It Begins with a
Diagnosis...
Over 12 million people discover
they have cancer each
year. The diagnosis has the
power to shake a person to
their very core. Those who have
known others with cancer have
seen firsthand how treatment
side effects can be worse than
the symptoms. Then there are
the various costs -- facility fees,
treatments, insurance premiums,
coinsurance, deductibles, out-ofnetwork
care, medications and
lost wages all add up. Finally,
there is the emotional stress of a
cancer diagnoses.
Realizing your mortality and
having to tell family and friends
44 — iPain Living Magazine
about your illness is incredibly
stressful. All of these difficulties
and more are why it is so important
to practice self-care
when you are facing a cancer
diagnoses.
What is Self-Care?
Self-care is a succinct, little
term we use to label any action
we do that is beneficial to our
overall well-being. It can be
boring, for instance, making a
dentist appointment, drinking
enough water, and brushing
your teeth. Self-care can also be
enjoyable: bubble baths, massages
and spending time with
those we love come to mind.
However, often self-care refers
to the things we have to do for
our health even if we don’t feel
like it. Sometimes it can even be
downright unpleasant
or tiresome.
When you are fighting
cancer, a lot of the self
-care you have to do
Caring for
Yourself with
Cancer
By Sco Sanders