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Healthy You Archives |
Coping with Illness
Surviving CancerYou’re not alone, even after treatment ends
“Cancer makes you think about the value of your life.”Ron Rose of Bethlehem has been fighting to survive his whole life. He’s lived through divorce, heart attacks, and being shot, stabbed and beaten. At age 63, he’s surviving lung cancer. “You can’t let cancer attack you,” Rose says. “You have to go after it. Attitude is everything.” Rose credits his optimism to his faith in God and the love and support of his family and friends. He believes the adversity he’s faced has led him to help others find comfort and rejuvenation. He plans to resume his music ministry to bring hope to the downtrodden. Read more... "You can’t change the diagnosis, but you can change how you respond to it.”Surviving breast cancer has given Tammy Miller, 45, of State College a sense of freedom. “I try something new every day,” she says. “What’s the worst that can happen? I’ve already had cancer.” Miller’s experience also has given her a new sense of vitality and appreciation for every day, and a burning desire to help others. She has written books and travels the country as a motivational speaker, helping cancer patients find strength and healing through humor. Deeply spiritual, Miller believes God is working through her to bring messages of hope to others. “I can show people that cancer doesn’t always kill you,” she says. “Be informed, ask questions, embrace life and believe in being healthy, and you’ll feel more in control. There are many good people willing to help you. Let them.” Read more... "I am filled with so much hope on so many levels.”Susan Salman has rebuilt her life after battling colon cancer. While her job and marriage did not survive that battle, her compassion and determination are stronger than ever. During her treatment, the 48-year-old Media woman took up beading as a creative outlet. Now she owns the successful shop A Queen Bead, where she shares the art of beading and far more. “My friends were such a tremendous inspiration to me that I want to offer that to others,“ she says. "When you're coping with cancer, it can help to talk to someone who's been there." She's shown here with colleagues Beth Botak and Maria DiTullio, also a cancer survivor. Read more... Every cancer experience is unique, says Carole Moretz, Psy.D., psychologist in the John and Dorothy Morgan Cancer Center at Lehigh Valley Hospital. “At first you focus on just getting through treatment,” she says. “Then you begin to look at the meaning of your experience and what you do from here. Sometimes people expect life to go back to how it was before cancer, but that’s usually not possible.” Cancer survivors speak of a renewed appreciation for the joys—big and small—in each day. Many also find great satisfaction in reaching out to other cancer patients. Now that survivors number 10 million nationwide, physicians are planning treatment with long-term survival in mind. “In some of the more treatable types of cancer, it’s not enough to survive any more,” says Suresh Nair, M.D., oncologist (cancer specialist) at Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network. “We want to help our patients survive with the best quality of life for months and years down the road.” As with other kinds of trauma, cancer survivors can experience short- and long-term physical, social, spiritual and emotional issues. They may feel like they’re suddenly on their own as they try to cope with the changes in their lives. “It’s a little like childbirth,” Moretz says. “While you’re pregnant you get frequent checkups and have all sorts of people worrying about you and helping you. Then suddenly you’re on your own with this new life that’s both exciting and scary. Cancer patients can be as frightened after their last doctor visit as when they first heard the word ‘cancer.’ ” The fear is magnified by the almost universal worry that the monster will return, Moretz says. Survivors worry about every pain, every change. They also may face financial stress, loss, grief and questions about spirituality. Physical problems can include nagging pain, fatigue, changes in body functions, and possible heart, lung or kidney problems. But there are ways to cope with these changes. Moretz and Nair offer the following suggestions for rebuilding life after cancer:
Want to Know More? For the full stories of these cancer survivors -- Ron Rose, Susan Salman and Tammy Miller -- including Tammy Miller’s “20 Lessons Learned Along the Path to Healing.” This page last updated 2/12/08 04:08 PM
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