Cancer is a serious disease characterized by a complex course and treatment, but not a verdict. Despite a fairly high mortality rate, many patients manage to go into remission. When the disease recedes, a new life begins for the patient, both physically and psychologically. A person’s outlook on the world is changing and there is a reassessment of values, but new psychological problems appear. Oncological pathology is a chronic disease that, even in remission, imposes certain obligations on the lifestyle and behavior of the patient. How to cope with this and start living a full life?
Remission in oncology
Remission in cancer is a condition in which the tumor responds to the treatment, and the pathology is under control. After the disappearance of the symptoms of oncopathology (going into remission), a person becomes as if part of a miracle. Euphoria sets in, which is accompanied by a strong release of adrenaline. Over time, the patient calms down, begins to understand more and more that his life has changed and will not return to its former course, it needs to adapt to it. Then deep satisfaction can be replaced by many new problems: disappointment, anxiety and fear of relapse, social isolation, and then lead to depression.
Fear of relapse
During the illness, a person has to go through physical and mental pain, exhausting treatment procedures. During this period, he may become maladapted, lose his independence, his former appearance and trust in people. And it is quite reasonable to be afraid that the cancer will return and you will have to go through everything again. Relapse is possible, but his fear should not dominate life. The experience of each person is individual and is associated with psychological characteristics. The strength of emotional experiences depends on a number of factors: the type of temperament, the complexity of the disease, the stage at which a person managed to get rid of the disease, family relationships, support for relatives and friends. In addition, this fear is fueled by the fact that more often we hear about death from malignant tumors than about positive examples and successful fight against them. The more we discuss what is behind the diagnosis of “cancer” there are cases of healing, continuation of life, the less this fear will be.
It is necessary to talk about your experiences and feelings with your loved ones or with an oncopsychologist. A person should not have a ban on the manifestation of feelings. Emotions such as fear and sadness are also needed, they need to be given a way out. The refusal of their residence leaves a trace in our body. But fear should not be a reason to retreat, but, on the contrary, an incentive to take a step forward. You can not completely go into the disease and think only about it, especially when it is no longer there.
You have to go through fear and understand that real life is happening behind him. No one knows what will happen tomorrow, and in this phrase it is worth putting not the expectation of the worst, but faith in the best. Doctors and oncopsychologists are unanimous: a patient who retains the will to live and a positive attitude is much more likely to overcome cancer and be in long-term remission.
Recovery from cancer
Full-fledged rehabilitation after cancer is to restore physical and psycho-emotional balance. First of all, in order to return to everyday life, it is important to monitor your health status, following the long-term recommendations of an oncologist. He will help you plan your future life, prescribe supportive, restorative therapy in the form of immunostimulants, vitamins and dietary supplements, talk about prevention methods (balanced nutrition, rejection of bad habits, body weight control). Physical exercises will also be useful. They increase the vitality of a person and are necessary not only to maintain the functional health of the body, but also to relieve mental and psychological stress, stress, help to distract from obsessive thoughts. But it is necessary to observe the measure in everything, in this case even cleaning the house is considered an active occupation. Walk more often, paying attention to what we usually forget: how the wind rustles, touching your face, how the leaves rustle or the snow crunches under your feet. Raise your eyes and watch the moving clouds, enjoy their beauty.
I always urge you to take care of yourself at the stage of treatment and remission. Don’t waste time on things that make you upset and worry. Pay attention only to those activities that bring joy. Read good books, watch your favorite movies, communicate only with people you like and get creative. It really heals. For example, art therapy is a gentle and sparing method that helps not to talk directly about difficult feelings (it really can be very painful), but to express them in creativity, to find a form for them. It can be a drawing on canvas, a figure made of dough, or a piece of soap made with your own hands. You can also express your emotions through music or dance. If some activity was your long-standing dream, now is the time to realize it.
It must be remembered that all the restorative processes in the physical body are most active in a state of peace of mind. The nervous system at rest interacts with the endocrine system responsible for the production of hormones of happiness, which, in turn, stimulates the activity of the immune system. Thus, each patient is recommended to master the techniques of complacency, relaxation, meditation, self-hypnosis.
Life after cancer
In general, in order to overcome the fear of relapse and move on, it is necessary to change the attitude towards yourself and the world. Listen to your feelings and feelings, ask yourself what you really want. Think about how you want to live on, what you can change. Realize that there is life after the diagnosis of cancer, and you must give yourself the right to desires and dreams that you may have completely forgotten about. Believe and love yourself, treat your body carefully, like a temple, and know that despite difficulties and losses, you can find support and be happy.
To go through the recovery period and return to normal life, you need to face your fears, mourn your illusions, say “yes” to your desires! Determine priorities and set life accents. Set yourself specific tasks, plans for life (for the morning, day, week, month and year), and immediately start implementing your plans. For example, you can write on paper: where I am, what I am striving for, describe the obstacles on this path and methods how to get around or overcome them by passing through them. It will also be useful to write down on paper what you like in life, what brings joy. It can be a delicious breakfast today or the smell of coffee yesterday, a kiss from your child and other moments that brought you pleasure. Start each item with the phrase “I love”. When it becomes difficult for you and it seems that there is no support, open this list. All these items, recorded smells and sounds are a reminder of life and that it deserves to be lived. Appreciate the time and any reasons for joy, enjoy the little things