When an individual is diagnosed with cancer, his or her life often
changes in significant ways. Certainly hearing the news that one has cancer
can create emotional upset and stress. But then one is also thrust into the
world of tests, physician appointments, and treatment, whether that includes
surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or a combination of these or other
approaches.
The diagnosis and need to deal with the cancer might come in the midst of
an already stress-filled life. Now one might need to juggle time and energy
to manage appointments as well as one's usual responsibilities; it is easy
to feel overwhelmed and out of control. There may also be financial
stressors if one is unable to work during treatment. And for many, there is
a lingering concern about how effective treatment will be, how long it might
be before one feels “normal” again.
There are a number of things one can do to help make the going a bit
easier:
Talk about it! This has significant benefits for
emotional well-being, including a diminishment of the sense of being
alone or misunderstood, offering release of what can become pent-up
feelings, and perhaps gaining a different view of things that helps you
move forward. In addition to family and friends, talking with other
people facing cancer (as in support groups) can add to your perspective
and let you know some of what you are feeling is not abnormal. There are
also counselors available to help you navigate the emotional terrain.
Talking about what you are facing can also be helpful in
problem-solving. You might get some ideas from others as to how
to negotiate the practical challenges you face. Identifying and breaking
down what is problematic can help you feel less overwhelmed; as you
likely have a number of people who care about you and want to help in
some way, you can offer some suggestions of practical things they can do
to help alleviate your stress about such things as child-care,
transportation to appointments, grocery shopping, and the like. Ask your
treatment team (doctors, nurses, assistants) about people with specific
knowledge you might need (e.g., community resources, financial
planning).
Information: Learn about what you are facing, what
you can expect from such things as chemotherapy and radiation. This can
help you prepare and find ways to work around such things as fatigue and
daily appointments. Sometimes a source of worry is whether a side effect
is to be expected or is “something else wrong.” Having this knowledge
can help diminish stress in this area. Don't be afraid to ask questions
and advocate for yourself.
Side effects: Interventions like cognitive
behavioral therapy, guided imagery, and relaxation therapy can be
utilized to effectively manage common side effects from treatment like
pain, fatigue, nausea, and insomnia. Many people do not realize that
these difficulties can increase their level of stress and have a strong
impact on their physical and emotional functioning. Mastering these
techniques can help make the treatment course more manageable.
Practice mindfulness: This is the art of being
aware of what is happening in the present. This focus can detract from
ruminating or going over and over that which is uncomfortable or
troubling. As you think about just today, about now, it may become
easier to identify those things that are under your control (in contrast
to feeling that everything is out of control and unpredictable). People
often also come to identify things within their day that are
pleasurable, enjoyable, or meaningful that they might not have noticed
before.
Expectations: Be gentle with yourself. Because of
the side effects of treatment or time needed for treatment, it may not
be realistic to expect that you can do all that you did before. As
difficult as it is, you might decide to let go of some things as you
tend to others (e.g., perhaps the carpets don't need to be vacuumed
twice a week). Setting priorities and pacing yourself can help direct
the time and energy you have so that you can experience a sense of
accomplishment. The trick is to not compare yourself to how you were
“before”. That is not fair to you. Instead, remind yourself of what you
can do in addition to this difficult thing called facing cancer.
Set the course for survivorship: Working with a
psychologist can help you to change old behaviors or activities that no
longer suit a healthy lifestyle. These habits can often be difficult to
change without professional support and suggestions. There are many
interventions available to help you make healthy choices, reduce your
level of stress and develop more positive coping skills in replacement
of unhealthy habits.
