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Monthly Health Topic
The Diagnosis is Cancer — Now What?You’re sitting in the doctor’s office, awaiting your test results. As the doctor speaks, you hear the word, “cancer.” After that, you hear nothing else.
It can be very difficult to accept that you have cancer. Initially, you may be in shock and feel immobilized. Your thoughts and emotions can overwhelm you. You worry how your disease will affect your family, job and future plans. Your world is suddenly turned upside down.
Now what do you do?
Focus on Living
| Mary Jo Burgoyne, RN, MSN, CNS-BC, and Julie Griffie, RN, MSN, CNS-BC, AOCN, have helped hundreds of men and women confront a cancer diagnosis. With expertise as a clinical nurse specialist in adult mental health, Burgoyne helps cancer patients and family members address their psychological and emotional needs. Griffie, a clinical nurse specialist in the Breast Cancer Program, helps women with many aspects of their treatment. |
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Both nurses work with patients in the Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Clinical Cancer Center. In this article, they offer guidance to people who are newly diagnosed with cancer — along with one key message: don’t focus on dying from cancer; focus on living with it.
“We approach cancer today as a chronic illness, not a death sentence,” Griffie said. “Yes, your life has changed, but you can learn to live with your disease. The survival statistics today are very encouraging. Many people who have cancer are living and living well, with a high quality of life. You don’t have to stop your life or your goals because you have cancer.”
Set Your Own PaceAdjusting to a cancer diagnosis may take a few days, a few weeks or a few months. Each person will deal with this new challenge in his or her own way. There is no single “correct” way to cope with cancer.
Empower Yourself “When you feel overwhelmed, you feel disempowered,” Burgoyne said. “But there are many things you can do to empower yourself.”
Griffie and Burgoyne suggest:
- Learning as much as you can about your type of cancer and your treatment options. Helpful Web sites include the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute. The Small Stones Health Resource Center in Brookfield offers extensive cancer-related resources. Beginning May 19, many of these materials will also be available at the new Small Stones Wellness Center in the Clinical Cancer Center.
- Seeking a second opinion to ensure you’re on the right track.
- Assembling a care team with staff members you trust who communicate openly and offer the latest treatment options.
- Bringing order to your life. If you haven’t yet completed an Advance Directive, do it now (anyone 18 years or older should complete these forms and inform family members about them). An Advance Directive consists of a Power of Attorney for Health Care, Living Will, and Financial Power of Attorney. These documents allow you to express your personal wishes about your future care.
Tell Those Close to YouOne of the challenges of cancer is telling family and friends about your illness. “The first disclosure can be very hard, especially if you need to tell young children or elderly members of the family,” Griffie said.
“You may find it very difficult to inform friends and family about your illness and how you feel,” Burgoyne said. “But if you talk openly about your situation and feelings, you may feel a greater sense of control. If you don’t tell people, you have less opportunity to receive their support. Discussing your illness can let people know what you need from them.”
Burgoyne and Griffie often help patients through the process of telling others about their disease, so that those with cancer can move forward and deal with other issues.
Seek Emotional and Social SupportYou may experience a variety of emotions before, during and after cancer treatment. If you find it difficult to cope at times, psychological counseling and/or support from other caregivers can help you help deal with overwhelming feelings.
Don‘t be afraid to ask family, friends, coworkers and others for support as well. To make things easier, consider keeping a notebook of names and phone numbers of people who offer to help with rides, preparing meals, helping during treatment times and other tasks. Call them when the need arises.
Many other types of support are available, including:
- Gilda’s Club Southeastern Wisconsin — a place where men and women living with cancer and their families and friends build emotional and social support
- Stillwaters Cancer Support Services — supportive services for cancer patients, families, friends and survivors throughout southeastern Wisconsin
- Your religion or faith
- The Employee Assistance Program at your workplace
- CarePages, a free Web site offered on froedtert.com to help friends and families stay in touch with hospitalized patients
- Online blogs — some people prefer the anonymity of an online blog, a site that allows a person to share a running log of personal insights with online audiences
Set Goals“Cancer shouldn’t stop your life from happening,” Griffie said. “You don’t need to give up your goals or put your life on hold.”
Setting goals can be especially helpful during treatment. For example, if you need several weeks of chemotherapy, plan some special time once the treatments are done. A goal will help you see the “light at the end of the tunnel” during the treatment.
“And if you have a special occasion coming up, such as a graduation or wedding, tell your caregivers,” Griffie said. “In most cases, they can plan treatment around the event. There needs to be a balance in your life.”
Follow the Three “Ds”Cancer doesn’t happen in a vacuum; there are many other things going on in your life. Your illness, however, may not allow you to manage everything as you did before.
Griffie suggests following the three “Ds” — delay, delete and delegate. When things become overwhelming, decide what you can postpone, what you can cancel, and what you can reassign to another person. The three “Ds” can help you avoid unnecessary stress and devote your time to things that enhance your quality of life.
Small Stones ResourcesThe Small Stones Resource Center offers a variety of health-related resources and the expertise of nurse educators to help you find exactly what you need. Available books, CDs and DVDs concerning cancer include:
Books
- Understanding Cancer by C. Norman Coleman, MD
- Everyone’s Guide to Cancer Therapy by Malin Dollinger, MD; Ernest N. Rosenbaum, MD; Margaret Tempero, MD; and Sean J. Mulvilhill, MD
- Everyone’s Guide to Cancer Supportive Care by Ernest H. Rosenbaum, MD, FACP, and Isadora Rosenbaum, MA
- Surviving Cancer Emotionally by Roger Granet, MD
- Couples Confronting Cancer by American Cancer Society
- Living Through Breast Cancer by Carolyn M. Kaelin, MD, MPH
- Guide to Surviving Prostate Cancer by Patrick C. Walsh, MD
- There’s No Place Like Hope by Vickie Girard
- Stronger Than Cancer by Connie Payton
- 100 Questions and Answers series: individual books about Ovarian Cancer, Lung Cancer, Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor, Cancer and Fertility, Head and Neck Cancer, Kidney Cancer, Leukemia and Prostate Cancer by various authors.
CDs and DVDs
- Guided Imagery CDs: Fight Cancer, Help with Chemotherapy and Help with Radiation by Belleruth Naparstek
- Affirmations for Living Beyond Cancer DVD by Bernie S. Siegel, MD
About the Clinical Cancer CenterAfter years of planning and building, the Clinical Cancer Center will open on Monday, May 19, for cancer patients and their families. With 13 disease-specific cancer programs and entire teams of specialists with in-depth expertise working together, the Clinical Cancer Center offers treatment for every type of cancer. All services — treatment and emotional, psychological, physical, spiritual and nutritional support — are provided in one location. For more information, call 414-805-0505 or 866-680-0505.
Author: Marla Fraunfelder Date: May 1, 2008 | Medical Reviewer: | Julie Griffie, RN, MSN, CNS-BC, AOCN |
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