AFTER CANCER: CHANGES AFTER TREATMENT. PURSUING COUNSELING

Posted in Cancer on March 12th, 2009

What If I Am Faced with Many Big Decisions in My Life Now That Mу Treatments Are Over?

Recovery from cancer treatment often brings opportunities for making big changes. Your work situation may have changed while you were being treated. Your changed perspective may lead you to feel that you want to make a career change. Plans to move may have been postponed, and now you feel differently about the move. An unhappy marriage that was tolerated for many years may now seem intolerable.

This is a wonderful time to think about making changes that will move you toward a more satisfying life at home and at work. You do not have to change or fix everything right away. Your top priority is getting well. On the other hand, you want to take advantage of windows of opportunity. You want to hold on to your changed perspective and priorities to create a better life.

You may be swept up in the emotional intensity of recovery, tempted to make major decisions that seem absolutely right at the time but that can hurt you in the long run. A woman built a successful accounting firm prior to her cancer diagnosis. After surviving eighteen months of rigorous treatments, she felt that she wanted to do something more meaningful with her life. She was ready to close her office, sell the equipment, and look for part-time work as a consultant for cancer-related causes. The glamour of her plan wore off, as she realized how profoundly her decision would affect her family’s lifestyle and comfort and how she would lose the self-actualization that came from her flourishing accounting business. With time, she came to see her work as more meaningful. She provided an important service for others, and the contribution to the family income provided stability. Instead of abandoning her work, she made substantial changes in how she did it. Ultimately, she worked fewer hours per week, leaving more time for her children and volunteer work. Cancer encouraged her to look at what she was doing and make some positive changes in her life.

If you are going to undertake big changes or decisions, work with a close friend, family member, or professional counselor to arrive at wise, life-enhancing decisions. When possible, let some time pass before you make a final decision. Taking your time will help prevent rash decisions fueled by fear, anxiety, euphoria, fatigue, or stress. You want to look at alternatives in such a way that you do not hurt yourself professionally or financially. You must consider how any proposed changes will affect your family, insurance, health, and future job options.

How Do I Know Whether I Need Counseling?

Counseling is one way to help you deal with any stress or challenge. Through therapeutic listening and professional guidance, counseling provides support, understanding, and tools for making decisions about living your new life. Pursue counseling sooner rather than later if

•you are unable to communicate with your family and friends

• you are having trouble fulfilling your responsibilities

• you cannot sleep or eat

• you are unable to concentrate

• you feel overwhelmed

• you want professional guidance to maximize the benefits that can come from your cancer

experience

• you feel that unresolved issues have resurfaced and need attention

Other signs that counseling might be beneficial include

• persistent anxiety

• depression

• persistent anger