What To Do After You're Done With Treatment

I too am struggling with how to go on with life now that chemo sessions have ended. My case is somewhat complicated by the fact that I have two surgeries to endure yet that are necessary because of the treatment and I now have ulcerative colitis which I am told may be due to the chemo also and will be with me for the rest of my life. So, I have some bitterness I suppose, and maybe doubting whether I made the correct choice to "save" my life with chemo if this is what I will have to live with now. Plus, of course, we know that in a couple of years, cancer is likely to recur and the next time we will not be so likely to come through it alive even if we go through the chemo again. I've lost my mom (in 2000) to pancreatic cancer and my younger sis in 2002 to breast cancer so I realize what I've seen may not give me the best "viewpoint", but, it is my point of reference. I was terminated from my job after I was diagnosed (I worked in the office of the cancer center of the clinic where I also got my treatment). I am 55 and don't know, even once the surgeries are behind me if I will be able to get work again. I can not afford to keep paying COBRA rates for my health insurance on what I earn on disability from my employer, and, I'm sure it is about to end. Where are the caring people who can help us through this kind of thing once we are supposedly "cured". I sort of feel like they don't prepare you for what you have ahead of you when they give you the diagnosis and then once your scans look good, they turn you back out to the world when you are maybe not well yet and NOT ready for the world. The fatigue, maybe the low blood counts, these new illnesses that are resultant of the therapy are still with us, but, how do we go on? Where do we get the strength to keep trying, especially if you are alone and have been put in the low-income group through no fault of your own? Anyone else identify or have any suggestions on how you got through this stage?

Hi Suzette! I understand a lot of your feelings. I have been finished with chemo just about one month now. My radiation treatments ended about 2 months ago. My insurance policy ended before it started. I had enrolled with a new company and had procrastinated much too long. My COBRA policy had expired about 2 years earlier. I just hadn't gotten around to getting the paperwork done with the new company. When I did, though, the new company cashed my checks (1st 2 months premiums). Meanwhile, I noticed a lump in my groin area. The policy should have been in effect for about 6 weeks before I had a clue there was a problem. For the next 2 weeks, the docs and I all thought I had a simple infection. Then, the insurance company told me a few weeks later that I was never approved. Just like that and a good 3 months after the policy had been submitted.

So, as if these slaps in the face aren't enough...we try to save our asses and get through this the best we can. I had to quit my job. I can't imagine working again. My biggest problems (physically today) are joint pain which some people tell me is a side effect of chemo. It's like debilitating arthritis. I haven't slept through the night since before my diagnosis, and my g.i. system has gone to hell.

It's one month before I get scanned to see if any of this worked. If it did, I'll be incredibly grateful.

I've gotten approved for disability, but still am trying to find a way to pay my medical bills. My daughter found a program that wiped out my hospital bills, thank God. If I have to have surgery after the PET scan, I really don't know what I'll do, because I can't pay for it.

I hope you can sue the living daylights out of your employer for firing you. If you can't, there really is no justice. About the other things, there is a ton of good info on the internet. There's one site that will help you get your drugs free or for a fraction of the cost.

Don't be so discouraged. There are thousands and thousands of cancer survivors. Attitude has so much to do with it. Try to find small things to be grateful for and things to make you smile. This is my second cancer. I had 9 years clear with the first, and then this (supposedly unrelated cancer) popped up. I'll do pretty much anything I can to survive it. Even more than the fact that I want to live is the fact that I hate the thoughts of hurting the people I love by leaving them. Not without a hell of a fight.

Stay tough!!!!

Angela

Hi Suzette! I understand a lot of your feelings. I have been finished with chemo just about one month now. My radiation treatments ended about 2 months ago. My insurance policy ended before it started. I had enrolled with a new company and had procrastinated much too long. My COBRA policy had expired about 2 years earlier. I just hadn't gotten around to getting the paperwork done with the new company. When I did, though, the new company cashed my checks (1st 2 months premiums). Meanwhile, I noticed a lump in my groin area. The policy should have been in effect for about 6 weeks before I had a clue there was a problem. For the next 2 weeks, the docs and I all thought I had a simple infection. Then, the insurance company told me a few weeks later that I was never approved. Just like that and a good 3 months after the policy had been submitted.

So, as if these slaps in the face aren't enough...we try to save our asses and get through this the best we can. I had to quit my job. I can't imagine working again. My biggest problems (physically today) are joint pain which some people tell me is a side effect of chemo. It's like debilitating arthritis. I haven't slept through the night since before my diagnosis, and my g.i. system has gone to hell.

It's one month before I get scanned to see if any of this worked. If it did, I'll be incredibly grateful.

I've gotten approved for disability, but still am trying to find a way to pay my medical bills. My daughter found a program that wiped out my hospital bills, thank God. If I have to have surgery after the PET scan, I really don't know what I'll do, because I can't pay for it.

I hope you can sue the living daylights out of your employer for firing you. If you can't, there really is no justice. About the other things, there is a ton of good info on the internet. There's one site that will help you get your drugs free or for a fraction of the cost.

Don't be so discouraged. There are thousands and thousands of cancer survivors. Attitude has so much to do with it. Try to find small things to be grateful for and things to make you smile. This is my second cancer. I had 9 years clear with the first, and then this (supposedly unrelated cancer) popped up. I'll do pretty much anything I can to survive it. Even more than the fact that I want to live is the fact that I hate the thoughts of hurting the people I love by leaving them. Not without a hell of a fight.

Stay tough!!!!

Angela

Hi, I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2002. I finished chemo and radiation treatments in January 2003. I was prescribed Armidex adjuvent therapy which I took for about a year and then stopped. I still visit my oncologist every 6 months now. I have not had any reoccurance.

Yes, I felt lost too. I also did not like the side effects of the adjuvant therapy. I take enzymes, probiotics, lots of herbs and vitamins and I try to eat well. I juice and eats lots of fruits and veggies. I try to stay away from red meats, anything not organic, and all kinds of medications. I do bowel cleanses every 4 or 5 months. I recently did a liver cleanse and plan to do a kidney cleans soon. After the liver cleanse a few months back, I experienced the exact symptoms that I had while I was on chemo!!! This leads me to believe that my liver was and probably still has the chemo drugs in it. It has taken me at the very minimum - 2 to 2-1/2 years to start feeling really good and healthy again.

I also sought out a local support organization and did some weekend intensives. This helped emotionally and got me past alot. I really think they should do a better job of following up with cancer patients. Instead, they just push you back out into the world to adjust as best you can. Hang in there! Things will get better. Focus on being well and happy!

I also had breast cancer in 2004 and had chemo & radiation last treatment was July 2005. I was on amridex and side effects were too much so I'm now on armosin which is not much better. I have not taken it in a month and I'm starting to feel better but guilty about not taking the med. I just feel so crappy when I take it. Do you have in good advice on staying off of it??? I'm 55 and feel like I'm 80 when I take the pills. I have always been very energetic and full of live but feel down and out most of the time now.
Thanks
Brenda

Well, here it is almost 10 months later and I am even better than I was when I last wrote (above). I have had a bone density test though and have very thin density in my lower back and hips. My doc thinks this is very definitely because of the Arimidex! So, I am glad I stopped it when I did. I am continuing on the stomach enzymes and probiotics and have done fine. The chemo definitely messed my digestive system up for a while! I take other antioxident supplements and a general 'Superfood' and enzyme protein powder. I actually believe that I feel even better this year than I did last year, which is great! I also started weight bearing exercises and am walking as aerobic exercise. Look out world! Here I come!!

Good thoughts and wishes to you all.