Cancer Diagnosis - Coping With the Diagnosis of Cancer
Coping With the Diagnosis of Cancer
Learning that you or someone you love has cancer usually gives you a feeling that your world is being turned upside down. Everything in life may suddenly feel out of control. This is because you did not choose cancer. Your initial thoughts may be "How could this have happened to me?" and "How will I get through this?" A cancer diagnosis is shocking and overwhelming. However, the prognosis of certain cancers continues to improve and the chance of being cured continues to increase.
Coping with the diagnosis:
Some practical things that you can do to help during this time include the following:
- Learn as much as possible about your disease. At times, ignorance or a lack of understanding is your worst enemy. Arm yourself with information in order to lessen frustration. Do not hesitate to ask questions about your disease. You may wish to keep a notebook with all of the medical records and information about your diagnosis; sometimes, you can be too numb or too upset at the hospital and realize later that you forgot everything the physician had said.
- Keep a journal of your feelings about your disease and the impact on your life. As time goes on, you may be able to look back and see that things are improving.
- Learn about your health benefits so that you understand what expenses will be covered by insurance.
- Continue doing your usual, daily activities. You will still have grocery shopping, laundry, and going through the mail to do on a daily or weekly basis. Having some of these "regular" activities will help you cope and feel more in control.
- Take care of your family relationships. Although your primary focus is on your cancer, it is important to also spend time as you normally would with your family, friends, and spouse. It is healthy to have fun together. Relieving stress and strengthening family relationships will allow you to cope better with your disease.
- Utilize the support groups in the area, as well as national support groups and their resources. Find out about supportive services available at the hospital to help you cope, such as the availability of social workers and/or meeting with other families. Do not be afraid to ask for help. Each family's need for support is unique. Friends and family members will often ask, "Is there anything I can do to help?" Consider saying "yes" to this question and ask them to pick up your groceries, help with the laundry or housecleaning, pick up your children from their extracurricular activities, or make dinner. "Assigning" a friend or family member something to do to help you will also help them feel like they are contributing.
- Avoid emotionally draining situations. Sometimes, well-meaning friends and family members will say the worst possible thing at the time of a cancer diagnosis. They truly want to help or be supportive, but sometimes do not know how to respond. Their words may hurt you or disappoint you, even though that was not their intention. You must realize that people will not know what your needs are unless you tell them. Sometimes, it is simply easier to be forthright and tell someone "I would just like you to sit quietly with me and keep me company" or "I need to spend some time alone right now." Do not be afraid to express your needs during this time.
Other people may want to talk to you about their experiences with cancer. They may believe that they are being helpful to you, but instead may be making your situation feel even more overwhelming. It is important for you to avoid these discussions if they are not helping you. It is healthy to be "selfish" and ask for what you need, as well as what you do not need during this time. - Share what you have learned. You will have important knowledge and skills that you learn as you experience your illness. You could help others and their families by sharing your experiences in a support group or other setting.
Helping Children and Youth Cope With Cancer:
The following is a list of suggestions for patients, parents, and siblings that may help each individual cope with his/her emotions, depending upon the age of the child with cancer and the age of the siblings:
Infants and very young children (birth to 3 years of age):
- for patients
- holding
- touching
- rocking
- soft music
- hugging
- cuddling
- distracting with toys or colorful objects
- creating a cheerful, hospital room
- having siblings visit
- keeping their regular schedule for sleeping and feeding
- for siblings
- providing cuddling
- hugging frequently
- arranging visits to ill brother or sister
- keeping them near parents, if possible
- using relatives, friends, or a daycare center to maintain their usual daily routine
- having one parent spend time with them daily
- recording lullabies, stories, messages when parent cannot be at home
- offering frequent reassurance to toddlers that mommy or daddy will soon be back
Toddlers, pre-school (3 to 5 years of age):
- for patients
- giving very simple and repeated explanations for what is happening
- providing comfort when child is upset or fearful
- checking on child's understanding of what is happening
- offering choices when possible
- teaching acceptable expression of angry feelings
- maintaining a normal daily schedule for feeding and sleeping
- giving simple explanation for parent's distress, sadness, or crying
- for siblings
- giving a simple explanation that brother or sister is sick and that people are helping
- offering comfort and reassurance about parent's absence
- arranging for reliable daily care and maintenance of usual routines
- having one parent see child daily, if possible
- remaining alert to changes in behavior
- reassuring child about parent's distress or sadness
School-aged children (6 to 12 years of age):
- for patients
- offering repeated reassurance to your child that he/she is not responsible for the cancer
- teaching that sadness, anger, and guilt are normal feelings
- allowing your child to keep feelings private, if that is preferred
- suggesting personal recording of thoughts, feelings through writing, drawing
- arranging for physical activity, when possible
- providing explanations your child can understand about diagnosis and treatment plan; including your child, when appropriate, in discussions about diagnosis and treatment
- answering all questions honestly and in understandable language, including, "Am I going to die?" (talk with cancer care team about how to answer)
- listening for unasked questions
- facilitating communication with siblings, friends, and classmates, if desired
- arranging contact with other patients to see how they have dealt with diagnosis
- for siblings
- teaching about normal feelings of fear, anxiety, sadness, or anger
- encouraging sibling to communicate feelings; suggesting sibling write, telephone, send drawings or taped message to patient
- providing understandable information about diagnosis and treatment
- answering all questions honestly, including, "Will he/she die?"
- listening for unasked questions, especially about personal health
- offering repeated reassurance that sibling is not responsible for causing the cancer
- informing teachers and coaches of family situation
- arranging for school and other activities to continue on schedule
- supporting sibling's having fun, despite brother or sister's illness
- planning for daily availability of one parent
- explaining that parents' distress, sadness, or crying is okay
Adolescents (13 to 18 years of age and older):
- for patients
- giving information on normal emotional reactions to a cancer diagnosis
- encouraging expression of feelings to someone: parents, family, or staff
- tolerating any reluctance to communicate thoughts and feelings
- encouraging journal keeping
- providing repeated reassurance that they are not responsible for causing the cancer
- being included in all discussions with parents about diagnosis and treatment planning
- being encouraged to ask questions (parents should listen for unasked questions)
- addressing spiritual concerns about "Why me?"
- permitting private time for interaction with team professionals
- offering assurance that parents and family members will be able to manage crisis
- encouraging sharing news of diagnosis with peers, and classmates
- arranging for visits of siblings and friends
- facilitating contact with other adolescent patients, if desired
- for siblings
- involving adolescent in events around diagnosis
- reassuring that cancer is not contagious
- offering assurance that nothing they did or said caused the cancer
- providing detailed information on diagnosis and treatment plan
- answering all questions honestly
- arranging access to treatment team, if desired
- discussing spiritual issues related to diagnosis
- encouraging expression of feelings
- arranging for management of daily life at home
- providing assurance that family will be able to handle crisis
- informing teachers and coaches of family situation
- encouraging usual involvement in school and other activities
- asking relative or friend to take a special interest in each adolescent sibling
The various members of the cancer team can assist you and your family, as needed.
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