Emotions

How you deal with the fact that you were ill as a child is different for everyone. For some, it is something they can easily live with, while others find it difficult to cope with and others prefer not to think about it at all. We refer to this as coping mechanisms.

After childhood cancer, various feelings can persist for a long time. This is normal. Many children, adolescents, and adults who have had childhood cancer notice changes in their emotions, even after treatment is over. Common feelings:

Fear and worry

Many people fear the disease will return. Hospital check-ups can also be stressful. Some people worry about their future health, school, work, or relationships.

Grief and grief
You may feel sad about what you've experienced. Perhaps you've missed school, activities, or contact with friends. Sometimes it feels like your life has turned out differently than others. Some people also grieve over the loss of things, for example, health, fertility, an arm or leg, or a vision of the future that has turned out differently than they had hoped. Grief can be accompanied by emotions such as sadness, anger, jealousy, loneliness, and sadness. Grief often takes a lot of energy.

Anger or frustration
It can feel unfair that you were the one who was ill. Some people feel anger about physical symptoms that persist or about things that have become more difficult in daily life.

Joy and relief—but also confusion
Many people are happy that treatment is over, but at the same time find that it doesn't immediately feel "back to normal." It can be confusing when others expect everything to be okay again, while you're still adjusting.

Loneliness
Sometimes others don't fully understand what you've been through. This can make you feel alone, even if you have people around you.

Feelings can return unexpectedly. Feelings can sometimes suddenly overwhelm you. A comment, music, a film, a hospital appointment, or a visit to the LATER clinic can bring back memories. Smells, sounds, familiar faces, or seeing other patients can suddenly bring emotions back to the surface. This is a normal reaction.

Important to know
All the feelings you have after childhood cancer are normal. Recovery is not only physical, but also emotional. Talking to parents, friends, fellow sufferers, a social worker, or psychologist can help.

At the LATER clinic, we're here for you. Let us know if you're feeling emotional or tense. We'll see how we can help and reassure you. You can also always contact VOX, the survivor support group of the Dutch Children's Cancer Association. If you're looking for online contact, sign up for the private VOX Facebook group by sending an email to vox@kinderkankernederland.nl.