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On the Other Side of Cancer

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

James Muir

Age: 67
Hometown: Farmington Hills
Survived: Prostate Cancer
Major Concern: Erectile Dysfunction

James Muir didn't have much doubt that surgery was the right treatment for his prostate cancer. But one of the side effects of surgery is still with him: erectile dysfunction.

"That was a little discouraging," he said. "They're telling me it could be a year or two before that comes back, but there's no guarantee that it will."

Muir and his wife, Janet, are participating in a new U-M Cancer Center Prostate Cancer Survivorship Clinic designed for men who have undergone radical prostatectomy. The clinic provides survivors with strategies to address their needs, including impotence.

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Daniela Wittmann, a sex therapist for the U-M Prostate Cancer Survivorship Clinic, said many options exist to help men with erectile dysfunction, including medications and vacuum devices that create erections mechanically. Talking with a sex therapist can help couples make good choices-and address concerns women may be facing, particularly challenges to sexuality related to menopause.

"The goal is to make sure people know everything there is to know about how to maintain intimacy," Wittmann said.

Susan LeClair

Age: 52
Hometown: Dundee
Survived: Breast Cancer
Major Concern: Moving Forward

When Susan LeClair used to get tired, it came on gradually. But now, there's no warning. It can happen in an instant.

"I'm dealing fairly well," LeClair said. "I guess the biggest thing is I'm learning to find that balance. Where do you find that balance where you've completed treatment and you have to move on? I've tried to stay very positive, but it's easy not to."

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To help cope with the changes in her life, LeClair has made an effort to get informed and involved. She has read quite a bit about the issues cancer survivors face after treatment. LeClair has also tried to take advantage of what the Cancer Center has to offer. She has taken art therapy classes through the Complementary Therapy program and signed up for quite a few clinical trials.

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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