Cancer Patients Support
Cancer patients may find it very difficult to manage their disease, as they sometimes feel confused about their condition. Every cancer patient can have absolutely different symptoms depending on the stage of the disease and the kind of treatment used. For example, skin cancer symptoms can be different, even though it may seem so obvious: some people feel pain, while others don’t experience anything at all.
Some cancer patients never stop thinking about the probability of developing secondary cancer, and are likely to treat any symptoms as signs of it. According to the latest cancer research, the most common problems people are likely to experience after the treatment include:
• Painful areas
• Fatigue
• Altered memory and concentration abilities
• Neuropathy or nervousness
• Different eating habits and body mass
• Swelling
In these cases the patient needs to receive professional post-cancer support or try to cope with the conditions using the advice provided below.
Discussing Pain with Your Doctor
• If you decided to receive post-cancer support, make sure you provide numbers and facts. Numbers can help you describe the pain – for example, you can use the scale from 0 to 10.
• Indicate the areas where you experience pain (you can draw if this helps the doctor understand you better). Remember to mention the kind of pain: whether it is localized or mobile.
• Remember the cases when you experience painful sensations. You can write down how and when it usually starts and how it is likely to last. All the details will be very useful and will help your doctor address the pain more effectively.
• If you are taking any drugs, you should also mention that.
Managing Your Fatigue
• Plan your activities for the day. Make sure you do the tasks that require energy in the first half of the day.
• Get plenty of rest, especially between the activities.
• Try to save your energy whenever possible. For example, you don’t have to stand while you are cooking.
• Make sure the activities you are doing are not too tiring, and if they are, consider revising them.
• Let people around you help you.
Handling Altered Memory and Concentration Abilities
• Write down anything you need to remember in detail, things like what, where, when and why. This will help exercise your memory and get your thoughts organized.
• Use reminders: these can be post-it notes reminding you to take out the rubbish or let your pet outside in the morning.
• Go through the things you need to do every day. When you are doing something that requires several steps, talk yourself through every step.
Dealing with the Changes in Your Nervous System
• Be careful with sharp objects, such as knives, scissors, etc.
• Avoid falling and injuring yourself.
• Get plenty of rest and sleep.
• Make sure you buy footwear that is comfortable and has rubber soles.
• Join one of your local cancer support groups.
Getting Your Appetite Back
• You may want to try eating frequently (4-5 times a day) but in smaller servings.
• Make eating something you will enjoy: cook healthy foods you like to regain the appetite you had before the treatment.
• Work up an appetite by exercising or taking a walk.
Lymphedema (Swelling) Prevention and Relief
• Be attentive to your body and try to notice any changes that happen, such as redness in your limbs, fever, heat, etc. Talk to your doctor the moment you notice any of those signs.
• Avoid sunburns, cuts and insect bites in that area.
• Make sure the area is protected and not exposed to heat and cold. Don’t use your leg or arm if it’s painful to try how hot something is.
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