Living well with a Cancer Diagnosis: Tips and support

Living well after a cancer diagnosis is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Cancer is a widely known and one of the most common life-threatening diseases that requires regular checkup and care, a balanced lifestyle consisting of healthy nutrition and exercise that is essential for overall recovery and physical strength. Getting diagnosed with cancer comes with accepting many challenging circumstances and obstacles that need a lot of confidence and self-belief. 

By embracing a holistic approach that keeps a check on the emotional, mental, and emotional needs to live life, one can surely find various positivity all around them that will provide them to see life in a different perspective. Here are some of the tips by top practitioners that will help you to live your life in a better way after diagnosis.

Top tips to help you live in a better way:

Living well not only means to look after your health but also to live life by finding happiness in small moments that are not important to be related to cancer awareness or motivational programmes all the time. It is important to look out for peace and acceptance in the moments of uncertainty. Accepting whatever your future brings and making the most from every moment of your life is the main secret to embrace your life with every ups and downs. If you are diagnosed with cancer, knowing how to proceed and accept your present will help you deal with this uncertain time easily.

• Learn about your cancer detailed diagnosis: Don’t get scared while getting to know about the details of your cancer’s stage. It is vital to know about your condition so that you can make informed decisions regarding your health. Ask about your basic concerns to your doctor like the location of your cancer, how much it has spread, what are the chances that your cancer will be majorly cured, what are the various side effects, how the treatment will benefit your way of life, etc. You can always decide how much information you can accept. Therefore think about what actually works the best for you.

• Know about the possible physical changes: It is important to accept that your body will undergo a lot of changes during the cancer treatment. Prepare yourself beforehand so that you can deal with the changes later. Ask your healthcare provider how the various side effects of medicines will affect your daily life. 
• Look out for a healthy and balanced lifestyle: Choosing a healthy diet will provide you with an increased energy level that will help fight the disease more strongly. Make sure that you take enough rest to balance out the stress and fatigue due to the cancer treatment.
• Talk to your friends and family: Ask out for words of motivation and encouragement from your close people that will boost you to tackle the difficult time. 
• Prioritize your goals: Take a diary and note down what’s really important in your life. Plan out your goals and checklist that you will need to tick off to lower your anxiety and fear from cancer.
• Get your finances ready: Cancer treatment is expensive. Figure out your expenses and ask out for help from your closed ones to avoid last moment stress. Consider the various medicinal and treatment costs, the costs of various chemotherapy sessions,and so on.
• Talk to people who are already dealing with cancer: Sometimes you might feel more comfortable to share your cancer journey experience to those people who have already been in your position. Cancer survivors might understand your situation better and can tell you what to expect during your cancer treatment. 
• Don’t listen to stigmas: There are many stigmas prevailing in our society regarding cancer. Many believe that cancer is contagious and people who are diagnosed with cancer can’t work or do their job. It is completely delusional as cancer is not at all contagious and people should not be afraid regarding the spreading of cancer.
• Develop your own comfort zone: Each person’s cancer treatment procedure is different, so there are many ways to deal with your uneasiness and difficulties. Figure out ways to relax your mind and body, share your experiences and feelings with your friends and peers, find various sources of motivational and inspirational support, and most importantly prioritize your well-being.

Ways to take care of your health:
 

To support yourself emotionally:

1. Ask for support: Don’t feel uncomfortable while reaching out to your friends or supportive groups. Sharing your valuable experience and your daily life schedule can be a source of motivation for others. Look out for ways of how you can share your personal feelings that will provide you emotional relief.
2. Look out for valuable counseling and encouraging therapies: Seeking professional counseling therapies can help you out to realize and process your emotional challenges in a better way.
3. Take out time to engage in your hobbies: Engaging in hobbies and activities that gives you real happiness brings you a sense of positivity and accomplishment.
4. Practice meditation and yoga: Coping with cancer treatment is tough sometimes. Practicing mindfulness with various deep breathing exercises can help you to manage and improve your stress.
   
   Take care of yourself physically and psychologically:
5. Maintain regular appointments and follow-ups: Don’t miss any of your appointments with your doctor to help you navigate your health better and prevent any issues beforehand.
6. Stay active and support yourself: It is vital to maintain a nutritious and healthy diet rich in vegetables, fruits, proteins, and vitamins to improve your overall immune system health.
7. Manage your additional side effects of treatment: Have an open communication with your doctors team and know about the various additional side effects so that they can support you with required therapies and medications.

Change your life’s perspective:

1. Celebrate small achievements: While you are on your recovery journey, celebrate your small milestones and achievements that will instill positivity within yourself and will help you deal with life easily.
2. Set daily goals to build a healthy future: Break your future goals and dreams into small steps so that you can reach them without putting a significant impact on your health.
3. Learn to adapt: Learn about your current health condition so that you can adapt yourself accordingly.

FAQS:

1. Will my hair grow back after facing hair loss from chemotherapy?

Absolutely yes.The hair loss during chemotherapy is not permanent and it usually grows back after the completion of the therapy. During the first 1-2 years after new hair growth, the hair texture might be different, yet it goes back to normal after that. However,hair loss from therapies involving radiation may not be reversible.

2. Will I die from the side effects of cancer?

No.Vomiting and nausea are the major side effects of chemotherapies, however these can be controlled. Anemia, which can occur in some cases,can also be treated and prevented in future.

3. What kind of diet can reverse my cancer?

There are no such specific diet supplements or special diets that can alter the course of your cancer. However, proper diet and rest, timely medications, and chemotherapies can help you live a better life.