Discovering you have cancer can be a life-changing diagnosis. Even so, thanks to advancements in medical technology, treatment, and medication, beating cancer—or at least living life in remission—is becoming more and more common for many patients. That being said, cancer can still take a toll on you mentally, physically, and emotionally.
Just as it’s important to have ways to handle your disease from a physical and medical standpoint, it’s just as important to address the emotional and mental side-effects of such a diagnosis. While your first step after finding out you have cancer should be finding a great cancer treatment center in Toms River, NJ or in whichever city you live, it’s equally vital that you find support following your doctor’s appointment. Here are just four of the many ways you can find the guidance and courage you need during such a difficult time.
1. Lean on your family.
Of course, one of your most immediate support systems in the face of any major life event is your family. Whether it’s a sibling you’re particularly close to, a parent, or your spouse, your family members know you better than most other people; it’s only logical that you’d want to turn to them in your time of need. Make sure to communicate with your family members about how you’re feeling, and whether or not you even want your diagnosis to be a common conversation topic. They’ll respect your wishes and be able to give you what you need.
2. Seek help from friends.
Aside from your family members, your friends are just as important of a support system to keep in mind in the face of a cancer diagnosis. Many times, it’s your family members that you can open up to emotionally, but it’s your friends who help distract you and help you find a new normal. Whether it’s hitting up your pals that like to go to the bar or joining a knitting circle or book club, being able to spend time with your friends will help you navigate your disease without feeling completely ostracized.
3. Turn to your faith.
When you really need courage, inspiration, or solace, your faith can be a valuable wellspring of these qualities. Many people turn to religion in times of uncertainty in order to find peace, and a cancer diagnosis is no different. Whether it’s reading passages from the Bible or attending services more often, there are all kinds of ways you can look to your faith for support during crisis.
You may even want to look into leather study bibles to help you reflect on your religion’s teachings as you battle your disease with medicine as well as prayer. There’s a lot of valuable insight and words of wisdom in the Bible, and by using a study bible, you can read up on different Biblical scholars’ interpretations next to the antiquated language of scripture. This can help you get the most out of your reading, ultimately helping you deal with your diagnosis more holistically.
4. Talk to a therapist.
Talk therapy can also be vital in the face of a massive change in your life. Some people opt to go to one-on-one sessions in order to gain more understanding about themselves and their own feelings, whereas others prefer group therapy so they can be around others facing similar hardships. Being able to talk to someone—not your medical oncologist—who’s dealing with a similar situation could be helpful, since chemotherapy and other cancer treatments can be difficult to deal with alone. Being able to talk things out with like-minded individuals can be particularly helpful when your journey gets tough.
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