You are one of the lucky ones; you've made it through treatment, and now it looks like things are going well. Maybe your cancer is on the run. Maybe it's gone altogether. Now what?

For many of us, having to adjust to no longer being actively ill comes as a surprise, even a shock. But the truth is, cancer becomes a huge part of our lives while we're living with the day-to-day rigors of fighting it. Losing that focus can take some getting used to.

Going from "sick" to normal

One of the things we need to remember, however, is that we're not going to be cured overnight. But once we've finished treatment, our friends and family -- and even we ourselves -- often rush to unrealistic expections.

We shouldn't expect to immediately return to our pre-cancer paces. Whatever “normal life” is or was, it is not going to resume immediately after treatment. In fact, it is entirely possible that it will never resume at the same level.

Psychological and physical reactions

It's likely that you're going to experience one of the various psychological or physical responses common to those of us who have recently completed cancer treatment. These responses can last from three months to a year. Many of us will fall into one of two camps: "fight or flight" or "drained and empty."

Fight or flight

For some of us, long after treatment ends, our body continues to pump out high levels of the hormone adrenaline, which is the way it responds to the sense of panic that a cancer diagnosis and treatment can invoke.

Steroids and other drugs given with chemotherapy may also impact how this and other hormones are received and processed. The fight-or-flight response may give us an almost manic sense of hyper-awareness, energy, or even euphoria.

For some of us, this emotional high leads to a highly creative, very productive time. At the same time, it can and often does impair judgment. If you recognize these symptoms in yourself, you might want to consult a mental-health professional to make sure they're within a "normal" range.

At the very least, try not to make any big decisions -- like changing jobs or moving cross-country -- for a good six months after finishing your treatment.

Drained and empty

Others may be at the opposite end of the spectrum, completely drained of energy and finding basic tasks like childcare or housework beyond their strength or abilities.

Those of us in this camp may need to re-allocate responsibilities and take frequent naps to get through the day. Some of us will be unable to work more than part time or even to engage in hobbies we used to enjoy.

It can be hard to tell where normal post-treatment exhaustion stops and depression creeps in. That's why it's important to maintain contact with the support groups you participated in during active treatment, and to talk openly about how you are feeling when you meet with your medical team for check-ups.

Settling into a routine

No matter how far from normal our post-treatment life may be, it is up to us to create and embrace some sort of routine. Whether this means forcing yourself out of bed at a certain time every day or taking a nap for the same length of time after lunch, a new routine gives us a calming sense of order and the structure to start our new life.

See also

• The fear and reality of recurrence
• Prevention techniques
• Giving back
• News and research