Those of us who have never had cancer most likely think that on the day treatment is finished, the breast cancer survivor can jump up and down for joy.  It's easy to think that when the treatment's over, cancer's over and – voilà! – life returns to normal.  Reality, as is often the case, can be quite different.

Adjusting to life after having breast cancer can be a long, arduous road.  Many women struggle to return to life as they knew it before their diagnosis only to find that their definition of "normal" is no longer relevant. 

• From the moment of diagnosis, through all the ups and downs of treatment, a patient operates in crisis mode. That becomes their standard way of functioning and switching to a day-to-day life without crisis can actually feel wrong.  There's always a nagging feeling they should still be doing something to continue the fight, but they're left without a plan. 
  
  
• Along with cancer comes a heightened sense of vulnerability and a diminished sense of control.  Unfortunately, women continue to live with uncertainly and fear even after treatment.  Their questions – "Am I cured?  Will I have a recurrence?  Will I survive a recurrence?" – are unanswerable. 
  
  
• Surgery, radiotherapy and, in particular, chemotherapy are physically grueling, leaving women with little emotional and physical energy to spare.  Many expect to recover rapidly, but find they feel unwell and exhausted for a frustratingly long time.  A general rule of thumb is that it takes approximately as long as the total duration of treatment to really feel well again.
  
  
• The effects of the therapy don't necessarily stop when therapy stops.  Physical changes – the result of surgery or the side effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy – can persist.
  
  
• Finally, having any potentially life threatening experience often pushes people into intense introspection.  Some women cling to things that are familiar while others open themselves to new ideas and experiences.  Some women experience a diminished sense of self worth while others learn to value themselves more highly.  Some change in ways that strain their relationships and some in ways that strengthen them.  

Despite the challenges, it's possible to rebuild a really good life after breast cancer.  Read on for ways to do just that.