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When Cancer Returns
    Posted: 08/23/2005



Adjusting to the News






Why and Where Cancer Returns






Taking Control: Your Care and Treatment






Managing the Side Effects of Your Treatment






Your Feelings






Setting Goals






Family and Friends






Looking for Meaning






A Time To Reflect






Resources






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Adjusting to the News

Maybe in the back of your mind, you feared that your cancer might return. Now you might be thinking, "How can this be happening to me again? Haven't I been through enough?"

You may be feeling shocked, angry, sad, or scared. Many people have these feelings. But you have something now that you didn't have before - experience. You've lived through cancer once. You know a lot about what to expect and hope for.

Also remember that treatments may have improved since you had your first cancer. New drugs or methods may help with your treatment or in managing side effects. In fact, cancer is now often thought of as a chronic disease, one which people manage for many years.


"When I found out I had cancer again, I just felt numb. It was hard for me to accept the news at first. After a few weeks, though, I started to really look at all my options and things I could do for myself. By doing this, it gave me back some control."
"One minute everything was fine, and then my doctor dropped the bomb that my cancer had come back. In 5 short minutes, my life had changed again." - Dorothy

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