Feeling lost or numb after being diagnosed with cancer? It’s okay, your feelings and emotions are completely normal. It might take you a while to process your emotions.
In this article, Dr. Sandeep Nayak, acclaimed to be one of the best oncologists in India will be sharing some ways that will help you in coping up after being diagnosed with cancer.
Dr Sandeep Nayak is a pioneer of laparoscopic and robotic cancer surgeries in the country and firmly believes that these cutting-edge surgical approaches provide patients with quicker recovery with fewer complications and, in many cases, a better quality of life.
He is also a Member of Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, UK and many other professional associations. Currently he is working at MACS Clinic, one of the top hospitals providing one of the best cancer treatments in Bangalore.
Below we’ll see the 5 ways you can find comfort after your diagnosis of cancer.
Facing Reality
People react differently after being diagnosed with cancer. Many patients react to the diagnosis positively by accepting the reality and facing reality headstrong. They keep themselves updated with information about cancer. This way of coping helps to promote their overall well-being. For some patients, it is hard to accept the reality; they say, “I can’t cope with this.” This method of coping might only help them in the short run, as this will prevent them from getting constructive ways of coping.
Facing reality will give you a different perspective about life, says Dr. Sandeep Nayak, best oncologist in India.
Express your emotions
You might need time to process your emotions. You can’t immediately start to express or feel your emotions right after being diagnosed with cancer, as you already have to handle a lot of things. Take your own time and express your emotions, says Dr. Sandeep Nayak, one of the best oncologist in India.
Expressing emotions will help you feel lighter and relaxed. You can reach out to your friends or family and tell them how you feel, or there are many healthcare providers and psychologists that provide counseling.
Know that all your emotions and feelings are valid and important. After being diagnosed with cancer, People might say that you need to be positive and keep yourself happy, but it is not wrong to express strong emotions like anger, sadness, anxiety, pain, and resentment. Studies show that expressing these emotions is psychologically and immunologically beneficial.
Being Hopeful
After coming to acceptance of the reality of cancer, keep yourself optimistic. Studies prove that an optimistic outlook positively affects your physical, emotional, and mental state. For some patients, being positive and keeping themselves happy is a difficult task, as they think, “ what’s the point of being positive?” Of course, there are times when patients can feel down and hopeless, and it’s completely okay. It is important to know that feeling hopeless will negatively impact your health.
Reading books and engaging yourself in various activities will help you get your mind off the cancer and make you more optimistic.
Reach out for support.
Support groups can help a lot, as cancer patients can share their experiences and information about the illness and counsel and encourage each other. You can reach out to your family member, a relative, or someone you love for support. Depending on where you live, you can also reach out to psychologists and healthcare providers. You can also join many specifically cancer-related support groups.
Research shows that people with support from someone they love are fair better than patients who deal with it alone. Sharing your feelings with someone you trust and love will help you get the burden off your chest.
This will make you feel safer and give a sense of relief as you know that many people are on the same page as you. This will encourage and strengthen your willpower to fight back any recurring negative feelings or emotions.
MACS clinic, which is one of the best cancer treatment hospitals in Bangalore, offers a supportive group for patients with cancer, called as Samorhana, you can check it out here.
Faith and Prayer
Having faith and praying benefit a lot of people. Prayer gives great inner peace, strength, ability to cope, and an improved overall psychological adjustment and quality of life.
All of us, regardless of having cancer or not, at some point in our life, are challenged by how we respond to the vulnerability to the downsides of life like sickness, suffering, pain, and death.
In the Judeo-Christian tradition, it is emphasized that God is with us in our suffering, providing the grace we need to endure;
Through prayer and liturgy, patients can connect to the core of their faith and religious community and derive the solace and fortitude they need to cope with their illness. Prayer can also have healing effects—most certainly in healing one’s soul, but perhaps also in healing the body. MACS clinic, one of the top hospitals, providing the best cancer treatment in Bangalore has been offering help and support to cancer patients from all over India.
