Patient's Reaction to Cancer
Overhelmed
On knowing that one has cancer one gets ovehelmed
Start fearing about death
Normal routine disturbed
Medical terms not understood
Fear all enjoyment in life is gone
Feel helpless and start feeling lonely
Solution : learn about the disease, clarify doubts, make decisions about what all to do, keep busy
Denial
The mind refuses to believe - this gives time to adjust the mind slowly to the revelation and produce some hope of fighting the cancer
Anger
Feeling of "Why me?"
Angry towards the health care prviders on various grounds
solution : counselling, support by the family
Fear and Worry
Fear of pain
Fear of side effects of treatment
Worry about family
Fear of the expenditure
Fear of keeping the job and earning
Fear of dying
Solution : Don't trust stories, rumours and wrong information. Derive information from the right persons
Avoid discussing your disease with all
Hope
Once acceptance hope starts of winning over the disease; seeing lots of people with cancer getting cured, working as usual with proper treatment, knowing that modern modalities have been found out and one can hope for a cure
Plan your days as usual
Do not limit the things the patient likes
Look for reasons to have hope
Spen time with nature and enjoy the beauty
Follow religious beliefs
Listen to stories about people with cancer who are leading active life
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