Patient experiences with the Center for Quality of Life

“After my treatment and surgery, I thought I was done. How wrong I was. The hormone therapy caused early menopause. I gained 10 kilos and was in pain as a result of my treatment. And the worst part was that I grew anxious. I feared every single checkup and experienced panic attacks and hyperventilation. I had beaten my illness but I still couldn’t enjoy life. My physician recommended psychological support. With consultations and EMDR treatment, I worked through my anxiety.  And it worked. When I come in for checkups now, I still feel tense, but I can calmly face the examination. I have found a way to deal with the cancer and everything that had happened as a result of it.”

“When the cancer was gone after three surgeries, I suddenly felt depressed. I was scared and spent my entire day worrying on the couch. My rehabilitation physician had suggested that he could help me deal with my fear of cancer recurrence. Initially, I didn’t take him up on his offer, but I eventually changed my mind. It was heartwarming to see everybody work hard to get me back on track. I joined group training sessions with a physical and occupational therapist. Contact with my peers was helpful for me. My occupational therapist helped me come up with a day plan. My psychologist helped me find a way to manage my fears. They are not entirely gone, so I am still receiving treatment. But I am better able to enjoy things. My wife, children, and grandchildren. I’m so grateful to everybody for giving me that.”