Coping with cancer treatments
There is no doubt that the diagnosis of cancer can be very disruptive.Those affected feel robbed of time. Time they could spend creating lasting memories with loved ones.Time they could use to generate an income or just with themselves.Times spent nursing not only the disease but the side effects emanating from related treatments.
The best way to manage this time is to know exactly what to expect.This means finding out as much as possible from your oncologist,pertaining to the proposed treatment.You would need to know what it entails,how long the treatment is going to last for,the intervals between the treatments and importantly ,the side effects of the treatment concerned.This will help you to plan,and prepare yourself mentally. It helps to bring a family member for the initial visits. This will assist your family to see opportunities and ways to support you and make your life easier during this time.
Most patients,especially women want life to proceed unhindered during the treatment as if nothing has changed.This,an understandable coping mechanism, and the refusal to allow cancer to take centreplace in your life,though noble,is not always helpful.This adds on additional pressure and renders coping difficult and depression likely.Fatigue is a common side effect of chemotherapy and radiation treatment,and makes it increasingly difficult to cope with activities of daily living.There is unfortunately not much that can be done to offset this. You must prioritise your activities and delegate the rest.More often than not,the people in your life will be more than willing to pitch in if asked.You must rope in your family and friends to be part of the process. Remember that they may be reluctant to swoop in and take over for fear that this may leave you feeling incapacitated and depressed.Therefore it’s important to ask for help,and allow yourself to get well deserved and much needed rest.
You also need to find out whether you will be able to continue working during the treatment. Remember that the side effects are not always present throughout,and are often the worst in the first week after treatment.You may be able to make an arrangement with your employer,to take these days off or to work from home . Explore these options in time in order to avoid inconveniences in the workplace and allow your employer enough time to plan for your absences.
It is important to speak to other patients or cancer survivors.These are the people who really know what you going through,from the slightest nuisances to the biggest hurdles.You will feel encouraged,motivated and hopeful.Most importantly they are a well of good practical advice to draw from,and this will surely make your own experience easier.Join a support group,for all these reasons and who knows, you may find lasting friendships that will sustain you long after the storm of cancer and it’s treatment has receded into the background of your life.
Resist the temptation to entertain worst case scenarios.This is human nature,to think about all sorts of possibilities and plan for them before they even arise,hence the word “resist”.We all like to be well prepared,but this causes unnecessary anxiety,about things that may very well not come to pass.Remind youirself,as should all of us,that today is a gift,that’s why it’s called the “present”.
A common question that patients ask at the start of treatment is what their diet should entail.The truth is that although there have been some recommendations that patients with breast cancer for example,eat a low fat diet,with lots of fruit and vegetables,the reality is that diet at this stage is unlikely to have a meaningful impact on outcomes.Nausea can make eating and drinking difficult,and to offset this you can take anti-nausea medication about half an hour before meals.Keep to bland food,and not intensely flavoured ones.Avoid spicy and hot food,as this will make you more nauseous.Carbonated drinks also help to keep the nausea at bay.If you are on anti-inflammatories,ensure that you take them on a full stomach as the stomach is prone to erosion and inflammation during treatment.
It is important to report all untoward events to your doctor.Generally your oncologist will have gone through the side effects of treatment with you and highlighted what to look out for.If you experience anything that falls outside the scope of what you have discussed,report it to your doctor.Do not wait until the next visit,as it may be a complication of the treatment that needs to be timeously attended to.
Good preparation and reaching out to loved ones will help you cope better.You,your family and friends already know where your strengths lie.You do not need to use this time to prove it.
To speak to other people journeying with cancer visit:
www. CancerSupport.co.za.
