Even when the prognosis is good, cancer almost inevitably brings feelings of loss. Suddenly they've lost their previous self. They may feel betrayed by their body. Tried and true problem-solving techniques, such as putting extra energy into working on the problem, may fail. Normal routine is often lost to the demands of treatment.
Work falls victim to fatigue.
Roles within the family change. In cancer, thing after thing happens. You can't plan. You have to adapt, adapt, adapt, change, change, change. The healthiest strategy is to acknowledge feelings of loss and make them part of your life, Goedde stresses.