"I Finished My Cancer Treatment Program - Now What?" Why After Care Programs are so Important
Yes, he continues to go there regularly for check-ups and he has I believe twice-yearly PET scans and things to make sure the cancer has not come back. But in terms of his side effects, he has pretty much been on his own, looking for local experts and physicians who could help him.
This just does not seem right to me. I don’t like it, and neither does my friend, that her almost-80-year-old father is having to do so much on his own to try to fully recover from his treatments. She said that his oncologist has agreed that some, if not all, of the symptoms he has now are leftover from the chemotherapies. But other than a half-hearted suggestion that he get into a cancer group therapy session or two, he has not received any help from the facility that treated him.
This got me to thinking: is my friend’s father’s experience typical, or are there cancer treatment facilities that continue to care for you once the cancer has gone away? I began to research this subject, and I’m pleased to report there are some places out there that do continue to help and treat people once the regular rounds of treatment are over and the cancer is gone.
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Michele, I agree with you that 'after care' is critical. I just posted an article on EmpowHer.com called Cancer Support Groups: The Good,The Bad, and The Beautiful. It's based on my vast experience with support groups and how they can help. As for medical centers offering after care, I participate in programs at Virginia Piper Cancer Center in Scottsdale/Phoenix. They offer survivors a wide variety of cancer support survices for FREE. Many cancer centers across the country do this, as well as community groups like The Wellness Community (which has a lymphoma support group in Phoenix). These wonderful organizations exist in most major cities, so it would be great to hear from some on this site. Thanks for raising this important question. Annette Mattern, HerWriter at EmpowHer.