When cancer treatment ends, patients still need lots of support and encouragement. Sending greeting cards helps, especially cards designed especially for them. Breast Cancer - Last Chemo Congratulations - You a… COURAGE. BRAVERY. DETERMINATION. PERSEVERANCE. FAITH. Your bravery is beautiful. YOU are beautiful.
Full Answer
What do you say to someone who is finished with chemotherapy?
Finishing Chemotherapy Congratulations Poppy Flowe… Congratulations on your last treatment of chemotherapy! May you be blessed with strength, hope and the comfort of friends and family. A congratulations greeting card for being finished with chemotherapy treatments decorated with colorful orange and yellow poppy flowers painted in watercolor.
How can I tell if my cancer treatment is working?
A few tests can help your doctor see whether your cancer treatment is working. Some of these tests are the same ones that helped to diagnose your cancer. Blood tests. These tests check for levels of different substances in your blood -- like enzymes or proteins -- that cancer cells or your organs release when the tumor grows.
What happens to a cancer patient after treatment is complete?
At some point after cancer treatment is complete, a patient's main medical care may eventually move back to their primary care physician. Cancer survivors often say they feel lost in this transition. I recommend each patient takes time with their oncologist to clarify the follow-up schedule of visits and tests recommended for the future.
What are the signs of cancer coming back after treatment?
Signs to Check On. Symptoms like these can signal that your cancer has come back or spread after treatment: A new or growing lump under your skin. Pain that doesn't improve or gets worse. Pain in your bones or joints, or broken bones -- signs that the cancer has spread to your bones.
What does end-of-life care mean for people who have cancer?
When a person’s health care team determines that the cancer can no longer be controlled, medical testing and cancer treatment often stop. But the p...
How do doctors know how long a person will continue to live?
Patients and their family members often want to know how long a person who has cancer will continue to live. It’s normal to want to be prepared for...
When should someone call for professional help if they’re caring for a person with cancer at home?
People caring for patients at home should ask them if they’re comfortable, if they feel any pain, and if they’re having any other physical problems...
When is the right time to use hospice care?
Many people believe that hospice care is only appropriate in the last days or weeks of life. Yet Medicare states that it can be used as much as...
What are some ways to provide emotional support to a person who is living with and dying of cancer?
Everyone has different needs, but some worries are common to most dying patients. Two of these concerns are fear of abandonment and fear of being a...
What other issues should caregivers be aware of?
It’s just as important for caregivers to take care of their own health at this time. Family and caregivers are affected by their loved one’s heal...
What are some topics patients and family members can talk about?
For many people, it’s hard to know what to say to someone at the end of life. It’s normal to want to be upbeat and positive, rather than talk about...
How should caregivers talk to children about a family member's advanced cancer?
Children deserve to be told the truth about a family member’s prognosis so they can be prepared if their loved one dies. It’s important to answer...
How does cancer cause death?
Every patient is different, and the way cancer causes death varies. The process can depend on the type of cancer, where it is in the body, and how...
Can you get cancer in your mouth?
Yes, you can get cancer in the mouth! If I had known it was a remote possibility, I’d have been more proactive when the sore in my mouth didn’t heal. I wish I knew that a non-healing lesion in the mouth of a someone who has never smoked and is a social drinker has a higher risk of being cancer.
Can you spell "overall health" without oral health?
And remember, you can’t spell “overall health” without oral health.
What happens when you have cancer?
Digestive system: If cancer is in the digestive system (e.g., stomach, pancreas, or colon), food or waste may not be able to pass through, causing bloating, nausea, or vomiting.
What happens when cancer is no longer controlled?
When a cancer patient’s health care team determines that the cancer can no longer be controlled, medical testing and cancer treatment often stop. But the person’s care continues, with an emphasis on improving their quality of life and that of their loved ones, and making them comfortable for the following weeks or months.
How does a caregiver help a cancer patient?
The patient may have good days and bad days, so they may need more help with daily personal care and getting around. Caregivers can help patients save energy for the things that are most important to them. Appetite changes: As the body naturally shuts down, the person with cancer will often need and want less food.
What is an advance directive for cancer?
Experts strongly encourage patients to complete advance directives, which are documents stating a person’s wishes for care. They also designate who the patient chooses as the decision-maker for their care when they are unable to decide. It’s important for people with cancer to have these decisions made before they become too sick to make them. However, if a person does become too sick before they have completed an advance directive, it’s helpful for family caregivers to know what type of care their loved one would want to receive. More information about advance directives can be found below in the Related Resources section of this fact sheet.
Why is it important to have advance directives for cancer patients?
It’s important for people with cancer to have these decisions made before they become too sick to make them. However, if a person does become too sick before they have completed an advance directive, it’s helpful for family caregivers to know what type of care their loved one would want to receive.
Why do people with cancer lose appetite?
The loss of appetite is caused by the body’s need to conserve energy and its decreasing ability to use food and fluids properly. Patients should be allowed to choose whether and when to eat or drink.
Why is communication important in end of life?
Research has shown that if a person who has advanced cancer discusses their options for care with a doctor early on, that person’s level of stress decreases and their ability to cope with illness increases. Studies also show that patients prefer an open and honest conversation with their doctor about choices for end-of-life care early in the course of their disease and are more satisfied when they have this talk.
What does "show me someone who comes through this absolutely the same" mean?
You show me someone who comes through this absolutely the same and I will show you someone who is likely not being too honest about their feelings.
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.
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.
What is the most common reaction people have when talking to cancer survivors?
The most common reaction people have when talking to cancer survivors is to try to be positive. Here’s what that sounds like for those undergoing treatment:
Why are positive statements bad for cancer survivors?
No matter where someone is in their journey, cancer survivors ALWAYS have a voice in the back of their head reminding them that they might die from their cancer.
How to ask someone if they want to talk to you?
Instead, ask them whether they’d like to talk or what they need from you and be open to both a yes or no answer . Most importantly, be ready to listen without commentary.
How to be unnaturally positive?
Tell them that you care about them and acknowledge that, although you don’t know how they feel, you get that it’s making life difficult. And offer to help. What they want and need most from you is to feel like you’re there and won’t abandon them. So, do that by saying:
What to say when you offer help?
When you offer help, try to be specific. Vague offers such as “let me know if you need anything ” are half-hearted and empty (and are usually motivated to ease your guilt as opposed to truly helping).
Why is it important to ask thoughtful questions?
With respect to people that you’re close to, don’t forget to ask thoughtful questions that are geared toward checking in and seeing if they need anything. Asking questions shows compassion and kindness. And it shows that you’re willing to be there for them.
Is it awkward to talk about cancer?
Talking about cancer and someone’s cancer journey is awkward and makes everyone feel vulnerable. And humans really don’t like vulnerability, do they? Although talking to a cancer patient and/or a cancer survivor might be uncomfortable, with a bit of forethought it doesn’t have to be difficult.
What is the bell ringing for cancer?
Ringing the bell marks a milestone in cancer treatment. For Bridget Reeves, ringing the bell after completing six months of chemotherapy for breast cancer was “a big deal.”. Soldiering through nausea, exhaustion and nerve damage, she’d juggled chemo and her job as an MD Anderson clinical studies coordinator for 13 weeks before finally taking leave ...
How to make an appointment at MD Anderson?
Request an appointment at MD Anderson online or by calling 1-877-632-6789.
What happens after cancer diagnosis?
After you're diagnosed with cancer, your doctor will choose treatments that have the best chance of curing your disease. But everyone is different. So how will your doctor track how well your treatment works?
How do you know if you have cancer?
Pain in your bones or joints, or broken bones -- signs that the cancer has spread to your bones. Headaches, seizures, dizziness, confusion, or vision changes -- signs that the cancer has spread to your brain. Coughing, shortness of breath, or trouble breathing -- signs that the cancer has spread to your lungs.
How often do you have to have a cancer test?
Cancer is often deep inside your body. If it shrinks or grows, you won't be able to see or feel it. So your doctor will do tests every few months or so during your treatment. These tests can see where the cancer is in your body and whether it has grown, stayed the same size, or gotten smaller. Based on your test results, your doctor can decide ...
What tests are used to diagnose cancer?
Some of these tests are the same ones that helped to diagnose your cancer. Blood tests. These tests check for levels of different substances in your blood -- like enzymes or proteins -- that cancer cells or your organs release when the tumor grows. Tumor markers.
What is the test that shows cancer on a breast?
If your treatment is working, there should be fewer highlighted areas on the picture. Mammogram. This test uses low-energy X-rays to look for cancer in the breasts.
What can show cancer cells in your body?
An X-ray can show where cancer cells are in your body, and whether the cancer has spread to your bones. CT, or computed tomography. This test uses a powerful X-ray to make detailed pictures. It can show where the cancer is in your body. MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging.
How long does it take for cancer to die after radiation?
Surgery removes all or most of the cancer at one time, but it can take weeks or months after you get radiation for all of the cancer cells to die. Everyone responds differently to cancer treatment, but your doctor will make every effort to get rid of as many cancer cells as possible.
What happens if cancer stops working?
Or maybe one type of cancer treatment has stopped working and the cancer has kept growing. If this happens, your doctor might say your cancer has advanced or progressed. There may or may not be other treatment options. But when many different treatments have been tried and are no longer controlling the cancer, it could be time to weigh ...
How to trust your doctor about cancer?
Trusting your cancer care team. Talking with your doctor and cancer care team, and trusting them to be honest, open, and supportive, is very important. You will have more confidence in treatment decisions if you trust the doctors making recommendations. This means communication is a key part of your care, from diagnosis throughout treatment ...
How to talk to your loved ones about cancer?
Talking with your loved ones. Be open with your loved ones about your cancer and the news you've been given. Explore their thoughts, feelings, and suggestions. Talk to them about the options you have been given, along with the decisions you have made or are thinking of making. If you feel you need their input, ask.
Is there hope for a life without cancer?
Staying hopeful. Your hope for a life without cancer might not be as bright, but there is still hope for good times with family and friends – times that are filled with happiness and meaning. Pausing at this time in your cancer treatment gives you a chance to refocus on the most important things in your life.
Can cancer shrink?
If you have cancer that keeps growing or comes back after one kind of treatment, it’s possible that another treatment might still help shrink the cancer, or at least keep it in check enough to help you live longer and feel better. Clinical trials also might offer chances to try newer treatments that could be helpful.
Can you get a second opinion on cancer?
When faced with deciding whether to continue cancer treatment, some patients or their loved ones may want to get a second opinion. Even when you place full trust in your doctor and cancer care team, you might wonder if another doctor could offer something else or more information. It's normal to think about talking to someone else, and your doctor should support you if you decide to get another opinion. Remember that your cancer care team wants you to be sure about the decisions you make. You can read more in Seeking a Second Opinion.
Does cancer stop working?
If Cancer Treatments Stop Working. Cancer treatments can help stop cancer from growing or spreading. But sometimes treatment does not work well or stops working. Maybe treatment ended a while ago and was successful at first, but cancer has come back. Or maybe one type of cancer treatment has stopped working and the cancer has kept growing.
