We all are unique in our own sense. We all deal with loss, hardships, and struggles of life in different ways. Life of a cancer survivor has its own challenges which affect our daily routine. There is nothing in your life that cancer has not touched. You have to deal with the financial, emotional and social uncertainty.And it is not easy. It is another battle in itself.

Our understanding competent medicos at Capitol Hospital, which is the best cancer care in the region, will discuss thelife of a cancer survivor and the challenges a person faces after cancer.

Cancer Survivor is actually a pretty vague term. Some say that any person who has cancer and receiving treatment for it is a cancer survivor. Some say when the body is cancer free, then that person is acancer survivor. The loved ones who are along with you every step in your treatment are a cancer survivor in themselves.

There are so many examples among us that fought cancer and came out victorious.

Yuvraj Singh tops the list. After 2011 World Cup victory and also being named “Player of tournament” was diagnosed with lung cancer. He underwent treatment and resumed playing and entertaining us.

ManishaKoirala, popularly known for her films like lajja, mann was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She defied cancer at the age of 42 and now spreads awareness for the cause.

Mumtaz, the yesteryear Bollywood actress too fought tooth and nail and defeated cancer.

There are many people who have fought cancer and are now leading a healthy life.

Cancer survivor (a person who has cancer and after treatment becomes cancer free) has to adjust to a lot of changes. You don’t have to visit your team of doctors, have all the medicines, undergo all the routine treatments. As a result, your time is yours now. The work your body had was to healand be cancer free and now it is done, and you have a lot of free time.

There is also the financial uncertainty. The treatment of cancer is not cheap and you may feel financial strain for that.

Also, the things you did before cancer is now done by someone else. You may feel incompetent about all this.

The biggest fear inside you is that cancer may come back. This is known as cancer recurrence. This fear in you holds you back every time you want to move on with your life, try to adjust to the new routine and even when you try to make small decisions. But you have to stay positive and deal with this emotional situation.

That doesn’t mean you have to be all smiles all the time. You have the right to be sad and experience mixed emotions about your treatment.

Facing this fear and this turmoil of emotions is very important. The acceptance of this is your first step forward. You have won a very rigorous battle with cancer and you need to make major decisions. The way you see things have changed and may take you some time to get used to all this. Time is a very good medicine. Your family and friends also need time to adjust to the new you, the strong you.

Many people provide guidance to cancer survivors. Talking about what happened to you with your loved ones always helps. Also, other cancer survivors can tell their share of experiences and you feel a common sense of connection to them. Religious groups, professional counselors, friends, and family all can help you through this journey.

The fear of cancer coming back is not in your control. So do what you can do and stop worrying about things which are not in your control. Accept it and move forward. Be informed about cancer. The diet which helps you and the exercise you can do to make your body stronger.

You can talk to your loved one or a guidance counselor to face this uncertainty of cancer.

Emotional support can help you a lot and ease your lonely attitude. There are even group counseling sessions with other cancer survivors. Even the family members can attend these sessions so as to how to deal with the situation and have an improved version of the normal life before cancer.

Don’t chase the life you had before cancer. You have evolved after the cancer treatment. You create your own new normal life with the help and support of your loved ones.

Remember that you are not alone.

You survived cancer; you will excel at life after cancer.