Cancer Survivors—After Treatment

You’ve survived cancer, but are you still struggling to get back to “normal?”

Perhaps you’re disappointed that life after cancer doesn’t feel as good as you expected.

Maybe you’re asking yourself, “Now what?”

If you have been through a cancer diagnosis and surgery or treatment, you’re probably pretty exhausted. The physical effects can take a long time to heal and so can the emotional effects. When you were going through the cancer experience initially, you may have pushed your emotions aside just to get through it. Maybe you have been focusing on your physical recovery and have neglected your emotional well-being.

Or maybe you’re feeling OK emotionally, even relieved now that treatment is over, but you’re wondering what to do next. You might know you want to make changes in your life, but you’re not sure where to start.

Perhaps you’re struggling with one or more of the following:

“The new normal”—You want to get back to “normal” but you find yourself struggling to cope with changes you didn’t expect and might not have wanted:

• You might feel pressure to return to the “old you,” but feel so different now.
• Family members may become disappointed, worried, or frustrated when they realize that recovery takes time and that you aren’t immediately “happy” when treatment is over.
• You may question your beliefs, wonder about the meaning of life, or struggle with making sense of the cancer experience.

The emotional aftermath—You expected to be relieved and happy again, now that cancer surgery or treatment is over, but find yourself facing the emotional after-effects, such as:

• sadness and grief over the losses you sustained from cancer
• fears and anxieties about cancer coming back
• anger or frustration about what you missed out on or lost because of cancer
• loneliness or isolation, because people have drifted away or just don’t understand how you feel.

You may feel like your life fell apart when you were diagnosed with cancer. Maybe your life was going pretty well, and you thought, “Why me? Why now?” Or maybe you feel like you handled cancer OK, but you’re now left wondering about your future, your career, your relationships, and many other aspects of your life.

Most people know that cancer can leave physical scars of many types, but often don’t think of the emotional scars that are left by cancer.

The Good News Is, You Can Heal the Emotional Scars Too.

“Sometimes good things fall apart so that better things can fall together.”
Imagine what it would be like to move forward in your life, to reinvent your life with more meaning and purpose than ever before…to get the most out of your “new normal,” your “second chance.”

There is a life beyond cancer, and it can be a better life than you envisioned.

It is possible to:

• Recuperate from the “ton of bricks” emotional aftermath cancer left you with.
• Find and welcome the “new normal” for your life by sorting out what matters most.
• Feel empowered to navigate the post-cancer journey in a way that works for you—be more confident that your unique path is the “right” path.
• Strengthen your body image and bolster your self esteem.
• Uncover personal strengths you didn’t know you had.
• Learn techniques to help you focus on the present moment.
• Learn how to enhance relationships with those you want to become closer to, and let go of relationships that aren’t working for you.
• Re-assess your life, clarify your priorities, and move forward to create a life full of meaning and purpose.
• Love your life after cancer.

As a Cancer Survivorship Counselor, Therapist and Coach Who Has Experienced Cancer Personally, I Can Support and Guide You Throughout Your Post-Cancer Journey.

Hi, my name is Dawn Pelletier Stratton. I know what it’s like to recover from cancer. I was diagnosed with cancer over 12 years ago. I saw a counselor over the course of my illness and beyond, and found it extremely helpful, especially in managing the rollercoaster of emotions and in finding the “new normal” for my life after treatment.

The strategies I learned in counseling were so valuable and effective that I still use them to this day when I encounter hard times. I have been able to create a life I love, because I spent time and energy recovering from the emotional impact of cancer so that my energy was freed up to explore what made my life meaningful and to take steps toward making those things happen.

With my training as a licensed counselor and therapist, and my experience supporting people affected by cancer over the past decade, I’ve been fortunate to be able to “pay it forward” and do for others what my counselor did for me. As a counselor specializing in cancer survivors, I’ve helped people through every aspect of the journey, through a cancer diagnosis, treatment, and problems that occur in the months and years afterward. As your cancer survivorship counselor, I can help you to feel empowered to create a life you love after cancer.

Are You Ready to Make the Most of Your Second Chance at Life?

Here are here are your next steps:

1. Get My Free Video Learning Series, 7 Ways to Recover from the Emotional Impact of Cancer.

When you enter your name and email address below, you will get immediate access to the first video. Then every couple days you will get another video sent to your inbox. You will also get a subscription to my eNewsletter, Love Your Life After Cancer. This bi-weekly newsletter will contain an educational article, helpful tips, and information about services and programs that can support you along your post-cancer journey.

Fill out the form below to receive the video series and newsletter subscription. I will never share your email address with anyone, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

2. Browse this website to learn more about me and my cancer counseling and coaching practice.

You can start by checking out How I Work, Services, or the Free Stuff available on this site.

3. Get started with my counseling or coaching services.

If you like what you see, call or email to make an appointment for an initial 15 minute phone consultation at no charge.

Can’t get to Portland, Maine for counseling sessions? You can still work with me!
I see clients at my office located in Portland, Maine. If you live in another area, can’t travel for any reason, or would just prefer the convenience of having your sessions from your home or office, I offer phone and video counseling (through Skype) to people throughout Maine. Please Contact Me to find out more.

To schedule a session or set up an initial 15 minute phone consultation at no charge, call me at 207-773-1143 or email me at dawn[at]awakeningcounseling.com.