Stress management in patients with neoplastic disease
The diagnosis of cancer causes a SUBSTANTIAL disruption to the patient and to his/her family environment.
His life and the lives of his/her loved ones are substantially CHANGED. Breaths come closer or go further, values and dreams of life are renegotiated, emotions and relationships are reevaluated.
However, with the start of treatment, another source of anxiety – stress is created that has to do with social and emotional problems. In 40% of those who undergo treatments, it stems from the very texture of the therapeutic approaches (e.g. Chemo-brain)
But how should patients with neoplastic disease manage anxiety, endogenous or exogenous?
1. Let yourself ”lean” on others.
There are times when the battle that the cancer patient is fighting will make him bend. Then he must use his thinking. In the ”storm that anxiety, fear, insecurity whip his mind, he must look for a quiet corner and think ”CAN I HANDLE IT”? If not, then he must ”lean” on another partner, family, homopathetic or even in search of relief of anxiety or anguish from his spiritual father. Many times prayer is liberating.
2. Communicate
Many times patients with neoplastic disease close themselves in on themselves and do not want to talk.
They develop an inherent introversion that can lead to isolation and depression. It is wrong to develop your WANTS and your NEEDS by making them known to doctors, nurses, in your work environment.
Without discussion and with a distant behavior you will provoke pity, while, having clarified your wants and your abilities, you will have provoked RESPECT towards the difficult struggle you are giving.
3. Preparation of everyday life
Classify your life according to the new facts you have in front of you. Ask your supporter (partner or spouse) to have a calendar of medical treatments and make sure that you do not have treatments on your child’s birthday, on your wedding anniversary. Visit the places where you will need to undergo treatments or be hospitalized to familiarize yourself with the new facts. Join training programs and exchange experiences with other people who have experienced the same adventure.
In these cases, participating in volunteer associations against cancer or participating in survivors meetings helps.
4. Increase your sociability
A couple of nights before treatment, establish a habit of going to the theater or cinema with friends and then settle in for a light dinner. Treat the therapeutic plan as a respite from your daily life. Choose, during the treatments, a history book or a literary work. In this way, the treatments will be a literary opportunity to enrich your mind without being preoccupied with the moments – perhaps difficult – of the treatments. At home, put on music in the room where you rest.
Cancer treatment is a LIFE EXPERIENCE that helps people see the true meaning of living moments in a positive way.
Today’s reality gives hope and belief that VICTORY IS SWEET.
