How To Talk About Cancer With Your Loved Ones
It is true that if you get a cancer diagnosis, you are the one who will feel the very worst effects. However, your family and friends will also be extremely concerned, not just because they will be helping you in the days and months to come, but because they love you and want the best for you. They will be hurting for you and will want to know how they can help. This article helps you talk to others about your diagnosis of cancer.
Being an active participant in your treatments is a better strategy for fighting cancer, than to just passively allow the physicians to treat you. Make sure you stay in the situation. This does not do anything to improve your condition.
You don't have to give every last detail of every visit. If people keep prying, then they need to mind their own business a bit. However, when it comes to information such as the specific stage, and the important steps that will be coming next for you, it is good to share that with those around you. They will be very worried for you, and if it turns out that you do need some help, they will already have in mind what is coming, so they are prepared.
Communicate! If you feel that your loved ones aren't being very supportive, bring up the topic in a non-aggressive but serious way. Let them know, with kindness, how they can help out and why you need that help. Use caution, though. This is a very hard time. Come from a position of love. Don't try to manipulate people or make them feel guilty--just state calmly what you need. It is critical that you not have any regrets at this point.
It can be very hard to people to accept help sometimes. We like to be independent and autonomous, and do things ourselves. One thing about cancer is that it can make those things impossible, especially in a culture where both spouses are working and people are expected to live high-paced lives. At times, we will just need help. Embrace this and allow those around you to step in now and then. Maybe you have had a rough week with your chemotherapy treatment and really need someone else to cook dinner, because you don't feel like doing it, but you also don't want to sit in a restaurant with your loud kids. Instead, ask a friend to pick something up for you guys, and pay her back a little extra when she brings it to the house. Let your close ones help you.
A cancer diagnosis forces you to face some very scary inevitabilities. Be prepared now so you can fight later.
You don't have to talk about every aspect of your cancer with people. They don't need to know the elaborate details of each inner working in your body. When you are giving people an update, paint in broad strokes that are clear and open, and just move on when people press you for more. There are some people who enjoy poring over the details of others -- you don't have to be involved in that. Just give the basic summary and then move on.
Whenever you are in the sun, you should cover your skin with clothing or sunscreen to make it less likely that you will contract skin cancer. The sun's ultraviolet rays could be harsh, and may cause melanoma, which could be fatal if it is left untreated. Water-resistant sunscreen with a minimum of SPF30 is recommended by experts, especially if you are fairer-skinned or prone to sunburns.
Don't lock yourself away from othersw and stop seeing your friends just because of this diagnosis. You will need the emotional support of your family and friends now more than ever. This doesn't mean that you have to keep your busy social circle up to its full intensity, but keep seeing and talking to your friends. This will help you feel better about things.
When you are diagnosed with cancer, quitting smoking should be high on your agenda. Some people think that because they have already been diagnosed with cancer, they can't be saved, and thus quitting smoking would be pointless. However, the chemicals that are contained within the cigarette will impede your recovery process.
Each year, medical research improves, which means that more and more people are able to survive cancer and live for decades after remission. No matter what happens to you, there are ways to help yourself out by staying positive.
