When treatment ends, many times patients and families are not prepared for what comes next.  Typically recovery takes longer than treatment did.  This recovery time can cause disappointment, worry and fear.  As a result of cancer, the way a family used to function may not work any more so a "new normal" needs to be developed and navigated.  When treatment has ended the support that you used to receive may end, even if the need is still there.  For instance, things that you used to be able to do like cut the grass or maintenance around the house may still be too much for you to handle.

So how do you cope with these issues?

• Communicate with family and friends what you can do while you are continuing to heal and adjust to this "new normal"
• Give yourself time.  Make sure to be open with your family and friends to ensure that needs are being met
• Be honest with your children, speaking directly and openly as possible so they know what to expect.  Allow them to be a part of the recovery process by spending extra time with them. 

 
         National Cancer Institute (2012).  Facing forward: life after cancer treatment.    
         
                   Retrieved from http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/coping/life-after-

                   treatment/page7

When my husband awoke to chest pain on March 24, 2010 we had no idea that life as we knew it had changed forever.  The next six months meant doctor's visits, thirteen chemo treatments, and lots of upheaval.  My husband, Jim, couldn't wait for chemo to be over...in fact, our whole family couldn't wait for chemo to end.

As soon as chemo was done and the doctor's visits were back to check-up mode, we all assumed that life would soon be back to normal.  Unfortunately, we were naive.  We had to begin to create our new normal.

I created this blog to help both my family and readers learn how to cope with life after cancer.  So, without further ado, here we go...