If you feel your loved one is refusing treatment because of denial, or because of fear of undergoing treatment, talk to the oncologist. You may want to visit a counselor or support group together.
How do you deal with an ill family member with cancer?
Jan 04, 2017 · If you feel your loved one is refusing treatment because of denial, or because of fear of undergoing treatment, talk to the oncologist. You may want to visit a counselor or support group together. If the refusal comes from fear, you may find that sitting in on a support group and listening to others who have gone through treatment can provide a different perspective.
Should I refuse cancer treatment?
May 25, 2017 · Refusing treatment is a personal decision that involves not just the medical facts of the case, but the values of the person afflicted with cancer. Although it can be hard to accept, sometimes refusing treatment is the right decision to make. Given the option, many people would prefer spending their final days enjoying favorite activities with ...
What happens if you don’t take care of someone with cancer?
Dec 27, 2020 · Moving On. Coping with loss. -- Introduce yourself -- Ask The Nurses -- Pre-Diagnosis, Signs & Symptoms -- Newly diagnosed -- Living with cancer -- Money, Work & Travel -- Caring for someone with cancer -- Diagnosed with cancer at a young age -- Dying with cancer -- Moving On -- Coping with loss. Get involved with CRUK.
How do you take care of yourself when you have cancer?
If you need support, someone is always online and ready to offer help, answers, or a shoulder to lean on. If you have questions, post them, someone who has experience with that issue will answer. Cancer is hard, but you don't have to do it alone! Drop in at WhatNext, register, and meet your support team.
Is it OK to refuse cancer treatment?
What can you do if someone refuses medical treatment?
- Be transparent and direct. ...
- Convince them that it's their idea. ...
- Make it a "double-checkup" ...
- Make the rest of the day as enjoyable as possible. ...
- Get someone who is an authority figure to help.
Can cancer treatment be forced?
Why some people refuse treatment for cancer?
What do you do when a family member refuses medical treatment?
- Be Honest with Your Loved One. ...
- Try to Listen Without Judgement. ...
- Encourage Your Loved One to Consider All Options. ...
- Avoid Arguing with Your Loved One About the Issue. ...
- Remember That Your Loved One is Responsible For Their Own Choices.
How do you convince someone to get medical treatment?
What happens if you leave cancer untreated?
What happens if you refuse chemo?
Can a parent refuse cancer treatment for their child?
When is chemo not recommended?
Can you survive cancer without chemo?
Can you refuse medical treatment for yourself even if it means death?
Why do people write blogs about cancer?
Blog. Some people find that writing a blog about their cancer journey helps your family and friends understand what you’re experiencing. They also discover that it helps them accept their diagnosis and learn more about the strength that they possess. Creating a blog doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive.
What is caring bridge?
Caring Bridge is a nonprofit charitable trust that allows anyone with a medical condition to share updates with family, friends, colleagues, and neighbors. Participants create a password-protected account and can post words of encouragement. A mobile app is available too.
Can you move in with someone with cancer?
People with cancer sometimes need to change where they live or whom they live with. You may need to move in with someone else to get the care you need. Or, you may need to travel far from home for treatment. This can be stressful because you may feel that you're losing your independence, even if it's just for a little while.
Can cancer affect your family?
Most people find it stressful to keep up with money matters. Cancer can reduce the amount of money your family has to spend or save. If you're not able to work, someone else in your family may need to get a job. You and your family may need to learn more about health insurance and find out what will be covered and what you need to pay for.
What happens when you find out you have cancer?
When you find out you have cancer, daily routines may change for everyone. Schedules may be focused around treatment. Someone in your family may need to take time off from work to drive you to treatments.
Is cancer hard on people?
Cancer and its treatment are hard on everyone, especially the people who take care of you. Sometimes loved ones become run down and get sick from the stress. Because of this, they need to have balance in their life—time to take care of personal tasks and errands, rest, be with friends, or enjoy hobbies.
How does cancer affect money?
Most people find it stressful to keep up with money matters. Cancer can reduce the amount of money your family has to spend or save. If you're not able to work, someone else in your family may need to get a job. You and your family may need to learn more about health insurance and find out what will be covered and what you need to pay for. These and other money issues can be hard to deal with. For tips on handling bills and insurance, see Managing Costs and Medical Information.
How to cope with cancer?
But while you know this is a trying time, no one can know exactly how any person with cancer feels. Using humor can be an important way of coping. It can also be another approach to support and encouragement. This can be a great way to relieve stress and take a break from the more serious nature of the situation.
How to talk to someone who has cancer?
When talking with someone who has cancer, the most important thing is to listen. Try to hear and understand how they feel. Don’t make light of, judge, or try to change the way the person feels or acts. Let them know that you’re open to talking whenever they feel like it.
Is it normal to be angry when you have cancer?
There may be times when the uncertainty and fear make the person with cancer seem angry, depressed, or withdrawn. This is normal and is a part of the process of grieving what was lost to the cancer (things like health, energy, time).
What is stigma in cancer?
This is called stigma and can sometimes make a person with cancer blame themselves for their illness or feel left out, isolated, depressed, and as if they don’t have much support. It can even affect how they approach their treatment, affect their quality of life, and might make them avoid follow-up care.
What does it mean to hope for cancer?
Hope means different things to different people. And people can hope for many things while facing cancer. You might assume that someone who is positive and optimistic must be denying the fact that they have cancer. If the person with cancer seems upbeat and unaffected by having cancer, don’t assume they’re in denial.
Can cancer come back?
In some cases, a person’s cancer will come back (recur or recurrence) and treatment might begin again or a new treatment might be needed. The person with cancer may or may not react the same way they did the first time. Again, communication is key. Most people are quite upset if they learn their cancer is back.
Why is humor important in cancer?
Using humor can be an important way of coping. It can also be another approach to support and encouragement. This can be a great way to relieve stress and take a break from the more serious nature of the situation. But you never want to joke unless you know the person with cancer can handle it and appreciate the humor.
Getting Help with Family Issues
After treatment, you may want to consider getting help from someone to help you and your family adjust. Ask your doctor or social worker to refer you to a counselor. An expert on family roles and concerns after cancer treatment may help your family work on your problems.
Talking with Children and Teens
Help the children in your family understand that it may take a while for you to have the energy you used to have now that you are finished with treatment. Be open about what you can and can’t do.
Can you talk to your family about cancer?
Although you want to cope with the diagnosis as a family, sometimes, you just can’t talk to your family about everything.
What to do after cancer diagnosis?
Keep your lives as normal as possible. Sometimes, the best thing to do after a cancer diagnosis is to keep things as routine as possible. Continue going to work and exercising, if you are able. Allow your children to participate in the same activities as they have before.
Is cancer hard on the family?
Receiving a cancer diagnosis is not only tough on the patient, but the family, as well . Although the person with cancer likely doesn’t want the family members to bear any burdens because of their illness or experience unwanted changes, they likely will. As the ill family member endures treatment and the side effects of cancer, everyone’s routines, ...
Is it scary to hear about cancer?
Hearing the news of a cancer diagnosis is overwhelming and frightening. Although everyone handles it in different ways, holding it in typically makes things worse. Talk to your family about how you feel about the news, whether you are the person with cancer or it is someone else in the family.
Can you tell your kids about cancer?
The age of your children will guide your discussions about cancer. You can consult with a doctor, nurse, or mental health provider on how to share the news with your kids. In general, it's best not to tell them everything at once, but a little at a time.
Is it normal to feel sad after cancer?
Feeling sadness is normal after the initial diagnosis, but keep an eye on your family members for signs of depression during this difficult time. The person with cancer isn’t the only one who can suffer from depression; those around them can, as well.
How to cope with cancer?
1. Join a support group. Those with cancer and those who are supporting them can go to support groups to talk to others about what they are experiencing. Although you want to cope with the diagnosis as a family, sometimes, you just can’t talk to your family about everything.
Can you be away from a loved one with cancer?
Long-Distance Caregiving. It can be really tough to be away from a loved one who has cancer. You may feel like you're a step behind in knowing what is happening with his or her care. Yet even if you live far away, it's possible for you to give support and be a problem-solver and care coordinator.
What does it mean to be a caregiver for cancer?
If you're helping your family member or friend through cancer treatment, you are a caregiver. This may mean helping with daily activities such as going to the doctor or making meals. It could also mean coordinating services and care. Or it may be giving emotional and spiritual support.
What happens if you don't take care of yourself?
The stress can have both physical and psychological effects. If you don’t take care of yourself, you won’t be able to take care of others. It’s important for everyone that you give care to you. For more information, see the NCI booklet When Someone You Love Is Being Treated for Cancer.
Why don't people offer to help?
Some common reasons are: Some people may be coping with their own problems. Some may not have the time. They are afraid of cancer or may have already had a bad experience with cancer.
Do family caregivers need support?
All family caregivers need support. But you may feel that your needs aren't important right now since you’re not the cancer patient. Or that there's no time left for yourself. You may be so used to taking care of someone else that it's hard for you to change focus.
How to relax yourself?
Take at least 15-30 minutes each day to do something for yourself. For example, try to make time for a nap, exercise, yard work, a hobby, watching tv or a movie, or whatever you find relaxing. Do gentle exercises, such as stretching or yoga. Or, take deep breaths or just sit still for a minute. See Learning to Relax.
How do support groups work?
Support groups can meet in person, by phone, or online. They may help you gain new insights into what is happening, get ideas about how to cope, and help you know that you're not alone. In a support group, people may talk about their feelings, trade advice, and try to help others who are dealing with the same kinds of issues. Some people like to go and just listen. And others prefer not to join support groups at all. Some people aren't comfortable with this kind of sharing.
