Cancer is a journey - both medical and emotional. You leave the life you know as soon as you hear the words "you have cancer," not knowing what lies ahead for your body or your soul. While each journey is unique, there are universal stops and turns for every cancer patient and caregiver/co-survivor. Understanding this journey will help you maneuver the obstacles and prepare for various possibilities as you juggle new information for yourself and your family or community.
The first step has been decided, whether it is surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or experimental treatments making their way into clinical trials. There are things you can do to get ready for treatment to take control of this part of the journey.
Diagnosis
Cancer. In the coming days and weeks you will be required to make life-changing decisions at a time when you are grappling emotionally with the life changes that cancer brings. We are here with information that will help you take control of this time. Breathe, listen, and take charge.
During Treatment
Every person responds to cancer treatment differently, and there are many ways to cope with side effects. But remember that your soul needs attention too. Understanding the physical and emotional impact of treatment will help you manage this time.
End of Treatment
When treatment ends, many will expect you to return to your old life, but you will find that you now have to identify the "new normal" that is life after treatment. Planning for the transition to survivorship will help you move on.
You have now joined an estimated 12 million Americans who have lived through and beyond cancer treatment. Now it is time to heal - for to be well is to be cured, but to be whole is to be healed.
Metastatic/Chronic Cancer
When cancer spreads to another place in the body, it's called metastatic cancer. A diagnosis of metastatic cancer no longer means having no options. Today, metastatic cancer patients, as well as chronic cancer patients who remain on treatment to keep cancer at bay, lead active lives.
Caregivers and Co-Survivors
As a caregiver or co-survivor, you have a journey of your own that may involve changes in your relationships and new insights into who you are. In many ways, your journey is similar to that of the person going through cancer. The acceptance of this disease as part of your life will require its own focused attention.
Cancer Risk/Prevention
As you begin the rest of your life as a cancer survivor, you'll need to be aware of cancer risk and prevention, for yourself and those you love. Finding ways to get healthy and stay healthy will be part of your survivorship.
