The importance of Self-Care After a Cancer Diagnosis
By Scott Sanders
Cancer is a vicious enemy that attacks its victims on both a physical and personal level. Standing up to this dreaded disease requires not only sound professional care but also effective self-care. In this post, we'll look at some of the common issues cancer patients face and how to manage them effectively. We'll suggest ways you can help yourself feel better right now, even in the midst of uncertainty. We'll also help you face the future by making the most of the present.
Understanding What's Going On inside Your Body
Many of the challenges cancer patients face come not only from the illness itself but from the therapies used to treat the condition. These issues can include:
● Nausea, poor appetite, and weight loss
● Fatigue and weakness
● Anxiety, fear, or depression over your diagnosis
Your healthcare professional will suggest ways to minimize these problems. In the meantime, here are some things you can do for yourself:
● Get plenty of rest. A refreshed body can fight cancer better than one that's struggling with exhaustion.
● Avoid junk food and try to eat nutritious meals.
● Spend time with those you love. Their caring support can make a world of difference during tough times.
● Consider starting a journal. Writing your feelings down on paper can help you to understand and deal with them more effectively.
Managing Expectations
Undergoing cancer treatment can be an emotional roller coaster, not only now but going forward, as pointed out by the Huffington Post. One day you feel fine; the next day, not so much. A new medicine may relieve your symptoms for a time and even put your cancer in remission. But this doesn't always last. Even long-term survivors face the prospect of their illness coming back somewhere down the road. How do you deal with this constant uncertainty? Here are some strategies:
● Live in the present as much as possible. None of us, no matter how healthy or how sick, has a guarantee of tomorrow. We can plan and dream all we want, but, in the end, all we have is right now.
● Prioritize. Some things in life are essential, others are desirable, and still others are either trivial or of minor importance. Focusing on the first two categories rather than the last may not extend our lives, but it can help us to get the most use from our time.
● Accept that controlling the future is impossible. We can take steps to avoid misfortunes and maximize our opportunities, of course. But we cannot change the inevitable. Coming to terms with this fact can spare us from needless worry and stress.
● Seek medical help only from qualified medical professionals. Despite what some people may tell you, there is no secret cure for cancer. Not only do bogus cures offer false hope, in some cases they can make your condition worse, as pointed out by the American Cancer Society.
Consider Getting a Therapy Dog
Therapy dogs can make a world of difference to how you feel, both now and in the future. Here's why:
● Nobody will show you more unconditional love than a dog. An animal will provide marvelous companionship when human company is unavailable.
● Therapy dogs can lift your spirits even when you're feeling hopeless, which is good medicine no matter how you look at it.
● Therapy dogs can help prevent falls, turn lights off and on, carry groceries, and summon help in case of emergency. And they ask for nothing in return, except affection and a little food and water.
Therapy dogs, living in the moment, eating nutritious food, and the other ideas in this post cannot cure cancer all by themselves. But they can help your body fight the disease while improving your quality of life. Please consider these suggestions as you deal with the issues before you, and accept our best wishes for a happy and abundant future.