LIVING WITH CANCER

Tips for the Patient

Living with a serious disease is not easy, and we hope these tips will help you throughout your treatment.

• Adopt a fighting spirit.
• Its okay to discourage false cheerfulness and to share how you're feeling.  
• Seek support from your family and friends.
• As a member of your health care team, learn about your disease & ask questions.
• Be an active participant in your treatment and recovery efforts.
• Make positive changes in your lifestyle that will improve your outcomes, such as quitting smoking, incorporating exercise and getting good nutrition.
• Find something to laugh about each day. Good humor is healthy for the body and soul.
• For safety's sake, when not feeling your best, ask for transportation assistance to your medical appointments.
• Participation in a support group can help you learn from others.
• Pay attention to how you are feeling and get plenty of rest, good nutrition, and take time for personal care.
• Find ways to express your feelings by speaking with a mental health provider or the Cancer Center Social Worker.
• Consider complementary therapies, such as massage, aromatherapy, acupuncture, yoga to help relieve stress and other symptoms.
• Just be yourself and continue to do the things that you already enjoy doing.
• Continue your current sports activities as much as physically possible.
• Allow yourself private time apart from your family and friends to do nothing, or something important to you.
• If you are currently employed, continue to work if physically possible.
• Join a workshop to focus on your mind-body-spirit connection.
• Nourish yourself spiritually through prayer or guidance from a religious leader.
• Listen to relaxing music that can bring about serenity.
• Read uplifting books.
• If you have a significant person in your life, keeps the romance going by selecting romantic movies to watch.
• Take time for simple pleasures, such as a warm bath, a manicure or pedicure.
• Keep in mind that your memory function and energy level will fluctuate according to your treatment and medications. Let your caregiver know when you need help.
• Consider writing down your feelings in a journal.
• Keep a calendar and or log of activities and appointments to help stay organized.