How To Cope With Cancer
When a person is diagnosed with cancer, he is suddenly faced with the strong possibility of mortality. It is true that many forms of cancer are not curable and certain types are more aggressive than others, bringing a person’s life to an end sooner. Still, that does not necessarily mean that he has to be miserable during the remaining time in his life.
If you or a loved one has cancer, it is important that you understand exactly what type of cancer it is. Some cancers can be maintains so that it goes into remission. That means you can potentially have many more years to live. Discuss the prognosis with the physician, and get a second opinion if you have to. You can do your research, but only consider information from reputable and scientific sources.
If the cancer is terminal, you have to come to terms with what lies ahead. Understand what will happen as the cancer advances to the next stage. The doctor can estimate how much time you have left, but keep in mind that is a very rough estimate. It is important that you be mentally prepared when during each stage of the cancer.
Once the diagnosis has sunk in, it is time to evaluate how you should live your life. It is natural that you start to think of all the loose ends in your life that you want to tie up. There may be things that you have always wanted to do, but had never gotten around to doing it. Now is time to make time for that. Every moment now seems more precious than jewels.
It is more important than ever to eat a healthy and balanced diet. Your body and immunity system need to stay strong. Eat a diet of foods that are rich in antioxidants, such as berries, citrus fruits, and certain vegetables. Eat foods that you enjoy and which are good for you.
Chemotherapy is one of the most common ways to treat cancers. The drugs are powerful and they are effective in fighting back the growth of malignant cells. Sometimes a cancer can go completely into remission after a few rounds of chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy is effective against many types of cancer cells. However, the drugs can kill off good cells as well. The medicine can affect your taste buds so that foods that once taste good to you may taste bad. The drugs can make your feel nauseated as well. This has a strong negative effect on your desire to eat, which can end up in your not eating a proper diet. Chemo may cause mouth sores which will make it even less pleasant to eat. The drug makes your muscles feel weak. You will have to make an extra effort to get yourself to go out and enjoy some fresh air. Chemo can cause you to lose your hair
There are ways to battle some of these side effects. To battle the feeling of nausea, you doctor will probably prescribe anti-nausea medication. He may prescribe appetite stimulants as well so you feel like eating more. Other things can be taken for pain management.
Having cancer does not mean that you have to live in misery. Remember what you have read here, and live your life to the fullest.
