Caregiving Doesn’t Stop When Cancer Treatment Does

Navigating life after cancer can be a really tough journey, leaving patients feeling wiped out physically and emotionally. Hitting the end of treatment is a massive milestone for cancer survivors, but getting back to “normal” life can be pretty tricky. For many, including Anna Crollman, the lasting impacts of cancer and its treatments make ongoing support vital long after treatment ends.

Being on the outside as a loved one goes through cancer treatment can be extremely difficult. Perhaps even more so once cancer treatment is over.

The guidelines for providing support during active treatment are relatively straightforward. But what about when treatment ends?

Many people think the end of treatment is the finish line.

I found that it was the beginning of depression, anxiety, and emotional and physical distress.

The collateral damage of the diagnosis continues. At the same time, cancer care, messages, and support trail off, often leaving the patient feeling alone and forgotten.

Cancer treatment isn’t the end

My husband was my rock during breast cancer treatment. He is a doer and always prepared. He attended every appointment, took notes, managed my meds, and nursed me back to health.

A cloud of fear descended on me as I neared the end of cancer treatment. I was used to regular appointments, checkpoints, and monitoring. Ultimately, the fear of the unknown paralyzed me.

I felt very isolated and alone in my fear and sadness. My friends and family assumed I was okay since my cancer was in remission. They expected life to go back to "normal.”

But everything had changed. This terrifying illness didn’t disappear overnight. Cancer, and the fear of cancer, loomed above me, threatening to return at any time.

Shouldn’t I just be glad I was alive and had finished treatment? I wanted this to be true. But the depression worsened. It was fueled by my fear, guilt, and sadness.

My husband had been actively involved in every step of my treatment up to that point. He saw me begin to withdraw and wasn’t sure how to help.

I struggled to connect with the people around me. The fear of recurrence consumed my every waking thought, and so did the worries about building a life after cancer.

3 ways I reconnected with support after cancer treatment ended

1. I asked for help

This wasn’t the first time I’d experienced depression. In fact, that helped me to recognize the downward spiral in my mental health. I realized that, no, life doesn’t “snap back” to normal, and continued support after cancer isn’t just a want – it’s a must.  

It was time to ask for help.

The very first step was sharing my true feelings with my husband. It was scary to let someone in and admit how the fear had consumed me, yet sharing also freed me.

I no longer felt alone in my feelings of sadness and helplessness.

2. I went to see a professional

My husband and I decided that I needed professional help. The depression had begun to impact my ability to complete daily tasks, had robbed me of any sense of control I had over my life, and I was not sleeping.

Seeing a therapist was the first step in my mental recovery.

3. I learned to communicate my needs

The shift in my husband and I’s relationship and our support dynamic didn’t change overnight. It took practice and honest feedback.

As a result, we both learned how to better express our needs and communicate our emotional state.

In the years following my diagnosis, my husband’s ways of providing support after cancer took on many forms, including actions, touch, and even the written word. The key to our success and my healing was ongoing open communication!

It was now time to work on my relationship with my husband. I owed it to him, and I made it my job to help him find new ways to be supportive.

We decided to approach support from a new mindset. I didn't need my husband to take the same practical actions he did during treatment.

What I needed now was emotional support. We had to relearn how to navigate life after my treatment, communicate with one another, and see how we could continue to meet each other’s needs.

This idea meant I needed to reflect on what actions could provide me with the needed emotional support. It took me a while.

I eventually brainstormed a list of things I believed would make me feel emotionally supported. Some of the things that helped me were:

• Asking “How is your heart feeling today?” so I could talk about what was on my mind
• Giving me hugs and kisses
• Snuggling with me on the couch without “doing” anything
• Making dinner for me
• Holding me while I cried
• Asking me about my day
• Offering to listen instead of "solve"

The takeaway

Even though treatment may have finished, open up to your families and friends if you’re struggling to navigate life after your cancer experience.

Similarly, as a friend, family member, or caregiver, don’t be afraid to share the struggles of supporting a loved one. You will likely be a vital part of their emotional healing after cancer.

Making changes will be difficult for both parties and may require a shift in habits and communication. But the important part is not to give up.

Be open about your needs and be willing to try new things. Given time, you will grow together.

The information presented is solely for educational purposes, not as specific advice for the evaluation, management, or treatment of any condition.

The individual(s) who have written and created the content and whose images appear in this article have been paid by Teva Pharmaceuticals for their contributions. This content represents the opinions of the contributor and does not necessarily reflect those of Teva Pharmaceuticals. Similarly, Teva Pharmaceuticals does not review, control, influence, or endorse any content related to the contributor's websites or social media networks. This content is intended for informational and educational purposes and should not be considered medical advice or recommendations. Consult a qualified medical professional for diagnosis and before beginning or changing any treatment regimen.

NPS-ALL-NP-01527 APRIL 2025