- Secure a primary doctor if you do not already have one. You need someone who can manage your overall health. This includes health heart, risk factors for diabetes, return or secondary cancers, bone health and overall well-being.
- Keep all records at your fingertips to share with your primary care doctor so that he/or she can monitor any risk factors that you may have.
- Get exercising! It can actually reduce risk factors that predispose you to secondary cancers. It builds muscles and reduces fatigue caused by treatment.
- Resolve to eat better by choosing foods that are proven healthier for you including lots of fruits and vegetables. If you are unsure about foods that are best for you get in touch with a nutritionist to arm yourself with the tools needed to eat right.
- Take hold of the fear that you may be experiencing by getting counseling to move forward. Remember cancer recurrence is based on averages and not your personal individual risk. Arm yourself with facts from your doctor.
- Take care of your body by not smoking, limiting alcohol intake and using sunscreen to protect your skin while outside.
- Don't ignore symptoms that you may be experiencing post treatment. If you are experiencing continued fatigue, metal fog (called chemo brain), or other symptoms that are not allowing you to enjoy life, make an appointment to address these issues with your primary physician.
- Create a good support system of fellow cancer survivors that can truly understand what you are going through. Your family and friends are great support but those who have walked a mile in your shoes are great resources. These resources can be found in your own community or online.
We, as a family, have benefited from some of these useful tips. We are striving to eat healthy, exercise regularly, and are seeking out others to help us live "real life after cancer". Won't you join us?
National Comprehensive cancer network (2012). 10 resolutions for cancer survivors.
Retrieved from: http:// www.nccn.com/component/content/article/67
Good information here as well as a good reminder for me. So often you spend so much time caring for your body through cancer that it becomes easy to slack when you're all done. Good words!
ReplyDeleteAmen! I need that reminder as well..
ReplyDeleteVery good information, if I might add some, my husband and I both went through Cancer 2 years ago, my oncologist explained to us it is very important what we eat, no dairy, chocolate, caffeine and especially no processed food, we live in a fast paced world where we take no time to take care of ourselves, God made a healthy body and we seem set to ruin it. Take care of what God has given you. Pat
ReplyDeleteThanks for Sharing! What a blessing you both are!
ReplyDeleteHello there.
ReplyDeleteGood information. Besides eating healthy food,it is good to exercise as you have pointed out in your info and stay active. This was the advice that one of our ladies who has breast cancer was given. She is doing well, now entering a tme of radiation. She is a Christian and has a great positive attitude and I think that is half the battle too. She knows Jesus is with her each step of the way.
ReplyDeleteAmy, You have found another way to be a blessing to those around you and to the whole world! You give good advise to everyone who has dealt with cancer or those who would just like to live more healthy and better lives. Thanks, Jill B.
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