So your breast cancer is officially in remission, but the cancer has been replaced by a lot of questions. Why is your hair growing back in curly? When will you stop being so tired? And is it normal to worry this much about the cancer coming back?

One in eight women will develop breast cancer over their lifetime, with an estimated 266,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer in 2018 alone. The good news is that survival rates have steadily increased over the last 30 years. Today, there are more than 3 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S. As a survivor, finding your new normal is part of the breast cancer journey.

Here’s what to expect post-treatment as you recover physically and emotionally.

Recovery takes time

We’re here to break it to you: Lingering “chemobrain” is real. Months after treatment, many women are surprised to still be dealing with side effects like fatigue, mental fogginess, and inability to focus. As you ease back into work, raising a family, and having a social life again, these ongoing physical symptoms can keep you from feeling like yourself.

Just remember, you didn’t face cancer overnight, so recovery won’t happen instantly, either. Generally, you can expect your recovery to last as long as your treatment did. Depending on whether you had surgery, chemo, or radiation, that could be a year or more – and may involve a new normal. Some women find they have less energy than they did before, and your hair may look different than it did pre-cancer.

Patience is the key to managing your recovery. Plan for periods of rest, as you did during treatment, and pay attention to the times of day when your energy lags. Some women keep a journal to track when a case of the blahs is likely to strike. And take heart: This part of the journey will soon pass.

Mind your diet and exercise

After finishing a round of chemo, you’re probably thrilled to eat a meal that doesn’t taste like a mouthful of metal. Make sure to include plenty of antioxidant-rich foods on your plate, like broccoli, tomatoes, blueberries, and walnuts. These nutritional powerhouses can help strengthen your immune system and help you maintain a healthy body weight, both key to minimizing the chances of your cancer recurring.

As you slowly regain your strength, regular exercise is also important for maintaining a healthy weight and keeping cancer at bay. Since fat cells produce estrogen, which can cause breast cancers to develop and grow, overweight or obese women can be at a higher risk of developing or having a recurrence of breast cancer. If treatment caused you to go into menopause suddenly, incorporating movement into your routine can also counteract muscle loss that often comes with this stage of life. No need to enter any marathons, just take it at the pace that feels right for you.

Finding joy in your new life

Breast cancer can mean spending months or years in constant crisis mode. Once treatment is over and you catch your breath, your relief can be mixed with sadness over what you’ve been through – and worries over what’s next. One 2017 study found that 40 percent of working-age cancer survivors report moderate to high levels of anxiety.

While you navigate life as a survivor, don’t be afraid to ask for what you need. If you were running your school’s PTO, traveling for work each month, and coaching soccer before cancer, it’s OK to admit that you need to scale back. Talk to others about your worries and your everyday triumphs, from concerns about the cancer returning to the moment you finally have enough hair for a ponytail again. Many women also find it helpful to recognize their cancer-free milestone, whether they go on a trip, throw a party, or plant a tree in the backyard. After all, you’ve been through a lot – you deserve a celebration.

Planning for the future

A cancer diagnosis is a powerful reminder that anything can happen, so it’s important to make sure your family is protected. If you don’t have life insurance yet, don’t worry – you still have options. After two years cancer-free, many survivors can qualify for coverage, although there may be a graded period (which means you won’t get a full payout if you die during that time). After five years, many people can get coverage that kicks in right away. Of course, life insurance coverage is most affordable before you have a major health issue, so encourage your loved ones to lock in a policy now.

As a breast cancer survivor, life will never be the same. With time and patience, though, you can build a life that was worth fighting cancer for.

At eFinancial, our goal is to make life insurance simple, affordable, and understandable for everyday families. This content is intended for educational purposes only. Each post is carefully fact-checked, reviewed and updated regularly to ensure the information is as relevant as possible.