Insight

Chelsey Gomez: Cancer survivorship comes with so many complex feelings

Photo from Chelsey Gomez/LinkedIn

Apr 30, 2024, 13:32

Chelsey Gomez: Cancer survivorship comes with so many complex feelings

Nirmala Bhoo Pathy shared a post by Chelsey Gomez, Professional Artist and Founder of Ohyouresotough, shared on LinkedIn:

“This really hits home for me as I have witnessed the journey of countless patients as they navigate the turbulent waters of survivorship. One aspect that emerges time and again is the profound sense of disorientation that can accompany the completion of treatment.

Completing treatment can leave patients feeling like baby birds pushed out of the nest, suddenly forced to navigate the world on their own.

To those who have not experienced cancer firsthand, these emotions may seem perplexing. But for those who have walked this path, they are a poignant reminder of the complex interplay between physical and emotional healing.

It is for these reasons that psychosocial support and patient navigation programs are deemed as vital components of comprehensive cancer care. And the health systems in LMICs just need to do better.”

Quoting Chelsey Gomez’s post:

“Cancer survivorship comes with so many complex feelings. In the beginning I often felt like a ghost floating between worlds. That feeling still remains, but it isn’t as powerful now. However it’s easily something I can slip back into depending on what happens.

It’s very strange and hard to describe. Cancer is confusing. I also want to explain number 3 for those who are reading from outside the community. It’s not that you MISS getting chemo, surgery, or radiation – but you can miss the comfort of it.

You are used to constantly being monitored. You are actively ‘fighting’ your cancer. Once it’s over it can feel like you’re a baby bird who got pushed out of the nest. It’s confusing (once again)… but I wanted to add that so you know you’re not alone with those thoughts.

P.S. – I want to take a moment to acknowledge those folks who don’t get to end treatment. I see you.”

Source: Nirmala Bhoo Pathy/LinkedIn and Chelsey Gomez/LinkedIn

Nirmala Bhoo-Pathy is as a Professor of Epidemiology in the Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, and practices as a public health physician in Universiti Malaya Medical Centre, Malaysia.

She is also a visiting scholar at Queen’s University Belfast, United Kingdom since 2014. Dr Bhoo Pathy’s career is focused on optimizing life after cancer in resource-limited settings through research and advocacy.