Survivorship
Living with Ependymoma: The Road to Survivorship
The transition after the treatment of your cancer ends brings mixed emotions and new challenges to cancer survivors and their loved ones. For many, the survivorship phase can be overwhelming and leave patients and their families feeling vulnerable, scared and worried that their tumor will return. Patients often feel a lack of control over what their future holds. But for some, as difficult and grueling as treatment may have been, patients find a sense of comfort in actively fighting their disease.
It is important to acknowledge and address your fears and concerns, as well as share your strength and positive attitude with others. Whether you decide to turn to family and friends, physicians, social workers or support groups – online or in-person – never forget that you are not alone on your journey.
Cancer Treatment & Survivorship, Facts and Figures – 2016-17
Published by the American Cancer Society. Useful information about the cancer experience: diagnosis & treatment, transitioning from active treatment to recovery, long-term survivorship, concerns of caregivers and families, resources and statistics. Click here to view.
Empower Yourself: Planning for Cancer Survivorship
During ependymoma treatment, you were closely monitored for symptoms, side effects, response to treatment and any changes in your health. But what about your care as a survivor? It is important to get the follow-up care you need for optimal health after ependymoma treatment, and you should inform yourself on preventing, reducing or eliminating possible problems or risk in the future.
A helpful book, From Cancer Patient to Cancer Survivor: Lost in Transition, includes the basics of a survivorship care plan, which states, “The transition from active treatment to post-treatment care is critical to long-term health. If care is not coordinated, cancer survivors are left without knowledge of their heightened risks and a follow-up plan to action.”
Take control of your post-treatment care with the help of this information:
When you have completed cancer treatment, ask your doctor for a summary of your care and a follow-up care plan. The NIH NCI-CONNECT program offers more information about creating a survivorship care plan when you are finished with treatment.
Connect with other ependymoma patients and survivors or submit your story for our website and help give fellow patients and caregivers hope and support. The Ependymoma Community Blog features an article titled Survivorship: What's Next? by Adam H.