@aardvark2118 The present psychological effects of cancer that occurred in 2022 (for me it was 2019, and then recurrence in 2021) keep on for many of us. I agree with you that the ongoing surveillance is challenging. I never would have thought that the recommendation to come for appointments less often might scare me more than coming more often. In a way, the most comfortable I felt psychologically was when I was in active treatment (radiation therapy) because I had regular scans and met with the doctors weekly.

My scans and physical exams since 2021 have all been NED (no evidence of disease). So, at my last surveillance my NP told me that after December, 2026 this could be my last 6 month exam and then I can return in one year. Ach! But, she also offered that if I wanted to return more often - at 6 months - this is available to me. She can make that happen. I'm pretty sure I will choose to come back at that 6 month mark.

For the past year or so my worries about another cancer recurrence or new cancer have slowly faded. I'm not putting off travel or other things I enjoy because cancer may return and I'll need to be in treatment. I saved my money for retirement and I'm comfortable financially. My financial advisor keeps asking me what I'd like to do, where would I like to go? And so I dip my toe in the water, so to speak. When I do travel I fly first class. The sticker price of first class is a huge shock but then I tell myself, how much longer can I do this? I spend time and money on wellness which includes the gym, strength training with personal trainers, and regular massage. I still look for bargains in groceries but I also spend time looking for and preparing healthy food.

I avoid people who I find are overly negative (in my opinion) and live to complain, vent, are are overly controlling. Unfortunately, this now includes one family member but I need to do this for my own health. I prioritize my relationships with family and talk with close friends on a regular basis. In this, I agree with @nycmusic who wrote that when she spends time with people and activities she enjoys it helps.