Easing the Stress of Cancer
It is the diagnosis that no one wants to hear. Despite years of
research, the word "cancer" continues to strike fear into the
hearts of men, women, and children. While the detection of
cancer is no longer a death sentence, there is always the
possibility that cancer will accelerate the end of one's life.
With a diagnosis of cancer, one comes face-to-face with one's
own mortality.
There are a number of stressful aspects to a cancer diagnosis.
Primary among these is the possibility that the cancer will be
fatal. As a result, cancer can cause tremendous stress to one's
interpersonal relationships. Your family and friends may be on
edge, worrying that you might die. You may also be
short-tempered because you're not certain how many more days you
might have to live. You may be frustrated and anxious and may
find it difficult to sleep.
Cancer can also lead to a great deal of financial stress. There
are bills for doctors, for treatments, for medication, for
surgery. At times, the costs can seem staggering. While your
health insurance might cover part of the expense, you yourself
might have to shoulder the rest of the cost. If you were barely
getting by before your diagnosis, you might find it especially
difficult dealing with the financial aspect of cancer.
The process of chemotherapy itself can be highly stressful. To
begin with, you will not feel as energetic as you usually are,
leaving you with the stress of wondering how you will get
everything done. Also, you may feel nauseated, making it
difficult for you to complete your work at the office or your
work at home. Finally, losing your hair to chemotherapy can be
quite a stressful experience. You have to decide how to handle
your baldness--whether you will invest in a wig, a scarf, or
just "go natural." The baldness is particularly stressful for
women, who tend to base a great deal of their self-image on how
they look.
Realizing that cancer will put you under a great deal of stress
is half the battle. Then, you must learn to deal effectively
with your stress. For some cancer patients, this means engaging
in relaxation exercises. For instance, you might envision that
your white blood cells are eating up cancer cells. You might
picture the cancer leaving your body, and your body being left
healthy as a result. Or you might picture your cancer washing
away to the sea. Such mind relaxation techniques can leave you
with a more upbeat, enthusiastic attitude and can be highly
beneficial in your recovery.
Another stress-reliever is spending some time reading
inspirational works. Whether you draw your inspiration from
Ronald Reagan or Mother Teresa, reading about how famous people
overcame difficulties can help you as you battle your own
demons. Such works can be greatly uplifting, giving you the
courage and strength necessary to battle cancer heroically.
You might also be able to reduce cancer-related stress by
changing your diet. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole
grains can improve both your physical health and your mental
outlook. In this way, you will be better able to handle the
stresses of cancer treatment.
Yet another effective stress-reducing technique is to join a
support group of cancer survivors. This can be tremendously
beneficial to your overall well-being. You'll gain strength from
listening to the experiences of other men and women who are
facing the same challenges you are. And the fellowship that
results from group meetings can aid you in your recovery.
There is no easy way to deal with the stress of cancer. It is a
debilitating disease which can sap your physical strength and
deplete your emotional reserves. It can leave you feeling
battle-scarred and may, at times, lead to a feeling of
hopelessness. The good news is that recovery rates are better
than ever before--especially when the cancer is caught early.
There is a good chance that you will be able to survive cancer,
and your recovery could add years to your life. If at any time
you find the stress of cancer to be overwhelming, make sure that
you mention it to your doctor. He or she might be able to assist
you with additional coping strategies that can help you deal
with this devastating illness.