Planning Your Next Steps After a Cancer Diagnosis

Receiving a cancer diagnosis can turn your life upside down. Coming to terms with the diagnosis is something that takes time, and can feel overwhelming. If you have recently been diagnosed with cancer, you may be wondering what your next steps should be as you adjust to the news. 

Be Kind to Yourself
Being kind to yourself is essential at this time. Take each day moment by moment, as your mind will probably be spinning with the news. You mustn’t put yourself under pressure to feel a certain way. Instead, give yourself time to process the news in your own time.

Write it Down
Receiving a diagnosis can raise so many questions. You may find that a range of questions consumes your mind. Writing these questions down is an excellent way to express how you are feeling. Writing down the questions that you have will take away some pressure and should help to stop the thoughts from racing around in your head. Getting your thoughts down on paper and writing down questions will help you to prepare for your next medical appointment, and will ensure that you receive answers to your questions from your doctor.

Explore Your Options
Once your diagnosis starts to sink in, you may begin to consider the treatment options available to you. Nowadays, there are several cancer treatment options available, so carrying out some research will help you to understand the choices available. Consulting with the experts to receive a professional opinion of your treatment options is vital. Scheduling a visit to treatment facilities such as the Oklahoma Proton Center will help you to understand more about how your cancer could be treated and will help you to feel more in control of your diagnosis.

Talk Things Through
A cancer diagnosis is not something that you should face alone. It is crucial that you don’t put yourself under pressure to deal with everything by yourself. Talking about your diagnosis to friends and family will help you to make sense of the situation, and will also ensure that you don’t feel isolated. Don’t feel under pressure to be brave, or to pretend that you are okay if you aren’t. Your loved ones will want to offer you their support at this time, so it is essential to take it and to remember that there is no right or wrong way to feel.

If you don’t feel comfortable speaking to your friends and family about your diagnosis, then you may find it useful to seek outside support. There are many organizations available to offer support, who are experienced in helping people in the same situation as you. Don’t be afraid to ask for help and talk about your diagnosis, whether you choose to speak with a loved one or a professional such as a counselor.

Take Care
Try your best to nourish yourself at this difficult time, eating nutritious foods and spending time with the people that you love will help you feel stronger both mentally and physically.

Photo by Roman Kraft

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Mia Guerra

Mia Guerra

Executive Editor at Chispa Magazine
Executive Editor at Chispa Magazine, Mia Guerra is a writer at heart. Regardless the topic, she loves to investigate, encourage, and ruminate on topics that can make us better people. Aiming to live a Proverbs 31 life, Mia is ecstatic to be following her calling with Chispa. At home she is her husband's sidekick and together they are raising a God-fearing family in Atlanta.

Mia Guerra

Executive Editor at Chispa Magazine, Mia Guerra is a writer at heart. Regardless the topic, she loves to investigate, encourage, and ruminate on topics that can make us better people. Aiming to live a Proverbs 31 life, Mia is ecstatic to be following her calling with Chispa. At home she is her husband's sidekick and together they are raising a God-fearing family in Atlanta.