It’s normal to feel angry, tense, or sad after treatment ends. These feelings can be managed. There is no one “right” way to feel after cancer treatment.
Full Answer
What are the symptoms of cancer after treatment?
Feelings of hopelessness, helplessness or despair. Inability to experience joy. Problems with concentration. Suicidal feelings. Unexpected changes in weight (loss or gain). When cancer treatment ends, you may feel excited about the future.
Why am I so tired after cancer treatment?
You may experience fatigue if cancer treatment damages healthy cells in addition to the cancer cells. Or fatigue might happen as your body works to repair damage caused by treatment. Some treatment side effects — such as anemia, nausea, vomiting, pain, insomnia and changes in mood — also may cause fatigue.
How do I recover from cancer treatment?
Go easy at first, but try to increase the intensity and amount of exercise you get as you recover. Get enough sleep so that you wake feeling refreshed. These actions may help your body recover from cancer treatment and also help put your mind at ease by giving you a greater sense of control over your life. Go to all of your follow-up appointments.
How do I deal with emotions after cancer treatment?
Talking with a loved one, clergyperson or hospital chaplain can be helpful as you go through this process. Some survivors need help adjusting to strong emotions after they complete cancer treatment. Each person will react in his or her own way. In time, it generally becomes easier to deal with emotions.
How do you feel the day after chemotherapy?
Feeling tired and lacking energy. Feeling tired and lacking energy (fatigue) is the most common side effect of chemotherapy. Fatigue can include feeling exhausted, drowsy, confused or impatient. You may have a heavy feeling in your limbs, get worn out quickly, or find it difficult to do daily activities.
How long after cancer treatment do you feel better?
Most people say it takes 6 to 12 months after they finish chemotherapy before they truly feel like themselves again.
How does cancer treatment make you feel?
You may experience fatigue if cancer treatment damages healthy cells in addition to the cancer cells. Or fatigue might happen as your body works to repair damage caused by treatment. Some treatment side effects — such as anemia, nausea, vomiting, pain, insomnia and changes in mood — also may cause fatigue.
How many days after chemo do you feel tired?
You might feel the most tired when your blood cells are at their lowest (nadir). This is usually 7 to 14 days after treatment. When the chemotherapy ends, the blood cell levels gradually go back to normal over a few weeks.
What is post cancer fatigue?
Cancer-related fatigue can last months or years after cancer diagnosis and treatment. People experiencing CRF describe it as feeling tired, weak, slow, and having no energy. With no means to relieve their symptoms, people with CRF report feeling depressed and helpless.
How do you tell if your cancer is gone?
How Do You Know You're in Remission? Tests look for cancer cells in your blood. Scans like X-rays and MRIs show if your tumor is smaller or if it's gone after surgery and isn't growing back. To qualify as remission, your tumor either doesn't grow back or stays the same size for a month after you finish treatments.
How does a cancer patient feel?
A cancer diagnosis can affect the emotional health of patients, families, and caregivers. Common feelings during this life-changing experience include anxiety, distress, and depression. Roles at home, school, and work can be affected. It's important to recognize these changes and get help when needed.
How long does fatigue last after cancer treatment?
Cancer fatigue usually lasts from 3-4 weeks after treatment stops, but can continue for up to 2-3 months.
How much sleep does a cancer patient need?
During cancer treatment, the need for sleep may increase some, as the body repairs itself. Most people need from 7-9 hours of sleep.
What should you not do after chemo?
9 things to avoid during chemotherapy treatmentContact with body fluids after treatment. ... Overextending yourself. ... Infections. ... Large meals. ... Raw or undercooked foods. ... Hard, acidic, or spicy foods. ... Frequent or heavy alcohol consumption. ... Smoking.More items...•
Do you feel worse after each chemo treatment?
The effects of chemo are cumulative. They get worse with each cycle. My doctors warned me: Each infusion will get harder. Each cycle, expect to feel weaker.
When are chemo side effects the worst?
Blood cell counts often reach their lowest level about 7 to 14 days after chemotherapy. Low blood cell counts is the most common and most serious side effect of chemotherapy. When it happens, the dose of chemotherapy is adjusted right away or chemotherapy may have to be stopped temporarily.
Stress
Life after cancer can be as stressful as treatment. Family life, work, finances, and staying healthy are a lot to deal with. Some ways to reduce stress are listed below. Try these or other approaches, and find out which work best for you.
Loneliness
After treatment, it’s easy to feel cut off from other people who may not understand what you’re going through. You may also miss the support you received from your health care team. But support is out there!
Anger
You may feel angry during and after treatment for a lot of reasons: the diagnosis itself, a bad experience with a doctor, or an unsupportive friend or relative. These feelings may go away over time as you settle into your new routine. The tips below may help.
Coping with Chemo Brain
You may have heard about “chemo brain.” Chemo brain is a term cancer survivors use to describe thinking and memory problems that may happen during and after cancer treatment. Emotional and mental health challenges such as depression, anxiety, stress, and having trouble sleeping can add to that foggy feeling.
How do cancer survivors feel?
Uncertainty: Cancer can leave you feeling unsure about the future condition of your health. Most cancer survivors live with some feelings of uncertainty. For example, you may feel nervous before medical follow-up appointments. An important date, such as the date of diagnosis or the date you completed treatment, might bring these feelings out. Ask your health care provider to help you develop a follow-up health care plan. A care plan may lessen feelings of uncertainty and help you know what to expect. Some survivors find that staying focused on the present is helpful. Living this way can help you avoid worrying about things that may never happen.
What happens after cancer treatment?
After treatment is done, you can experience a mix of reactions. Often the emotions are positive. You may have discovered new personal strength and deepened relationships with loved ones during treatment. Your friends and family are happy for you and want you to return to life as it was before cancer.
How do survivors cope with cancer?
Some survivors need help adjusting to strong emotions after they complete cancer treatment. Each person will react in his or her own way. In time, it generally becomes easier to deal with emotions. Other life events may begin to require more attention. Often, less time needs to be focused on the cancer experience.
How do cancer survivors protect themselves?
After the stress of treatment, you may feel unable to take on anything more. Some survivors protect themselves by shutting down their feelings for a while.
What does it feel like to be over cancer?
When cancer treatment ends, you may feel excited about the future. There's relief that treatment is over. Some survivors report a sense of gratitude and renewed wonder about life. Others describe a deepened closeness to loved ones and friends. Often there is a desire to meet new goals and get the most out of life.
What are the concerns of cancer survivors?
Anxiety: Some survivors experience worry or anxiety right after treatment ends. You may have concerns about how cancer could affect your future. Concerns about physical appearance: Physical changes during treatment may bring concerns about the way you look. There may be worries about what others might think.
How to get better when you are depressed?
People who are depressed may need medical treatment to get better. Treatment can include medication and counseling . Grief: Grief is a natural response to loss that can last for quite some time. It generally comes with losing someone or something that has been important to you.
What does it feel like to be put aside for cancer treatment?
For some people, emotions that were put aside during cancer treatment come flooding back all at once, and they feel overwhelmed with sadness, anger, or fear. Some of it may be the lingering side effects of treatment, but some of it feels as if your body and spirit are tired and need a long rest.
What happens after cancer treatment?
When cancer treatment ends, people begin a new chapter in their lives, one that can bring hope and happiness, but also worries and fear. No two people are alike. Each person has his or her own way of coping and learning to manage these emotions. It will take time and practice.
How does religion help people with cancer?
Religion can be a great source of strength for some people. Some find new faith during a cancer experience. Others find that cancer informs their existing faith or their faith provides newfound strength. Still others find themselves questioning their faith. If you are a religious person, a minister, rabbi, other leader of your faith, or a trained pastoral counselor can help you identify your spiritual needs and find spiritual support. Some members of the clergy are specially trained to help minister to people with cancer and their families.
What does it mean when you have symptoms that are a lot like the ones you had when you first found you had?
Having symptoms that are a lot like the ones you had when you first found you had cancer
How long does a cancer group meet?
Other groups focus on certain types of cancer or stages of disease. The length of time groups meet can range from a set number of weeks to an ongoing program.
How to help cancer survivors?
Emotional support can be a powerful tool for both cancer survivors and their families. Talking with others who are in situations like yours can help ease loneliness. You can also get useful ideas from others that might help you.
How long after cancer treatment do side effects show up?
These may be called long-term side effects. These problems might not appear right away and some don’t show up until years after treatment. Ask your cancer care team:
What does chemotherapy feel like?
The steroids may give you energy; the allergy drugs and anti-anxiety drugs may make you sleepy.
How long does it take for chemo to arrive?
It usually takes at least 30 minutes for the drugs to arrive. Some of the pre-medications may be steroids, anti- nausea medications and/or anxiety medications.
How early can you get blood work done for chemo?
First, you may be told to show up a couple of hours early to get blood work drawn. This is to make sure you're able to get your chemotherapy treatment.#N#It can be a pain, but, believe me, it's in your best interest.#N#Use the extra time to relax before you go to your chemotherapy appointment.#N#When you arrive at the infusion floor and they have your lab results and a room available, you'll be called back to have your vital signs taken.#N#Once you are cleared at the vitals station, you will be taken to your chemotherapy room for your infusion.#N#At MD Anderson, you will have a TV, Internet access, a bed or a recliner and best of all warm blankets.#N#They also have food service at lunch and dinner if you're hungry.#N#At MD Anderson, you're allowed to have one caregiver with you in the infusion room.
What do nurses do during chemotherapy?
Throughout the chemotherapy, your nurse will come in and check your vitals and make sure you aren't reacting to the medications.
How long after chemo can you take a chemo pill?
They may have you wait 30 minutes after the chemotherapy is done to make sure you don't have any reactions to the medications.
Is chemotherapy a word?
Chemotherapy. It's not a word people want to hear and certainly not something they want to go through. But, for those of us with cancer, we often don't have a choice. I remember how terrified I was of getting my first chemotherapy treatment. Would I be sick?
What to expect when you get chemo?
What to Expect When Having Chemotherapy. It is normal to feel worried or overwhelmed when you find out that you need chemotherapy. However, learning more about this type of cancer treatment may help you feel more prepared and less anxious. The information in this article can help you get ready for your first treatment.
How to help someone with chemotherapy?
Make a caregiving plan. People receiving chemotherapy may need extra help during treatment with transportation, household chores, and other tasks. Family and friends can provide valuable support during this time, called caregiving. Ask your team what type of caregiving at home you may need during and after treatment.
Who is on my chemotherapy team?
A highly trained medical team will work together to give you the best possible care. Your team may include these health care professionals:
What happens during chemotherapy treatment?
There are different ways you can receive chemotherapy. The most common way that chemotherapy drugs are given is through a needle into a vein. This is called intravenous or IV chemotherapy. Chemotherapy can also be taken as a pill, capsule, or liquid by mouth, as an injection or shot, or as a cream that is put directly on your skin. Learn more about the different kinds of chemotherapy.
What happens after IV chemotherapy ends?
After your treatment session ends, the nurse or another health care team member will take out your IV. If you have a port, it will stay in until you finish all of your treatments. The nurse will check your blood pressure, pulse, breathing, and temperature again.
How often do you need chemo?
Your health care team will explain when and how often you need chemotherapy. Most chemotherapy treatments are given in repeating cycles. The length of a cycle depends on the drug (s) you receive. Most cycles range from 2 to 6 weeks. The number of treatment doses scheduled within each cycle also depends on the prescribed chemotherapy.
What is the role of a medical oncologist?
Your medical oncologist works closely with other team members to create your overall cancer treatment plan. They also lead your chemotherapy treatments. Advanced providers, like oncology nurse practitioners (NPs) and oncology physician assistants (PAs).
What is post treatment depression?
Many people experience some kind of post-treatment depression and/or anxiety; it’s a normal part of processing the experience of possibly losing your life and living with the possibility to recurrence. Therapy can help people process that experience, find the meaning in it and move back into a new life.
How to find a therapist in your area?
If you would like to consult with a mental health professional, you can find therapists in your area by entering your city or ZIP code into the search field on this page: https://www.goodtherapy.org/find-therapist.html.
Is cancer a scary experience?
Getting a cancer diagnosis is one of the most shocking and frightening experiences a person can face. It is, for many people, a traumatic experience. Even for those who don’t feel traumatized by it, it’s a moment that is seared into our minds forever and something we will never forget.
Can cancer survivors come away?
I would guess that most people who have been through the cancer experience are able to come away with a real sense of appreciation for their lives. I certainly feel that way. But it can take time to get there and cancer survivors need to give themselves the space to just feel their feelings – light and dark – for a while.
How to help someone with cancer?
Some people with cancer find relief from fatigue through meditation, yoga and other mindfulness practices that encourage relaxation. Massage and acupuncture can be helpful, too. But check with your doctor to make sure these are safe, especially if your blood counts are low or if you're taking blood thinners.
How long does cancer fatigue last?
Your cancer fatigue may occur episodically and last just a short while, or it may last for several months after you complete treatment.
What does fatigue mean in cancer?
By Mayo Clinic Staff. Fatigue, usually described as feeling tired, weak or exhausted, affects most people during cancer treatment. Cancer fatigue can result from the side effects of treatment or the cancer itself.
Why is it so hard to eat after cancer treatment?
When you have cancer, your body may need more nutrients than usual. But it can be hard to take in enough nutrients if treatment side effects, such as nausea and vomiting, make it difficult to eat.
How to maintain energy during a syringe?
Moderate exercise, such as brisk walking, riding a bike and swimming, throughout the week may help you preserve your energy level. Exercise regularly as you start treatment. You'll get in the routine of exercising, and it may even help you prevent fatigue during treatment.
What can a doctor do for depression?
If you're depressed, your doctor might suggest medications that can help reduce the depression, increase appetite and improve your sense of well-being.
How to keep your energy up?
Maintain your energy. Drinking lots of fluids and eating well can help keep your energy reserves up . If nausea and vomiting make it hard to eat, talk to your doctor about these side effects.
How long do symptoms last after chemo session?
I am on day 4 of 1st post chemo session and I feel dreadful, going from your experience how long does the nausea last, its only been 4 days. I know I have a long tough journey ahead but any advice you can give would be most welcome. Thank you
How long do symptoms last after chemo session?
im just about to have round 5 of chemo and all I can say is everyone reacts so differently to it. I have never had nausea, just tiredness, aching bones, tickley cough and sore throat. I think it also depends on the type of chemo ur having and the type of cancer you have.
How long do symptoms last after chemo session?
Hi Carole, It varies so much, some breeze through with few effects others like my hubby, suffer a lot. Your oncologist should be able to prescribe medication to help with the nausea and other side effects. I know hubby takes 2 differnce anti-nausea medications constantly. Wishing you the best on this journey. Sue
How long do symptoms last after chemo session?
Hi there, Sue is right everyone reacts differently. Just take the anti sickness medication , sleep if you need and if you can't eat ask for fortifying drinks from the chemo unit. Warmest wishes Carol
How long do symptoms last after chemo session?
As others have said it just varies so much. I had close to no symptoms with all three cycles of FEC. I had sickness for 24 hours with the last cycle but that was all.
How long do symptoms last after chemo session?
Just had my 5th session and feel awful, lots of symptoms. My other 4 rounds were quite good every one different take one day at a time
How long do symptoms last after chemo session?
Hi I’ve had my fifth almost three weeks ago and still feel awful. Constipation and diarrhoea and stomach ache. So weak and wobbly too. Dreading number six. I’m on CHOP Chemo but as everysaid it depends which treatment you are on and how you are yourself. I think you just need to listen to your body and give in and rest ot go back to bed.
What to expect when getting radiation therapy?
What to Expect When Having Radiation Therapy. It is normal to feel worried or overwhelmed when you learn that you will need radiation therapy. However, learning more about this type of cancer treatment may help you feel more prepared and comfortable.
What happens before radiation therapy treatment?
Each treatment plan is created to meet a patient's individual needs, but there are some general steps. You can expect these steps before beginning treatment:
What type of doctor is responsible for radiation therapy?
Radiation oncologist. This type of doctor specializes in giving radiation therapy to treat cancer. A radiation oncologist oversees radiation therapy treatments. They work closely with other team members to develop the treatment plan. Radiation oncology nurse.
What is radiation oncology nurse?
Radiation oncology nurse. This nurse specializes in caring for people receiving radiation therapy. A radiation oncology nurse plays many roles, including:
How long does radiation therapy last?
It is the most common radiation therapy treatment for cancer. Each session is quick, lasting about 15 minutes. Radiation does not hurt, sting, or burn when it enters the body.
Why is it important to be in the same position for radiation?
It is important for your body to be in the same position for each treatment. Your radiation oncology team cares about your comfort. Talk with the team to find a comfortable position that you can be in every time you come in for radiation therapy.
How often should you check for radiation?
During your treatment, your radiation oncologist will check how well it is working. Typically, this will happen at least once a week. If needed, they may adjust your treatment plan.
Going Back to “Normal”
- You’ve been seeing your cancer care team quite often; now, suddenly, you don’t have to visit for many months at a time. When treatment is done, some people feel like they’re no longer fighting the cancer. Worries can set in. You might feel alone and lost without the support of your cancer care team. These people may have become an important part of...
Learning to Live with Uncertainty
- You may notice that you’re paying a lot of attention to aches and pains in your body. You may feel like a “sitting duck.” The doctor says you have no signs of cancer now, but can you be sure? You may be wondering… 1. Will it come back? 2. What are the chances it will come back? 3. How will I know if it has come back? 4. What will I do if it comes back? 5. When will it come back? The fea…
Health Problems from Cancer Treatment
- Some cancer treatments may cause health problems later on. These may be called long-term side effects. These problems might not appear right away and some don’t show up until years after treatment. Ask your cancer care team: 1. If the treatments you had put you at risk for short- or long-term health problems 2. What those problems are and how you can recognize them 3. Wha…
Get Support
- Emotional support can be a powerful tool for both cancer survivors and their families. Talking with others who are in situations like yours can help ease loneliness. You can also get useful ideas from others that might help you. There are many kinds of support programs, including individual or group counseling and support groups. Support in any form allows you to express your feeling…
Bottom Line
- Keep in mind that you are a cancer survivor and remember the good news: You are one of millions of Americans alive today who has had cancer, and the survival rate is improving all the time. Like most of them, you and the people around you can adjust to and lead a fulfilling life after cancer.