You were diagnosed, you made hard decisions, you fought your way through treatments such as surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, now what?
Despite that feeling of accomplishment many cancer patients find themselves asking themselves very scary question very quickly. As a cancer patient and survivor I know.
The fight though difficult has a goal, to survive. You work through the pain, the nausea, the surgical recoveries all with a goal in mind. Then once you meet that goal, how do move forward with a life that has changes dramatically. How do you begin on the path of survivorship?
Moving from cancer patient to cancer survivor is a journey that can be confusing and difficult. Improved cancer detection and treatments has created new challenges in healthcare as cancer patients move forward to become survivors. These cancer survivors live longer but face a host of challenges that others may not understand.
Living with the fear of reoccurence is only one of the many emotional problems that cancer survivors face. There are also the physical changes such as fatigue or insomnia, changes in the body such as loss of appetite, increased appetite, body shape and stamina. There are sexual changes that can often occur depending on the type of cancer. All of these physical changes often lead to more emotional changes.
These emotional changes can include depression, anxiety, self-esteem issues, and mood swings. Changes such as these can be difficult for the survivor as well as those around them as they try to find "normal" and their survivorship journey begins.
If all that wasn't enough to face after treatment there are typically financial and legal issues after surviving cancer. Medical bills and insurance claims and appeals can be overwelming and add extra pressure as you try to move forward with your life. 75% of all medical bankruptcies occur in people who had a critical illness and had health insurance. You survived cancer but now as a survivor your finances may be a mess.
Moving from cancer patient to cancer surivor is difficult but can be made easier by using a team a resources. This team begins with your healthcare team and is lead by your oncologist. This will include follow-up schedules with him or her and other specialists that can ease the worry of reoccurence.
Another part of your survivor team needs to be a support group or a professional that can help with the emotional changes that you will now face. There are many local support groups and they are often affiliated your your treatment center.
Stepping Forward....A Survivorship Program is provided in conjunction with The Cancer Institute at Alexian Brothers, Hoffman Estates. This program provides access to a healthcare team designed specifically to help you move from cancer patient to survivor. They also provide a valuable toolkit to use on your survivorship journey. For more information please call 847-956-5476.
The Living Well Cancer Resource Center of Delnor Community Hospital in Geneva is home to an ongoing Survivorship Support Group. This group allows cancer survivors to explore the common experiences of srvivorship and finding the "new normal". They also teach ways to cope with the emotions and challenges the being a survivor of cancer brings. This group is open to new cancer survivors that have already completed treatment. Pre-registration is required. This group meets the second and fourth Thursday each month from 7:30-9:00p.m. For more information call 630-262-1111.
For help financailly be sure to call on the Patient Advocacy Foundation. They can help you manuever the sea of claims and help you know your rights. This can ease the stress and worry of your finances after treatment.
Remember surviving cancer is something you cannot do alone. It takes a team. A team of healthcare individuals to guide you as you move forward from being a cancer patient to a cancer survivor.
Happy and Healthy, the Heather Way!
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