The ongoing nature of cancer treatment, follow-up care, blood work, and side effect management can feel overwhelming over time. Join us for this discussion as we talk honestly about feelings of cancer treatment burnout, explore strategies for caring for ourselves over the long term, and work together to name what is helpful as we walk one day at a time.

1. TREATMENT BURNOUT
Do I have what it takes to keep going?

2. THE LONG ROAD OF
SURVIVORSHIP
• Diagnosis
• Treatment decision making
• Surgery
• Chemotherapy
• Side effects
• Parp Inhibitor
• Follow up appointments and test
• Long term effects

3. AT A
CROSSROAD
S
”CAN I CONTINUE?”
• Feel betrayed by body
• Doubt in the efficacy of ongoing treatment
• Frustration with side effects & feeling bad
• Tired of the limits of cancer.
• Worried about the burden on others.

4. THIS IS NORMAL
… AND UNDERSTANDABLE.
• Cut yourself a break
• Notice your distress.
• Show yourself kindness, comfort and reassurance.
• Feeling “off” is normal and to be expected.
• Pay attention to the self-talk you are engaging in today.
“I can’t do this.” “I am coping poorly.” “I won’t be able to make it.”
“Goodness, you’re having a hard day.” “You’re doing the best you can.” “This feels intense, but
you can do hard things.” “I can dig deep.”

5. THE SKILL OF LIVING IN THE AND
The ability to make space for what is
stressful in our lives
&
identify and name where you have control
right now.
Hint: start small.

6. MAKING SPACE
FOR THE
EMOTIONAL
WEIGHT
• Fear and worry many not completely go away.
• Name it & Claim it.
• Building tolerance for uncomfortable feelings
gives us flexibility with our attention.
• Noticing and calming yourself is always step
one. You’ll analyze, make choices and engage
in self care once you find calm.
• Naming a feeling gives you a little distance from
the feeling so you can respond (not react)

7. BURNOUT = A
SYMPTOM OF AN
UNMET NEED
• The cause of burnout isn’t always obvious
• Begin talking about your feelings with others you
trust (specific members of your medical team,
close friends or family).

8. DECODING BURNOUT: DO OTHERS HAVE
PERSPECTIVES THAT HELP YOU?
• What do you want to be different?
• Doctor’s may be able to adjust treatment without comprising results
• Complementary care team can help with symptom management.
• Do friends notice you’ve been withdrawn?
• Do family members recognize you haven’t been sleeping?
• Is your focus only cancer? - treatment options, attending to side effects, managing appointments and insurance
claims? Where is the you outside of cancer?
• Do others approach you and focus primarily on “how you are doing with regard to your treatment”?
• Are there feelings of monotony and dread?
• Do you feel as though no one else truly understands this long haul?

9. FINDING BALANCE
• Does your distress direct you to
where you might need to focus?
• Explore ways to ”parachute out”
• Do you know what activities
consume your attention (mindful)
• Give yourself permission to step
away

10. FINDING
CONNECTION
• You are not the only one who suffers
• Others are navigating hardship and also working
to find their way
• The ebb and flow of distress may mean
understanding others can be empowering,
compassionate, connected
• Leads to a sense of belonging
• Let others carry you, hope for you, believe for you
when it feels to hard.
• Find ways to connect to parts of YOU that you
need for your well being.

11. FINDING
PERSPECTIVE
• Perspective works TWO ways
• Begin to listen closely to yourself.
• Zoom OUT for the Big Picture
• Zoom OUT to reconnect with your
values (North Star)
• Zoom IN to this day, this moment, this
task.
• Allow for waves of understanding and
uncertainty

12. FINDING MEANING
• Can you articulate the changes in you?
• What have you learned about your
relationships?
• Have your priorities changed in ways that
help you feel grounded and authentic?
• Notice when you find moments of joy or
calm? What does that tell you?

13. THE COMFORT (AND
POWER) OF
IMPERMANENCE
• Remember your feelings will likely change
from day to day.
• The discomfort comes in waves.
• Listen closely and work to learn what your
feelings are telling you about your needs.
• Ignoring needs and dismissing hard
feelings intensifies distress.
• Talk with others about your feelings of
burnout
• Consider burnout as a symptom – what is
it telling you.