Join me for an evening of answers and support

Free Community Event: Living With and Beyond Cancer
May 16, 2012, 6:30-8 pm
Providence Centralia Hospital, basement classroom
Call 360.493.7247 to register or visit www.provregister.org

We are offering this program three more time this year, click here to view all our free resources >>

A diagnosis of cancer can shake your world. Coping with the disease, its treatment, and the aftermath can make you question your identity, decisions, relationships, etc.

What is "normal"? How should I be coping? Why do some people make such unhelpful comments?

Join me (pictured to the left, at a recent survivorship event in Lewis County) for an evening of support, resources and connections whether you are newly diagnosed, in the midst of treatment or a long-term survivor.

Need more information? Here’s what past participants are saying about the program:

"You provided us with hope and good materials, for which I have always been thankful."

"I want to thank you for shedding such a bright light on the emotional, feeling side of this disease. I am so much better equipped to deal with my breast cancer now that I have your information."

"Cobie, your talk was wonderful – enlightening, informative and supportive."

"Thank you for your inspiring presentation. Your comments regarding completing treatment and being pushed from the perceived safety of the infusion/hospital environment truly touched me. Moving from a state of actively treating my disease to watchful waiting is still, a year later, very difficult for me."

"Thanks again for coming to Longview to speak to our group. I have to tell you that during the sharing time they all reflected on what you said and were so grateful for the words of wisdom. You have a gift for sharing such truly remarkable insights that can benefit anyone regardless of their situation. They all loved you!"

Free Community Event at Mason General Hospital

Transitioning from cancer patient to cancer survivor

When patients end treatment, they often report feeling lost, abandoned, and unsure of what to feel and do next. End-of-treatment stress is often unexpected because patients anticipate feeling relief when active treatment ends and hoping they can “get back to their lives.” The transition from cancer patient to cancer survivor can be very challenging.

I am thrilled to announce the launch of our fall Cancer Transitions Program funded with the grant we won from LIVESTRONG (Lance Armstrong Foundation).

Check out the article I wrote on "Combating end-of-treatment stress" while I was in Austin for training.

This is a six-week program (Oct 10, 17 & 24, Nov 1, 7 & 14)) with a one month booster session Dec 12.  We will meet from 6 - 8:30PM on the Providence St. Peter Hospital campus.  Dinner will be served.

Please forward this information to anyone you know who has completed active cancer treatment and is looking for tools and resources to successfully transition to the next phase of survivorship. 

Please contact me if you have any questions or would like more information.  Thank you for your support!

Part II: Five strategies for coping with fear of recurrence

In my previous post we talked about the fear your cancer will come back. If you missed it you can read it here (click on this link).

Strategies to cope with fear of recurrence include:

• Talking with your health care provider about a customized follow-up care plan based on your diagnosis and treatment.
• Gathering reputable, evidence-based information. Your health care team can help identify what symptoms to monitor and what not to worry about; every ache does NOT mean the cancer has recurred.
• Reducing your stress level. Different folks find different strategies helpful – experiment with a variety of methods (e.g., walks, yoga, gardening) and create a toolbox of calming thoughts and behaviors.
• Understanding that fear of recurrence is normal – you are not “crazy” for feeling fearful.
• Getting help.

Although fear of recurrence is a completely normal response, that does not mean you need to suffer through it alone. If the emotional upset interferes with what you want to be doing and thinking about, help is available (e.g., individual counseling, support groups, etc.). If you had diabetes no one would suggest that you simply will your blood sugar into a normal range. Cancer can be an isolating enough experience; you need not suffer the emotional roller coaster by yourself. Fear, anxiety, and depression can be treated and the quality of your life improved.

Many cancer survivors report that as they work through the distress, they feel renewed vigor, have a greater appreciation of life, improve their health behaviors, reassess their priorities, and experience a greater sense of “being in the moment.” Providence Regional Cancer System has resources and support to help you navigate fear of recurrence.

• Combating End of Treatment Stress
• Cancer Transitions Program: Have You Just Completed Active Cancer Treatment
• Survivorship Evenings & Free Resources

Part I: Understanding the fear your cancer will come back

Editor's Note: We have broken up Cobie's post into two parts, "Understanding the fear your cancer will come back" and "Five strategies for coping with fear of recurrence." We will post Part II on Friday. As always, feel free to leave comments or questions at the end of this post or in our Patient Discussion Forums.

One of the most troubling aspects of ending cancer treatment is worrying that the cancer will come back; indeed some studies suggest that up to 90% of cancer patients report fear of recurrence. Certain events may trigger or exacerbate the fear:

• Doctor visits
• Medical tests
• Media reports about cancer
• Anniversary dates of the diagnosis, ending treatment, etc.
• Hearing that a friend or loved one has been diagnosed

With time, the fear usually lessens. But it can be quite debilitating and disruptive. You may focus excessively on your body and/or ambiguous symptoms and leap to catastrophic conclusions. You may feel you cannot plan for the future, experience despair and feel emotionally paralyzed.

Life after cancer has been described as living with the sword of Damocles over your head. [Greek legend describes that Damocles was a courtier to King Dionysius. Damocles was in awe of the King's great fortune in life, so the King invited him to exchange places with him for a day. During a lavish banquet, Damocles discovered that a sword hung over his head suspended by a single hair. Only then did he understand the constant and anxious dread that a King truly feels. His fear was so great that he could no longer enjoy the riches around him.]

My doctoral dissertation focused on fear of recurrence. A major finding was that the stage of disease/prognosis was not related to anxiety about recurrence. Some women with early stage disease and an excellent prognosis were more fearful than those with later stage disease. Your fear may not align with data or statistics on recurrence likelihood, but that does not mean the fear is not real and upsetting.

Feeling fear that your cancer will come back is completely normal. In our next post I'll share with you five strategies for coping with the fear of recurrence.

You might also like:

• Tales of a cancer control freak
• Who is a cancer survivor? What's in a name?