Down to the last two treatments. Hard to believe this phase is wrapping up, as well. Once you get to single digits, I was told by a friend who's been on this path (same but different), it would go quickly. That seems to be true.
All in all, I'm still feeling very lucky. I've had a great team here in NH building on my positive experience at MGH. I feel like everyone has been invested in taking very good care of me. Except for a few days, my whole time in Hanover so far has involved the daily Monday through Friday trips to Dartmouth-Hitchcock. It will be quite odd to finish treatment and not see my therapists every day and my doctor and nurse for the weekly check ups. Good for me, but still odd. Already, I have to keep to myself from making the turn into the hospital when I drive by. I will certainly enjoy getting back the time lost each day!
Next up will be coping with the end of treatment. Another friend, also in the club, referenced the PTSD after treatment. He sent me a link to an article, but this PDQ from the National Cancer Institute (cancer.gov) spells it out simply,
"Some survivors of cancer experience trauma-related symptoms similar to symptoms experienced by people who have survived highly stressful situations, such as military combat, natural disasters, violent personal attack (such as rape), or other life-threatening events. This group of symptoms is called post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and includes avoiding situations related to the trauma, continuously thinking of the trauma, and being overexcited."
"People with histories of cancer are considered to be at risk for PTSD. The physical and mental shock of having a life-threatening disease, of receiving treatment for cancer, and living with repeated threats to one's body and life are traumatic experiences for many cancer patients."
"Fear of recurrence and the anxiety of being a survivor" are particularly significant.
However, there is good news for me! Protective factors: "Certain protective factors may decrease a person's chance of developing PTSD. These include increased social support, accurate information about the stage of the cancer, and a satisfactory relationship with the medical staff." Check, check, and check! Thank you, everyone!
All in all, I'm still feeling very lucky. I've had a great team here in NH building on my positive experience at MGH. I feel like everyone has been invested in taking very good care of me. Except for a few days, my whole time in Hanover so far has involved the daily Monday through Friday trips to Dartmouth-Hitchcock. It will be quite odd to finish treatment and not see my therapists every day and my doctor and nurse for the weekly check ups. Good for me, but still odd. Already, I have to keep to myself from making the turn into the hospital when I drive by. I will certainly enjoy getting back the time lost each day!
Next up will be coping with the end of treatment. Another friend, also in the club, referenced the PTSD after treatment. He sent me a link to an article, but this PDQ from the National Cancer Institute (cancer.gov) spells it out simply,
"Some survivors of cancer experience trauma-related symptoms similar to symptoms experienced by people who have survived highly stressful situations, such as military combat, natural disasters, violent personal attack (such as rape), or other life-threatening events. This group of symptoms is called post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and includes avoiding situations related to the trauma, continuously thinking of the trauma, and being overexcited."
"People with histories of cancer are considered to be at risk for PTSD. The physical and mental shock of having a life-threatening disease, of receiving treatment for cancer, and living with repeated threats to one's body and life are traumatic experiences for many cancer patients."
"Fear of recurrence and the anxiety of being a survivor" are particularly significant.
However, there is good news for me! Protective factors: "Certain protective factors may decrease a person's chance of developing PTSD. These include increased social support, accurate information about the stage of the cancer, and a satisfactory relationship with the medical staff." Check, check, and check! Thank you, everyone!
