Episode 06

Cancer fatigue after treatment: What helps

"The fatigue after cancer was far worse and lasted far longer than I expected. I couldn’t even lift a kettle.”

In this episode, Steph sits down with Jonathan Parkyn, a writer from East London who is 18 months post treatment for head and neck cancer, to talk about severe fatigue, losing his sense of taste, and what helped him adjust to life after treatment.

He shares how he learned to manage his energy, set boundaries, and why journalling became such an important part of recovery, alongside humour and speaking to people who truly understood what he was going through.

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In this episode we talk about:

- cancer fatigue and the exhaustion that can continue long after treatment ends
- changes to taste, eating, and everyday life after cancer
- learning how to manage limited energy and set boundaries
- finding humour, connection, and support through people who understood
- journalling and the coping tools that helped Jonathan after treatment

This is a conversation about the reality of life after cancer, the unexpected challenges recovery can bring, and the small things that can help along the way.

Whether you’re navigating life after cancer yourself or supporting someone who is, this episode offers honesty, reassurance, and a reminder that these experiences are more common than many people realise.

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Disclaimer

The information shared in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. If you have any concerns about your health or notice any new or worsening symptoms, please contact your GP or your medical team.

Statements made are based on Jonathan’s personal experience and are anecdotal.

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00:00 - Introduction
01:00 - The shock of slow recovery after cancer
02:25 - Long term side effects after treatment
04:20 - Identity changes after cancer
06:30 - Losing taste, food, and parts of everyday life
08:15 - Finding support from people who understand
10:30 - What cancer fatigue really feels like
12:20 - Managing energy and learning your limits
15:10 - What helped most after treatment
16:20 - Journalling, recovery, and processing emotions
18:00 - The part of recovery that doctors don't always talk about
19:30 - Final reflections and takeaway questions

Jonathan Parkyn, a writer from East London who is 18 months post treatment for head and neck cancer. In this conversation,
he shares what life has really been like since finishing cancer treatment.

He talks honestly about how shocking the fatigue was and the small things that helped him manage it. We also explore something less often discussed, losing his sense of taste, and how that didn't just affect food, but social life, enjoyment, and his sense of identity, and we talk about what helped - meeting someone who had been through something
similar, writing things down, humour, and finding small ways to regain steadiness.

This podcast shares experiences and perspectives on life after cancer.

It is not medical advice and cannot replace support from your healthcare team.

Some conversations may bring up strong feelings. If you need additional support,

consider reaching out to someone you trust, your GP, or your oncology team.

You can also find free online workshops, expert sessions, peer groups and

our 6 week programme at life-aftercancer.co.uk.

Find free support