If you recently received a cancer diagnosis, you are understandably scared.
One of the ways you may try to better equip yourself for the road before you is to research more about what to expect following your diagnosis.
If that’s what brings you here, then we have plenty of information to share with you. Here are the steps to take if you recently got diagnosed with cancer.
1. Get a Second Opinion
No matter what type of doctor delivered your diagnosis, be it your primary, your dermatologist, etc., it’s always a great idea to submit your information to a second specialist for their review.
This isn’t meant as an insult to your doctor, and don’t worry, they won’t take it as such. Getting a second opinion can potentially open up new treatment opportunities.
While your diagnosis may have come with blood work orders, biopsies, and other common tests, another doctor may also request different types of tests.
The more information you and your healthcare providers have, the better.
2. Talk it Out
If you recently got diagnosed with cancer, it may be challenging to talk to your loved ones about it.
But trust us: they want to be there for you and help in any way they can. Let them.
First, explain to them everything you know (up to what you’re comfortable with) and what your doctors tell you comes next. Then, tell them honestly how they can assist you during this time.
While it may be difficult to discuss at first, keeping the lines of communication open will get easier. To learn more about how to build a support system following your diagnosis, check out this resource.
3. Follow Your Doctors’ Recommendations
It’s always best to heed the advice your healthcare team provides.
They will likely tell you to slow down, prioritize your health, and undergo chemotherapy if it’s appropriate.
It will be a lot to think about and deal with all at once. Take as much time as you need to make decisions. And trust that your healthcare providers have your best interests at heart and know what they’re doing.
4. Find Ways to Cope
Coping with a cancer diagnosis is a challenging yet completely necessary aspect of care.
One of the most effective ways of doing so is with palliative care. Palliative care provides holistic resources for people with serious illnesses and their family members. It takes into account physical, mental, and emotional support, within a hospital and at home.
The overall goal is to improve your quality of life and mitigate any suffering you experience.
Examples of palliative care range from nutritional support to medications. Depending on where you live, medical marijuana may be suggested to ease chemotherapy side effects, improve your sleep, and reduce anxiety. If this is the case for you, use this resource to find your closest marijuana dispensary.
5. A Positive Attitude vs. Optimism
It won’t always be possible to maintain a positive attitude following your cancer diagnosis. And you know what? Research says that that is absolutely fine.
It is natural to feel anxious and depressed at times. By trying to push those feelings aside and fake a type of positivity, you may do yourself more harm than good.
Instead, talk to your family and healthcare providers about your feelings. Join an online support group to discuss your good and bad days with fellow cancer patients. Being in a support group can improve your feelings of well-being and provide a new sense of optimism.
Conclusion
Following a cancer diagnosis, you will have a lot to think about. Your mind, body, and emotions will be tested to the extreme.
However, if you follow steps like these if you recently got diagnosed with cancer, you can better prepare yourself for the path before you.
Stay informed, maintain communication with your healthcare team and your family, and take care of yourself. Know that you’ll have good days and bad, and that is completely natural and part of the process. Discover the things that help you cope best, and engage in them as often as you need to.
These steps are just a few simple tips to get you started. Use them as you see fit on your road to recovery.
