About-cancer/coping/caregiver-support/caregiving-after-treatment/zh

治疗结束后的护理

重要的是，癌症护理人员必须了解，尽管治疗已经结束，但癌症幸存者仍在应对许多挑战。 他们通常会面对治疗带来的副作用，并学习如何适应经历的许多其他变化。 他们可能不会像他们希望的那样尽快恢复正常生活。

现在我该怎么办？

一旦治疗结束，大多数人都希望将癌症治疗抛在身后。尽管如此，照顾者最常见的反应之一就是问自己，“现在我该怎么办？”他们习惯了很多角色，如医疗保健，帮助，管理家务，并协调从朋友来访和来电。 许多人必须考虑如何适应这种“新常态”。

到目前为止，您的重点一直放在使患者接受治疗上。 因此，这可能是一个喜忧参半的时期-您可能会很高兴治疗结束。 但与此同时，与亲人一起经历的全部冲击可能会开始打击您。

Be Aware of Your Feelings

It's normal to have many different feelings after treatment ends. Some caregivers say that their feelings are even more intense after treatment, since they have more time to process it all.

You may be glad and relieved that your loved one is through with treatment. But you could also feel anxious because you're no longer doing something directed at fighting the cancer. You may feel a sense of sadness and loss at still seeing your friend or family member in a weakened state. This can also be a time when you feel more lonely and isolated than before.

Common feelings that you may have include:

• Missing the support you had from the patient's health care team.

• Feeling pressure to return to your old self.

• Missing being needed or being busy.

• Feeling lonely. Friends and family may go back to their daily lives, leaving you with more to do. They may not be checking in with you as they did when your loved one was getting treatment.

• Avoiding going out with others for fear of something happening to your loved one while you are gone.

• Finding it hard to relate to people who haven't been through what you have.

• Having mixed feelings as you see your loved one struggle with moodiness, depression, or loss of self-esteem.

• Worrying that any physical problem is a sign of the cancer returning. Yet at the same time, feeling thankful that this person is here and part of your life.

• Looking forward to putting more energy into the things that mean the most to you.

These feelings are all normal. You can manage them by giving yourself time to reflect on your experience with cancer. People need different amounts of time to work through the challenges that they’re facing.

Make Time for Yourself

If you've been putting your own needs aside, this may be a good time to think about how you can best care for yourself. Having some down time to recharge your mind and spirit can help you cope. You may want to think about:

• Getting back to activities that you enjoy

• Finding ways others can help you

• Finding new ways to connect with friends

For example, some caregivers feel the need to give back to others who are facing cancer. They turn their energy to helping people in their community, joining support groups, or volunteering with cancer organizations. For many, making a difference in the lives of others helps them to help themselves.

Let Others Help You

You may feel tempted to tell people that you and your loved one are doing fine and don't need help. It may be that you don't want to trouble people any longer. Chances are that both of you are tired and are still getting used to life after treatment. It may help to tell others that you're still adjusting and let them know ways they can help. Family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers who stayed away during treatment may now be willing or able to support you. Think about what types of support would be helpful. The clearer you can be about your needs, the easier it will be to get the help you need.

However, be aware that others may not be there to help. They may feel awkward about helping or assume that you're getting back to your routine and don't need help any more. Or they may have personal reasons, such as lack of time or things going on in their own lives.

Talking with Family

Try to remember that this time after treatment is new for all. Your family members may also need time to adjust to this new chapter of life for your loved one. Some points you can make:

• Let them know that recovery may take more time than expected. Your loved one may lack energy for a while and need time to adjust to this new normal.

• Ask them to continue doing your loved one's regular duties and tasks until he can get back to a normal routine.

• Let them know what the follow-up care will be and how your loved one will be monitored.

• Be honest about what types of support are needed from them now that treatment is over.

• Thank them for all they did during treatment.

Good communication is just as important now as it was during cancer treatment. Listening to each other, patience, and support can make a big difference.