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Getting Cancer Answers - Tips To Cope With A Cancer Diagnosis

  

  

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Overland Park, KANSAS, April 8^th, 2010 - A diagnosis of cancer is probably pretty high up on most people's lists of fears, even with the knowledge that in today's society, there are sometimes effective treatments. The trouble is that oftentimes the focus of care lies in just treating the cancer rather than the person, and many questions go unanswered or unasked. Will staying at home be possible or are extended hospital stays the only option? What will the treatments be like? Is there a particular diet to follow? American Companion Care hopes to be a helpful resource for care in our community and a conduit to helping people get the answers they seek when faced with cancer.

Cancer affects the lives of many in our local community, and coping with the disease is never easy. There are the natural feelings of anxiety or fear regarding the disease, or guilt for having cancer and causing additional burdens on their loved ones. Some may even become angry at their own limitations while sick, and act resentful towards their caregiver or loved ones. "I always encourage someone with cancer to communicate his or her thoughts and feelings to the ones caring for him or her," said Sheril Herman, Vice President and co-owner of American Companion Care. "Keeping communication open will help a caregiver to understand what help is (or is not) desired as well as relieve some of the emotional pressures that may be building up."

It is equally important to keep an open line of communication with one's doctor. Doctor David W. Bouda, MD, FACP says, "Communication is important because it relieves stress on your part.  The more you know, the more likely you are to be successful in treatment and have less side effects."

The process of chemotherapy and radiation treatment can be daunting and confusing, and it is normal to have a lot of questions. To help calm fears of the unknown, find out as much information as possible about the specific treatments and write down questions before an appointment. "Be sure that your information comes from a doctor or staff and not the internet.  If you do get information from the internet, bring it so you can discuss it (with your doctor)," says Bouda. The following tips can assist cancer patients in talking to their doctors about chemo:

• Find out why you're receiving chemo (what the chemo hopes to accomplish)
• Ask how the chemo will be administered
• Talk with the doctor or nurse about the treatment schedule, and request a written copy of it as well
• Talk with the doctor or nurse about possible side effects and suggested ways to manage them
• Find out information about clinical trials, and request contact information if applicable

After a cancer diagnosis, the physician may emphasize the importance of maintaining a healthy diet. By eating a healthy diet, a person will go into treatment with reserves to help keep up strength, prevent body tissue from breaking down, rebuild tissue, and maintain defenses against infection. Additionally, people who eat well are better able to cope with side effects and may even be able to handle higher doses of certain treatments. For example, it is known that some cancer treatments are actually much more effective if the person is well-nourished and getting enough calories and protein in his or her diet. Nutrition recommendations after a cancer diagnosis may encourage eating higher calorie foods that emphasize protein, or suggest eating less of certain high-fiber foods because they can aggravate treatment side effects such as diarrhea or a sore mouth.

When healthy, eating enough food to give the nutrients needed is not usually a problem, but during cancer treatment, a person may suffer from lack of appetite due to side effects and simply not feeling well. Under these circumstances, the person should simply try to eat anything that he or she can easily digest. On treatment days, learn the best time to eat and drink for one's body. Dr. David Bouda suggests that in preparation for your first treatment you "eat a non-fatty meal, hydrate, practice positive imagery of success and make sure your doctor provides good anti-sickness medicine."  Some people feel better when they eat a little bit before treatment, while others do best when they have nothing to eat or drink beforehand. Additional tips that may help include:

• Eating five or six small meals each day, instead of three big meals
• Eating with plastic spoons or forks if foods taste like metal, and using a glass pot for cooking
• Talking with the doctor or nurse to make sure the anti-nausea medicine is being taken correctly
• Eating less greasy, fried, salty, sweet or spicy foods if they cause nausea
• Letting others, such as a home care agency, friends or a meal delivery service do the cooking if the smell of food causes nausea

When receiving treatment in the home for cancer, coping with the disease and the life changes it brings can be exhausting. Home care and home health care services may be a good resource to provide some relief.  American Companion Care can work with family caregivers and their loved ones with cancer to develop strategies for coping with whatever emotional or practical challenges that arise. If the primary care is done by a patient's family or loved ones, there is risk of caregiver burnout. Arrangements should be made for a caregiver to come in regularly for respite services, so that the primary caregiver can have some time to refresh, even if it's only for a few hours a week.

For more information on helping cancer patients and their families, please contact American Companion Care.

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About American Companion Care:

American Companion Care is proud of being recognized as Kansas City's most responsive in-home care agency and was founded in 2003. Our mission is to give the elderly the opportunity to stay as long as possible in their own homes with warm-hearted, caring companions. Further information can be found on http://www.americancompanioncare.com/.