Indeed, battling cancer is an emotional roller coaster ride. It’s the kind of ride you never want to be in, but somehow, you stumble onto it. That’s alright because today, there are countless ways to treat cancer and regain your health.
It’s true that having cancer changes everything. The symptoms of the disease and side effects of the treatment may cause some physical changes and affect the way you live and feel. When it comes to managing the side effects of cancer, medication and chemo are two widely chosen approaches. Still, sometimes, lifestyle-related changes might also play a pivotal role in managing the healing process.
When it comes to coping with cancer, there is no right or wrong way to go about it. Everyone has a different way of dealing with long-term medical conditions. Helping yourself manage and minimize side effects may go a long way in avoiding treatment interruptions or delays and improving your quality of life. Listed below are some tips to bravely face and manage the side effects of cancer in the most effective ways possible.
1.Communicate
Avoiding discussion regarding your feelings or needs is a common misstep for cancer patients. Being honest with your family and friends about your feelings concerning the situation can offer you some form of emotional relief. So share your needs, even if it’s a wish for rest and solitude.
2.Get financial help
Suppose you believe that your cancer was caused by exposure to hazardous substances at the workplace. In that case, you might be liable to receive compensation from your employer. Hence, consult your doctor, a legal expert, and follow the necessary lawsuit steps to file a claim. In some professions, employees develop mesothelioma (a type of lung cancer) because of their employers’ ineptness towards following safety protocols when working with asbestos-related materials. In such cases, receiving financial aid via class-action lawsuits can help to cover medical expenses.
Alternatively, you can also turn to charitable organizations that help support cancer patients and their families by providing them financial assistance. Cancer treatment can be expensive, and getting adequate help will prevent you from burning all your savings.
3.Don’t steer away from your everyday lifestyle.
You may have to live with chemo for a while, but that doesn’t mean you should treat yourself any differently. That said, don’t try to adopt a completely different lifestyle where nothing makes you smile anymore. Be as normal as you can. However, be open to adding slight health-related changes where needed.
It’s easy to ignore this simple strategy during traumatic times. When the future is ambiguous, planning and organizing may suddenly seem overwhelming.
4.Review your priorities and goals
This is the part where you stop sobbing and determine what matters most in your life. Find time for the activities that mean the most to you. If need be, try to discover a new level of openness with your loved ones. Tell them everything you think they should know. Also, you need to realize that cancer doesn’t just affect you, but it also affects your relationships. So set some approachable goals and try not to spoil things with your loved ones.
5.Be physically active
Research shows that exercise is generally safe during cancer treatments and can enhance many aspects of health, such as balance, muscle strength, depression, and fatigue. Talk to your health advisor about what would work best for you.
Furthermore, physical movement after diagnosis helps live a long life. It also reduces the risk of cancer returning among individuals living with prostate, breast, ovarian, and colorectal cancer.
6.Eat a healthy diet
A diet high in vegetables, fruits, grains, fish, and poultry and low in refined grains, processed meat, red meat, high-fat dairy products, desserts, and fried foods has the most health benefits than any other.
So far, studies have not proved that taking herbs, vitamins, and other nutritional supplements can aid cancer patients in living longer. It is best to discuss it with your healthcare provider and ask them to prescribe you some helpful supplements.
7.Take good care of your emotional health
We probably can’t stress this enough – spend time with your family and do what you love. Prioritize your spiritual health, whether that means communicating with nature, creating art, participating in organized religion, meditating, or whatever activity that speaks to you. Try to join a support group online, such as the Cancer Survivors Network or in your local area. Whatever you choose to do, ensure it’s good for your emotional health.
Conclusion
Yes, cancer treatment is a grave process, but you don’t have to dedicate every minute of your life to the disease. Do something that will help release feel-good endorphins, such as exercising or engaging yourself in some other creative outlet and turning your thoughts elsewhere. After all, showing courage against cancer doesn’t encourage the absence of fright but rather the idea that something else is far more important than fright. Our best advice is to find the ‘glue’ that will hold you together – whether it’s family, yoga, friends, religion, a hobby, music, or a cancer support group. Be patient and don’t even think about giving up. Just turn to our comfort-giving tips now, but also stay open to suggestions.