English - International Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia Foundation

A Self-Care Approach, cont. from page 19
relaxation response. Many find it quite restorative. You
may still be aware of your fears, but you are diffusing
them by turning down their volume. Ultimately, any of
these methods should reduce worry and anxiety and offer
better emotional stability, concentration, and mindfulness.
Remember, the mind also needs to rest from the stress of
cancer.
Mindfulness is a term that relates to internal awareness.
One stays in the present, observing rather than responding.
Halting a reaction allows for the exploration of alternative
perspectives. In a calm, focused way we can tap into the
current conflict and discover the resources we need to
manage it. Becoming more mindful offers us more choices
in dealing with our emotions. We can learn to replace
our established trigger responses with new habits and to
interrupt that cycle of negative thoughts by just putting
them on hold and reeling them in. Once we do that we can
break the problem up into smaller parts and spread them
out so they won’t seem so overwhelming to us. Sometimes
we can control our anxious state by offering our minds a
momentary distraction, long enough to allow the anxiety
to pass. Mindfulness will help us become more resilient,
but it does not require that we force our will into a state of
positivity. Mindfulness is also acceptance that some degree
of anxiety will always be normal for us, particularly when
stressors are unfamiliar and unpredictable. Learning how
to keep our distress thermometer at a fairly comfortable
degree should be our self-care goal.
If adjusting to our cancer is the goal of our care plan, we
can claim successful adjustment if we can minimize its
disruptions. Are we able to manage specific cancer-related
problems as they arise? Can we regulate our emotional
distress? Have we remained active in ways that continue
to hold meaning and importance for us? Adaptation to
a chronic cancer is ongoing, and we may need the help
of a professional at any given point in time. Even after
successful treatment it’s not unusual to find distress
heightened and vulnerability renewed.
Discovering a balance between positive expectations and
ongoing fears can be achieved in therapy. To take care
of yourself also means to seek help or direction from
others when needed. To seek guidance and support while
exploring and adjusting to a life with cancer is a positive
step to take at any point. Ideally, the counselor you choose
should be skilled in psychotherapy with a solid background
in oncology therapy. Many cancer organizations or
cancer centers can offer a recommendation for services.
Connectedness is key, and the initial consultation should
help you determine if the therapist and the type of
therapy offered will suit your needs. It’s not unusual if
family therapy sessions are recommended according to
your particular situation. Antidepressants or anti-anxiety
medication may be prescribed for temporary or even
long-term relief of symptoms. Group therapy offers a
supportive environment with group members who have
the same cancer concerns. Self-help groups function
under the control of their members and help foster hope
and confidence in those who are struggling. There are also
therapeutic groups led by a trained professional assisting
and directing the group and offering supportive feedback.
In summary, we have at our disposal an array of methods
to explore or from which to select in formulating a
self-directed care plan. I’ve included only some of the
popular and possibly more traditional techniques. I make
no recommendation for one approach over another. We
are each unique, and this simple fact means that the
appropriate mode of self-care varies from individual
to individual. My only advice is to find what helps you
directly and keep doing it! If it stops helping, seek out
other approved mental health alternatives that will offer
the well-being that you are entitled to. Thankfully, our
treatments can offer us many more years of active living.
Our own self-care can significantly influence the quality
of those years.
IWMF member Wanda Huskins is a behavioral health RN.
This article is based on her professonal experience but is
not intended to to be a substitute for professional medical
advice. Wanda reminds us to always seek the advice of
our oncologist or qualified health care provider regarding
cancer-related issues
Have Your Say
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your fellow WMers, please contact Torch editor Alice Riginos at ariginos@me.com
20 IWMF TORCH Volume 14.2