Get the facts
Knowing what lung cancer may do to your body will make you feel more grounded. However, remembering every word your doctor says is not easy. The following tips may help you.
Before your visit, prepare the questions you plan to ask your doctor. When the doctor gives you information, write down the key points and ask the doctor if there is anything you don’t understand. If possible, ask a friend or relative to accompany you to the appointment to avoid missing information. Do not ask the doctor the same questions over and over again, as this reduces efficiency and can interfere with the doctor’s ability to explain the condition.
Rest well
The lung cancer disease itself and the treatment you receive can be extraordinarily tiring. You can keep a record of how you feel throughout the day to understand how your body is changing. Take a nap when you’re tired. Give yourself a pep talk: once treatment is over, the fatigue may go away and you may regain your energy level.
Eat healthy
Eat healthy to boost your immune system so you can better cope with treatment side effects, reduce the risk of infection, and have more energy and recover faster.
Treatment may leave you with a poor appetite, but don’t let that make you hungry and full. Ask your doctor or dietitian which foods are best for you.
Exercise properly
As long as your doctor agrees, you can exercise every day: bike, swim, do yoga, walk, etc., as you like. Exercise has many benefits, it can relieve stress, increase appetite and lift your spirits.
Focus on your emotions
Facing the fact that you have cancer can be devastating for everyone. If you have had symptoms of depression, or a stressful life, you may have a tougher emotional challenge to face. Facing the facts and talking with friends and family can help relieve stress. When conditions allow, seek help from a professional counselor.
When you feel stressed, try relieving stress by taking one breath at a time.
Improve your lifestyle
Some people “indulge” in bad habits to relieve stress. However, smoking, drinking, overeating, and not exercising for long periods of time are not helpful in improving your quality of life. You can get support and strength from family and friends to help you improve your lifestyle.
Understand the side effects of treatment
Lung cancer treatment, which may use a variety of approaches, reacts differently to drugs for each person. However, some adverse reactions are common, such as fatigue, infection, nausea and vomiting, pain, anemia, edema, and mental depression. When these symptoms occur, it is important to tell your doctor, who can alleviate these discomforts with medication. A healthy lifestyle will also play a supporting role.
Adherence to follow-up visits
Doctors can adjust treatment plans based on the information obtained at follow-up visits to improve outcomes and relieve symptoms.
Seeking support
Lung cancer patients are a “family,” and you don’t have to go through the stress and confusion alone. You can join a group of patients with the recommendation of your doctor to help each other cope with the disease. It’s important to note that a normal group of patients must encourage and help each other, but if there is a push for drugs and health care products, it’s important to quit.
Related reading:
Co-reviewed by Dr. Siyang Liu, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Lung Cancer Institute
Wang Zhen (Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital)