What would you do if you had a family member with cancer?
Of course, you would be shocked. And your family, including you, will also be shocked.
However, it is important to face what has happened and deal with it.
After recovering from the shock, the next thing that family members can do is to support the person with cancer.
So, how do you support them? Just have them stay in the hospital?
What I am going to summarize here is something that is good to know in case of an emergency, so let’s look at it together!
gathering information and understanding
First, this should begin with the whole family!
It is important for all family members to have a proper knowledge of the type of cancer and its treatment. By gathering information from reliable sources and understanding the patient’s condition and treatment, you can provide appropriate support.
The following is a list of where and how to gather information.
the attending physician
The most important source of information is still the attending physician.
He or she will be able to carefully explain any questions you may have, including test results, treatment plans, and precautions to take in daily life. If there is anything you do not understand, do not hesitate to ask questions.
If your doctor does not take good charge of your case, you should consult with other staff members at the clinic or hospital. If you still cannot get an accurate answer, use a second opinion and visit another hospital clinic.
patient consultation services at hospitals
Large hospitals have patient consultation services for patients and their families. Consultants with expertise in medical care provide a wide range of consultation services, including treatment, daily life, and mental health issues.
websites providing information on medical institutions specializing in cancer treatment
Many specialized oncology institutions, such as the National Cancer Center and prefectural cancer centers, operate information websites for patients and their families on the Internet. You can obtain a variety of information on cancer types, treatment methods, side effects, patient experiences, etc. 4.
support groups for cancer patients and families
There are various organizations throughout Japan that support cancer patients and their families. By listening to the stories of others with the same condition and exchanging information, you can gain emotional support.
information on the Internet
The Internet is a good source of up-to-date information about cancer. However, the information is mixed, and it is important to distinguish between reliable and unreliable information.
listen carefully to the patient’s story
It is important to listen to the patient’s story carefully and sympathetically. Listen not only to their illnesses and treatments, but also to their anxieties, worries, daily life problems, and anything else that may be troubling them. When listening, keep the following points in mind
Help people sort out their feelings.
Talking helps people to organize their thoughts and feelings. For patients who have received a diagnosis of cancer and are tossing around a variety of emotions, having someone listen to them is an important process to help them sort out their thoughts and accept their feelings.
Reducing feelings of isolation and anxiety
The disease of cancer can be a great burden not only for the patient, but also for the family. It is natural to feel lonely and anxious. Listening carefully to the patient can help them feel that they are not alone and reduce feelings of loneliness and anxiety.
Understanding the Patient’s Thoughts
Patients have different perspectives on the disease of cancer and their wishes for treatment. By listening carefully to the patient’s story, the family can understand the patient’s thoughts and feelings and be there for the patient.
Facilitate communication
Open communication between the patient and family is critical to the success of treatment. By listening carefully to the patient, the family can build trust and facilitate communication with the patient.
Be supportive of the patient.
The support of the family is invaluable to the patient. By listening carefully to the patient, the family can be there for the patient and provide support.
↓ Points to keep in mind when listening to the patient’s story↓
Points to keep in mind when listening to the patient’s story
Listen to the end of the story without interrupting.
Show empathy without criticism or denial
Keep questions open-ended.
Be emotionally supportive and offer words of encouragement
provide specific support
It is important to provide specific support tailored to the patient’s condition and needs. The following types of support may be considered
Help with housework, childcare, etc.
Accompanying the patient to the hospital
Meal preparation and shopping
Information gathering and procedures on behalf of the patient
Financial assistance
When providing support, be careful not to overburden the patient. It is important to provide support to the extent you can, without forcing them to do so.
provide emotional support
Cancer treatment is physically and emotionally taxing. Patients may experience feelings of anxiety, fear, loneliness, and anger. It is important for family members to treat such patients with empathy and understanding and provide emotional support.
Accept the patient’s emotions without denying them.
It is important to accept the patient’s story as it is, without criticizing or denying it.
Offer words of encouragement
Tell them stories of hope, such as advances in cancer treatment or stories of patients who have been cured.
Cry or get angry with them
If the patient needs to cry, cry with them.
Incorporate humor.
Laughter is said to be the cure for all illnesses, and laughter has the effect of easing people’s minds. Make the patient laugh with jokes.
Recommend professional counseling.
If the patient’s mental condition is unstable, consult a psychiatrist or psychologist.
don’t forget to take care of yourself
While it is important to support the patient, we must not forget to take care of our own physical and mental health.
In many cases, family members who are supporting the patient become exhausted, and this can lead to use of their time at work and in their daily lives.
If the burden of care and support becomes too great, you may become exhausted both mentally and physically and fall ill, so it is important to know that you need to take care of yourself as well.
Get enough sleep and rest
Eat a well-balanced diet
Get adequate exercise
Do hobbies and favorite activities
Talk with family and friends
Seek professional counseling if necessary
It is important not to keep it to yourself, but to seek help from others around you, including other family members and relatives.
Summary
The information presented in this article was not about the cancer patient himself/herself, but about the need for care for the supportive family members around the cancer patient.
It is important to know what we have summarized above to avoid exhaustion on the part of those who support the cancer patient, even though it may be a family’s mission to work with the patient.
