Learning to cope with your diagnosis is very important.  This means managing the problem by finding productive ways to control it.  You can’t control the fact you or a loved one has cancer, only the way in which you react and how you live with it.  In coping, learning to be optimistic but also realistic is important.

 

There are also several practical things one can do during this stressful time of diagnosis and treatment.

 

1.       It is important as a patient or caregiver to become educated about your condition.  There is a vast amount of information available to patients – on the internet (some of which may be unreliable), television, advertisements, and articles in newspapers or magazines.  However, it may be difficult to filter through all these resources what is valuable and important.

2.     Also, become educated about health benefits and insurance so you can have a complete understanding of what expenses will be covered and what will be paid out of pocket.  Take time to review your health insurance policy, talk to a hospital or community social worked to find what assistance you are entitled to under the law, and also speak with a financial counselor in the business office of the hospital.

3.      Try to not put your life on hold, and continue to do daily activities as normally as possible.

4.      Join local or national support groups and utilize the resources they offer, or keep a journal of your feelings to help cope with all the sometimes overwhelming emotions and stress.