Being diagnosed with cancer can make you feel like your entire world is collapsing. It leaves you feeling vulnerable, scared, and helpless. And even though you are at your worst, you must put your feelings aside and listen to your doctor about the best plan moving forward.
People with cancer and their families must make several decisions before starting cancer treatment. Statistics, a sense of urgency, unfamiliar words, and anxiety are all aspects that tend to cloud our judgment and complicate things even more. However, it is also essential to take the time to ask questions, consult with a trusted friend or family member, and research your options. You can prepare yourself for the treatment and hope for the best by thinking things through.
So here are a few things you should do before starting your cancer treatment:
Table of Contents
Gather all the information you can
You shouldn’t hold yourself back when identifying the underlying cause of your cancer. You deserve to know how you ended up here; most importantly, it might help you decide on your treatment plan.
For instance, if you have been diagnosed with deadly cancer like Mesothelioma, you would want to know how it happened, what caused it, and what you need to do from now on. So it is best to gather all the information you can and find a resource and institution like Mesothelioma Hope to help you get through it. It would help you gain some insight into specific information and treatment plans related to your disease.
Inquire with your doctor about the worst and best-case scenarios
You must know what to expect when undergoing surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy. Unfortunately, many people enter cancer treatment without knowing what their options are. Then, if the worst-case scenario occurs, they are caught off guard. The most important thing a doctor can do to help you prepare for treatment is to define the good and bad results to make a wise decision.
Develop healthy habits
This is a crucial time to take care of your physical and mental well-being. Eat healthily and exercise in the days or weeks following your treatment. Improve your mental health by practicing yoga, speaking with a therapist, or meditation. How you feel before starting treatment can affect how you feel during it. Try to maintain these healthy habits as much as possible. No matter what type or stage of cancer you have, exercise and healthy food can help you maintain your quality of life.
Have reasonable expectations
Your doctor can give you an estimate of how much each type of treatment will cost. The treatment’s potential benefits determine the adverse effects you are willing to tolerate. Inform your doctor of your preferences. Don’t allow yourself to be pushed into a specific treatment plan. Take your time and select the option that makes you the most confident.
Inquire about the potential side effects of each treatment option
Cancer can sometimes cause long-term side effects, or delayed effects, those manifest months and perhaps even years after treatment. Please discuss with your medical team the long-term impacts of each possible treatment and how they are handled. Discuss any potential reproductive or sexual issues with your health care team, including the chance of not being able to have children. If you address these concerns before treatment rather than after, you will have more options for preserving your fertility.
Connect with your network
Enlist the assistance of family and friends in determining what you require – and what you do not. (Perhaps you don’t need a lot of extra food in your refrigerator.) Request that people take on specific tasks, such as trying to pick up the kids, doing the housework, or walking the dog. Don’t be afraid to ask for assistance. People are almost always willing to help; they just need to know what you need.
Be prepared for changes in your appearance
As a side effect of radiation and chemotherapy, patients may experience weight loss, skin rashes, or hair loss. Prepare yourself for these scenarios because you don’t want to be caught off guard. So remember to inquire with your doctor about what to expect.
Seek a second opinion
Many patients and doctors actively seek a second or third viewpoint from another oncologist. Various oncologists may have different treatment experiences. Seeking different perspectives can thus assist you in making a decision or confirming your existing treatment plan. To begin, check with your insurance provider to see if your policy covers a particular doctor or a healthcare system.
Conclusion
Cancer can be a devastating diagnosis, but it doesn’t delineate you as a person. Considering the abovementioned things will help prepare you for the treatment and help you pick a plan that blends well with your medical needs.
Just be sure to remain fully involved with your treatment plan. That will give you greater peace of mind and allow you to put your energy into what matters – recovering.
