After Cancer.

Once the diagnosis of cancer has been pronounced on you, life changes forever – for the worse. There are

• physical changes,
• emotional changes,
• financial challenges and
• the fear of death.

It therefore becomes important that you do not let your life slide into negativity. Life with cancer can be improved provided you educate yourself on a few things that will help you to maintain a positive attitude after cancer, which is very important. Just follow these simple easy tips and living with cancer won’t be that bad. These tips will not only help to live with cancer but also through side effects of radiation and the chemotherapy side effects.

Cancer and Life.

It will be beneficial for your life that once your cancer is confirmed, you must learn to accept it. This may take time but once you have accepted it, you must build up your will power to fight and survive. Cancer statistics will tell you that 50% of cancer patients survive their cancer. Believe that you belong to that 50%.

1) Handling emotional stress of cancer.

• Once you have been diagnosed with cancer, leave the treatment to your oncologist (cancer physician). What you should do is see a psychiatrist, because it is your mental setup and attitude which is going to help you live with cancer. The psychiatrist or psychologist will help you achieve that positive mental attitude and prevent you from sliding into a negative mindset.
• Make everyday count. Try to analyze what you have done throughout the day and see if you could have done it better for others and you. You have to forget the past and live with the present. With time you will learn to adjust to this and help you in coping with cancer
• Stay cheerful because sulking is not going to help. The least you could do is not to make life worse for your loved ones and friends. Because, remember that they too are depressed with your cancer diagnosis. Your life with cancer has affected their lives as well. Staying cheerful will make you and those close to you, feel better. Remember, that your cancer diagnosis has made you the most cared and watched person and your cheerfulness will lift up the spirits and atmosphere in your house and amongst your friends.
• Join a cancer group so that you are with people having your common interests. Discussions and interaction with such people will make you feel that you are not alone with this problem.
• If possible, get a pet (a dog will be ideal in such circumstances). Believe me, if you are an animal lover, a dog is great pet to have in the house. It reduces the stress and brings a more healthy environment in the house. Having a pet will give you a feeling of being loved and wanted.

2) Handling physical challenges of cancer.

• Handling pain of cancer. Not all cancers cause pain but if yours does, life with cancer can be quite painful. However, there are two things you could do. You have already told your oncologist about it and he has prescribed you drugs for the pain. So let’s leave the treatment part to him. The second thing you have to do is increase your pain tolerance. This is something you have do yourself. There are many ways to do it and you should adopt ways to try and increase your pain tolerance. A few ways recommended are to (a) join group discussions with people who are living with cancer pain or (b) meditation or (c) swearing loudly at the pain or (d) having thoughts of sexual fantasies and the list goes on. Do use one or more methods which suit you best. And most important remember that this pain is temporary and will go once your treatment begins to take effect.
• Handling fatigue of cancer. Fatigue of cancer or fatigue due to cancer treatment is a feeling of being very tired and this feeling does not go even after taking rest. This is a most common symptom and can be quite debilitating. Your doctor will do what is necessary medically, like giving you nutrition supplements and advice. But there are certain things you should do yourself to handle fatigue of cancer.

(a) See a physical or occupational therapist.

(b) Do things differently to save energy. For example try to cook while sitting on a chair or stool instead of standing.

© Take frequent breaks to rest or sleep.

(d) Do not do things that do not need to be done or which someone else can do.

(e) Take to relaxation exercises .

(f) Have adequate sleep and nutrition.

(g) And remember that this fatigue is temporary and will go away once your cancer treatment takes effect.

• Handling sleep disorders of cancer. Insomnia or inability to sleep is due to the physical and emotional challenges of cancer. Your psychiatrist  will help you deal with it with the proper medication but see to it as to how you can contribute to solving this problem yourself also. Relaxation exercises, avoid sleeping during the day, avoid medicines that cause you to sleep during the day, avoid too much tea or coffee as they contain caffeine which disturbs seep quality and avoid too much alcohol for the same reason.
• Have proper nutrition. This is important and can contribute positively towards solving your other physical challenges. Diet for cancer explains in detail which foods you should eat and avoid to help fight cancer. Do read and “digest” the details given therein.
• Handling sex problems. There may be erection problems in men or vaginal dryness in women. It is necessary that you discuss this problem with your partner and more importantly with your doctor. You may need medicines for this problem or psychiatric counselling which can help solve your problem.

3) Handling financial challenges in cancer.

Though you may have planned you finances in life, cancer treatment is something which all of us may not be able to bear. You had planned those finances with the security of your family being uppermost in your mind. And now, having to “blow up” those finances on your cancer treatment will shatter your dreams of leaving some retirement money for your spouse and money for education or marriage or business set up for your children. These thoughts will only increase your mental stress and worsen your physical and emotional challenges.

However, there are ways to get financial help for your cancer treatment. There are organizations and NGOs which offer financial assistance to deserved people all around the globe. All you have to do  search for them in your town or city. You could do a web search or you could ask your doctor who will guide you. There are thousands of people who have benefited from such organizations, which are more than willing to help.

4) Handling fear of death in cancer.

” The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature. “

- Anne Frank

It is natural that cancer will invoke the fear of death. But remember and draw courage from what has been mentioned above, that only 50% of cancer patients die of cancer. Of course, it is different in those cases which are too advanced for treatment and your doctor has already admitted defeat. You can draw solace in the hands of god because it is faith in Him at times like these which gives the courage and strength.

For a cancer patient on path to recovery too, it is necessary to give more time for prayers and God even after cancer. And do not just pray for yourself but send out more prayers for others. This will give you an unexplained sense of satisfaction and hope.

And know that death is inevitable not just for you but for all…  Knowing this will make your life with cancer easily tolerable. Living with cancer and coping with it will then depend on your spiritual faith.

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