The Cancer Journey
Contents Foreword .......................................................................................... 11 Introduction................................................................................... 15 Part 1 – Your Diagnosis
Contents
CHAPTER 5 Taking Care of Your Emotional Needs
Your Psyche . .......................................................................................... 45 Inner Strength......................................................................................... 46 Loss ......................................................................................................... 48 Grief ....................................................................................................... 48 The 5 Stages of Grief ............................................................................ 49 Use The Cancer Card!........................................................................... 54
CHAPTER 1 Dealing With Your Diagnosis – What We Wish We’d Been Told
Part 2 – Listen To Your Body and Take Control
The Initial Diagnosis ............................................................................... 19
CHAPTER 6 CHAPTER 2 How To Get The Best Out Of Your Doctors
Medical Support ..................................................................................... 21 Consultations ......................................................................................... 22 Treatment ...............................................................................................23
CHAPTER 3
Self-Help Techniques
Visualisation . .......................................................................................... 57 Meditation .............................................................................................. 60 Exercise................................................................................................... 65 Breathing................................................................................................. 66 Mindfulness – Be In The Here And Now ............................................. 68 Sleep ....................................................................................................... 69
Side Effects
Constipation and Diarrhoea.................................................................. 27 Nausea and Vomiting ............................................................................. 30 Lymphoedema ....................................................................................... 31 Insomnia ................................................................................................. 33 Night Sweats .......................................................................................... 35 Restless Leg Syndrome .......................................................................... 35 Oral Thrush . .......................................................................................... 36 Dry Mouth.............................................................................................. 37 Cramps ................................................................................................... 37
CHAPTER 7 Pamper Your Body & Soul – Holistic/Complementary Therapies
Reflexology – Put Your Best Foot Forward .......................................... 71 Massage – Soothe Operator ................................................................. 71 Aromatherapy Massage – Scents and Sensibilities ............................... 72 Acupuncture – No Pins Just Needles & No Pain Just Gain! ................. 72 Reiki – The Vessel of Calm ................................................................... 73 Coaching – Give Yourself Your Life Back! ............................................ 74
CHAPTER 8 CHAPTER 4 Communication
Breaking the News – Distress Management......................................... 39 Telling Your Children ............................................................................. 40 Let Email Do The Work For You .......................................................... 41
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Express Yourself – Live Life, Be Brave, Find the New You!
Keeping a Journal.................................................................................... 77 Writing.................................................................................................... 78 Cooking .................................................................................................. 79 Gardening ............................................................................................... 79 Music Therapy ........................................................................................ 80
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