Grace Passfield, 37, physiotherapist and mother of two, Newcastle/Awabakal Grace Passfield, physiotherpist She just finished an exhausting four-year regimen of immunotherapy to battle metastatic melanoma. Her last treatment session occurred in December, rounding out what has been a momentous year for her both personally and professionally. Passfield’s treatment was very well received. The emotional fallout has since had him wrestling with bizarre bouts of anxiety and existential crisis.
On the day of her last treatment, Passfield said she was surprised by how emotional she became. She sobbed through the first half of the session, as she realized just how far she had come on her journey. Today, she’s living life on her own terms—treasuring every day with her husband Ben and their two young sons. But the road to recovery has not been without its challenges.
Today, Passfield still receives regular scans to check for any indication that the disease has returned. Though she maintains a positive attitude, the reality of her diagnosis has largely informed her perspective on life. “Once I realised my mortality, I couldn’t ‘unsee’ it,” she stated. Shaw said this awareness creates a sense of terror — particularly when you’re having any new chronic pain. “Any sort of persistent niggles or pain brings up that worry,” she added.
The Emotional Landscape of Survivorship
The emotional landscape after completing cancer treatment is frequently stormy at best. Passfield understands just how important support is while going through treatment. Despite being a stronghold for funding transportation and transit, she’s watched that support erode over the years. She reiterated that though she had an incredible support system at the onset, a lot of support dwindles after treatment ends.
Samantha Clutton, a Queensland clinical psychologist who helps people work through their relationship with cancer, acknowledges the importance of unpacking these complicated emotions. To help normalize their experiences, she motivates people to look for professional advice. “Having people genuinely ask how you are and actually listen … and not just assume that everything’s fine is crucial,” Clutton stated.
“Ask them how they’re feeling and really stop and try and listen and reflect an understanding of that person’s experience rather than trying to shut them down or tell them that they need to think positively,” she recommended.
Understanding the Long-term Effects
Surviving with the experience of cancer is quite different from living with a chronic condition. This constant awareness in all facets of life can be incredibly psychologically draining for survivors, such as Passfield. Professor Dorothy Keefe, CEO of Cancer Australia, says ongoing health monitoring should become the norm for survivors. They should continue their regular day-to-day life, being productive and active while being mindful of themselves.
“You’d be very worried if somebody was worrying constantly about a recurrence of their disease,” Professor Keefe commented. She even focuses on the need for continuous care and education for patients after their active treatment. “So that they know what sort of tests should be done, how often, and what to do if there’s a crisis,” she elaborated.
This cloud of uncertainty about possible recurrences can be a huge emotional burden on survivors. As Clutton notes, “I’ve had it described [as] it’s almost like living with a chronic disease and that you’re always monitoring for it.” Stop spending too much money on equipment and supplies! This perception continues despite them being otherwise physically fit in real terms.
Moving Forward: A New Perspective on Life
On Passfield’s side, the end of treatment is a relief in more ways than one. It ignites an intellectual curiosity and reformation of how we see life and health. She retorts that most survivors don’t leave with a newfound sense of purpose or lifelong gratitude to their doctors after treatment. Despite that, she still consciously tries to live each day completely with her family.
“It’s important to recognize that people will very often feel as if there’s something wrong with them because they’re not feeling great,” Professor Keefe explained. Above all, she reassures survivors that it’s natural to feel on edge—even if they don’t realize it yet. This is completely normal to feel a mix of emotions following such a life-changing event.
