The diagnosis of cancer comes with a heavy burden. It's something that changes a person's life fully, from their physical health down to their social life and even their finances. The American Cancer Society states that there are approximately 2 million new cancer cases in the U.S. every year, each representing a person whose life has changed forever. Trying to manage everything that comes after a cancer diagnosis can be challenging, especially with the complex medical systems out there, all while trying to retain a sense of normalcy and purpose. This article aims to discuss how one can live while enduring cancer treatment and recovery.
Understanding Your Diagnosis and Treatment Options
When one is newly diagnosed with cancer, a lot of them suffer from an information overload. A lot of it comes from medical terminologies, treatment plans, and at times even prognosis. One important part of making well-informed decisions is properly understanding the specific diagnosis that one has.
The National Cancer Institute suggests that one should always take along a friend or a family member they trust. This is important because the person attending the appointment will need to serve as a second pair of ears. If possible, requesting the doctor to record parts of the conversations is very useful. It allows for easily setup consultation reviews down the line. This is ideal when the patient is feeling overwhelmed. Furthermore, healthcare providers should be asked to explain ideas more understandably. Lastly, clarification should be sought when it is needed.
Participative decision-making has been associated with greater reported satisfaction with care. This encompasses investigating the cancer type, its treatments, Home Care and their possible side effects, and setting priorities with the medical team members. As stated by Always Best Care home care in Wilmington, NC patients who know the details of their condition tend to experience anxiety relief and greater control during the treatment course.
Creating a Support System
The journey of going through cancer treatment does not have to be taken alone. The existence of a holistic support network positively enhances the individual’s physical and emotional wellbeing. Data published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology suggests the relation between high levels of social support and increased survival rates for different types of cancers.
Your supportive individuals should consist of the following groups:
- Medical support: The oncologists, nurses, social workers, and other practitioners who make up your treatment team.
- Emotional support: Your family and friends, therapists, and support groups who are there for you.
- Practical support: These are people who can help you with your routines such as attending to your daily chores, driving you to your appointments, preparing meals, and cleaning the house.
Various cancer support organizations have developed cancer resources for the appropriate patient support. For instance, the American Cancer Society provides a nationwide 24/7 helpline (1-800-227-2345) enabling patients to connect with local resources and support. Patients can also join online support groups which broaden interactions among peers, caregivers, and family members, especially those battling rare cancers or lacking regional resources.
Physical impacts are ascribed to changes and side effects of an illness, or condition. The medical intervention employed to treat cancer such as surgery, chemotherapy, papotherapy, directed at relief of suffering, or palliative care greatly impacts one’s day-to-day functioning as well as leads to emotional pain, life satisfaction, and overall enjoyment, and is a complete change to one’s lifestyle. It is well documented that there is a considerable degree of fatigue in over 80% of patients getting treated, and others endure experiencing side effects such as severe nausea, unavoidable pain, and changes in physical appearance such as loss of hair.
Listed below are a few changes that can ameliorate the quality of life through proactive measures focused on overcoming the issue:
- Strategic Rest: Ensure that periods allocated for resting within the day are rather planned which prevents participants from waiting until exhaustion sets in.
- Maintaining Nutrition: It is essential to maintain one’s diet considering working with a nutritionist to ensure solving other treatment-related issues like decreased appetite, nausea, or taste change.
- Small but regular amounts of nutrient-filled food often serve as more manageable rather than standard meal patterns.
Managing Physical Changes and Side Effects
Staying active during cancer treatment provides one with a myriad of benefits; some of which include: reduced fatigue, well preserved physical functioning, and in some cases, better treatment outcomes. The American College of Sports Medicine suggests that cancer patients aim for moderate intensity exercise for 150 minutes every week, if their condition allows for it, and is adjusted based on individual ability.
Navigating Financial Challenges
The financial challenges that come with treating cancer are daunting; the average treatment cost stands at an alarming $150,000. Even with healthcare coverage, the additional costs can be financially flustering. It is crucial to take preventative steps to maintain financial stability such as:
Be well versed with the insurance policy specifics: copayments, deductibles, and limitations regarding coverage. Many hospitals offer the service of employing financial counselors who guide patients through complex matters regarding insurance.
Check if pharmaceutical companies, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies offer complimentary help with treatments, medications, or even living expenses.
Obtain the help of a qualified financial consultant who specializes in medical emergencies and devise plans regarding expenses while safeguarding the individual’s long-term financial posture.
Maintaining Emotional Wellbeing
A shocking statistic shows that close to a quarter of cancer patients suffer from depression. The same statistic shows that almost half of the patients contend with anxiety. Such formidable emotional burdens call for comfort and support, which, when provided, allow individuals to get back to living a relatively normal and healthy life. Psychological interventions have been effective in alleviating distress and improving the quality of life of cancer patients. These interventions include:
- Individual therapy sessions with trained psycho-oncologists
- Mindfulness-based stress reduction programs
- CBT focuses on coping strategies
- Support groups (online or face-to-face)
Patients, particularly, find activities designed to focus on meaning to be highly beneficial. For some, such activities can include documenting one’s journey through writing or art, deepening through spiritual practices, or performing legacy work that helps connect one’s values and important relationships.
Balancing Treatment with Daily Life
While attempting to integrate cancer treatment into one’s pre-existing day-to-day activities and responsibilities is quite demanding, combining it with work, familial roles, and individual hobbies is even more taxing as they compete for one’s energy and time.
This balancing act requires communication. For example, having open conversations with employers about your needs may reveal flexible work hours (or even leave options). The same approach can be applied when dealing with other family members who may have set unrealistic expectations and rigid roles, as open dialogue can prevent these misunderstandings.
Energy levels are not optimal. Setting priorities becomes increasingly critical. Because most activities must now strategically guarantee the utmost meaning and satisfaction to one’s life, this surprisingly helps mitigate the loss of life quality resulting from necessary compromises. A great number of patients report that the diagnosis of cancer provides a valuable recalibration of priorities—leading to a greater appreciation for simple things that have previously been taken for granted, as well as meaningful relationships.
Planning for Survivorship
The number of patients surviving cancer is increasing as a result of improving treatments. According to the National Cancer Institute, there are close to 18 million survivors in the United States. The shift from patient to survivor presents patients with a unique set of problems to tackle: the fear of cancer recurring, facing the long-term consequences of treatment, or coping with the “new normal.”
Building a survivorship care plan with your healthcare professional strategically helps in monitoring and dealing with these issues. Usually, these plans encompass:
- Summary of treatments received
- Schedule for follow-up care and active monitoring
- Outlining possible late effects of treatment
- Promotion of health and prevention of some diseases
- Support materials and references
Many cancer centers are now offering dedicated survivorship programs to attend to the complex needs of patients who have completed their active treatment.
Final Verdict
Undergoing cancer treatment entails living with constant physical, emotional, and practical difficulties while attempting to maintain a sense of normality and purpose. Participating in cancer management, obtaining strong relationships, and developing good coping mechanisms allow patients to have a good quality of life—even during the demanding cancer journey. While the journey with cancer may shift the course of life, most patients learn that the challenges add depth to life and unveil newfound strength and valuable relationships.
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