A Cancer Hangover
A cancer hangover is what many people say they feel like after their treatment has finished and they begin to return to their “normal” life aka life before treatment.
It can be anything from not feeling energetic enough to do the simplest of jobs, at home or work to feeling mentally exhausted.
A blip where we are told you may feel like you’re having a hangover nightmare, the type you get after a massive night on the town, only without the fun bit in between and lasting longer than 24 hours.
A cancer hangover can linger for months unless addressed and it can’t be cured unfortunately by a lazy day on the sofa munching your way through your entire body weight of junk food and binge-watching the latest Netflix series!
This my friend is a low point that many people reach and is a lot harder to get over than some may think however you will overcome it, just as you have everything else that life has thrown your way.
So, picture this; Treatment is done , hair is gowning back , new exercise regimen is in place (and by the way we are talking about some light walking and maybe a spot of yoga here we know you aren’t Jane Fonda) , you are back to work .
All the boxes have been ticked and life has resumed its new normal so why the heck do you suddenly feel like you have hit a brick wall, like you are plodding through treacle one day at a time.
You are doing your thing, working, being Mum, socialising etc etc. You tell your family and friends that you’re ok because you know that’s what they want and expect to hear but you’re not – and your annoyed with yourself because all you want to do is hibernate and shut away from the world.
Yes, you are grateful to be alive, so very grateful but another part of you may be worried. Worrying about a recurrence or getting secondary cancer and wondering whether you need to check in with a doctor about a random ache, pain, or odd feeling. And then you may have ‘survivor’s guilt’ too. Why am I OK when many are not?
When any kind of crisis happens, people think that life would’ve been different if that particular crisis hadn’t of happened but in reality, things change all of the time – you don’t know how your life would be, with or without cancer.
Many things are outside of our control, your cancer diagnosis being one of them but what you can change is the present you.
The most important thing is to grieve the life you think you may have had if cancer hadn’t entered it. If you’re worried, let yourself worry! It’s okay. You don’t have to fix it or change it. It’s natural to worry.
Perhaps you could try talking about your feelings with a loved one and ask them to listen – not advise, just listen.
It’s human nature to try and help a loved one through a difficult time but we don’t always want a resolution, just a few moments to say aloud how we are feeling. It’s surprising how just by addressing our low points can make us feel that bit better.
It’s also important to talk to a GP, Nurse specialist or Consultant if you just can’t seem to get through the low feelings. That’s what they are there for, you aren’t burdening them or wasting their time, it is their job to help those who need it.
But most importantly know that this is perfectly normal. We understand it can be hard but you will come through it, one day at a time.