“Hope is important because it can make the present moment less difficult to bear. If we believe that tomorrow will be better, we can bear a hardship today.” ~ Thích Nhất Hạnh A battle with an incurable disease, “Every day is a struggle.” […]
“Hope is important because it can make the present moment less
difficult to bear. If we believe that tomorrow will be better, we can
bear a hardship today.” ~ Thích Nhất Hạnh
A battle with an incurable disease, “Every day is a struggle.”
Here’s how Selma Blair faces Multiple Sclerosis with full of hope and courage:
She is not doing it in secret.
She shares her journey almost daily on social media.
She is honest about being alone. That’s what disease to many it isolates a person.
She does her best despite every day is a challenge.
She smiles genuinely.
Having a life-threatening disease, we always hope that we do have an answer and a cure someday.
We never say never.
Sometimes, it is easy to say, “I want to give up, I am tired of my life.” The worst thing you can do is not to try.
Whether you lost a loved one, dying or even lost everything. You may think you have nothing left, keep trying:
Try to spend time with friends and family as much as you could.
Try to help others – connect the dots of when you were happy and the activity you were doing.
Try to smile more often – it can alleviate pain.
Try to meditate – it rewires your brain and happiness.
Try to practice gratitude – it improves your moods.
Try to “win” each day – there are multiple ways to do it.
Try to love – feel the energy, share it away and let it fuels you.
The tragedy of life is not death… but what we let die inside of us while we live. ~Norman Cousins
You may be experiencing sadness, agony, pain or loneliness today. Your disease may make you hopeless and just wanting to die. You may lose everything you have.
Be inspired by Selma Blair’s winning attitude daily. Your tragedy is a tool for the living to gain wisdom, not a guide by which to live (Robert Kennedy).
Out of all the difficulties you are facing now, miracles grow.
Cielo Superticioso, is the author of The Cancer Voice Asia created last August 2017. Cielo focuses on the remarkable benefits of sharing her story and uses her own journey as a means to help you with yours.
Birthday holds a special meaning for us cancer survivors. It is not just a celebration of our age, it is also a celebration of love, life, and laughter despite cancer tried to crush us down. Three years from today, I was diagnosed […]
Birthday holds a special meaning for us cancer survivors. It is not just a celebration of our age, it is also a celebration of love, life, and laughter despite cancer tried to crush us down.
March 2018 and my 2nd-year of cancer free.
Three years from today, I was diagnosed with rare cancer and it was the month of February and March were the worst tragedy that I never wish in life but I have to experience it.
Three years from today, I was supposed to be excited and happy because my birthday is coming, but I wasn’t. Back then, I was a person full of fears and anger. It was an unpleasant welcome for my 30th birthday.
The month of March is my birthday when I was brought to this world and the same month where my doctor told me about my final diagnosis after my surgery that I had cancer.
The month of March could be both bitter and sweet to me. In that month, where I was uncertain about living and pursuing my goals in life. Yet here I am, writing, living life to the fullest, traveling, and making life meaningful by being an advocate for cancer in Asia.
This year, 2019, I had figured that on my birthday I would just make it much simpler and more meaningful. Having dinner with my family and have a few glasses of wine and to raise a fund for my friend, Tien, who suffer from hypothyroidism and is now traveling to Russia the moment I am writing this. She will continue her medical appointments to one of the best oncologists there, if possible.
Cielo’s Birthday Fundraising. Click the photo where to inquire for more information.
And for the rest and especially you who are reading this blog, I made a list of wish just for YOU:
I wish you could spend more time with your loved ones and family members.
I wish you to have more time pursuing your passion.
I wish you to get excited and happy whatever you do and wherever you are at the moment.
Birthday means more since cancer, and, oh yes, I would love to have more wishes each time I celebrate my two birthdays!
And thank you, just for being here, reading my blog, is just like celebrating my birthday with me.
Cielo Superticioso, is the author of The Cancer Voice Asia created last August 2017. Cielo focuses on the remarkable benefits of sharing her story and uses her own journey as a means to help you with yours.
When you think of the popular term “self-love” it’s all about to love yourself more. For a cancer survivor perspective, it’s more than that. You see, for us, cancer is not only a battle of our physical body but also our mental […]
When you think of the popular term “self-love” it’s all about to love yourself more.
For a cancer survivor perspective, it’s more than that.
You see, for us, cancer is not only a battle of our physical body but also our mental health. And if you ask us how can we love ourselves while facing cancer?
Oh boy, that’s a very hard work to do!
Self-love is not only all about ourselves. It’s about working the hard work within and at the same time, giving back the love to the people surrounding us.
So, here are the self-love tips from a cancer survivor:
Self –advocate.
Choose hope.
There is a power in representing yourself or your own view for the sake of YOU. Self-advocacy, in other words, “empowerment”.
Having cancer 3 years ago, it disabled my ability to speak up what I need or feel. You know, when you are being told by your doctor that you have cancer, it immediately mutes you by putting you into isolation and the rough journey has just begun.
However, I never chose to be trapped in the abyss of the isolation of cancer. So what I did, I took an active role in my diagnosis and treatment plan (especially I am residing in a foreign country, Vietnam, and language is the great barrier wherever I go).
I also made my own research, look for a cancer support group and ask to watch helpful videos to make myself educated about this rare cancer, sarcoma.
Self-advocacy simply means, you know yourself, know what you need and know how to get it. You don’t need to have cancer to apply self-advocacy. If the truth needs to be raised, be the voice. No one knows yourself better than YOU. Start practicing self-advocacy and never be afraid to ask.
Meditate.
Meditate. Photo by Dingzeyu Li on Unsplash
Practicing guided imagery in other words guided meditation, visualization, mental rehearsal, and guided-hypnosis may do more than just help create a calm and relaxing state of mind.
In my own experience, I was able to discover the wonder of meditation when I was suffering PTSD after the completion of my cancer treatments. After my radiation therapy treatment was completely finished, I thought I was okay. Until then, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder comes in where it troubled me for almost 5 months. Then in the middle of looking for answers in order to get sleep or to be less anxious, I started doing this only through YouTube after I did some research.
So, as I keep telling people why do I meditate, they are also wondering what is the effect of this to myself. Let me tell this to you straight, I have never experience astral projection for the last 3 years I’ve been doing this. What does a meditation actually help me is to be able to watch myself in every action that I involve in the present moment, where I will be able to watch/observe how my mind is thinking and thus able to control it.
Yes, it does help me to be mindful. Mindfulness indeed – it is knowing what is going on at the moment. Being present with the “now” instead of looking back to the past.
So, why should we meditate? It is actually beneficial not only for someone who had cancer, but also to anyone because it helps to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression and choose to live in the moment and let tomorrow take care of itself.
Am I being delusional here? I never tell you that I am living a perfect life without any worries, problems or anxiety. But if you will be able to make meditation as a habit, no matter how rough your day will be, it will be more possible to see the bright side of a situation the moment you’ll open your heart and mind into changes and accept uncertainties are always there, lurking and ready to share a catastrophe with you.
Sleep/Rest/Nap.
Sleep is very essential.
Sleeping, resting or taking a nap is vital to someone who either a cancer patient or someone that is aiming for a healthier lifestyle. Well, we all love that, a healthier lifestyle. Who does not?
We all know that sleep plays a vital role in all of us in good health and well-being. If we get enough sleep especially at the right times, it can help protect our mental health, physical health, quality of life, and safety.
Most of the time, I am guilty about this. Like, right now, I am writing this article at half-past 2 in the morning and yes you are not alone to be still awake after midnight.
Nope, it isn’t healthy and good. But, yep! Just like you, I am trying, too!
Smile often.
Smile, it’s totally free.
A smile costs nothing but gives much. A smile can be a verb or noun, it’s a facial expression showing how kind and amusing you are where your lips turn up and the front teeth exposed.
My question is. Do you smile every day? Sounds impossible to do it every day right? But a smile can be a habit, too!
Have you seen a grumpy person lately? What do you think why that person can’t afford a smile even we all know that it’s free!
And yes, another way to love yourself is just simply to SMILE. Imagine yourself if you always frowning and angry? Do you feel healthy? Does it make your heart healthy? NO.
If you realize that you frown more than smiling – start making a new habit now. SMILE!
Keep a journal.
Keep a journal. Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash
Even for you, writing can bring many positive benefits. It can give voice to your different feelings and thoughts. It is a mean to express them especially when life becomes difficult to handle. It can also allow you to let go of your toxic emotions that were previously kept inside your heart. And opening yourself through writing can actually help you start to be healed emotionally especially.
You are not good at writing? Well, you don’t have to show it to people actually. If writing can help you process your emotions like what it does with mine, why not care to try? There’s nothing to find out if you will not risk trying to do something you haven’t done yet – like writing and keeping a journal.
Be a better empath.
A hug is worth a thousand words. Photo by Hian Oliveira on Unsplash
It’s never too late to build relationships but it should start with you first. Be a better empath to anyone, be the kind of person you would like to be with and most especially, love yourself first.
The most dangerous enemy of our mental health that is brought by cancer is isolation. Nevertheless, it is not only cancer patients feel isolated, but it could also be anyone. And sometimes we forget the importance of empathy. And we tend to overlook that empathy is real love.
If we can’t show real love to ourselves, we can’t expect that we can love someone else. Because how you treat yourself reflect how you let others treat you.
Challenge yourself.
Challenge yourself.
Know what is your “WHAT NOW” Moment. The phrase tells us the question “what will happen NOW”. Now – living in the moment.
Have you heard this famous quote? “If something that you’re doing doesn’t challenge you, then it doesn’t change you.”
There is always a room for improvement, well even for us, cancer survivors!
I will not see any improvement in my life if I stick to my comfort zone especially right after I face this cancer. You know how my self-esteem dropped very low. Someone who may know me can imagine the opposite me now than before with very low self-esteem.
How do you pay attention to the present despite you experience a lot of traumatic experiences? I hope you don’t limit the challenges you encounter in life. You need a healthy dose of normal stress in our lives, after all.
Pay It Forward.
Pay it forward while you can.
After I learned a valuable lesson after my traumatic experiences especially with cancer, I was then able to share this lesson and that is through blogging. And you know what, I realized that when I started this project of mine “Pay Forward” this is not just a simple passion. This becomes my obsession! As you can see, I am still here writing my never-ending blog just for you!
Well, this obsession does not end by writing blogs alone. This “pay it forward project” continues by losing myself in the service of others. And, by losing myself in the service of others, this is where the “Paying Forward” in Vietnam comes in. I have been living in Vietnam for already 5 years and my cancer diagnosis & surgical removal of the tumor was also found out & done here. So, the idea to give back especially to children with cancer is not very easy to do, not with the help of everyone who is willing to change their mindset about cancer here in Vietnam.
And as The Cancer Voice Vietnam will mark its 1st year, I can say that I am so proud to everyone who is part of this project, especially to the Vietnamese who are eager to raise awareness about cancer, one family at a time.
Embrace self-love. Find some small ways how to practice it every-day. And maybe, you can start it within yourself.
She can, why can’t you?
Share your reasons for self- love and let the world know and let’s celebrate together!
Cielo Superticioso, is the author of The Cancer Voice Asia created last August 2017. Cielo focuses on the remarkable benefits of sharing her story and uses her own journey as a means to help you with yours.
What cancer has taught me? Here’s a piece of free advice: stop counting your days, enjoy each day instead. It’s not coming back again! You may think I’m crazy – well, yes you may be right! But, don’t say because my cancer […]
Here’s a piece of free advice: stop counting your days, enjoy each day instead. It’s not coming back again!
You may think I’m crazy – well, yes you may be right! But, don’t say because my cancer is not malignant unlike others, it is easy for me to say this. There is no such thing as “easy life” with cancer. Yet, I tried to live a normal life while facing cancer 3 years ago. How did I do?
I continued doing simple routines when I was facing cancer.
That routine started when I was determined to claim and accept that I had cancer. Then, I decided to move on while facing cancer.
When you have cancer, living each day to the fullest means:
Staying involved in the duties and pleasures of daily life.
Well, I simply hang out with families and friends but this part was not the easiest. I was still very private. I was not very sociable because my mind was still very occupied. But I was trying.
Returning to work if possible.
I returned to work the day I went out of the hospital – seriously.
Making plans for the future.
My immediate plan is only to travel to Hong Kong and meet my best friend! Well, for a cancer patient, they always say the words, “In case…” In case, my life will not be extended, I did what I badly want to happen!
Tin & Cielo
Starting a blog was never in my mind during that time. All I just did, I find writing as a coping tool while I was on my cancer journey. I love to write and share to the public. I write when I want to resent and share how painful I was experiencing at that time. I write to also inspire and encourage somebody else.
Cielo, The Cancer Voice Asia, Author & Advocate
Live a little each day.
Let me share to you some cancer patients who live its life to the fullest despite how tremendous the pain they feel emotionally and physically.
Megan dances her way while facing cancer and its treatments.
Five-year-old Solomon Haufano was diagnosed with desmoplastic small round cell tumor. He is not allowing this cancer to slow him down, however. He has been dancing his way through treatment and putting smiles on all the people around him.
Instead of sulking about her cancer diagnosis, this mom decided instead to dance it away. Since discovering tumors on her uterus and spleen, fitness fanatic Ana-Alecia Ayala said she’s been in and out of the hospital for various treatments. During her in-patient chemotherapy treatments, Alaya can be seen dancing throughout the session. During a recent session, they learned the routine to the latest dance craze, Zay Hilfigerrr’s and Zayion McCall’s “Juju on That Beat”.
Living with cancer means not only counting your days until your death but also how to live the rest of your life — whether it is long or short.
Take care of daily duties and do things that are fun with your loved ones. Both are needed for a full life. And when you can, think about what makes life rich and meaningful for you.
Cielo Superticioso, is the author of The Cancer Voice Asia created last August 2017. Cielo focuses on the remarkable benefits of sharing her story and uses her own journey as a means to help you with yours.
Is there a way to live well with hypothyroidism? Certainly, there are lots of ways to lead yourself an overall healthy lifestyle and that includes eating well and exercising. But, not only those, there are more things you can do to live […]
Certainly, there are lots of ways to lead yourself an overall healthy lifestyle and that includes eating well and exercising. But, not only those, there are more things you can do to live well with hypothyroidism.
Eat well and exercise!
Being diagnosed with hypothyroidism can make you feel exhausted and unenergetic. You will be most likely disoriented each day even when you are following your doctor’s prescribed medicine.
So, here are more ultimate lifestyle tips for you!
Eat healthy foods!
Hypothyroidism diet is not existing whether you will search it to every search engine that is existing up to know. But you should focus your meals around veggies, fruits, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats. Keep your energy levels stable, and eat small meals throughout the day.
Weight gain is a common symptom of hypothyroidism, so eating well can also help you maintain a healthy weight. Some foods (eg, high-fiber foods) and supplements (eg, iron, calcium) can affect how you absorb levothyroxine, so talk to your doctor about these foods and supplements.
Exercise regularly!
Exercise is good for everyone, and that includes you! But are you doing enough of it? Exercise can boost energy, decrease stress, and help you maintain a healthy weight (all important benefits, especially if you have hypothyroidism).
Work in the 3 types of exercises: aerobic (aka cardio), strengthening, and flexibility. Exercises to try:Walking, light weight lifting, and yoga. Talk to your doctor before trying a new exercise program.
Meditate and get a massage!
Why not give a try to get a massage? I love massage personally. I am doing this once or twice a month. you might ask yourself, ‘How can I relax when I have a million things to do?’ Well, it’s time to make yourself a priority.
Having a chronic disease—even if it’s being treated and monitored by your doctor—can be stressful. It can take a toll on your overall health. To combat stress, journal your weekly massage or schedule a daily 5-minute session of deep breathing or meditation.
Meditate. Photo by Dingzeyu Li on Unsplash
Go to bed early!
You normally feel tired throughout the day if you have hypothyroidism. By creating a sleep schedule and sticking to it can help you a lot. Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day—including weekends. In general, the sweet spot for sleep is between 7 and 9 hours.
If you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, talk to your doctor about other ways to help you drift off into dreamland.
The sad part with hypothyroidism, there is no cure for it. However, taking your medication in addition to integrate these lifestyle changes can help you lead a healthy life.
Cielo Superticioso, is the author of The Cancer Voice Asia created last August 2017. Cielo focuses on the remarkable benefits of sharing her story and uses her own journey as a means to help you with yours.
If you already read my previous article about Tien, I shared to you many beautiful photos of her. And you might say, “She doesn’t look sick!” Well, that’s why we don’t judge a book by its cover. In behalf of all patients […]
And you might say, “She doesn’t look sick!” Well, that’s why we don’t judge a book by its cover.
In behalf of all patients with hypothyroid including Tien, I want to share to you the frustrations they feel living with this concealed illness that you might think they look normal but the struggle they carry inside is too painful and heavy where not many people can understand even their own loved ones.
Now, let me explain to you the situation of someone who has hypothyroidism.
This another kind of cancer affects people worldwide and it affects women more than men. The work of your thyroid is to keep the body’s organs functioning properly. Also, thyroid hormone is important for regulation of body temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, and metabolism.
But, when the thyroid is no longer functioning, these are the things will most likely happen to your body.
Now, here are more confidential facts about hypothyroidism:
Forbidden
Don’t get me wrong, we can take sides in this issue. With this, I am especially referring to the current situation in Vietnam. Where, for instance, talking about health in this country, i.e. measles outbreak, vaccination, and swine flu are concealed). How much more cancer? Poor people, even family members are in denial and there is no acceptance with the reality
Heart-breaking
Being diagnosed with thyroid cancer means a lifelong need for its management. And problems such as fatigue, weight gain or loss, temperature intolerance, hair loss, and more can affect you not only physically but emotionally, interfering with your relationships and reducing your ability to enjoy daily life.
But here’s the best part despite living life with cancer.
Winning
It is not easy to face cancer. For Tien, she didn’t choose to get cancer, she needs not to fight it. Yet, she faces cancer bravely and she clings on every single hope that she can have every day until that time will come, she will be able to crush cancer. And the winning part, Tien faces cancer the way she wanted, together with the few people who understand her and never left her facing cancer alone.
Life-changing
Can cancer change a patient’s life? Absolutely! No one wishes to have cancer but there are some ways that cancer makes a patient a better person than if it would never had cancer.
Tien is a very quiet or rather we say introvert person, the first time I met her and I found out she has cancer, I tried to reach out and talk to her as a peer survivor. But that was not easy when during that time she was afraid that when people know that she has cancer, she might lose her job or friends.
I asked her if I can write an article about her, at first she hesitates. Gradually, she gained the courage to face the reality where turned herself to appreciate life more by being one of the voices of cancer. She becomes part of The Cancer Voice Vietnam as the graphic designer and to contribute to every charity activities that directly contribute to childhood cancer patients in one of the hospitals in Vietnam.
So, whenever you know someone that is affected with thyroid cancer, be patient with them.
You may see them as lazy, complaining, negative and miserable, but you know what? They are conquering heroes today. When you see them complaining, they are actually achieving a day to survive. When you see them lazy, they are just tired. When you see them irritable, they are in pain.
Whenever you see them like that, they are heroes that will never ever give up.
However, what they only need from you is your support and love. This fight is also your fight whether you like it or not.
Have you recently asked a friend or loved one that has hypothyroidism how they are doing or how their day was?
Cielo Superticioso, is the author of The Cancer Voice Asia created last August 2017. Cielo focuses on the remarkable benefits of sharing her story and uses her own journey as a means to help you with yours.
This is not a goodbye letter. When I had cancer 3 years ago, I thought to write a goodbye letter, in case, I can’t make it (living a long life, you know). And, so, I wrote one and sent to my Mom. […]
When I had cancer 3 years ago, I thought to write a goodbye letter, in case, I can’t make it (living a long life, you know). And, so, I wrote one and sent to my Mom.
But, yeah! Here I am – living a life with a purpose. I purposely turned my suffering from cancer into a meaningful one. To continue, this article is not about me because this is about my friend who has undergone two surgical tumor removal due to her thyroid cancer and metastatic that unfortunately, the tumor has affected to the other organs of her body.
And this article does not mean it is already the near end of my friend, Tien (that’s her in the featured image).
We still hold onto the HOPE where she will be healed and her cancer will be gone. As we are hanging out more often, go to some workshops or events here in Saigon, pool and sauna time or dine together at home or outside. I can see her being resilient and living her life to the fullest.
She is trying to keep the faith and believe that there’s a purpose why she has to experience all of this with a lot of patience despite the pain she feels every day and loss of appetite since her body is resisting the food she is trying to feed to her body.
As I closely live with Tien and follow her journey with cancer since the first time I met her, here are the ways she thrives by living her life to the fullest:
She lives every day on a fresh new start.
She is true to who she is.
She stops complaining.
She is proactive.
She thinks “next time” rather than “what if”
She focuses on “what” than asking “how”.
She creates her own opportunities
She lives more consciously each day.
She is committed to her growth.
She discovers her life purpose.
She stops putting life on hold.
She doesn’t do things for the sake of doing them.
She does things she loves.
She let go of an unhappy past.
She spends more time with people who enable her.
To sum up the list I’ve written, despite her health, Tien is actively participating in every activity of The Cancer Voice Vietnam. She is the graphic designer and the creator of our official logo. Her situation never stops her to do things for others.
Now, it’s sad to say that her health is deteriorating, yet I never saw her giving up the fight. Tien is about to leave Vietnam to find more health to one of the best oncologists in Russia. And if you could, please do think Tien and send her warm wishes or even include her in your prayers.
To the readers, whoever you are, whatever you are fighting – please do remember to live your life to the fullest and live like it’s your last.
Cielo Superticioso, is the author of The Cancer Voice Asia created last August 2017. Cielo focuses on the remarkable benefits of sharing her story and uses her own journey as a means to help you with yours.
One of the challenges during your chemotherapy is not only hair loss but also the changes in your appetite during or after your treatment. Aside from many side effects, chemo can do to your body, the worst is when you lose your appetency […]
One of the challenges during your chemotherapy is not only hair loss but also the changes in your appetite during or after your treatment. Aside from many side effects, chemo can do to your body, the worst is when you lose your appetency to your food.
So here’s how to manage your eating problems during or after chemotherapy:
Have small meals in a day. It’s better to eat a little than to eat nothing for one whole day. Your body needs energy since chemotherapy is a powerful anti-cancer treatment which can affect the whole system of your body including your digestive system. In that case, you’ll eventually lose your appetite but try to eat at least 5 to 6 small meals or snacks instead following your usual 3 big meals. Make sure that you consume foods and drinks with enough proteins and calories to your body.
Prepare something simple and easy. Plan a daily menu in advance before you start your chemo treatment. Stock some easy to prepare foods in your kitchen or ask a friend or family member to help you prepare your meals whenever you feel not well enough to cook.
Always hydrate your body no matter what. Sip your water throughout the day. Water helps get rid of chemo toxins but try not to drink too much that can make you feel too full to eat.
Don’t be guilty to eat your favorite foods. Whenever you find yourself having a great appetite to eat, never stop yourself. It’s not always the same that you have the craving to eat.
Ask help from an expert. Ask your doctor that can recommend you a nutritionist or dietitian in order to help you plan your diet and dealing at the same time with the side effects of chemotherapy.
Disclaimer:
I always do recommend to always ask your physician about every detail and concerns you are experiencing during your treatment. As a cancer survivor, I do, too experience many difficulties including my food cravings, emotions and other side effects that I used to feel. This blog I wrote is meant to help you get simple suggestions but this could never be a replacement for medical advice.
Cielo Superticioso, is the author of The Cancer Voice Asia created last August 2017. Cielo focuses on the remarkable benefits of sharing her story and uses her own journey as a means to help you with yours.
Right after my surgical tumor removal, the next treatment that I need to undergo is Radiation Therapy. I was too anxious for the preparation of this treatment. It’s always a first-time experience since during my cancer diagnosis. Preparation is indeed hard, but […]
Right after my surgical tumor removal, the next treatment that I need to undergo is Radiation Therapy. I was too anxious for the preparation of this treatment.
It’s always a first-time experience since during my cancer diagnosis.
Preparation is indeed hard, but I would like to share some helpful tips that you might consider doing one of them in advance.
Find ways to relax.
Waiting for and having radiation therapy makes a person feel anxious. I was not an exemption for this. During my 35 sessions of radiation therapy, I usually watched TEDx or TED Talks and shift into listening to music until my name will be called for my turn in the radiation room. Another way to alleviate anxiety — chat with other people waiting for their own treatment or ask a family member or a friend to keep you company. Before heading to the hospital for your treatment, you may want to try meditation or breathing exercise to help your muscles relaxed and keep your mind away from being too anxious.
Search for the process of quitting.
If you are a chain smoker, trying your best to quit or cut down your smoking habit as this will only make your treatment less effective. Quitting is difficult, it is important to seek support – especially to your physician.
Arrange some help at home.
Undergoing radiation treatment will make you very tired every day. Try to ask help from a friend or family member to support you with housework, meals, and errands that can help you lessen your load at home.
Make arrangements for your transportation.
If you have your personal transportation, you may want to talk to the hospital management in advance about the parking arrangements. On the other hand, ask a friend or relative can offer you a ride until the treatment is done.
Bring up to your physician if you have metal implants.
Never forget to inform your treatment team or physician if you have any medical devices in your body such as a pacemaker, cochlear implant or another metal implant. Radiation therapy can affect these devices.
Consider your fertility.
Depend on where your tumor is located, some types of radiation therapy can affect your fertility. If you think you may want to have kids in the future, discuss this issue first to your treatment team or physician.
Talk about your other concerns.
Make a list of concerns you wanted to ask your oncologist before your treatment will start. In that way, your anxiety will not increase in the middle of your treatment.
Do remember, you are receiving high doses of radiation during this treatment. There is a possibility that you may give off radiation to other people. Use safety precautions especially for the first few days of your treatment:
Wash your hands thoroughly after using the toilet.
Use separate utensils and towels.
Drink plenty of fluids to flush the remaining radioactive material from the body.
Avoid sexual contact.
Minimize contact with infants, children, and pregnant women.
Cielo Superticioso, is the author of The Cancer Voice Asia created last August 2017. Cielo focuses on the remarkable benefits of sharing her story and uses her own journey as a means to help you with yours.
Radiation therapy is the use of high-energy x-rays or other particles to destroy cancer cells. Only a doctor who specializes in giving radiation therapy to treat cancer is called a radiation oncologist. A radiation therapy regimen, or schedule, usually consists of a […]
According to research*, there are different reasons why a person must undergo radiation therapy:
Radiation therapy is given as the main treatment with the aim of causing the signs and symptoms of cancer
to reduce or disappear. This is called curative or definitive radiation therapy.
It is often used before (neoadjuvant) or after (adjuvant) treatments such as surgery to make the treatment
more effective. It can also be used at the same time as some treatments – when it is combined with chemotherapy, it is known as chemoradiation or chemoradiotherapy
It can also help to relieve pain and other symptoms by making cancer smaller or stopping it from spreading. This is known as a palliative treatment.
Side effects
Skin changes
You may encounter tenderness, redness, dryness, and itchiness. Each person may have different experiences but normally the skin changes do happen during the second week of treatment.
Fatigue
You are susceptible to overtiredness due to stress, worry, traveling to and from appointments. Do take a rest when needed.
Emotional changes
Anxiety grows. Signs you may notice, you have difficulty in sleeping or you may feel restless. Talk to someone you can rely on or a professional team who can help with the changes of your emotion.
The After Care
Being proactive after the treatment is completed can be very helpful especially to your emotional changes. It is very important to try to look after your wellbeing as much as possible:
Eat well.
Stay active (it can help you cope and PTSD will most likely not going to happen)
Talk to a counselor, close friend or psychologist if anxiety gets worse.
Never rub, scratch or scrub the area that was treated.
Gently wash treated skin with warm water and mild soap.
Gently pat dry with a soft towel.
Protect the skin from all sources of heat or cold.
Wear loose-fitting clothes and comfortable open collar shirts.
Creams
Do not use any creams or lotions in the treatment area unless directed by your health care team. The following list of creams is based on every person personal experiences and recommendations. One of the creams may or may not suitable for you. Always ask your physician before applying to your skin that was treated with radiation therapy.
Reference:*MB Barton et al., “Estimating the demand for radiotherapy from the evidence: a review of changes from 2003 to 2012”, Radiotherapy and Oncology, vol. 112, no. 1, 2014, pages 140–44. doi: 10.1016/j.radonc.2014.03.024.
Cielo Superticioso, is the author of The Cancer Voice Asia created last August 2017. Cielo focuses on the remarkable benefits of sharing her story and uses her own journey as a means to help you with yours.
