Done with treatment - NED - but emotionally in knots

Kaleena said:

Where do I fit in?

Dear Mary:

Like everyone has said, at one time or another, we have all felt this way.  Then I came to realize exactly what it was.  Where do we fit in?    We are survivors.  After surviving, you get the feeling that the medical community only cares when you are treating or exhibiting symptoms.   Once you have been cleared, you are pushed to the back.   (Not in reality, but thats how it feels).   Also, you can't function like you never had cancer because you did so your social activities with prior friends, family, etc. all have changed.  You look at life differently.   Then there is the other side where you know of people still under treatment and now that you are beyond that, you feel you don't fit there anymore either.   It is all normal and it too will pass.    It can rear up when you have follow up appointments or tests.   Heck, I even got down because they were always doing stuff for other types of cancers and not the kind I had (silly for me to be that way).  Sometimes you just have to laugh at yourself and move on.

So lets look forward and rejoyce in the fact that you are NED!   That is terrific!    Take one step at a time and get used to the new NED you!

My best to you,

 

Kathy

 

You expressed that well.

Kaleena said:

Where do I fit in?

Dear Mary:

Like everyone has said, at one time or another, we have all felt this way.  Then I came to realize exactly what it was.  Where do we fit in?    We are survivors.  After surviving, you get the feeling that the medical community only cares when you are treating or exhibiting symptoms.   Once you have been cleared, you are pushed to the back.   (Not in reality, but thats how it feels).   Also, you can't function like you never had cancer because you did so your social activities with prior friends, family, etc. all have changed.  You look at life differently.   Then there is the other side where you know of people still under treatment and now that you are beyond that, you feel you don't fit there anymore either.   It is all normal and it too will pass.    It can rear up when you have follow up appointments or tests.   Heck, I even got down because they were always doing stuff for other types of cancers and not the kind I had (silly for me to be that way).  Sometimes you just have to laugh at yourself and move on.

So lets look forward and rejoyce in the fact that you are NED!   That is terrific!    Take one step at a time and get used to the new NED you!

My best to you,

 

Kathy

 

Thanks Connie and Jeannette:

Every once in awhile I can articulate how I feel.  lol

My best to everyone.  ((Hugs))   

Kathy