Two Things To Do Once You Learn You Have Cancer
Cancer is not something that most people want to talk about. If you have recently been notified that you have a form of this disease, you may be frightened. However, by using the tips below, you can better deal with the situation and create an environment where you can prevail over the disease.
Establish a Plan of Palliative Care
As you are learning more about this disease and coming to grips with what it may mean for your life, it's vital that you assemble a team of health care providers to work on a palliative treatment plan for you. Palliative care is the term used for holistic care of people who have serious, long-term illnesses. The goal of palliative care is to ensure that the person with the disease is as comfortable as possible. While your palliative care team of course will include your oncologist and primary physician, others on this team might be your acupuncturist, your massage therapist, and your pastor.
If your situation begins to deteriorate and you prefer to be in a facility to be cared for, there are a number of palliative care centers. Such centers offer personalized services that provide relief from pain and stress management in a peaceful environment.
Network with Others Who Have Cancer or a History of the Disease
One of the most upsetting parts of learning that you have a disease like cancer is that those around you might not understand what you are going through, no matter how much they care for you. They will not be going through treatments and aren't faced with the same thoughts that may plague you. You may discover that you feel incredibly lonely.
That's why it can be so valuable to meet and network with those who are familiar with cancer because they had to go through it themselves. Chatting with people who are also sick or those who have gotten better can make you feel less isolated. They can offer you ideas and tips about:
- Medical supplies you may want to have in your home, such as sterile gloves and bedpans
- The best place to purchase wigs if you lose your hair during treatment
- What to eat before and after a chemotherapy treatment
- Treatments that soothe pain
- How to handle anger, sadness, and other feelings
Dealing with cancer requires you to act with bravery and strength. By making use of the above suggestions, you can better cope with the disease and work to conquer it.
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