It takes a lot of courage to accept that you have cancer. This is somehow not very easy that stirs different emotions. You may feel helpless, shocked, afraid and probably depressed. The moment you hear the news for the first time is the start of the hardest. But as far as you live, this must not make you feel like a failure.
How are you going to tell to your family that you have breast cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, or other type of cancer? Are you ready to let them know or rather keep it? There is no better encouragement and support you can get than from your own family. Always remember that, so being silent is never a good idea. It can cause self-pity and potentially a greater depressing feeling, which should not happen.
Encourage Yourself
Before you break the news to any member of your family, be sure that you have accepted it. It is important that you are strong enough to cope with it. It won’t be easy and helpful to say it’s ok to your family if they see you not feeling alright at all emotionally and mentally. You need that self confidence that things will become better. So, by the time you inform them all about this, each and every family would be strong too, and as the game of tug war, they are going to help you deal with it.
Talk to a Counselor
A person with cancer struggles emotionally the most. Venting out is a big help to reduce stress and minimize depression. Patients that are diagnosed with any type of cancer are encouraged to undergo counseling. According to research, talking to a therapist or a counselor regarding the disease is able to help endure the emotional side of the person, and also double his or her life expectancy. Thus, it’s a very helpful way to cope with cancer.
For sure, you do not want to tell and show all the emotions to any of your family and even friends. You have to remain strong for them, but rest assured that’s not always easy. You always need someone to talk to and listen to you, and a counselor is the best person to confide with.
Live a Normal Life
Whatever the stage of your cancer is, the thing that always helps a lot in coping with this condition is to live like you are normal. You can still do a lot of things that a normal person can do. You do all the most interesting and dreamed activities you want to do. This is also a great encouragement for you to easily battle cancer in all aspects. So, never give up on that one.
Mingle with People Who Have Cancer
It is also beneficial if you talk with other people who have the same cancer, or even other cancer. There are groups that allow this to give ways to support and help cancer patients. This makes you not feel alone at all, because you know there are probably others who are suffering the most. This would help you boost your confidence and stay more positive. In the end, your family will see how strong and brave you really are.
Cancer can be deadly but there is treatment and hope to get through it. You must not feel awful and sorry for yourself. This is not what your family wants to see from you. That’s why it is important that you encourage and motivate yourself. Stay strong and remain positive that everything is going to be alright.