Learning that you have cancer is bound to make you feel challenged – physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and financially. You should show grit and determination, and undergo proper treatment. Preparation for the time ahead can help to cope with cancer and its treatment and improve the quality of your life. Small things can work wonders. It would be worth if you know how many visits you need to the treatment center and if you will need any hospitalization, how are you going to make it to the center, will somebody come with you, how will you meet the expenses, one of our insurance plans will be most useful now, how will you manage work and home during this period, and many more things. Be informed and plan to make the best of your life.
Ask questions
Discuss in detail with your doctor about your treatment plan and duration. Before you visit a doctor, you should prepare a note of all questions and concerns that you have regarding treatment. No question is worthless. Never leave a doctor’s office with any question unanswered. You can even note the answers your doctor gives you.
You can take a relative or a friend with you for visit to a doctor. This will give you emotional support.
Eat right
You need dietary planning to handle not only the cancer but also its treatment. It is important to eat right. A healthy diet is one that has less of fried food and sugar, and is rich in minerals and vitamins. You need more of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and dairy products. Take water in plenty. If you suffer weight loss due to cancer, you may need some nutritious foods like milk, meats, cheese, eggs, and sprouts. You may need to consult a dietician to plan your meals for the duration of the treatment. You may face problems like vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, bloody stools, or pain abdomen during the course of treatment. You need to modify your diet to help you to tide over these problems. If your general health is poor, you may even need to be fed by a tube or given essential supplements as an infusion into your vessels of the arm.
Get help from family and friends
Seek support from family and friends. You should discuss your feelings with them and seek emotional support. You may transiently need some help from your family members for the routine household chores. You may need somebody to help you in cooking, shopping, and cleaning. Do not hesitate to ask for help. You can have them to join one of the support groups for families of cancer patients.
Think about your work schedule
Cancer or its treatment does not incapacitate you to work. You may need to stay away from work for a few days or weeks as your undergo the treatment. The duration depends upon your general health and the type of treatment. You can even look out for a short opportunity to work from home, if you cannot manage to go to your workplace. This will give you a sense of achievement and keep your morale high.
Find a support group
Cancer has many physical, emotional, economic, and social consequences. You should find a support group. These groups can help to connect you to more people who either are or were in a similar situation. You can then discuss your concerns with them and feel encouraged and motivated. You should also have a friend or family member join the group with you. Various support groups are available. Ask your doctor or hospital to know about one. The American Cancer Society offers support and services. There are several cancer education classes, personal care guides, patient networks, and information about emergency services and nursing care.
You can try one of the social networking resources to connect to people like you and learn more about cancer and its treatment. Several online tools and apps are available to help you to seek more education and information.
Preparing to face the end of life
Cancer not only affects the quality of life but also the duration of life. If you have an advanced cancer, you may not have too much time to live. Be bold and make your available life the best. Discuss with family, friends, social workers, your hospital, and a legal advisor about how to manage the end of your life whenever you are faced with one. You may have several questions like how the end is going to be and what shall be the fate of your family after you. Discuss, you will feel better and so will your family.
You can sign some advance directives. These are legal documents that support your decisions in terminal situations when you may not able to make them due to illness. These tell the doctors if you would like to undergo one of the treatment options if the need arises. A durable power of attorney (DPA) for health care will help you to assign the responsibility of taking healthcare decisions to a trusted family member or friend when you make not be in sound state or consciousness to take one for yourself. Another advance directive is an order for do not resuscitate (DNR). This directive tells your hospital to not try one of the last life saving maneuvers called cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if your heartbeat or breathing stops. Enquire if you interested in and can donate your organs and tissues after death. Prepare proper documents with instructions for the same.
You can seek more information about these from your doctor or hospital. You should finish all the legal procedures and give copies to your doctor and family.
Make necessary financial arrangements and assign nominees to your earnings. You can talk to the cancer information specialists at the call information canters of some cancer societies like the American Cancer Society.
Make treatment of cancer a success!
A little planning goes a long way. You can make the entire journey an easier experience. De-stress! If your general health is good, take a break and enjoy a short vacation with family and friends. It will energize you to begin the new phase and finish it successfully. Participate in your treatment and be positive. It will help you and your dear ones. Plan, prepare and persevere. Be a smart survivor and set an example.
