Adnexal Mass Care Introduction
With cancer, you face many lifestyle changes and challenges. You and your loved ones may experience a wide range of emotions including anger, confusion, frustration, fear, and anxiety.
Dealing with these feelings is often easier when you learn more about your disease and get support from other people. Talking to friends and relatives or getting in touch with others who have had cancer can help. Cancer patients often attend support groups where they can share what they have learned about cancer and its treatments. Meeting with a social worker, counselor, or member of the clergy may also help.
You may worry about being able to keep your job, care for your family, or keep up with daily activities. Worries about tests, treatments, hospital stays, and medical bills are common. Doctors, nurses, and other members of the health-care team can answer questions about these concerns.
A nurse or social worker at the hospital or clinic can suggest local and national groups to contact. These groups can offer
- emotional support
- information
- financial aid
- transportation
- home care
- other services
The National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Information Service also has information on resources. The American Cancer Society is a nonprofit organization that helps patients and their families. There are also numerous cancer advocacy groups you and your loved ones may join.
The WCN site offers a section for survivors. There you can find valuable cancer information through feature articles, cancer topics, FAQs, and links to other reliable cancer resources in this section. Also offered is the Wall of Hope. It’s a place where women who have survived cancer can share their stories and provide hope and inspiration to other women with cancer. To submit your own story to the Wall of Hope, click here.
Good nutrition is important. If you eat well, you’ll feel better and have more energy. Eating well means getting enough calories and protein to maintain weight, to regain strength, and to help normal tissues grow. Some women find it hard to eat well during and after treatment. And many lose their appetites. Others may not feel like eating because they are uncomfortable or tired. Some women gain weight when on chemotherapy or hormonal therapy.
You may feel tired for a period of time after treatment is finished. Such fatigue can interfere with daily life. It’s important to have your red blood count checked by your doctor. That’s because anemia may be the cause of your lack of energy. Some patients need a blood transfusion. Others need medications to increase the red blood cell count. You may not feel like eating or exercising when you are tired. But, an unhealthy diet and little exercise can make the situation worse. Only you know how you feel. But remember that being active improves health in all ways. It is important to plan fun activities and to exercise regularly.
