Treatment with radiation and chemotherapy often comes with side effects of nausea, exhaustion, sometimes hair loss, and more. So when a patient completes their treatment and is given the opportunity to “ring the bell” to mark this milestone and close a difficult chapter, it can be an exciting time to celebrate.
For those in a battle with cancer, the ringing of a bell signifies a great accomplishment. It means the end of a tough chapter of chemotherapy and/or radiation and the beginning of a new one.
You might notice an improvement in cancer symptoms, such as less pain, reduced lymph node swelling, and improved energy levels. If you use topical chemotherapy on skin lesions, the area might feel irritated and look red and swollen for the first few weeks. These are all signs that chemotherapy is working.
In a complete remission, all signs and symptoms of cancer have disappeared. If you remain in complete remission for 5 years or more, some doctors may say that you are cured. Still, some cancer cells can remain in your body for many years after treatment. These cells may cause the cancer to come back one day.
The end of treatment bell symbolises the end of radiation treatment and being ready to get back to normal life. Ringing the bell is a huge milestone for a child with cancer. End of treatment bells are put into hospitals by the wonderful people at 'End of Treatment Bells. '
The Significance of the Bell:
Bells can symbolize beginnings and endings, a call to order, or even a command or a warning.
After treatment ends
For some people, the end of treatment means they are not likely to need any more cancer treatment. For other people, treatment is about managing the cancer over a long period of time. Towards the end of your treatment, you usually have a discussion with someone from your cancer team.
Unfortunately, it is common for patients to experience fatigue, difficulty sleeping, problems with memory, persistent pain or tingling from neuropathy, and emotional distress.
Once you have finished your cancer treatment, you should receive a follow- up cancer care plan. Follow-up care means seeing a doctor for regular medical checkups. Your follow-up care plan depends on the type of cancer and type of treatment you had, along with your overall health.
Many of the commonly used cancer treatments, such as radiation or chemotherapy, kill tumor cells. But sometimes, after those cells have died and been cleared away, a tumor will respond by growing faster and more aggressively.
Around the third day following a chemotherapy treatment, some people may experience flu-like symptoms such as muscle aches and pains. If you experience these aches, you can take over-the-counter medications such as Tylenol or Advil. If necessary, contact your doctor for stronger medication.
Short, planned delays in chemotherapy for good-risk GCT patients (less than or equal to 7 days per cycle) appear to be acceptable since they may prevent serious toxicity in this curable patient population. Delays of longer than 7 days are strongly discouraged except in extraordinary life-threatening circumstances.
If your cancer is responding to the treatment, your doctor will likely recommend continuing the chemotherapy until the cancer stops growing or you develop unacceptable side effects from the treatment.
Many places expanded bell-ringing to include patients who completed chemotherapy treatments and were deemed cancer-free. The ceremony has always been a joyous occasion. Patients ring a brass bell hung from the wall and recite an inspirational poem about completing treatment.
Patients in one study said that ringing the bell creates a sense of community, helps them mark an important milestone, and gives them a sense of self-determination as they complete their cancer treatment or a phase within their treatment, such as surgery.
Unlike normal cells, cancer cells ignore signals to stop dividing, to specialize, or to die and be shed. Growing in an uncontrollable manner and unable to recognize its own natural boundary, the cancer cells may spread to areas of the body where they do not belong.
Breast cancer: Women with breast cancer have an overall 30% chance of recurrence. Many cases happen within five years of completing the initial treatment. Cervical cancer: Of those with invasive cervical cancer, an estimated 35% will have a recurrence.
Most people say it takes 6 to 12 months after they finish chemotherapy before they truly feel like themselves again. Read the resource Managing Cognitive Changes for more information about managing chemo brain.
Chemotherapy can be administered a number of ways but common ways include orally and intravenously. The chemotherapy itself stays in the body within 2 -3 days of treatment but there are short-term and long-term side effects that patients may experience.
A return to normalcy is typical, but it takes a while – usually six months or so. “All who have done chemo do finally get back to normal,” Patricia said. “Treatment for breast cancer can take a whole year, but six months after it ends, life comes back – incisions heal, hair grows back, chemo brain fog lifts.”
Don't be afraid to give a hug, foot massage or a manicure, if that's natural and part of your friendship. Many people often say "congratulations" after the person finished chemotherapy, but it may not always be a good thing. Instead of saying "let's celebrate," ask, "how do you feel now that chemo is over?"
The American Cancer Society recommends adult cancer survivors exercise for at least 150 to 300 minutes a week. Try to include strength training at least two days a week, with at least one day off in between. As you recover and adjust, you might find that more exercise makes you feel even better.
Sometimes, cancer treatment can go on for an extended period of time. Many people receive cancer treatment for months, years, or even the rest of their lives.