getting back to normal

I’ve had my treatment, and now want to get back to normal...

Finishing your treatment may bring with it mixed emotions.

You're probably pleased and relieved that months of treatment are now over. You may be looking forward to going back to work, taking a holiday or having more energy to do things with your family and friends.

On the other hand, you may be worried that your cancer will return. You may fear you will never again be as carefree as you were before your illness.

Some patients have to learn to live with physical changes. You may have had a breast removed, for instance - or a change in your facial appearance. You may be happy that your cancer seems to have gone - but sad that you can't be exactly as you were before.

This part of our website includes further reading ideas for those who have finished their cancer treatment and are now ready to move forward with their lives.

Please also remember, that the support available from your Clinical Nurse Specialist does not stop the day you finish your treatment - if you have any concerns or worries, please contact your Nurse to talk these through.

Booklets and websites

Macmillan Cancer Support - Adjusting to life after cancer
The Macmillan website covers how to cope the different problems associated with adjusting to life after cancer. This includes leaving hospital, your relationships with others, helping yourself, returning to work, coping with negative feelings, and what happens if cancer comes back. Macmillan Cancer Support also has the following booklets that may be of support:

• Life after cancer treatment
• Cancer Survivors Guide
• Eating well after cancer treatment
• Exercise after cancer treatment
• Giving up smoking after cancer treatment
• Your feelings after cancer treatment

These free booklets are available from the Macmillan Cancer Information Centre or direct from Macmillan Cancer Support. 

The Macmillan Cancer Support website also has discussion forums where you can find out how other people affected by cancer have adjusted to life after treatment has finished.

The Transition from Cancer Patient to Survivor: A Guide to Mental Wellness
A booklet from Merseyside and Cheshire Cancer Network, which gives information on some tips that can help you to get back on to the right path.

Livestrong
The Lance Armstrong Foundation (USA) has created Livestrong to offer information and support to literally help people to 'live strong' through the physical, emotional and practical challenges of cancer survivorship.

The Royal Marsden Hospital - After Treatment
The Royal Marsden Hospital produces an on-line booklet, 'After Treatment', that covers many topics including: side-effects; eating; sex; work and study; and emotional well-being.

National Cancer Institute - Facing forward: a guide for cancer survivors
An on-line booklet that looks at some of the issues facing cancer survivors and gives practical advice for looking ahead. Part of the National Cancer Institute (USA)  website.

The Macmillan Cancer Information Centre also has a range of books on personal experience of cancer, including adjusting to life after cancer, which can be borrowed.

Other parts of this website

There are other parts of this website that may be useful to you.

For instance, our living with cancer section includes information and further reading ideas on such subjects as feelings and communication.

In our section on specific cancers you will find further reading suggestions on the after-effects of treatments - for example the bladder and bowel cancer sections have ideas for those who are living with stomas.

Other groups and organisations that can be of support...

For many cancer patients, support groups and other organisations offer valuable friendship, advice and help - from diagnosis onwards.

Many of these groups and organisations can continue to help you even after your treatment has finished.

They may offer practical advice as you adjust to a new lifestyle, for instance… or emotional support from people who know how you are feeling.

Support may be offered in many ways… regular meetings for instance, or telephone support, newsletters or perhaps even penfriend schemes. Many UK organisations can offer free expert advice, leaflets and booklets on a range of cancer topics. There are also now a range of discussion forums available on UK organisation's websites, where you can talk to others about life after cancer treatment.

To find groups and organisations that may be of interest to you, try searching our database of useful contacts.