06/11/2025
The Treatment Cliff in Cancer Recovery đď¸
In cancer rehab, many patients describe an unexpected drop in motivation, mood, or physical progress once active treatment ends â often referred to as the treatment cliff. During diagnosis, surgery, chemo, or radiation, the body is in survival mode. Adrenaline and cortisol stay high to help you âget through it.â Psychologist Joseph E. LeDoux found that emotional pain doesnât peak during stress â it often peaks after. Once your brain decides youâre safe, your body finally releases the stress hormones itâs been storing, and the emotional turmoil begins. Itâs often a time where people around you make the mistake in thinking everythingâs back to normal, & can cause a lot of inner distress not knowing why you are feeling this way.
This is your nervous system processing, not failing. When treatment stops, the rush of appointments, scans, and goals suddenly quiets â and that silence allows your body to feel what it couldnât before. This is called the âemotional aftershock.â Itâs a biological, protective delay â designed to keep you alive first and let you feel second.
In cancer rehab, recognising this emotional and physical transition is vital. Itâs not a setback, but a sign that healing is finally beginning. Support through movement, rest, counselling, and gentle rehabilitation helps patients navigate this stage safely â falling not apart, but back into their new self. We love supporting you through this transition, gently offering guidance to find yourself againđ
