Our health is one of the most valuable things in the world so when we are diagnosed with a serious illness it can be devastating – but so too can the treatment period.
The ongoing levels of uncertainty, stress and tiring treatments of cancer are among the most difficult to deal with in all of medicine. When we come out the other side, however, it is a liberating feeling like no other. Winning the battle with cancer is a commendable feat and a feeling that not as many achieve as we would like.
Life after cancer is great; but it isn’t always a straightforward path. However successful your treatment has been, it is important that you stay on task and stay one step ahead of your own body’s movements. Here, we take a look at some of the necessary steps one should take after cancer treatment, with a view to a healthy and long life from here on out.
Eating well
If you’ve spent long periods of time in hospital, the chances are that you’re looking forward to some good food just about as much as anything else. It is, however, very important that you take care to have a balanced and nutritious diet. One of the most widely recommended additions to the diet of those who have battled with cancer is juiced drinks.
Fruit is always important and is a great way to add some flavour to the drinks that you make but don’t rule out vegetables either. Deep green vegetables like spinach, kale and watercress can do you the world of good.
Check ups
Needless to say, it is of utmost importance that you stay in regular contact with health professionals. Check ups are likely to become a regular feature and in order to get the most from them it can be a real help to return to the radiologists that you’ve worked with in the past.
Staying close to radiology, oncology or sonography departments can help ensure that the professionals you’re working with are familiar with your case and will therefore be more likely to suggest the right path for you.
Dealing with changes
For many people, life after cancer is very different. While most of the changes are hugely positive, on occasion some cancer patients can find physical and emotional changes hard to deal with. As you well know, the treatment process for cancer can have many negative effects ranging from the loss of hair and weight to a large reduction in energy. The return to full health may take some time but you can be sure that you’re on the right track.
It can often help for those who have been through cancer to speak to people who are in the same position as them. Wherever you live, you can be sure that there will be a strong cancer support network nearby, whether it’s offered by a charity or the NHS. Recovery works differently for all of us and your health professionals will be aware of that. What is most important on the road to recovery is to take things at your own pace.
