| Nothing can prepare you for a diagnosis of cancer. | | | | that caused by negative emotions can depress the |
| With it comes a flood of stressful emotions - shock, | | | | immune system and make recovery more difficult. |
| disbelief, anger, depression, hopelessness, fear, denial, | | | | With help from your loved ones and your doctors, it's |
| etc. At first, it may be difficult to comprehend that | | | | possible to gain some perspective on your feelings |
| you have cancer. Many people feel the diagnosis just | | | | and focus on the positive factors that can help you |
| "comes out of nowhere" and "knocks the emotional | | | | beat colorectal cancer. |
| wind out of you." Especially in the beginning, when | | | | During this difficult time, it's the people closest to you |
| things just seem to be happening too fast, you may | | | | who will be your best supporters. Do not be afraid to |
| feel as if you are losing control. It's a very troubling | | | | lean on or open up to them. They want to help. |
| and stressful time for the whole family. | | | | Often people can help by listening or just being there. |
| Shock and disbelief are especially common reactions | | | | Here are some tips for getting the support you need |
| to the diagnosis of colorectal cancer because many | | | | and coping with the emotional side of your condition: |
| people have no warning signs. Patients often say, | | | | 1. Assemble your support team. Think about who is |
| "How could this be happening to me? I feel fine. I had | | | | closest to you - friends, family, co-workers. Who do |
| no clue." Colorectal cancer is commonly discovered | | | | you feel comfortable talking with? Who might be |
| during routine examinations and blood tests in | | | | available to help you with practical matters like driving |
| patients who are otherwise feeling well. Some people | | | | you to doctor visits? Make a list of people you'd like |
| actually deny the reality of their disease, refusing to | | | | on your support team. Then ask them if they'll be |
| accept the diagnosis. "This isn't happening to me. It's | | | | available for you during this difficult time. |
| impossible." If they persist in denying the reality of | | | | 2. Talk about how you feel. Tell your spouse/partner, |
| their colorectal cancer, it can interfere with their | | | | family, friends, and other members of your support |
| treatment and survival. | | | | team about your anxieties and fears. Don't try to |
| Fear is another emotion colorectal cancer patients | | | | "protect" your loved ones by keeping your feelings |
| and their loved ones face. They're afraid of what lies | | | | bottled up inside. It helps to get your feelings out in |
| ahead. They're afraid because they don't know if the | | | | the open. Let them talk about their fears, too. |
| cancer has spread. They fear having to wear a | | | | 3. Don't be shy. Cancer is difficult to talk about. This |
| colostomy, an external sack for waste removal. | | | | is especially true of colorectal cancers. People shy |
| (Most patients today do not need a colostomy.) | | | | away from talking about anything affecting their |
| They fear becoming a burden on their families. Most | | | | bowels. Friends, family, and coworkers may find it |
| commonly, they fear dying because we associate the | | | | awkward in the beginning to talk about your condition |
| word cancer with death. | | | | because of their own anxieties and fears. Talking |
| You may also feel hopeless about your condition. The | | | | about your colorectal cancer will help remove the |
| word cancer traditionally isn't associated with hope. | | | | stigma. |
| However, there is plenty to be hopeful about. Today, | | | | 4. Avoid blaming yourself. It's nobody's "fault" that |
| the cure rate for colorectal cancer diagnosed and | | | | you have colorectal cancer. Avoid playing the "blame |
| treated early is 90 percent. New and more effective | | | | game" and concentrate on getting better. |
| treatments are being developed every day. In | | | | 5. Let others know what you need. Maybe you need |
| addition, dozens of cancer survivor groups can | | | | someone to talk with, someone to take care of the |
| provide you with valuable information and emotional | | | | children, or a ride to the doctor's office. Let your |
| support. | | | | friends and family know how they can support you. |
| All your feelings and reactions are normal and | | | | 6. Look for the positive. Focus on the fact that the |
| understandable. However, it's important to recognize | | | | cancer was diagnosed early and there is a very good |
| and cope with your feelings because negative | | | | chance of being cured. Or concentrate on the fact |
| emotions can be very detrimental to your health. | | | | that new and better treatments are being developed |
| Anxiety and stress can lead to lack of sleep, poor | | | | every day. Staying positive won't guarantee you'll |
| appetite, weight loss, poor judgment, and make you | | | | beat the disease, but it'll make it easier to cope. |
| physically sick. Research has shown that stress like | | | | |