       Say No.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Nobody ever thought it would so difficult to say a short two-letter word. No. No. No. Yet here we are. All of the time, people feel obligated to say yes to various activities and events that you don\u2019t want to participate in. Are you feeling overwhelmed or introverted? Say no. It\u2019s okay.\"self<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8.       Think You First\u2026Again.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sound familiar? I can\u2019t emphasize the importance of making decisions for yourself. Do what feels right to you. If you aren’t a fan of the suggestions and thoughts I\u2019ve shared here, that\u2019s okay. They’re meant as advice, not orders. Do what makes you feel whole and right. Don\u2019t let someone else\u2019s expectations modify your ambitions, motivations and desires. Live your life the way you want to live it. After all, you\u2019re the cancer survivor.<\/p>\n","protected":false,"gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"html"}]},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

8 self-care tips for cancer survivors.<\/p>\n","protected":false,"gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"html"}]},"author":16,"featured_media":8745,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[45,68],"post_folder":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nPost-treatment's new normal - Cancer Hope Network<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"While the first few months after a cancer diagnosis typically is the most challenging, there is a different struggle that comes further down the line in cancer survivorship.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/cancerhopenetwork.org\/blog\/post-treatments-new-normal\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Post-treatment's new normal\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"While the first few months after a cancer diagnosis typically is the most challenging, there is a different struggle that comes further down the line in cancer survivorship.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/cancerhopenetwork.org\/blog\/post-treatments-new-normal\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Cancer Hope Network\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/CancerHopeNet\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2017-08-08T21:27:19+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2023-11-16T21:15:45+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/cancerhopenetwork.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Post-treatments-new-normal.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"780\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"330\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Guest Poster\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@CancerHopeNet\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@CancerHopeNet\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Guest Poster\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/cancerhopenetwork.org\/blog\/post-treatments-new-normal\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/cancerhopenetwork.org\/blog\/post-treatments-new-normal\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Guest Poster\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/cancerhopenetwork.org\/#\/schema\/person\/1ddd25f944c56e2fe56e3ac7031a94b9\"},\"headline\":\"Post-treatment’s new normal\",\"datePublished\":\"2017-08-08T21:27:19+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2023-11-16T21:15:45+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/cancerhopenetwork.org\/blog\/post-treatments-new-normal\/\"},\"wordCount\":1096,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/cancerhopenetwork.org\/#organization\"},\"keywords\":[\"cancer survivorship\",\"self care\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Tips & Guides\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/cancerhopenetwork.org\/blog\/post-treatments-new-normal\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/cancerhopenetwork.org\/blog\/post-treatments-new-normal\/\",\"name\":\"Post-treatment's new normal - 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