How to cope after a cancer diagnosis
Hearing the words, "You have cancer" are one of the most defining moments in anyone life. You may feel overwhelmed and completely unsure of what to do next. For many people the fear paralyzes them into no knowing what to do. It is important to understand that a cancer diagnosis doesn't mean the end and there are ways to cope. There are ways to help you deal with what will lie ahead. Here are is what you need to know about how to cope after a cancer diagnosis-
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- Get all the information you can-Cancer is not a black and white issue. You need to make sure that you gather all the information that you can in order to help you make the best treatment decisions. It can be helpful to bring a friend or family member with you when you meet with the doctor. You should also make sure that you have written down any questions that you have, since it can be difficult to remember everything you want to ask.
- Keep the communication happening-It can be so overwhelming to deal with a cancer diagnosis, that it seems tempting to shut down. You want to make sure that you are having open and honest two-way communication, with your treatment team, loved ones and your employer if applicable. You may feel isolated by the amount of information coming at you and the reactions that other people close to you will have. Remember that it is not weakness to express fear or concern, and you and those who care about you, can gain strength from each other.
- Anticipate possible physical changes-Before you begin treatment is the best time to anticipate what will happen to you physically. Understanding how your treatment will make you look and feel is a key component to dealing with it. For example: If you will be losing your hair you can check out wigs or hairpieces that you might find useful. This is also a good time to determine what your insurance will pay for in terms of adaptive devices. For further information about this issue it can be helpful to check with a support group, whose members have already been through this. They can let you know what things helped them the most.
- Keep on with a healthy lifestyle-If you were eating well and exercising before your diagnosis that will serve you well. If you need to make changes, now is the time. Making good nutritional choices and exercising will help you to keep your energy up. In addition, it is crucial to get enough sleep to help deal with the fatigue and stress that cancer treatment will bring into your life. Make sure that you carve out time to spend, in enjoyable activities. Make physical activity a priority whenever possible. Recent studies show that people, who maintain some kind of physical activity during their treatment, not only cope with it better, but often have better results.
- Let other help you-Many times cancer patients are embarrassed by the amount of help that they require. Friends and family members are often at a loss as to what they can do to help. You can let other people in your life know that you would accept help with meals, housework, transportation and even errands. Accepting help graciously allows us to be able to make a positive contribution during a difficult time. It is also important to get help for your family if they need it. Children may struggle with a parent's diagnosis and be unable to verbalize their needs. Allowing other to help can make the situation a little easier to deal with.
