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Colorectal Cancer: In Treatment: Chemotherapy

Toward The End Of Treatment

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Do not be surprised if you look and feel worse than when you started. Your body has been through a lot. The end of treatment is in sight.

While there is likely to be a feeling of joy that treatment is ending, there may also be negative feelings such as the feeling that you are about to lose the (cancer) family that helped you through the medical aspects of treatment.  You may also feel  numbness, fear of relapse, anger at having cancer, alienation and loneliness and even depression. If you haven’t before, this is a good time to consider finding a cancer buddy who has gone through a similar situation and/or the support of other people going through a similar situation. For other tips about dealing with emotions during treatment, click here.  If these feelings become overwhelming, speak with your doctor or seek professional help. See “To Learn More.”

Ask your oncologist for a Cancer Follow Up Plan. Among other subjects, a Cancer Follow Up Plan provides information about what to look for after treatment, as well as a schedule of tests and visits to have afterward. For more information, see: Colorectal Cancer Follow-Up Plan

Emotionally, you are likely to experience depression from the withdrawal of the treatment family. Learn the symptoms and what to do if they appear. Seeing your doctor again can help provide reassurance. 

If you have a chemo port and your stage and type of colorectal cancer has an increased risk of recurrence, consider keeping the port, at least for a while – especially if surgery with general anesthesia will be required to remove it and reinstall it if necessary. Of course, if you keep it, you will have to continue to keep it clean because of the risk of infection.

Plan a treat for yourself when treatment is over. It doesn’t have to be expensive.  A treat will help you deal with the changes  treatment  made  in your routine and your life. (This subject is covered in more detail in Day To Day Living).

If there are clothes you wore during treatment, consider marking the end of treatment by giving the clothes to charity. It is a visual reminder that you are finished treatment and that you are healing.

Consider thanking the professionals who helped you through treatment.

NOTE:

  • If you are treated in a hospital other than your local hospital,  get a copy of your medical records for the local hospital where you will do the follow up. You are legally entitled to a copy. There may be a charge. For additional information, click here.
  • For information about medical care after treatment, see: Colorectal Cancer: Post Treatment 0 – 6 Months, Medical Care

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