Research Article

1 Lesley Glenn Instructor: Gina Fournier English 1520 Section S1514 April 2, 2009 Research Paper

Going Back to Normal Life after Breast Cancer Moving on the cancer is gone. Crying and worrying days are over; it is time to move on. It is time to start being survivors. One of the hardest steps to take after breastcancer is getting back to a normal life. After all the treatments and surgery is over it is time to go back to living a normal life. Being diagnosed with breast cancer does not mean a person is not normal or that it is the end of the world, it only means a temporarily change in their life. Knowing what breast cancer is and that it’s treatable is the first step to recovering. First of all, realize that a diagnosis of breast cancer is not a death sentence(Lange 7).

Cancer is

a type of tumor that is malignant which spreads and invades and destroys tissues, and that cells can part and get into other vessels and travel to other parts of the body. The way they determine if the cancer is malignant is by having a biopsy which is by testing a sample of the tumor. The testing is done by a pathologist. If it’s malignant other test will be done to determine the stage and the best treatment for the patient. There are four stages used to determine the severity of the cancer. Over time all the side effects from the treatment will subside. Physical and psychological symptoms such as fatigue, pain, sleep disturbance, and fear of recurrence as well as quality-oflife outcomes have been described in women during and after breast cancer (Cappiello, Cunningham, Erdos, Knobf 1). During physical recovery in the book Be a Survivor Your Guide to Breast Cancer Treatment, Dr Lange, explains that “Even after the most complete treatment,

2 there’s always a chance that cancer will recur. Most recurrences happen two or three years after surgery. The longer you go without recurrence, the greater are you chances of remaining free of disease (Lange 113). Cheryl, a cancer patient, was interviewed and asked about her physical and psychological symptoms, she stated, “that she has down days and she has days where she doesn’t worry about anything. The good days outweigh that bad days and she gives it all to the Lord.” The last radiation and the last chemotherapy are given and the surgical scars are beginning to heal. As your energy and confidence return, you’ll be able to explore the many options form moving forward from the cancer experience, to a new life (Lange 111). Having cancer changes people emotionally and tend to but a strain on there life and the people around them. Dr. Julie Silver out of Newsweek stated, “I have a tendency at this point nearly five years later, to not talk about the initial diagnosis and treatment, as that was a sad period of my life. It was heartbreaking not only for me but for my children, husband, and extended family. For me, healing is about not dwelling on those dark hours but moving forward and finding whatever joy I can today and tomorrow (Newsweek).” Working with this emotional period in a person’s life can result in some depression and anxiety. Most of the time, they only last for short periods of time, but if they last longer then a person may need to seek professional counseling. After all is said and done the patient and partner may be ready to moveon and reestablish the sexual and intimacy if at all if did interfere with having treatments. Doubts about your appearance and attractiveness are normal, but you should not let them affect your self-image (Lange 117). Most of the time the patient has to be the one to open up to their partner to let them know that they are ready to resume sex, because the partner may not know how to come around to getting to it fearing disappointment. Hugging, touching, holding, and cuddling may become

3 more important, while sexual intercourse may become less important (Lange 120). The sexual connotations associated with a woman’s breast, side effects of treatment, plus the emotional distress of having cancer, it’s no surprise that research finds that about half of all women who have had breast cancer experience long-term sexual problem (Peeke). Cheryl, the cancer patient interviewed spoke these words, “I was so glad that I know longer received treatments but, I still was ashamed of by body and all the scars. Then one night my husband said know more hiding and I finally just came out. I am knownlonger ashamed. I am a Survivor.” During your treatments your eating habits may have changed from eating a lot or normal to not eating at all, or from not eating much to eating everything. Dr. Lange in the book Be a Survivor Your Guide to Breast Cancer Treatment stated, “Good nutrition may speed your healing after surgery and help you during, chemotherapy, but later on, balanced diets , with the proper amount of protein, fats, carbohydrates, and vitamins will help you feel younger and stay healthier.”

4 Works Cited

"Advice For Survivors.(Health For Life; Health For Life M.D.)(cancer survivors)." Newsweek 151.25 (June 23, 2008): 54. General Reference Center Gold. Gale. Oakland Community College. 2 Apr. 2009 . Cappiello, Michelle, Regina S. Cunningham, M. Tish Knobf, and Diane Erdos. "Breast cancer survivors: information and support after treatment.(Author abstract)." Clinical Nursing Research 16.4 (Nov 2007): 278(16). Health Reference Center Academic. Gale. Oakland Community College. 2 Apr. 2009 . Lange, Vladimir. Be a Survivor Your Guide to Breast Cancer Treatment. Los Angeles: Lange Productions, 2007 Peeke, Pamela. "Life during and after breast cancer treatment." National Women's Health Report 27.5 (Oct 2005): 8(2). Academic OneFile. Gale. Oakland Community College. 2 Apr. 2009 . Washington, Cheryl. Personal interview. 4 April 2009.

5