{"id":35237,"date":"2017-07-18T06:00:15","date_gmt":"2017-07-18T13:00:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.goodtherapy.org\/blog\/?p=35237"},"modified":"2024-07-25T11:16:42","modified_gmt":"2024-07-25T15:16:42","slug":"life-after-cancer-the-emotional-tsunami-of-being-a-survivor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.goodtherapy.org\/blog\/life-after-cancer-emotional-tsunami-of-being-survivor","title":{"rendered":"Life After Cancer: The Emotional TSUNAMI of Being a Survivor"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"SideCancer<\/a> is a life-changing and potentially life-threatening diagnosis<\/a>. Before the news can even sink in, you buckle in for your wellness team\u2019s treatment recommendations, which may include chemotherapy, radiation, and\/or surgery. The \u201cwarrior mentality\u201d kicks in as an unexpected fight against your own body begins in earnest.<\/p>\n

During the active treatment phase, you are surrounded by medical professionals and, if you\u2019re lucky, family and friends supporting you through the various treatments. Then, suddenly, hopefully, you cross that finish line and are told there is no evidence of disease (NED). Cheers and celebrations ensue. NED! It\u2019s all over. You\u2019re a cancer survivor and you get to return to your life.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s the way it\u2019s supposed to work, yes?<\/p>\n

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Unfortunately, cancer survivorship can bring an emotional tsunami of its own. Many survivors find themselves dealing with the chemotherapy effects of fatigue and concentration problems, which may impact their ability to function at work or at home. Additionally, there is the emotional aftermath of coping with a life-threatening diagnosis and life interruption; possible body image issues<\/a> resulting from surgery (e.g., mastectomy); perhaps major changes in narrative (e.g., having children, financial strain); changes in self-esteem<\/a>; survivor\u2019s guilt<\/a> (\u201cWhy did I survive while others didn\u2019t?\u201d); fears<\/a> of recurrence; and a foreboding sense of a shortened future, to name a few concerns.<\/p>\n

It is common to experience emotional turbulence post-cancer. There is nothing wrong with you for not being able to just resume your life after treatment. It may take some time to emotionally heal. Survivors may experience depression<\/a>, anxiety<\/a>, even posttraumatic stress<\/a>. Indeed, PTSD symptoms are not reserved for combat veterans. Survivors of cancer have endured a battle as well\u2014it just looked different.<\/p>\n

Cancer survivors can experience myriad symptoms such as being triggered into a state of high anxiety by certain smells, sights, or bodily feelings. They may discover they can\u2019t free their minds from intrusive and unsettling thoughts, memories, or images of their cancer care.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cancer survivors can experience myriad symptoms such as being triggered<\/a> into a state of high anxiety by certain smells, sights, or bodily feelings. They may discover they can\u2019t free their minds from intrusive and unsettling thoughts, memories, or images of their cancer care. There may also be a strong desire to avoid certain people or situations because they might be anxiety-provoking.<\/p>\n

A survivor may oscillate between feeling too much and feeling numb. It\u2019s also not uncommon to experience body pain or to immediately jump to thinking the cancer is back. Some may find themselves struggling to move forward, afraid to dream of a future again. These types of symptoms are a reminder you have survived a life-altering event. It\u2019s okay to allow yourself some time to heal the post-cancer emotional wounds.<\/p>\n

To monitor your emotional health after cancer diagnosis and treatment, it may be helpful to remember the word \u201ctsunami.\u201d TSUNAMI may be used as a mnemonic to help you assess whether you are dealing with posttraumatic stress symptoms. As many cancer survivors would attest, the word fits very well to describe the turmoil that can occur in the aftermath of cancer.<\/p>\n