“You Have Cancer": These words have turned your life upside down. You have a million thoughts going through your head: “What about my job?” “What about my kids?” “Am I going to die?” Or maybe you just have one thought: “I have cancer.” You may be feeling sad, scared, confused, angry, or even in denial. There is no doubt about it, cancer changes everything. What Is Coping?: Coping is the way in which you deal with your cancer. It does not mean that you have to hopelessly accept your cancer, or be positive about your diagnosis. Coping means managing the diagnosis, and finding the strength and resources to take control of how you live with your disease. Even though everything may seem like it is out of control, believe it or not, there are things that can help you get through this difficult time. 1. Acknowledge Your Emotions Many people feel a wide range of emotions following a cancer diagnosis. You are not alone. It is not unusual to feel many different emotions at the same time, or to not feel any emotions at all. You are entitled to feel frightened, or frustrated, or resentful. As you learn to cope with your disease, you can develop strategies for dealing with the feelings that may come with cancer. Think of things that have helped you get through tough, stressful times in the past, or things that make you feel good. Some things that may help you to cope with your feelings are: Sharing your emotions with someone you are close to Start a journal to get your feelings out Express your emotions creatively. Try painting, scrapbooking, poetry, music… Seek professional counseling with an oncology social worker or psychologist Join a support group with people going through the same journey Try some relaxation techniques such as massage or guided imagery Exercise or outdoor activities such as walking or gardening Practice your faith Remember that you will have bad days, but that you will also have not-so-bad days as well. Although the cancer may be inside of you, this diagnosis will mean change for everyone in your life. There may be times when you feel alone, even when surrounded by loved ones. However, the support of those around you will be very important on your cancer journey. Try to remain a part of these relationships by being with those you love. Watch TV or movies together, go for a drive, play a board game. You may be surprised how these “breaks” can lift your spirits. 2. Learning About Cancer You may be feeling overwhelmed and confused about your disease. Possibly you are hearing medical terms and concepts for the first time, or maybe you feel you are unable to absorb any information at this time. Learning about cancer can be a huge challenge. These days, there are many resources to access information about leukemia and lymphoma, but not all sources are reliable. The best ways to make sense of the information are: Ask questions! As you are visiting websites or reading articles in magazines, jot down some questions for your doctor or healthcare provider. Do not feel embarrassed to write down the answers to these questions, or to ask the doctor to repeat the answer or explain it in a different way. Bring a family member along to appointments. It is important that you have a good understanding before you proceed and notes will be helpful to refer back to in the future. Ask your healthcare provider to recommend educational programs, websites, books and other sources of information. Take part in decision making about your care. Go to your medical appointments. 3. Accept Help From Others Having help can make your cancer journey easier, but it may be hard to ask for. Keep this in mind: when someone that cares about you learns that you have leukemia or lymphoma, they will want to help you. The ability to do something, even a small thing for you, will make them feel useful and closer to you. Here are some suggestions: Cooking a meal for you and your family Walking your dog Mowing your lawn or shoveling snow Driving you to an appointment Picking up groceries for you Caring for your children In addition to recruiting help, also learn to help yourself. Give yourself permission to let the house get a little messy, or make simple meals. Things may need to be more relaxed for a while, especially during your treatment. 4. Financial Help Financial stress leads to emotional stress. You will have to cut back on time spent at work, if you are able to work at all, and cancer treatment may mean years of expensive medical care. Here are some things you can do: Talk to your healthcare team about your situation. Many care facilities have on site staff such as social workers that can help you with your concerns. Talk to your insurance company to help clarify benefits and make further suggestions. Learn about organizations that can help you. Some examples may include The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and Shalom Cancare, as well as some pharmaceutical companies that have programs to help cancer patients pay for their medications. Find out if you are eligible for any government programs and apply for them. Talk directly to your mortgage or utility companies if you cannot make your living expenses. They may be able to work with you on a payment plan. Many leukemia and lymphoma patients are worried that may lose their jobs because of their medical condition. There are laws that protect you from this type of discrimination Moving On This may feel like the scariest situation you have ever had to face. Many people feel that their life is over because of their cancer diagnosis. However, despite the fact that you have a very serious illness, it does not mean you stop living. Many, many people have survived their cancer journey, and gone on to lead highly rewarding lives. You may not be able to control the fact that you have leukemia or lymphoma, but you can control how you live with it. Just remember that there is always someone to help you along on your journey and that you are not alone.
Posted on: Sun, 21 Jul 2013 21:39:11 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015