By Jaci Kettler, MA on April 24, 2012 1:57 pm
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Tagged anxiety, behavioral changes, cancer survivors, CancerForward, emotional scars, flashbacks, including depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, recurrence, The Survivor Network on CancerForward
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In a previous CancerForward blog post, I relayed some of my experiences with the physical scars I received from my treatment for cancer. Although perhaps less visible to others, the emotional scars from cancer do not quickly fade and can be very serious.
A recent study conducted by the Duke Cancer Institute discovered that cancer survivors experience symptoms similar to that of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) often for more than a decade after their initial diagnosis and treatment. Some cancer survivors report lasting behavioral changes, including depression and flashbacks (Mail Online 2011).
For many of us cancer survivors, the findings of that study are not surprising. During chemotherapy, I focused on getting better. Although I struggled emotionally, the goal of recovering helped keep me positive. However, after I finished my eight rounds of chemotherapy, I started having issues with anxiety. While receiving chemo, I felt relatively safe from the cancer. When my chemo was over, I lost that safety blanket and my anxiety about a recurrence skyrocketed. I worried my cancer had returned with every back pain, night sweat, and swollen lymph node. The anxiety made it difficult to focus on anything. I disliked being on my own for the months after my treatment, feeling especially anxious and vulnerable when alone.
Continue reading Emotional Scars: Less Visible But Run Deep→
By Jaci Kettler, MA on April 24, 2012 1:50 pm
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Tagged badges of honor, cancer, cancer survivors, central venous catheter, physical and emotional, scars, self-conscious, side effects, strength
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Most adults have scars. However, cancer survivors often have distinctive physical and emotional scars. In this first post of a two-part series on scars, I focus on psychical scars, saving a discussion about emotional scars for my next blog.
In total, I have eight recognizable scars from cancer. A couple scars are noticeable, while my clothing usually hides the more serious of my scars. Although a couple of my scars are still slightly painful, I am incredibly lucky that my remaining side effects from cancer are mild annoyances rather than constant pain.
In a culture that values blemish-free bodies, having scars from an uncontrollable event like cancer can be very frustrating and sometimes embarrassing. For example, I have a small, raised scar on my neck. It’s where my central venous catheter or port lived while I received chemo for a few months. People, even friends, sometimes mistake that scar for a hickey, which has led to several uncomfortable, but some entertaining conversations.
Continue reading Survivor Scars: Embarrassing, Difficult Reminders or Sources of Pride?→
By Jaci Kettler, MA on January 15, 2012 5:43 am
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Tagged active lifestyle, bicycling, cancer survivors, Exercise, fitness, health, Play, swimming, The Survivor Network, Walking, yoga
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Recent studies have demonstrated the importance of exercise for prolonging life and preventing cancer. One recent study found that individuals that exercise just 15 minutes per day were 10% less likely to die from cancer (Washington Post 2011). In addition to decreasing the likelihood of getting cancer, exercising helps increase one’s health overall (Mayo Clinic 2011) and it is very important for cancer survivors to stay in good health.
Finding time to exercise often can be difficult, especially for adults with full-time jobs and a family. For those individuals not currently exercising, beginning an exercise routine is a daunting task. Although all last summer I planned to start a regular exercise regime, I still have yet to actually begin one. However, even when some types of exercising may be difficult to fit into one’s schedule, there are plenty of options to live an active lifestyle without creating too much stress. Below are four easy ways I’ve found to lead an active and healthy lifestyle.
(1) Walk – Walking is a great way to exercise and is an activity that many of us already do during the day. Walking is my main form of exercise. The walk from the parking lot to my office is a little over 10 minutes. Instead of riding the bus, I walk every day – ensuring I get at least 20 minutes of exercise a day. Additionally, I take my dog on at least two long walks a day. Walking is low impact exercise, meaning people can walk for longer without the aches and pains of some other types of exercise. A great motivator for walking more throughout the day is to wear a pedometer. These are usually very cheap and encourage more activity throughout the day (WebMD). Additionally, America on the Move has suggestions for ways to walk more throughout the day.
Continue reading 4 Easy Ways for Cancer Survivors to Lead an Active Lifestyle→
Hello! Today, I begin blogging at CancerFoward. I’m a graduate student at Rice University in Houston and a 6-year cancer survivor. Social media led me to CancerForward when cancer survivor and former Texas Representative Ellen Cohen tweeted about an award CancerForward had given her. The idea of CancerForward…an online organization supporting cancer survivors…really resonated with me. Most of my blog posts will address news and current issues regarding cancer as I see it from my perspective as a survivor.
Briefly, my experience with cancer: I discovered a lump in my right leg in the spring of my sophomore year of college. After several months of endless medical tests, many misdiagnoses and multiple trips to the emergency room, a group of doctors diagnosed me with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. It was stage IIIB, so I received my first round of chemo immediately after my diagnosis. I spent a couple months in the hospital recovering from several related illnesses and undergoing the first several rounds of chemotherapy. In total, I received eight rounds of chemo.
Continue reading How I Moved Forward→
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