Support Through a Diagnosis

Obviously there are certain medical/surgical ways of dealing with a breast cancer diagnosis. Depending on what your doctor finds and how advanced it is (stage) will help determine your course of treatment. Mastectomy, lumpectomy, chemo, radiation, etc etc.

But what are those OTHER things you can do to help deal emotionally and mentally and spiritually with a diagnosis? These are just as important as your medical line attack.

Here is a tip from my mom, a breast cancer survivor, on planning/prepping for a mastectomy and the importance of support following surgery:

“You will also have to sleep on your back for a few weeks, and not use your chest muscles at all. I slept propped up, and learned to get out of bed by using my heels to pull myself up on the side of the bed, then stand up. It’s good to practice this and anything else you do with your chest muscles, before surgery. Like pulling the brush head off your electric toothbrush. Brushing your hair. Sitting up from a lying position. Driving. Many many others. I had a sister with me the entire first week: she measured the drain output and kept a record, made me food, anything I needed. What a blessing.”

Tell your friends and ask for support – You will want those closest to you to be there to listen, help, encourage, and more. Whether it’ bringing your family a meal during recovery, sitting with you at one of the many doc visits you’ll make, or just laughing with you over coffee, friends and a strong support system are a must. Do you have a friend that cuts hair? Set up a time for her to help you wash your hair after surgery. A friend that doesn’t get squeamish around body fluids? Ask her for help with your drains post-surgery. You get the idea… :)

Spiritual – if you are religious this is the time to lean in to those beliefs. All my family are Christ followers and this experience could have made them jaded, bitter, or kept them in a state of anger. But through a relationship with God, asking Him “Why” and knowing the fact that He has a plan makes all the difference. Prayer, worship, Bible reading, all these are great daily practices (whether dealing with a diagnosis or not).

Find an outlet – whether it’s crafting, writing poetry, blogging, building, hiking, whatever moves your soul – find it and make the time to do it. Self-care has become vitally important. If you aren’t sure what you love (typical amongst women) then start small. Take a warm bath each night while listening to music or a favorite podcast, go for a 10 minute walk every day, see what classes are being offered at your local hobby store and go – you never know what you might find you love.

Ask your doctor’s office for a list of support groups – finding others who are dealing with the same diagnosis will help like no other family member or BFF can. There are also Facebook groups, community groups, and more that are available. All you have to do is search (Google is a great place to start).

What other tips do you have? Drop them below.