Kate, Princess of Wales talks of ‘life-changing’ cancer treatment

The princess of Wales spoke frankly about the long -term challenges that change the life of recovery after chemotherapy, while visited an Essex hospital.

Catherine said during the treatment “you put a kind of courageous face” but afterwards, it can always be “really difficult”.

She said to patients at the Life Hospital after cancer treatment: “You are unable to operate normally at home as you may have done in the past.”

It was Catherine’s first public commitment since her release of an appearance in Royal Ascot, when she was said that she had to find the right balance in her return to work.

In January, Catherine announced that she was in remission of cancer, which was diagnosed last year. But his latest comments recall how it is a progressive path to recovery.

She said: “You put a kind of courageous face, stoicism through the treatment, the treatment is done – so it’s like” I can crack, come back to normal “.

“But in fact, the phase thereafter is really difficult, you are no longer necessarily under the clinical team, but you are unable to operate normally at home as you may have done in the past,” said the princess.

“But that changes life for anyone, through the first diagnosis or post-processing and things like that, it is an experience that changes life both for the patient but also for families.

“And in fact, this is sometimes not recognized, you do not necessarily appreciate, especially when it is the first time, how it will have an impact.

“You have to find your new normal and it takes time … And it’s a roller coaster, it’s not a smooth plane, you expect. But the reality is that it is not the case, you are going through difficult times,” said Catherine.

The princess was in a conversation with a group of patients – and he was told: “It can be very discombing, at that time when you finished active treatment.”

“Your reality has changed completely,” the patient told the princess.

Catherine spoke of the need for recovery time: “There is this whole phase when you finish your treatment that you yourself, everyone is waiting for you, you’ve ended your time, go, you are better, and that’s not the case at all.”

There had been a lot of attention given when the princess did not participate in a commitment to the Ascot racecourse.

But royal sources say that his comments will send an important message of support to other former cancer patients who face challenges in their own recovery trip on Tuesday.

She made these comments when she visited a “well-being garden” in Colchester, which helps to use nature to support patients in their restoration of the disease.

Catherine spoke of the healing power of the natural world and the way she was a source of strength for her during her return from the disease. She described nature as her “sanctuary”.

In May, the Royal Horticultural Society launched a “Catherine rose”, which was sold to collect funds for the Royal Cancer of Cancer in Marsden, in a hospital where the princess had been treated.

There are 50 of this variety of roses that have been given to Colchester hospital, the princess helping to plant the roses during her visit.

The hospital well-being garden is intended to provide a place to relax and recover for patients, recognizing how nature can help people feel better, both in their physical and mental health.