Recovery or having to get well post-cancer treatment is a long process and has so many issues to handle. The one they don’t know is that when patients complete their cancer treatment they are faced with different issues as they struggle to regain their normalcy. Such issues can be for instance feeling extremely exhausted, having pain, or having difficulty in that particular part of the body that affects the brain hence making it hard to perform some tasks.
There are also other difficulties that many survivors experience in emotional terms. The treatment may bring them grief, anxiety, or even identity crisis, images of themselves that may not be pleasant to view after the treatment. Survivors must comprehend such emotions and difficulties to do something to become more powerful and not to feel sick.
According to the blog “Healing and Restoration: Your Body Post-Cancer,” it is then possible that different strategies can be attempted by survivors with the hope of enhancing their lives bearing in mind that they have been diagnosed with cancer. The improvements achievable through exercising, consuming healthy meals, and speaking to anyone include a lot. This way, people will be able to bring their different focuses and power; their body and mind so they can be strong and empowered over what they are experiencing in their healing process.
What Consequences Do Cancer Treatments Have?
Chemotherapeutic therapy for cancer can be really tough, and its side effects may linger even after the final session. Here are some common side effects that many people experience:
- Fatigue: Headache is one of the most frequently reported complaints. This tiredness can occur due to many causes, for instance, a low amount of healthy red blood cells (anaemia), stress or passing through a sad or worried stage (depression), or even a poor diet.
- Pain: Certain survivors can complain of aches from the surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy among other treatments. One example is neuropathy, a type of pain that leads to numbness in some parts of the body including hands and feet.
- Cognitive Changes: Some patients are told or read about “chemo brain.” This implies that in some cases people have forgetfulness or lack concentration hence can be very irritating.
- Body Image Issues: As a result of the treatment, some people develop some form of alteration in the way their body appears. This can be due to surgeries or changes in weight and results in developing low self-esteem feelings.
Nutrition and Hydration
- Balanced Diet: It is essential to have the right kinds of food regimen after the end of the proposed treatment. A diet rich in: Fruits and Vegetables: These are important in offering vitamins and certain antioxidant materials.
- Lean Proteins: Important for muscle repair.
- Whole Grains: Offer sustained energy.
Survivors should be aware of cooked foods only, and should not consume foods that have been cooked raw since there will be high risks of getting infection. Another aspect is hydration; a minimal 8-10 glasses of water daily are necessary for the body’s normal functioning and for effective regeneration.
- Supplements and Special Diets: Certain survivors are recommended to take supplements or specific diets according to their requirements.
Physical Activity
It is very necessary for individuals who have ever had cancer to engage in regular exercise. This however does not imply that the body cannot heal while the survivor engages in exercise; the American Cancer Society encourages the survivor to exercise at least 150-300 minutes in a week. At least two times a week one should also incorporate strength training exercises. These could include exercises that are enjoyable including walking, swimming, or taking a yoga class in addition to the fact that these activities benefit the body they also make you feel cheerful and full of energy.
If one is suffering from any of these conditions, it is advisable to start exercising after beginning a treatment program slowly. Survivors should take note of any warning signs they feel and avoid performing any exercise that is painful for them. If someone feels tired or not up to it that is perfectly alright. They can even begin with ‘light’ actions such as walking around the block or performing stretching exercises. Especially when it comes to stretching, it is easier to stick to regular exercising once the survivor finds a thing or two they enjoy doing during the process, and this helps them to get back into shape both physically and emotionally.
Mental Health Care
Much cancer therapy can be difficult and people can have all sorts of feelings about it. After treatment, the patient may stay frightened, anxious, or sad due to the experience that he or she passed through. These feelings are pretty common, but they should not be experienced alone.
- Therapy and Counseling: Experts believe asking for help from a therapist or counselor is always very helpful. Such workers are prepared to listen and facilitate the clients expressing their emotions. Through counseling, they can help survivors manage anxiety and sad feelings, and it becomes easier to handle all that has gone around.
- Support Groups: Another great way to heal is by being part of a support group. In the process, one can get acquainted with other survivors of the events. People can tell stories and feelings to other people and everyone will feel that they are not alone. Such support allows all these people to recover alongside one another since it brings into focus how knowledge and experience may be shared among them.
Follow-Up Care
The best example is when patients have been treated for cancer, they still need to attend their doctor’s appointments for follow-up. Such a visit allows doctors to assess how well the patient is healing or whether he or she may develop a new condition at some point in the future.
While performing these visits, doctors can identify traits that may indicate its return, that is, relapse. They also assist in dealing with any side effects from the treatment that may still be irritating the particular patient. For instance, some individuals can feel exhausted or develop other symptoms even after they are relieved by their treatment.
These appointments are an opportunity for the survivors to explain how they are and how they feel – inside and out. So, whenever a patient has something of that sort or if he has any complaints or symptoms that are still present after the surgery, doctors can assure and encourage the patient to live a healthy life. Follow-ups are as important to health and well-being after cancer treatment as anything else!
Lifestyle Modifications
- Quit Smoking: The conclusion is that if you smoke, cessation is essential. Smoking also has an impact on your body in that it slows the ability of the body to heal, and also increases chances of cancer in case it is left to recur. In doing so, you are helping your body to stand a better shot at recovery in addition to maintaining good health.
- Limit Alcohol Intake: Another good measure is to reduce the amount of alcohol consumed regularly. Experts say that there is the truth behind common sayings like ‘I feel so much better when I don’t drink.’ People tend to get up less frequently during the night, feel less tired, and in some cases are even in a ‘better mood!’ Drinking means the destruction of many of the body cells and so if this is done sparingly then the body stays healthy.
- Maintain a Healthy Weight: Being slim is also very important, this advice is aimed at helping women maintain good shape. A healthy diet, with an eye to portion control, and adequate exercise can ensure you are at your ideal, healthy weight. This also assists you in feeling better and lowers the possibility of cancer recurring.
How to Manage Specific Side Effects?
Many people who have been treated for cancer are usually faced with some additional difficulties in their lives. For example, one big problem is called fatigue which refers to something that is always tired. To avoid this fatigue, the best strategy is to schedule all daily activities based on the energy of the patient in question. For instance, completing a day’s work, or doing the toughest chores may be beneficial when conducted during the time of day when you are most alert. Short breaks through the day are also beneficial and light forms of exercise such as walking or stretching increase energy without increasing fatigue.
Another area of interest is the control of pain. Survivors have to remember what the doctor has said about the use of pain medications. Sometimes physical therapy can be used to make people feel better and gain strength. Memory difficulty also falls under these categories, they include; There is nothing wrong with having a challenge, especially when it comes to boosting memory and the ability to think about which games like doing puzzles might benefit. Having a set daily structure also explains why it is easier to remember things throughout the day.
Finally, several postmodern effects/ consequences are seen in a survivor when he or she deals with a new social vision of bodies. These changes take time so talking to someone regarding body image issues could be helpful. As for self-esteem, it is better to carry out some exercises to make a person feel good about herself, such as workouts on yoga or dancing. Thus, cancer survivors will be able to cope with the process of recovery when applying all the mentioned strategies.
Conclusion
Cancer survivorship and the process of rebuilding a new life without the disease are private yet shared around the globe. To ensure that cancer survivors reclaims his or her lives, there are now protocols on nutrition, physical activity, mental health, follow-up visits, changes in lifestyle, and specific management of side effects. It may also help empower people moving through their post-cancer survivorship because it is a comprehensive model of care.