Sunday, February 21, 2010
The Beginning continued...
The day that you are told "things do not look good", "we need to investigate further", or you hear the words you most dread.."you have cancer",is the day that your life changes forever,your values, your needs, your lifestyle...pales into insignificance!You are left with a sense of emotions fit for a washing machine!!utter disbelief,complete panic,icy calm...you'll have them all...and then of course the norm that everyone speaks about, anger,denial and finally acceptance.Tears are a great stress buster although you may not be aware of it at the time. Ther is no right or wrong way to bahave or handle these emaotions as they are the most extreme emotions you will ever experience,do whatever you feel, you have a right...and don't let anyone stop you!!Some of you will choose to take your partners with you for follow up appointments and some of you will choose not to.This is a personal choice but once you have dealt with the initial blow, try and share the news with someone close to you who will listen and support you.It always helps to share the burden.Take time out to contemplate what ha happened to you and to come to terms with the fact that the time ahead is an extremely intense time with all sorts of unknowns waiting for you. No one can ever begin to relate to your feelings right now, unless they have been in a similar position and even then, people forget the early emotions.
The Beginning
The beginning of your journey down the cancer route and the stages thereafter, willbe an immensely emotional one and before I begin to share the facts with you,I would like to say that at all stages, you need to look after your emotional, physical and spiritual well being, from the time of diagnosis to the remission stage.
Encourage honesty and openess in the family and ensure you are getting the love and security you need as a patient.Ensure that you are kept well informed at all times of what is happening and talk to some one who will listen and attempt to understand.
As a patient,you must be able to express your feelings, without feeling that you need to hide them to protect others.You will be advised by many to remain positive and happy - although these attributes help, you do not have to feel positive and happy - damnit, you have just been diagnosed with a life threatening disease!Speak to someone who has personal warmth, compassion and empathy, someone who is non judgemental,easy to communicate with,has good listening skills,flexibility, emotional maturity, discretion and a respect for confidentiality.Humour is commonly used by some patients as a tool to maintain a sense of perspective in the face of adversity and overwhelming news. It is an individual coping strategythat, like denial, reinforces the central personality ofyou, as a paerson and protects the ego, when external forces threaten it.
Encourage honesty and openess in the family and ensure you are getting the love and security you need as a patient.Ensure that you are kept well informed at all times of what is happening and talk to some one who will listen and attempt to understand.
As a patient,you must be able to express your feelings, without feeling that you need to hide them to protect others.You will be advised by many to remain positive and happy - although these attributes help, you do not have to feel positive and happy - damnit, you have just been diagnosed with a life threatening disease!Speak to someone who has personal warmth, compassion and empathy, someone who is non judgemental,easy to communicate with,has good listening skills,flexibility, emotional maturity, discretion and a respect for confidentiality.Humour is commonly used by some patients as a tool to maintain a sense of perspective in the face of adversity and overwhelming news. It is an individual coping strategythat, like denial, reinforces the central personality ofyou, as a paerson and protects the ego, when external forces threaten it.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Cancer in South Africa - Authors note
As a nursing sister and stress consultant and having dealt with many aspects of cancer over the years in my cancer clinic, I have found that many of the practical aspects of cancer, the unanswered questions by patients and the family's understanding of the whole process, are not addressed in a comprehensive way.
In writing this book, I have tried to stay away from the medical aspects of cancer, nutrition and alternate therapies, as much has been written about these subjects. Instead, I have tried to focus on putting together a guide to assist you, as the patient, and that of your spouse, in the journey of cancer, from the time you are diagnosed until the point of remission and in some cases, death. I have explored the world of little niggles you so often ponder on, to the more practical issues of buying a wig, re-assessing make up application, colours etc.
To all the wonderful people I have seen in my clinic and on my rounds to patients homes,who have become such dear friends, I hope that what I have focused on in this book, would have made your lives a lot easier, had you had this book at your disposal during your illness. Without the insight you have given me, allowing me to become part of your journey, I would never have been able to put this together.
God Bless you all.
Cherry
As a nursing sister and stress consultant and having dealt with many aspects of cancer over the years in my cancer clinic, I have found that many of the practical aspects of cancer, the unanswered questions by patients and the family's understanding of the whole process, are not addressed in a comprehensive way.
In writing this book, I have tried to stay away from the medical aspects of cancer, nutrition and alternate therapies, as much has been written about these subjects. Instead, I have tried to focus on putting together a guide to assist you, as the patient, and that of your spouse, in the journey of cancer, from the time you are diagnosed until the point of remission and in some cases, death. I have explored the world of little niggles you so often ponder on, to the more practical issues of buying a wig, re-assessing make up application, colours etc.
To all the wonderful people I have seen in my clinic and on my rounds to patients homes,who have become such dear friends, I hope that what I have focused on in this book, would have made your lives a lot easier, had you had this book at your disposal during your illness. Without the insight you have given me, allowing me to become part of your journey, I would never have been able to put this together.
God Bless you all.
Cherry
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