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On the Other Side of Cancer

Survivors talk about the challenges of life after cancercon't.

Ron McCready

Age: 60
Hometown: Ann Arbor
Survived: Nasopharyngeal Cancer
Major Concern: Fatigue

After Ron McCready finished cancer treatment, one of his goals was to have enough endurance to take the Boy Scout troop he leads to the Straits of Mackinac. It's a week-long trip to an island without electricity. Each day follows the sun's rhythms: It starts before 6 a.m. and finishes after 10 p.m.

After six months of physical therapy and working out at the gym, McCready got his strength back and made the trip.

"I still go to the gym, but I know I don't have anywhere near the stamina I did," McCready said. "The difference between getting tired and getting exhausted is a heartbeat."

Take Action:

Research has shown that exercise, meditation, yoga and spending time in nature can measurably reduce fatigue. McCready worked with a personal trainer to develop a fitness routine. Talk with your health-care team about exercise. Or consider the Cancer Center's yoga class designed especially for people affected by cancer.

 

AnnaMarie Kish

Age: 48
Hometown: Taylor
Survived: Ovarian Cancer
Major Concern: Family Risk

No one in AnnaMarie Kish's family had ever had cancer. So it's unlikely that her ovarian cancer was inherited. But it doesn't stop her from worrying about her 19-year-old daughter.

"I don't want her to be concerned," Kish said. "But there's still a certain degree of anxiety. Is it going to pop up down the road, and yes, she should've been tested?"

Take Action:

Doctors confirmed that Kish's cancer was unlikely to be genetic. However, genetic counseling is available at the U-M Cancer Center for people with all types of cancer.

 

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This article first appeared in the Winter, 2009 issue of Thrive.    Read it! -- opens as a .pdf document.

See Also:

Survivorship Program web pages