Fear after Cancer Treatment

Hello my good friends,
I just wanted to say a few things. Being a survivor of leukemia, for those of whom survived breast and other cancers, living life after treatment is not so easy at first. We all have the emotional impact of *no treatment*. The treatment has become our security blanket. We are now at home and finished with our chemo. Now what? We have no security blanket? It feels that way. Thats what we all believe, or many of us at least. But we must remember that *before* cancer we had a life. And now that we are *post* cancer we have to continue living. For proof, just look outside... the sun still rises in the morning, and sets in the evening. We still need to eat, bath, and do things. This may take some time. Fears enter our minds and can sometimes paralize us. What does this headache mean?? I have a temperature not 98.6.... its.....98.7!!! Cancer MUST be in me again!.. I know I have been there. But try to remember all the little complications we had before cancer. We had them. We went to the store for medicine and in many cases the problem went away. For some, we went to the doctor and got some medicine. My point is... before we got cancer, we experienced many of the normal, everyday health issues, and more than likely, we will continue to experience them. The first year or so is always hard. But it does get better. Once we get sick, and then it goes away with no major issues, we will realize..."Hey... I'm going to be O-K!" But this takes some time, and it takes some effort on all of our sides too. For me, the first year after treatment was scary. I had forgotten all the little things that happen throughout life.. fevers, bruises, coughs, aches and pains...etc. But once they happened, and I was fine... I began to feel better. And so will you too. Amd I suggesting that cancer will never return. No, I am not saying that at all. What I am saying is that, worrying about retuning cancer can paralyze us, and there is no point in worrying. I worried ALL the time! But, I have recently been able to realize that, worry doesnt have to consume me. Once I realized that life will go on. Thatis my point to you. If you live in constant fear of a reccurance of cancer... it can be changed. It doesnt have to be that way. It starts with positive thinking. Reminding ourselves that our bodies will have coughs, aches, pains, etc and it is not an absolute response to a cancer returning. I also encourage others who read this to add your testimony if you'd like.... it might help some readers. Well, I hope I havent written too much! If you want, you can always email me here. Take care. Hang in there. God bless.
-Michael (leukemia survivor)