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Practical steps to handle a terminal diagnosis
By Rehanna Ramsay
Kaieteur News – Diagnosis of a terminal illness brings with it an immediate reshuffling of a person’s priorities, as well as a host of new challenges and concerns. Today, Kaieteur News sheds light on some practical steps to deal with a terminal diagnosis.
Associate Oncologist, Dr. Raveendranath Ichangod who spoke to Kaieteur News recently, emphasized that when a patient is diagnosed that he or she has cancer, it’s a lot to take in.
He said the patient may have an emotional outburst, such as disbelief, fear, and anger. He said that one of the first questions for the Doctor might be, “are you sure that this is my report? How bad is it?” Or ‘can I get a cure’ and “What are my options?”
However, right after that, the Oncologist said that after taking some time to start to process the news, the patient wants an action plan.
These, he said include strategies that can help the patient to understand the diagnosis, learn about all the treatment options (including their risks and benefits), set up a care team, and tap loved ones for support as they start out on the path ahead.
To understand the diagnosis, the patient can seek knowledge.
We fear most what we understand least, so the doctor agreed that it is important for the patient to empower himself/herself by learning everything he/she can about how the illness.
A person can search online or at a local library or bookstore for information specific to diagnosis—particularly for accounts by/about those with the same diagnosis—to discover how others have coped.
The newly diagnosed can also ask their healthcare provider(s) what physical, mental, and/or emotional changes they should expect as the disease progresses.
According to Dr. Ichangod, it is also important for the Doctor to set up an appointment with the patient and their immediate family to discuss the condition and the best available treatment options.
Dr. Ichangod noted too that the patient can consult with their Family Physician and, if a second opinion from an expert is needed, they can speak to a Doctor working in the cancer treatment department.
Meanwhile, caregivers who spoke to this publication, have noted that there is no correct way to deal with a terminal illness and a patient will experience a tremendous range of emotions in the weeks or months ahead, from anger and resentment to fear and depression.
While such feelings are normal, how a person will react to and manage them on any given day will be unique. Some days will be better than others. Also, it is important to forgive.
With so much thought and attention focused on the illness, it might be easy to forget the patient not remembering that their loved ones will also experience a wide range of emotions as they attempt to cope with the thought of losing them.
Family and friends might also feel awkward or uncertain about what to say or how to act around the patient as they worry about uttering the wrong thing or reminding them about the illness.Therefore, it is important for the patient to discuss honestly and openly discuss how they are feeling with loved ones, and express their thoughts and emotions, as well.
It is also important that the family seeks emotional support.
A patient can also focus on creating a ‘practical support network’ as soon as possible.
Depending on the nature, extent, and physical, mental, and/or emotional changes, the patient can anticipate as the illness progresses, and they should ask for assistance to manage daily chores.
Assuming that they were responsible for cutting the lawn, picking up groceries, doing the laundry, paying bills, and preparing meals, they can consider who could or should assume those responsibilities. So there is continuity when they are no longer able or simply wish to let go of them. In this manner, patients can focus on healing or the next step should the ailment take a turn for the worse.
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