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.

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.

Useful links

You can find practical tools, exercises, and further support related to this episode here: http://life-aftercancer.co.uk/cancer-fatigue-after-treatment-what-helps

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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