Hooray! Your breast cancer treatment is finally over. That’s definitely cause for celebration. Still, your journey will continue physically, mentally and emotionally.
“I call it robot mode,” says Darci McNally, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C, director of Oncology Support Services & Community Outreach at the Lynn Cancer Institute at Boca Raton Regional Hospital. “When women are diagnosed, they focus on what they need to do to get cancer treated and behind them. Often, feelings arise after treatment is over.”
McNally preaches the three A’s — acknowledge, adapt and accept. “Acknowledge you have cancer, and each person is different, adapt to the diagnosis and changes that will occur during treatment and accept that this happened and regain control. It can take six months to a year before you can expect to feel similar to how you were before diagnosis and treatment,” she says. Give yourself time to process and grieve. “Recognize that who you are today isn’t who you were six months ago or six months from now.”
Below are a few other issues to consider.
Manage Post-treatment Side Effects
You won’t immediately bounce back. You may be tired. You may have memory issues and difficulty focusing, something referred to as “chemo brain.”
“Allot rest times and write reminders on your phone,” McNally says. “Set realistic expectations for yourself and communicate where you are in your healing to others,” she adds.
Maintain Follow-up Care
McNally says that some people see appointments as burdensome while others are anxious not seeing doctors regularly. She recommends spacing out gynecologist, oncologist and other appointments. “That way you’ll know that every three months you’re seeing someone to give you a sense of security.”
Live A Healthy Lifestyle
A healthy lifestyle is essential for optimal physical and emotional health. Eat a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Avoid red meats, processed foods and sugary drinks. Don’t smoke and limit alcohol. Beat fatigue and other side effects with exercise.
Get Help
Find an online or virtual support group or therapist. “Don’t live in a silo,” says McNally. “You have many feelings to process. Get your feelings validated by others who’ve also experienced it.” A social worker like McNally can link you to outside resources such as financial assistance, transportation or home health. “Find out everything you have access to instead of closing yourself off.”
Connect
McNally hosts a support group each month at the Lynn Cancer Institute (www.brrh.com). She also suggests connecting with cancercare.org or cancerlifeline.org for their breast cancer support groups (currently online).