Women's reactions to the end of breast cancer surgery and treatment range from relief and celebration to uncertainty and concern. While women and their loved ones are thankful that treatment is over, women may worry about recurrence and struggle to adjust to their new physical and emotional 'normal'. 

 Some women describe a feeling of loneliness when breast cancer treatment ends. Women fight to find their new normal, while family and friends tend to move on. In one study, 13 women were interviewed 1 to 18 years after treatment.(1) Many women described that they felt alone in their new awareness of their mortality and felt that their feelings were sometimes misunderstood by family and friends. Expectations by others to be 'o.k.' and even being seen by others as a hero made women feel uncomfortable and unable to measure up. On the other hand, women also describe that their breast cancer highlighted the importance of finding meaning and purpose in their life and improved their connection especially with their children.  

 Ongoing physical issues can add to the difficulty of 'returning to normal'. Many women are surprised by ongoing symptoms, such as pain, fatigue, lymphedema, impaired mobility and function.(2)  As women begin the process of moving on after breast cancer, they often find that these lingering physical symptoms are constant reminders of breast cancer. Women express a hesitancy to reach out for help with these issues for fear of being seen as complaining or ungrateful for life-saving treatment. 

 The choice of having reconstructive surgery following mastectomy is, in part, to help women feel like they are close to their pre-breast cancer selves. In a recent study, researchers interviewed 35 women who were planning or had received reconstructive surgery.(3) These women expressed that they chose reconstruction to maintain their sense of normalcy, but still faced alterations in appearance, physical abilities, sense of identity and health following surgery.
 
 Knowing that these feelings are common and that you are not alone can be helpful in dealing with the aftermath of breast cancer treatment. Seeking help to address the physical issues related to breast cancer is important. Finally, sharing your experience with a counselor and others who understand these issues can help women through this part of their breast cancer journey.  TurningPoint's counselor, Cynthia Johnston, will delve into these issues at our June 3rd 'Lunch and Learn', Navigating the Waters After Breast Cancer.

Cathy is a native of Louisville, KY.  She has been a physical therapist since graduating from the University of Louisville in 1991.  After graduation, she moved to Atlanta to work at the Shepherd Center.  She married an Atlanta native, Bill, and has been here ever since. 

Cathy took a few years off work to be a mother to Meredith and Teagan and to earn her doctorate in physical therapy.  During that time, Cathy's mother and aunt were both diagnosed with breast cancer.  She helped both women with rehab issues after breast cancer treatment and learned about TurningPoint while doing research. 

When both girls were old enough to go to school, Cathy came to work at TurningPoint.  She enjoys combining her professional rehab experience with her personal passion to help women with breast cancer! Cathy is an incredible asset to the patients and staff of TurningPoint. She has a special interest in the role of exercise and breast cancer. Cathy's patients love how she combines compassion for their breast cancer journey with the art, skill and evidence of physical therapy.