Navigating the Emotional Landscape of Cancer Survivorship

As cancer survivor, reaching remission is often celebrated as the ultimate victory.

However, what follows can be an unexpected emotional journey filled with challenges and uncertainties, nobody tells you about.

So the transition into survivorship brings forth a myriad of complex emotions and concerns that may catch us off guard.

Let me share with you some of the most common challenges and how I have learned to deal with them.

FEAR OF CANCER RECURRENCE

It’s the number one fear that looms large, casting a shadow of uncertainty over our lives. We grapple with the unknown, questioning what caused the cancer and whether it may return. This constant fear can infiltrate your thoughts and rob you of peace of mind.

This fear is understandable — who wouldn’t fear the return of cancer? Especially now you know how deeply cancer effects your life.

But there are ways to manage this fear.

I still feel a degree of it when I go for my regular checkups. It makes me vervous the day before, and leaves me slightly depleted, but it dissipates quickly. And is gone completely by the time I had a good diner at night 😉

But all in all over time, I’ve learned that the best way to confront this fear is by taking proactive steps towards my health and wellbeing.

By prioritising stress reduction, fostering a positive mindset, and embracing gratitude, I’ve found a sense of empowerment over my life.

I’ve also made significant lifestyle changes, like adopting healthy self-care routines and curating my environment to support my wellbeing.

One significant change was starting a raised bed kitchen garden, which not only provided fresh, wholesome ingredients but also became a source of joy and therapy.

LOW SELF-ESTEEM

The physical changes wrought by cancer treatment can take a toll on our self-esteem. Scars, weight fluctuations, mastectomy scars, hair loss — these alterations to your bodies can leave you feeling disconnected and discontented with your reflection in the mirror.

The “new me” I saw in the mirror was nothing like the old me, energetic, vibrant, always cheerful and full of life.

I felt uglier, weaker, older, and tired plus my scars and belly fat were a daily reminder that I was now a different person.

My body couldn’t do the same things it used to, and that was so incredibly frustrating.

And it wasn’t until I learned to release my negative emotions that I realised you won’t change any of these things until you do release that anger.

If you struggle with anger and frustration, I want you to know that the first step to healing is recognising these emotions.

There is no need to admit them to others, but you need to admit them to yourself, for your own and your loved ones sake.

I started a “Feeling Crappy Journal”. In this little book, I poured out my emotions, allowing myself to express the anger, frustration, and sadness that often bubbled beneath the surface.

But writing it down was just the beginning. Once I had acknowledged my feelings, I turned to my “Moving Forward Journal”. Here, I took a proactive approach to addressing my negative emotions by asking myself four key questions:

🤔 What triggered this specific feeling of low self-esteem or insecurity?

🤔 How can I avoid that trigger in the future or cope with it more effectively?

🤔 What positive aspects of my current life counterbalance these negative feelings?

🤔 How can I cultivate gratitude for these balancing factors in my life?

Through this process, I gradually began to shift my focus away from what I perceived as flaws and towards the aspects of myself that I valued and appreciated. Over time, this practice helped me build a more positive self-image and embrace the changes in my body as symbols of resilience and strength.

SURVIVOR’S GUILT

In addition to grappling with our physical appearance, we navigate the murky waters of survivor’s guilt.

The knowledge that we have survived while others succumbed to the disease can weigh heavily on our conscience, stirring feelings of guilt and unworthiness.

Yet, overcoming such a profound challenge imbues you with unparalleled resilience, a testament to your strength and endurance.

Upon conquering cancer, I found myself pondering, “NOW WHAT?”

The life I once knew felt incongruent with the person I had become. It lacked the same fulfilment and resonance, leaving me grappling with a sense of squandered opportunity in the face of those who hadn’t been as fortunate.

In response, I embarked on a new path as a healthy lifestyle coach, building upon my existing roles as a mindset coach and chef.

I recognised a void in support for cancer survivors seeking to embrace a happier, healthier existence post-cancer, without sacrificing life’s pleasures.

I became an advocate for holistic well-being, guiding individuals toward adding not just years to their lives, but above all life to their years with vitality and meaning.

This journey mirrors that of Kristel, one of my clients, who reclaimed her life following years of overwhelm and uncertainty.

It’s a journey I know you too can embark on, transforming your post-cancer life into one that inspires others.

As your coach, I urge you to take a moment to acknowledge your resilience. Despite the challenges you’ve faced, you’re here, endowed with a precious second chance at life — an opportunity few are granted.

Now is the time to build a life even more extraordinary than the one before. Identify the barriers hindering your progress and forge ahead toward a future brimming with possibility.

So I invite you to join our special free event: The VISION BOARD PARTY to Create Your New Life.

Let us lean on one another for strength and support as we navigate the complexities of cancer survivorship together.

We gather together to create our New Life and PLAN YOUR NEXT CHAPTER. Tackling those hurdles, finding new purpose, envisioning our big dreams and map out our path forward to realising that better, healthier life beyond cancer.

Join us now and make it all happen for yourself … and your loved ones!