What to do after a Cancer Diagnosis

Hopefully, you will have a family member or friend when you receive your diagnosis. It’s always a good idea to take someone along any time you are going to the doctor for any test results. The extra person can be your eyes and ears if you are too upset to listen to the doctor.

Give yourself time. Don't allow the doctor to herd you out of his office. Cancer is a crisis in your life. This is not a time to be polite. Pull yourself together. Any question that comes to your mind, no matter how unimportant seeming, should be asked. Your husband or friend should write down all pertinent information.

At this point your doctor will get you an appointment with an oncologist or a surgeon or both. Make sure you get an appointment before you leave. Don’t accept, ‘we’ll call you.’ That could take days when time is of the essence. Every day you wait will seem like an eternity.

Ask your doctor for some brochures on your particular type of cancer or to recommend a good book on the subject. He may try to brush you off with ‘we’ll take care of you; you don’t need any book.’ Don’t be deterred. Information is vital. You must stay informed. You have to be knowledgeable about your treatment so you can be your own advocate. Being a part of the process will keep you from feeling so helpless.

You will have many decisions to make in the next few weeks. Your emotions will be all over the place. One minute you see yourself overcoming the cancer and the next minute you are planning your funeral. Don’t be embarrassed to ask for something to help take the edge off your anxiety. Needing something isn’t a sign of weakness. It is simply the need to feel a little better in the midst of the fight of your life.

Each time you go to the doctor, you will want to take someone with you for support and help. When you are upset, the memory becomes muddled. You forget things and might miss something vital. Besides having someone with you makes you feel less alone.

Do research but try not to obsess. Don’t spend hours on message boards where you hear horror stories about people’s struggles with cancer. This doesn’t help. Try to keep a positive attitude; this will help you in your recovery or during the course of the illness. Don’t feel like you have to be a Pollyanna; let out your feelings. Grieve. You might even want to consult a therapist to help you emotionally.

No two people react the same way to having cancer. Everyone reacts differently so don’t worry about doing it right. There is no right way to deal with having cancer. Follow your instincts and be true to yourself. You are in the fight of your life. Be strong.

Copyright 2007 Janice D. Sterling - All Rights Reserved

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