5 Tips for Seniors Diagnosed with Lung Cancer
Lung cancer survivors are living longer than before, benefiting from earlier diagnoses, better drug combinations and a more personalized, multidisciplinary approach to treatment.
Hope can now be part of the equation. Prepare yourself for a journey that may last for many years.
Here are some tips to keep in mind that may help you along the way:
Don’t stop living
Don’t sit on the couch and sulk about the disease. Keep doing the things you like to do. Stay in your routine as much as possible. Stay upright. Find things to keep your mind moving forward. Take a positive outlook. Block out the negative. Find something to be passionate about. It could be a new hobby, old friends or just your loving family. The less you think about cancer, the longer you will live. Guaranteed.
Find the best possible doctor.
Look for experience as well as an innovative approach. Don’t settle for anything less than best. If you aren’t comfortable with your doctor or your treatment center, look for another one. They are not all the same. You are putting your life in their hands. Find someone you trust fully, and it will put your mind at ease. Make sure the fit is good, and that you feel comfortable asking questions and getting honest answers. Trust the expert, but don’t hesitate to ask for a second opinion.
Eat healthy foods
There are foods that feed cancer and foods that discourage it. Talk to a nutritionist about this, and do your homework. You’ll be surprised how much better you feel if you turn to a healthy diet. Proper cancer nutrition is important for a patient fighting off the disease. Fuel your body, even when your appetite wanes.
Join a support group
This will help prevent any feeling of isolation. People in similar situations will understand your questions and concerns better than anyone, even better than a doctor or nurse sometimes. Knowing you have others to lean on and who have been in your shoes will help you mentally and emotionally. Support groups meet in person or over the phone.
Exercise regularly
It might be easier to just sit, especially if you’re feeling bad physically, but don’t fall into that trap. It might be as simple as a walk to the mailbox each day, but do it twice, even when you know the mail isn’t there yet. Find a daily exercise routine that works for you. You could walk around the block or even ride a stationary bike. It could be stretching. It might be walking up and down the aisles at the grocery store or a daily walk at the shopping mall. Cancer treatments will make you feel awful sometimes. But force yourself to do something. And do it regularly.
BONUS TIP:
Pray every day.
Many long-term cancer survivors say the power of prayer is real. Some attend church regularly, while others do not. Many say they would have given up long before without a strong faith in God. It definitely helps to have a higher force fighting the fight alongside you.
Author Bio: Tim Povtak is a senior writer for The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com. He has been reporting national and international news for more than three decades. He spends much of his time now writing about mesothelioma and lung cancer, reporting on the latest therapeutic advancements that have allowed patients to live longer and better lives.
Also Read: