The doctor has just told you that you have cancer. As you wrestle with a range of emotions, you may wonder, “what should I do now?”
Consider the following tips to help you cope with your diagnosis:
Organise your thoughts. Write down your questions before your doctor’s appointment. If you are researching cancer online, be sure to counter-check this information with your doctor as not all online content is reliable.
You may want to ask your doctor:
Get a referral from your primary care doctor or experienced family members, friends, or colleagues. You may also wish to seek a second opinion from another doctor to get more information.
Your doctor may advise a combination of treatment methods to achieve the best outcome. Clinical trials may also be available as one of your treatment options.
Find an efficient way to track information such as medical appointments, laboratory tests results, treatment side effects, insurance information, and finances. Create a simple filing system using folders and spreadsheets to record important information.
Remember, you are not alone. Don’t isolate yourself. Seek support from your family, friends, healthcare professionals, or the community to journey through this challenging time.