After surviving the initial shock of a cancer diagnosis, additional
challenges are inevitable. Potential
sources of fear and anxiety include understanding the treatments recommended
for you, potentially unpleasant side effects, lifestyle changes, financial
worries, body-image issues, and concerns about how your diagnosis will affect
your job, family members, and other interpersonal relationships. After 27 years as an oncology nurse, I can
attest to what research has proven: One
of the most important resources a cancer patient can have is a solid system of
support.
Submitted by Sue Ellen Glover,
RN, OCN, a Beacon Oncology Nurse Advocate, November 12, 2013
Fear
of the unknown is one
of the most common sources of distress I have encountered with new cancer
patients in my many years as an oncology nurse. The good news is that most
people find that neither the treatments nor the side effects are quite as bad
as they imagined. That doesn't change
the fact that getting through that first day in a chemo chair or on a radiation
treatment table frightens almost everyone! I haven’t seen many people run from
the infusion center or jump off the table, so chances are good that you’re
going to make it through that first day and actually feel some relief once it’s
over. But what happens next? How do you get through the weeks or months of
treatment and somehow keep your life together? Here are a few tips I've collected to help you do just that.
Become
your own advocate. Clear and honest communication with your oncologist
and your oncology nurse can help to ease some of this fear. Additionally, your oncology
nurse can assist you in answering questions or helping you to find appropriate
resources. Oncology nurses have the experience, information, and knowledge to
help you make informed decisions about your cancer care. It has always been my belief that knowledge
equals power. Though you will be
faced with making difficult decisions throughout your journey, educated decisions
almost always result in better outcomes.
Understanding your treatment and options helps you to feel empowered.
Look for a doctor who willingly listens and provides answers to the questions
burning in your mind. This creates an
atmosphere of mutual respect that facilitates a more trusting relationship
between you and your oncology team.
Taking a stance to be involved in your care is the first step in taking
back some of the control that you need to move forward with a decisive, positive
outlook.
Engage
your personal support system. In my experience, cancer patients
with a strong support system consistently have better outcomes emotionally,
physically, and according to research, a strong support may even play a role in
overall survival. Sources of support and
comfort may include: family, close friends, spiritual practices, attending
support groups, and meeting with healthcare practitioners specifically trained
to understand the unique needs of a cancer patient. The key to good psycho-social support is having others available with whom you can have meaningful
discussions to help you work through your issues and feel safe venting negative
feelings. You are likely to cope better with
people around who can help encourage you to take good care of yourself and to
do things for you when you’re not up to it.
Let
others help. Making it a priority to keep your
life ‘normal’ through treatment and recovery may help in dealing with the
distress of your new diagnosis. Most
strategies include activities that assist you in retaining control of your own
life. Taking your children to school,
having lunch with friends, participating in an activity you enjoy, are just a
few examples of how to stay connected to your life before cancer. Studies have
shown that withdrawing from normal activities may lead to depression, anxiety,
and an inability to cope with the abrupt changes that can occur after a cancer
diagnosis. Even so, there are likely to be times when you’re not up for a
social outing or even making a meal for yourself or your family. People want to help, but often don’t know
how. This is the time to allow friends, family, people from your church or
community to bring you dinner and a movie, mow the lawn, or take your kids for
a few hours or overnight.
Don’t
try to go it alone. There is no “one size fits all” when
it comes to the emotional, psycho-social, or other needs of a newly-diagnosed
cancer patient. Despite having people around who care, some people find that
the emotional burden of coping with a cancer diagnosis leaves them feeling isolated
and alone. Social isolation is a common
reaction when a person is faced with a life-threatening illness. If you can’t talk to those closest to you, consider
a support group. Talk with your oncologist,
your oncology nurse, or check area hospitals for information about local groups
available close to home. Alternatively,
the American Cancer Society (ACS) is
just one of many national cancer organizations that offer a wide variety of
programs to meet your individual needs.
The
following is a sampling of programs provided through the ACS. Contact your local chapter for dates, times, and availability:
· Online Communities and Support- these programs provide a way of
connecting with others who share your experiences without leaving the comfort
of your home and include: WhatNext (cancer
support network), Circle Of Sharing™ (personalized cancer information),
and Cancer
Survivors Network.
· Hope
Lodge (Lodging)-
provides lodging when getting the best treatment means traveling far from home
· Reach To Recovery (Breast cancer
support)-
matches breast cancer patients with volunteers who have “been there”
· I Can Cope (Online cancer education
classes)- helps
cancer patients and their loved ones learn about cancer
· Look Good Feel Better (Help with
appearance-related side effects of treatment)- In a Look
Good Feel Better session,
trained volunteer cosmetologists teach women how to cope with skin changes and
hair loss using cosmetics and skin care products donated by the cosmetic
industry.
Beacon
Oncology Nurse Advocates
promote and support caring for the whole person, by encouraging self-advocacy
through education and participation in decision-making that includes family,
friends, and other caregivers as directed by the patient; utilizing cultural
and spiritual sources of comfort; engaging in activities that bring pleasure
and have roots in the patient’s life before cancer; joining support groups that
encourage verbalization of feelings in a safe environment where others have a
real understanding of what the patient is experiencing.
Consider
a Beacon Oncology Nurse Advocate if:
·
You
do not feel you fully understand your cancer, treatment, or available options
·
You
have concerns about making decisions regarding your treatment on your own
·
You
need help understanding your health insurance benefits or are struggling with
getting authorizations for doctors, treatment and/or medications
·
You
feel overwhelmed by the complexity of your treatment plan and need assistance
coordinating your care
·
You
want a licensed, experienced, certified oncology nurse to participate in some
or all of your care to help you make informed decisions
We
encourage you to send your comments, questions, or to share your experiences
with us.