After a person is diagnosed with terminal cancer, knowing what to expect, and making plans to move forward, can help to make this extremely stressful time a bit easier. After receiving this diagnosis, an individual may feel overwhelmed, afraid, or anxious. They may also wonder how they are going to cope in the days to come.
The good news is, there are several tips that can be used to help a person and their family cope during this difficult time. Keep reading to learn what these coping tips are.
Keep Lines of Communication Open
Remain honest about the situation. Two-way communication with friends and family members, along with others, is essential after a cancer diagnosis.
If friends and family members know the truth, make sure they are also open and honest. Communicating well and being honest about emotions can help everyone work together and cope as things progress.
Some tips to help patients learn how to communicate well with others about these difficult topics can be found by utilizing resources provided by Poseida Therapeutics. These services provide other help and information, too.
Anticipate Potential Physical Changes
After receiving a terminal cancer diagnosis and prior to beginning treatment, it’s a good idea to plan for changes. Prepare now to make coping later a bit easier.
It’s a good idea to ask the doctor what changes lie ahead. Are the drugs prescribed going to cause hair loss?
It may also be beneficial to discuss things like hairpieces, wigs, makeup, and clothing with an image expert, as they can help the individual feel more attractive and comfortable when changes begin to occur. Insurance may help to pay for adaptive devices, such as prostheses, wigs, and other items.
Live a Healthy Lifestyle
Eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly can help to improve a terminal cancer patient’s energy levels while they receive treatment. Make sure to eat a variety of foods and get plenty of rest to ensure the fatigue and stress associated with cancer and the treatment can be mitigated.
It’s a good idea to participate in enjoyable activities, too. Some data has proven that a certain level of physical exercise like yoga during cancer treatment can help a person cope better, and in some cases, even live longer.
Allow Family Members and Friends to Help
In many cases, family members and friends can help a person who has been diagnosed with cancer run errands, prepare meals, provide transportation, and help with various household chores. It’s important for a person to learn how to accept their help.
Accepting help allows people who care about the cancer patient feel as though they can help and contribute during this challenging time. It’s also important to encourage the family to accept help when needed. A cancer diagnosis is something that affects a whole family and that adds stress – especially for the primary caregivers.
Help and Cancer: Support is Necessary
When it comes to coping with a terminal cancer diagnosis, the tips here can help ensure that a person has what they need. While the road may still be rocky, support is a key element to handling the treatment.
Family and friends are allies in this difficult time, make sure not to push them away. Doing so can make the entire coping process more challenging.
