Coping with Survivor's Guilt After Cancer Treatment

And how are you doing? I lost my father to cancer while during my second infusion. July the 3rd is my last chemo. I also saw the survivorship plan on my chart and got an email I deleted it. I feel I "don't belong there"

. I think survivorship guilt is weird (for me anyway). I feel guilty because my cancer hasn't been "as bad" and I haven't had to endure treatments such as chemotherapy...So there's that

It is weird. My mom just died this past Tuesday at the age of 91. It was very peaceful and basically she just wore out. I've had breast cancer in some form since 2011 and have MBC now. A part of me feels very guilty that I outlived her. She wasn't particularly supportive, especially these last two years since my last diagnosis. The rest of my family (sister and brother) don't support me at all. Yes, I have guilt, but it's because I can't seem to find a reason to keep living. Now it feels like no one cares at all. Does that make sense to anybody? It sure is sad for me!

I felt guilty bc I have a lot of cancer buddies on other sites that are going through horrendous things. I stopped feeling guilty and embrace my blessings every day. God saved me for a reason !! I want to live til 90 like my Mamma or longer.💕

I've felt guilty because this hasn't been bad enough for me to consider myself a survivor, per se. I've not suffered physically, emotionally, yes..the realization that I have/ had? Cancer. I've had lots of people praying for me & I believe in the power of prayer but others I've known who were prayed for had a horrible time & earned being called a survivor. I had lumpectomy & am almost done with my 15 days of radiation. I will have to take anastrazole 5yrs which I'm not thrilled about but will give it a shot.My cancer was( is?) ILC. My tumor was 2cm.Surgery was May 8.Nodes were negative.ALAYANA!!!! I'm sorry you feel like no one cares. You have been through so much fighting cancer for so long. Girl, you are a survivor & the loss of your Mother is a huge loss for you to grieve. I'm sure it wouldn't of been your mother's wish for you to die before you. I hope you can find someone to talk to.Take care _I'm here for you.

I can't use “survivor” any longer. The term is NED. I had BC in 2010, chemo and DMX. Cancer came back in 2021 under the implant.

Sheryl, I hate to say this but I've been NED twice in the past and it came back both times. NED doesn't mean gone forever, unfortunately. I know that's hurtful and I'm sorry to say it.

My onco dr told me you are NED for 5 yrs, then cancer- free. But he gently cautioned me that cancer-free does not mean freed from cancer. There still yet is no cure. This Aug 26 will make one year he told me NED. I’ll take that and keep praising the God Who ultimately keeps it possible💕🙏🥰

Survivor's guilt is a very real and common experience in the cancer community, and these feelings don't diminish the significance of your journey or recovery. Many survivors find it helpful to connect with others who've had similar experiences, whether through support groups or online communities like this one, as processing these complex emotions with people who truly understand can be incredibly healing.