Double Diagnosis: Dealing With Heart Failure And Lung Cancer

It is enough to hear that you have lung cancer, but hearing that you have congestive heart failure at the same time can be devastating. In order to handle life with both of these illnesses, you need to have a good amount of information, you need to have support and you need to know what to do. This article has information that can help you better cope with these two conditions.

1. Don't panic. Having one serious diagnosis is enough to feel terrible, but two at once can try your spirit unlike anything else. The most important thing you can do is to not fall to pieces. While you are of course going to feel badly, grieve and scream, you also have to get ready to fight for your life. Realize that you have something to live for, and dedicate yourself to feeling better.

2. Find out as much as you can about the two diseases. The heart and the lungs work together in the human body to perform functions that most of us are unaware of. Take this opportunity to find out just what your lungs are doing and find out exactly how your heart is failing. Knowing what is going on in your body is one of the best ways for you to cope with your diseases. You de-mystify the conditions, which can help you feel better about your body's ability to heal.

3. Get a second opinion. When you are armed with knowledge, you can talk to your doctor about your conditions. If you do not like the advice your doctor is giving, you may see another one. A second opinion can be comforting for a number of reasons. For one thing, a fresh pair of eyes can reach a different conclusion. You can also get further clarification on how dire the situation is and a different perspective for how you can handle your treatments.

4. Make sure your doctors are all on the same page. You will likely be seeing an oncologist, a primary physician and a cardiologist. Make sure to bring copies of any labwork and a list of medications you are taking to every doctor. Do this instead of having one office fax things over or send things over; that can take a lot of time when you can just bring the paperwork with you. Be sure that every doctor is aware of what the other doctors are recommending so that you can have a cohesive treatment plan that treats your entire body.

5. Don't forget the rest of you. Because you have two important organs in distress, it can be easy to focus on your sicknesses. However, you have an entire body that needs to be fed, and a brain to occupy. Try your best to do something you enjoy every day, and take time to exercise as much as you can and nourish your entire body.

You may feel sick in the days to come, as well as overwhelmed, but don't let illness win. Take the information you have learned in this article and use it to help you handle your diseases in a calm, strong manner so you can prevail.