Cancer survivorship is a day-to-day, ongoing process that begins with your diagnosis and continues through the rest of your life. Living Beyond Cancer discusses a number of important issues that are specific to life beyond the diagnosis and initial treatment of cancer.
Surviving cancer is more complicated than simply being sick or well, having cancer or being cancer free. Instead, it is a continual process that is constantly changing. There may be times when the joy you feel about survival far outweighs any anxieties you may have. Then, there will be times when your fears and uncertainties seem to take over your life, and you wonder if you will ever feel normal again.
This program will introduce you to skills to help you adapt to your life after cancer. The goal is to help you, a cancer survivor, be as healthy as possible within your personal circumstances. After listening to this Toolbox program, you will better understand:
- Common physical effects of cancer and its treatment, and what kindof medical records you need to keep to maintain a personal health history
- How to address concerns about sexuality and fertility
- How to support family relationships that may have changed during treatment
- The emotional aspects of cancer, including anxiety, depression, grief, and distress
- Health directives, wills and trusts, power of attorney, and financial planning
- How to live with hope while dealing with uncertainty
Introduction
Hear Ellen Stovall, a cancer survivor, reflect on what life after the initial treatments is like.
Survivor Stories: Living with the After Effects
Learn from survivors how to keep track of your health in the months and years after cancer.
Intimacy and Sexuality
Hear Sarah and Jim explain some of the intimacy and sexuality challenges that they encountered after cancer treatments.
Survivor Stories: Communication
Allow Linda, a social worker, to give some suggestions in dealing with role transitions and difficulties that occur after treatment within families.
Survivor Stories: Emotional Aspects of Cancer
Hear many survivors explain their different emotional concerns and how they learned to deal with them.
Survivor Stories: Getting Your House in Order
Learn about the necessary steps to take to “get you house in order” and hear how Kathy, a 42-year-old survivor, made sure her family would be okay if something happened to her.
Living with Hope
Hear how acknowledging and sharing your fears can provide a feeling of control and a sense of hopefulness.
