From Cancer Patient to Cancer Survivor: Lost in Transition from The National Academies on Vimeo.
One of the survivors interviewed describes her experience as going "back to the unknown.” During treatment, in a certain sense you know what you’re up against. Afterwards, you try to reclaim the life you had before, but you find it’s no longer yours. For better or for worse, cancer has transformed it. The life you take up again has been permanently altered by the cancer experience, and there’s a certain amount of grief for what had been hoped for, but will never be. There’s also fear of what could happen, down the road, by way of recurrence.It’s not all negative, of course. As the video points out, lots of people who go through the cancer treatment ordeal find themselves stronger as a result. That’s certainly been true for me.
I’d love to hear from some survivors, in the comments area, about what you think of the video.
1 comment:
Thanks for posting the video. I identify with the thoughts expressed. I found the video positive and helpful. It made me feel less alone. Although I have gained much in my cancer journey, I am not the same person. I can’t be the old me. There are major physical differences, as well as mental changes. That came through clearly in the video. Having a treatment record and survivor plan is so important, too, and I don’t have one. The video also made me want to connect with other survivors. Your blog has been a positive encouragement to me since I found it shortly after my diagnosis. Thank you.
Ron Rectal Cancer III b Jan 4, 2010.
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