Getting back to daily living
It is not unusual to experience a range of emotions after treatment, from feeling very low to
feeling really good. You may find your moods are up and down for
several weeks. This is normal. If your mood becomes low and stays low
over a period of time, this can be a symptom of depression and you
should ask for help from your doctor or nurse. Some people find that they
have an emotional reaction to their illness much later on. It may be
helpful to talk to a counsellor or a member of a cancer support group.
You can find more information about who to talk to in the Talking about your cancer section of this website.
As
time goes by you are likely to visit the hospital for check-ups less
often. Some patients have very few hospital appointments after
treatment and are checked by their GP's instead. Others may be
monitored for a number of years even if their treatment has gone very
well. If you notice any worrying signs or symptoms between appointments, contact your hospital doctor, specialist nurse or GP.
You should discuss any return to work with your doctor and ensure that your cancer and it's treatment has not affected your entitlement to insurance or driving licence.
Link:Adjusting to life after cancer
Produced by:Macmillan Cancer Support
A comprehensive section on adjusting to life after cancer which highlights both the emotional and practical issues which may arise after cancer treatment has finished.
Link:Survivourship during and after treatment
Produced by:American Cancer Society
Information and tips on staying active and healthy during and after cancer treatment.
Link:The cancer survival toolbox
Produced by:The National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship
This is an American site with audio or written transcript giving advice and recordings from cancer survivors about how to cope after treatment. Transcripts are available in English, Spanish or Chinese and are available for download.
Page last edited: 24 October 2011
