Northwestern Medicine - Empower Health

READYING YOURSELF FOR THE MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL CHALLENGES OF FIGHTING CANCER IS AN IMPORTANT COMPONENT OF TREATMENT. FACING CANCER COULD include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, causing patients to worry about their health, family finances, and future. "A cancer patient can start managing stress by building a support network of people who will be encouraging. I ask patients to not be silent, but to reach out," says Vickie Peyton, MSW, LCSW, oncology social worker at KishHealth System. "Getting support helps patients recognize and prepare for the emotional challenges, allowing them to work through them so they can better concentrate on their treatment plan." LET THESE TIPS GUIDE YOUR MENTAL PREPARATION FOR THE ROAD AHEAD: � Ask plenty of questions about your treatment regimen. � Delegate responsibilities to family or friends, when possible. � Encourage loved ones to seek emotional support. � Identify activities that relax you and make time for them regularly. � Seek financial assistance, if needed. Most importantly, remember that your health comes first. Taking care of yourself allows you to be your best for the people you love. KishHealth System offers a variety of cancer support groups and classes. Turn to the center spread or visit kishprograms.org for more information. Gearing Up for Cancer Treatment Better Together When you have cancer, you may feel that your loved ones don't truly understand what you are going through. Empathetic strangers, on the other hand, seem to understand completely. "I often hear patients say that support groups give them a place to be themselves without judgment—where others just 'get it,'" says Peyton. "They receive the kind of support that will help them redefine a world that is looking very different than yesterday's world." Research has found that participating in support groups can reduce stress and fatigue, encourage treatment compliance, and enhance coping ability. 14

• Cover