No one response to a blood cancer diagnosis is universal, but for many people the time of diagnosis may be a challenging and confusing time. Here are a few ideas on ways to cope, based on tips in our online Coping booklet (downloadable as a .pdf).
- Consider sharing your diagnosis. If you have been newly diagnosed with cancer, you may wonder if you should share this diagnosis with others. It’s possible that you may encounter some people that will have a hard time showing support, but more often than not you may find that many will give you the support you need. If you do share, make sure you are ready and comfortable.
- Talk about it. As the patient, you may want to talk about your diagnosis and treatment. It is important that the family member or friend you want to talk to is ready to discuss this, as they are likely feeling stressed about your diagnosis as well. Ask them directly if this is a good time to talk, and respect the answer given.
- Ask questions. Newly diagnosed patients benefit from asking their doctor(s) questions about their cancer and treatment. If you have several questions, you may want to write them down prior to your appointment to make sure you don’t forget any of them. You can also print out some of our question guides which cover different aspects of diagnosis and treatment.
- Coping with side effects. Cancer treatment can be unpleasant, but remember that most side effects are temporary and that the goal is to destroy the cancer. Ask your medical team if there are medications you can take or things you can do to deal with the various side effects like nausea or hair loss. You may also want to warn your family or friends of potential moodiness, which can be a side effect of treatment. Giving them a heads up on this can help to avoid misunderstandings or conflicts.
- Understand your health insurance coverage. It is important to know what treatment is covered by your health insurance. Coverage can vary depending on what plan you have, and it is a good idea to keep track of what medical fees the insurance company is responsible for paying.
What are some ways you have been able to cope with a blood cancer diagnosis?
