What is the most difficult period for a cancer patient?
When a person has cancer, no one can predict the outcome. While there’s no way for them to know for sure, the cancer care team should be able to give you an idea of how things are likely to go. This will become clearer over time and as they get to know the person with cancer better.
Some difficult period that I faced during my treatment
1. Finding a good doctor for cancer treatment
Many of us don’t know the exact term about cancer doctor but as I faced so many issues while searching for a doctor. The doctor who gives you a prescription for cancer treatment is a medical oncologist.
Oncologists know the best medicine for cancer treatment.
2. The Role of Chemotherapy
It was a very difficult decision about chemotherapy near the end of life. Such treatment might prolong survival or reduce symptoms but cause adverse effects, prevent the patient from engaging in meaningful life review and preparing for death, and preclude the entry into hospice. Taking decisions for chemotherapy was very difficult for me. When you start treatment the doctor will tell you about the process and how can we cure this but when you have such an issue you always try to do more research on cancer and the chemotherapy process. But Doctor and nurses were excellent about making me aware of the possible side effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy and what to expect during treatment. What needs to be discussed more openly and proactively is the potential psychological impact following cancer treatment.
3. To deal with the uncertainty
When a person has cancer, they go through different stages. Your understanding and your care will change over time, too. There will be times when you don’t know what will happen next, and with an illness as serious as cancer, that’s a scary place to be. But there are no guarantees in cancer care. There’s no way to know for sure whether treatment will work. No one can predict the side effects or problems your loved one will have during treatment. And even after successful treatment, there’s still the chance that cancer will come back – there can even be a new, different cancer sometime in the future.
Some ideas that helped me to deal with uncertainty and fear and feel more hopeful are:
• Know that you don’t have control over some aspects of cancer. It helps to accept this rather than fighting it.
• Try to let go of your fears, but don’t deny them. It’s normal for these thoughts to enter your mind, but you don’t have to keep them there. Some people picture them floating away, or being vaporized. Others turn them over to a higher power to handle.
• Express feelings of fear or uncertainty with a trusted friend or counselor. Being open and dealing with emotions helps many people feel less worried. People have found that when they express strong feelings, like fear, they’re better able to let go of these feelings.
• Use your energy to focus on wellness and what you can do now to stay as healthy as you can. Remember to take care of yourself, as well as the person with cancer.
• Find ways to help yourself relax.
• Make time for regular exercise, and be as active as you can.
In the end, I just want to say not knowing was the second worst part.
Also, I want to thank the doctor – for giving me the best treatment and he also motivates me a lot during my cancer treatment period.
Your willpower and your energy can save you.