Finding Support Between Follow-Ups

Congratulations, you’ve just finished treatment! You’re finally done with chemo, or radiation, or surgeries, or transplants, or targeted therapies, or maybe even all of the above, and your Oncologist gives you a big smile and says, “See you in three months!”

It’s a big accomplishment to have made it to the end of active treatment and maybe you’re feeling great! However, many cancer survivors have described really struggling with their mental health at this time—some even describe it as being the hardest part of their cancer experience. If you do find yourself feeling lost after active treatment, it’s not really all that surprising; you were used to having a game-plan and regular appointments and being closely monitored by your medical team—now all of a sudden it feels as if you’ve been cut loose to fend for yourself. Maybe you don’t feel ready to be in charge of your own health again. Maybe you’re suffering from physical or mental side-effects as a result of your treatment. However you’re feeling, long-term survivorship is complex and fluid; you will likely experience good days and bad days, and you might find that seeking out support for yourself makes a difference to your overall wellbeing. Listed below are some great ways that cancer survivors can find support and practice being kind to themselves.

Put a plan in place with your Oncologist

First things first, put a plan in place with your Oncologist. This will help you know what to expect over the coming months. How often are you going to see your Doctor? What should you do if you’re struggling with side-effects or mental health issues? Is there anyone else at your hospital that can provide you with long-term support?

Consider finding a local or virtual support group

Many hospitals or local cancer charities run support groups—even during lockdown lots of these groups are still running virtually via zoom. Consider giving one a go, even if it’s something that hasn’t appealed to you before. Lots of cancer patients are wary of attending groups (which is absolutely fine—it’s a personal decision) but they can be a great way to connect with people who understand how you’re feeling and are able to share advice for what’s helped them in the past. Feeling on the fence about it? You might consider attending just one session and seeing how you get on. There’s no pressure to go back if group support isn’t the right fit for you!

Find a therapist—through a charity or through insurance

If you’re dealing with mental health problems, such as anxiety, depression or PTSD, then it can be very worthwhile to find a therapist who can help you develop some coping strategies. Again, your hospital or local cancer charities may be able to connect you with a therapist. If you have insurance, you can also try to find a therapist yourself. It’s worth spending some time on Psychology Today to see who takes your insurance and who specialises in your specific areas of need. Try to look for someone who has experience with the cancer community.

Join groups on facebook or follow Instagram pages

See if there are any social media pages that interest you. I am a member of the Young Survival Coalition page on Facebook, and it’s a great resource for connecting with other survivors. There are great pages to follow on Instagram too—I follow accounts by cancer survivors, Doctors, and of course—The Cancer Patient! Stay mindful of how these groups make you feel though; if you start to feel overwhelmed or anxious by other survivor posts, then it might be worth giving social media a break for a while, or at least muting the pages that are triggering to you.

Seek out alternative therapies

See if your hospital offers any alternative therapies, such as acupuncture, meditation classes, or yoga. These can all be great ways to manage your anxiety and deal with longterm treatment side effects, plus it can feel reassuring to stay connected with healthcare professionals.

Look out for Cancer-con events

Sign up to charities like Stupid Cancer and look out for their Cancer-con events. They’re a great way to feel connected to the cancer community as a whole and they’re also very educational—not to mention… fun!

Check in on your cancer friends

Did you make any cancer friends during treatment? When you’re feeling lonely, why not send them a message and ask how they’re doing, too? The act of reaching out to check in on someone else can make you feel less alone and will make them feel supported, too!

Let your friends/family/medical team know if you’re struggling

If you find yourself struggling talk to your friends, family or care team about it. There’s no need to suffer in silence, and often friends and family may be unaware of the challenges that come with finishing treatment. Let your loved ones know how you’re feeling! Sometimes it can really help to just get things off your chest.

Consider adopting or fostering a pet

OK, this is a bit of a wild card, but if you’re feeling anxious, why not consider fostering or adopting a pet? This is a decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly, of course; taking care of an animal can be expensive, time-consuming and might require a lot of energy. But if you feel like you’d be able to give a pet the care and attention that it needs, then it could be a wonderful way to get some extra love in your life. Studies have even shown that petting an animal actually reduces anxiety!

Take up a hobby or do something creative

Find a hobby that has you thinking about something other than cancer! Anything that uses your hands to build or create can be very cathartic. Maybe you’ve always wanted to learn how to crochet or paint? The added bonus is that you might make some new friends if you take up a hobby that’s group-based, like a sport or exercise class.

Practice self-care

Try to stay tuned in to how you’re feeling and find self-care practices that work for you. What activities make you feel calmer and happier? Maybe you could take a bath and give yourself a facial, or maybe a walk around the block could feel refreshing? Try to fit in a little me-time every day, if you can.

Remember that it’s OK to not feel OK

And last but by no means least, remember to be kind to yourself. It’s OK to not be OK. Receiving a cancer diagnosis and going through cancer treatment is—in no uncertain terms—highly challenging. You will have good days and bad days. Remember that there are no strict timelines that you have to adhere to when it comes to your mental and physical wellness. Listen to your body, practice self-compassion and take things one day (or one hour!) at a time. Longterm survivorship isn’t a race—it’s an ongoing, ever-changing process.