Dealing with cancer is a challenge. It means facing many decisions about your treatment and care. Your doctor can help by giving you advice and support. So can your friends and loved ones. But you are the one in charge of deciding what to do.
This booklet can help.
Inside you will learn
Look for the Quick Links in this booklet. They will give you ways to learn even more. And be sure to talk with your health care team. They can help answer your questions and provide support.
Visit http://www.cancercare.org/reading_room/
Here are just some of the publications you will find at this link:
Talking to others can help you get the advice and answers you need. And that can help you make the right choices about your treatment.
There may be several kinds of health care experts taking care of you. To find out more about them, talk to your doctor or nurse. Or ask each person on the team to tell you what they do. Also, ask what you can expect to happen at each visit.
To get the most from your doctor visits
Before you see your doctor, make out a list of questions. This will help you remember what you want to ask.
You may want to bring a friend who can write down the answers for you. You may also ask to tape-record the visit.
Be honest when your doctor asks how you are feeling. Bring up any signs of illness that you may have. This will help your doctor know how to help you feel your best.
Write down questions to ask your doctor.
Try to get your questions answered before you leave the doctor’s office. Be sure to ask your doctor these 5 questions about your treatment choices:
Talk to your family about your cancer.
Talk to your family about your cancer. Be honest about your treatment. People usually cope better when they know what to expect.
Children need to be comforted. Let them know that even though you have cancer, they will be taken care of.
To help your children
Young children often don’t need a lot of detail. But tell them the name of the cancer and how it will be treated. And let them know how your illness will affect their lives.
Older children may want to know more. They may even try to learn about cancer in a library or on the Internet. Be sure to talk with them about what they find.
Tell your children’s teachers and school counselors about your cancer. This will help your children get the support they need at school. Ask family and friends to help with driving, meals, and homework.
Friends can be a great help during your cancer treatment. Here are some things to keep in mind.
Friends want to support you but often may not know how. Make a list for them of the kinds of help you need most. This may include making meals, being driven to treatments, or just having someone there to listen. You may want to put a friend or loved one in charge of these tasks. If need be, they can tell others how to help.
Being treated for cancer can make you feel very tired. You may not be able to do all the things you used to do. It’s okay to say no to friends and loved ones when they ask you to do something with them.
Some people with cancer will tell their boss and others at work. Some will not. It’s up to you. But you should know about 2 laws that apply to workers with cancer:
This law applies to any company with 15 or more employees. It gives special rights to workers who have cancer. Under this law, your company must help you in a number of ways. One is letting you get cancer treatments during your workday.
This law may protect you if you can’t work because of your cancer. In some cases, it allows up to 12 weeks off with no pay. Check to see if the law applies to you.
To learn more, talk to the human resources person at your company. Or contact the social worker on your health care team. Both can tell you more about these laws.
Learn about the laws that protect workers with cancer.
Talking to others who have “been there” can be very helpful. They know what you are going through. They also understand your concerns.
To connect with others who have had cancer
They can help you find a support group for people with your kind of cancer.
You may want to call the American Cancer Society (877-333-4673). Another great resource is CancerCare (800-813-4673).
Use of American Cancer Society contact information does not imply endorsement.
Visit http://www.cancercare.org/reading_room/
Here are just some of the publications you will find at this link:
CancerCare also offers other kinds of support for people with cancer.
Visit www.cancercare.org or call 800-813-4673.
| These resources are learning tools only. They should not replace talking to your doctor. You and your doctor should decide what care is best for you. |
Your body needs lots of good foods to be healthy. But it may be hard to eat right while you are going through cancer treatments.
Try these tips
Call your doctor or nurse right away if you are having any problems with upset stomach, vomiting, or diarrhea. There are medicines that can help prevent or ease these problems.
These foods are Bananas, Rice (white), Applesauce, and Toast (white). Stay away from foods that can make your diarrhea worse. These include dairy foods such as milk, cheese, and yogurt. You should also stay away from fresh fruits and vegetables. Do not eat beans or whole grain breads.
Try broth, frozen fruit bars, sport drinks, and watered-down fruit juices. Stay away from drinks with caffeine. These include colas, coffee, and tea.
Keep snacks handy so you can eat when you feel the urge.
Try mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, or puddings. Make sure the food is not too hot or too cold.
B-R-A-T foods are good for diarrhea.
Try toast, crackers, or sherbet. You might also try boiled potatoes or baked chicken. Stay away from fried or greasy foods.
If you don’t have mouth sores, suck on sour hard candies. This will increase the saliva in your mouth.
Freeze single portions that can be eaten later.
During treatment, you may start losing weight or need help choosing foods to eat. If so, ask your doctor to refer you to the diet expert on your team. This person is called a dietitian. He or she can help you pick the best foods to eat during your treatment.
A diet expert can help you pick the best foods to eat.
This free booklet is packed with eating tips and recipes. All of them can help you deal with any side effects from your treatment.
To get a free copy, visit http://www.cancer.gov/cancerinfo/eatinghints or call 800-422-6237.
Tests show that exercise can help you deal with cancer. Staying active can help you feel less tired and ease an upset stomach. It can also help you feel better overall.
If you were working out and staying fit before you got cancer, keep it up. For most people with cancer, walking is an easy way to stay in shape.
Here’s how to make walking a part of your treatment plan. (Be sure to get your doctor’s okay first!)
Stretch your muscles slowly before and after you walk.
You might start by walking 10 minutes at a time, and then walk a little more each day.
Wear shoes that feel good, and bring a water bottle. Take some money and an ID card.
Stop walking if your heart starts to race or you have chest pain. And be sure to stop if you get very short of breath.
Don’t walk right before you have blood drawn. It may change your lab results. You also should not walk if your blood counts are low.
Many people who get cancer treatment become very tired or weak. A number of things can cause this. Often it is due to the cancer treatments or the cancer itself.
Try these tips
He or she can try to find out what’s making you feel tired or worn out. They can also suggest a treatment plan that’s best for you.
A diary can help you spot the times of day when you feel the best. Try to do the things that matter most to you at these times.
Take short rest breaks during the day. Try not to do too much. Don’t push yourself too hard on the days when you feel really good.
Resting too much can make you feel even more tired. Try taking a walk—even if it’s just a short one.
Work in your garden. Go bird watching. Or do something else that you enjoy. It may help you relax and think about other things.
There are many things that may help you feel better. They all strengthen both the mind and the body. But they should not take the place of your approved cancer treatments.
Do things that strengthen the mind and the body.
Tell your doctor about any vitamins or herbs that you are taking. They may make your side effects worse during your cancer treatments. Your doctor can tell you which vitamins to take and which ones to stay away from.
You can buy this booklet at any bookstore. It can also be ordered at www.cancer.org or by calling 800-227-2345.
SUU00237AE ©2009 Pfizer Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in USA/May 2009
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