Finishing treatment is the beginning of our survivorship journey. Our destination is the return to a normal routine and life. Before we get there, we must make the transition from active treatment to post-treatment.
While we’re in treatment, we have the comfort of routine and oversight. We know our treatment plan, test schedule, appointment dates, and next steps. We meet with our oncologist on a regular basis. Sometimes, we develop relationships with members of our treatment team.
When our oncologist discharges us, it’s bittersweet. We’re happy that we can resume our normal routine. But it’s also scary because we won’t see our doctor for three months. Because no one is watching over us, we may develop fears of recurrence and abandonment. We’re usually on our own to get answers to our questions about how to stay healthy and cancer-free.
The good news is that we can help ourselves and get help from others to fill this post-treatment gap. You’ve recently focused on the short-term goal of completing treatment. Now focus on the long-term goal of a future of health and well-being.
Make and follow a plan to help you transition from patient to survivor. Your personal action plan might include these activities:
· A celebration of your “graduation” from treatment. Don’t forget about family, friends and others who helped you on your journey!
· An “exit interview” with your oncologist. Address the issues that might arise before your next appointment in three months: signs and symptoms of concern and whom to call; recovery time; restrictions on activity, exercise, work and routine; updates to insurers and employers; immune system matters; managing health risks after your treatment; and addressing physical quality of life issues.
· Check-in with your family physician. Request a “20-minute” appointment with your family physician to give an update on your cancer treatment and current status. Agree on a plan to monitor your post-treatment health risks.
· Understand your cancer, its treatment and its risks. Inform yourself about how your cancer and its treatment could affect you during your life.
· Assemble your health file. Preparing the file can give you sense of closure to the treatment phase of your journey. Include: your updated medical history; copies of your test results; a list of physicians consulted and why; information about your treatment and medications during treatment; a list of your current medications; and your doctors’ recommendations for monitoring. Take it to your health appointments.
· See your dentist. Oral health is an important part of overall health. If your oncologist gives the ok, get that dental check-up you’ve postponed because of treatment. Update your dentist on your cancer, its treatment, medications and your current health status.
· Find and use community and internet resources. Speak to survivors and/or professionals who can help you with your transition to post-care (e.g., cancer transition programs, support groups, peer counselors, psychosocial oncology programs, supportive care programs).
· Regain your physical quality of life. Get referrals to resolve treatment side effects that affect your physical quality of life, e.g., lymphadema, joint pain from steroids, vision or speech problems, etc.). Contact the psychosocial oncology program at your cancer centre. Staff in these programs include speech-language pathologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, clinical dieticians, and exercise specialists.
· Develop an exercise and movement plan. Work with your doctors to develop a physical activity program that is right for you. Then just do it---regularly.
· Learn how to prevent cancer. A focus on lifetime health and wellness requires a preventative approach. Learn how to reduce your risk in daily life.
· Take stock of emotions. Use this time to assess whether there is any distress in your or your loved ones’ emotional, psychological, and social well-being. Your cancer journey affects you, others and your relationships.
· Get help for distress. Get individual, couple or family counseling for emotional, psychological and social areas of distress. Social workers, counselors, psychologists, psychiatrists, and spiritual care advisors are members of your lifetime health care team.
· Prepare for reintegration. Use this time to get ready to return to the workforce or social circles. Put the pieces of your life back together. Don’t be surprised if your priorities, needs, goals and capacities are different now.
If you’re busy with your action plan, the three-month wait until your next appointment won’t seem so difficult. You can take control of your survivorship!
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